rugbysecondrow
03-27-2011, 11:30 AM
I have delayed long enough, since I am home sick and unable to ride I might as well write about my last few rides. Without further adu, time for the ride report! Build and bike description here: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=86754&page=2
This is my second Kelly Bedford Custom bike and I must say, it is different than my other Bedford, but a great different. Here is a link to my first club racer Bedford (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=74498&highlight=bedford) I have two unique but purposeful Bedfords...life is good!
I have had this bike for about three weeks and even though I have been out of town for work quite a bit, I have been able to ride it quite a few times and the easiest thing to say is, I love it. I won't end there, I will try to elaborate.
My first ride was on a cold, rainy day and the bike was solid, although I didn't push the limits as it was not the sort of day for limit pushing on a new bike. Two days later, I took the bike out for about 2.5 hours, beautiful sunny day, mid 40's and pretty windy. This was the day to really put it through the paces.
My first impression, the bike disappears beneath you, seriously. I found my mind just went elsewhere, pondering such worldly problems like why I can't buy ranch dressing and mayonnaise in the grocery store that tastes as good as the restaurant offers...yep, my mind wandered a bit. The route I rode has some long and steep hills, some flattish areas with crappy roads and some some good rollers with good pavement. The bike tracked very well going down hill, I noticed this right away as the crosswinds were blowing very hard and the bike stayed on course with nearly no effort.
When I hit the rough parts of the road, I found myself steering around them and other obstructions, but eventually I let myself roll over them, no issues. The bike didn't bounce off course, it didn't jolt me or anything, I just rolled on. Sure, the tires helped (Rivendell Jack Browns) but the bike stayed on course. Kelly specifically built the frame with these tires in mind. I sent him the wheels and tires during the built so he could fit them accordingly.
When I hit the up hill parts, both the steep and the long ones, the bike felt like it could climb a wall. The gearing is such where I built it to function like that, but the frame allowed me to stay seated the whole time and just power through, the power transfer was great. During the ride, I actually forced myself to get out of the saddle some, a good problem to have IMO.
My final impression, I would describe this bike as a sporty Cadillac. It has good pick up, maintains speed really well and does not feel sluggish at all. That was my concern with this project and these tires. If it is possible to feel connected to the road and float at the same time, this bike does it. Although this bike is not built to be fast, I would say I could take it on club rides (as a B rider) without issue. It is a bike that you can cruise on or be quite spirited on, all the while with a great and comfortable ride.
Kelly really hit this bike out of the park, again. It is truly a Sport Tourer not just in name but in application. I have plans for some longer century rides as well as a credit card tour I am trying to rope some friends into. I really think Kelly "gets it" and knows how to make the bike work for the rider and the riders needs. If you have the benefit of working with Smiley, I would. He and Kelly work superbly together and the product is amazing. This is the second bike that has exceeded my expectations. I would not hesitate to go back again nor would I hesitate to recommend Kelly or Smiley to anybody, regardless of their bike needs. Two different types of bike bikes, both homeruns. Thanks guys!
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=86754&page=2
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp217/phpeter/Bedford%20Sport%20Tourer/IMG_1832.jpg
This is my second Kelly Bedford Custom bike and I must say, it is different than my other Bedford, but a great different. Here is a link to my first club racer Bedford (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=74498&highlight=bedford) I have two unique but purposeful Bedfords...life is good!
I have had this bike for about three weeks and even though I have been out of town for work quite a bit, I have been able to ride it quite a few times and the easiest thing to say is, I love it. I won't end there, I will try to elaborate.
My first ride was on a cold, rainy day and the bike was solid, although I didn't push the limits as it was not the sort of day for limit pushing on a new bike. Two days later, I took the bike out for about 2.5 hours, beautiful sunny day, mid 40's and pretty windy. This was the day to really put it through the paces.
My first impression, the bike disappears beneath you, seriously. I found my mind just went elsewhere, pondering such worldly problems like why I can't buy ranch dressing and mayonnaise in the grocery store that tastes as good as the restaurant offers...yep, my mind wandered a bit. The route I rode has some long and steep hills, some flattish areas with crappy roads and some some good rollers with good pavement. The bike tracked very well going down hill, I noticed this right away as the crosswinds were blowing very hard and the bike stayed on course with nearly no effort.
When I hit the rough parts of the road, I found myself steering around them and other obstructions, but eventually I let myself roll over them, no issues. The bike didn't bounce off course, it didn't jolt me or anything, I just rolled on. Sure, the tires helped (Rivendell Jack Browns) but the bike stayed on course. Kelly specifically built the frame with these tires in mind. I sent him the wheels and tires during the built so he could fit them accordingly.
When I hit the up hill parts, both the steep and the long ones, the bike felt like it could climb a wall. The gearing is such where I built it to function like that, but the frame allowed me to stay seated the whole time and just power through, the power transfer was great. During the ride, I actually forced myself to get out of the saddle some, a good problem to have IMO.
My final impression, I would describe this bike as a sporty Cadillac. It has good pick up, maintains speed really well and does not feel sluggish at all. That was my concern with this project and these tires. If it is possible to feel connected to the road and float at the same time, this bike does it. Although this bike is not built to be fast, I would say I could take it on club rides (as a B rider) without issue. It is a bike that you can cruise on or be quite spirited on, all the while with a great and comfortable ride.
Kelly really hit this bike out of the park, again. It is truly a Sport Tourer not just in name but in application. I have plans for some longer century rides as well as a credit card tour I am trying to rope some friends into. I really think Kelly "gets it" and knows how to make the bike work for the rider and the riders needs. If you have the benefit of working with Smiley, I would. He and Kelly work superbly together and the product is amazing. This is the second bike that has exceeded my expectations. I would not hesitate to go back again nor would I hesitate to recommend Kelly or Smiley to anybody, regardless of their bike needs. Two different types of bike bikes, both homeruns. Thanks guys!
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=86754&page=2
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp217/phpeter/Bedford%20Sport%20Tourer/IMG_1832.jpg