On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 11:44 AM, Steve Palincsar <[email protected]> wrote: > On Wed, 2011-08-24 at 09:30 -0600, PATRICK MOORE wrote: >> >> I rode many miles on Indian equivalents -- my third bicycle, given to >> me on birthday 11 or 12, was a Hero. I may miss something, but it >> seems to me that these bikes are mere evolutionary dead ends, >> remaining alive for reasons of technological, industrial and market >> inertia, and that the Raleigh Sports-type models that replaced them >> are far, far better in every way except perhaps in the ability to >> traverse bad or non-existent roads -- tho' if BQ is right (and I am >> not convinced), their larger wheels have no advantage here. (The >> Sports is also a dead end but not in design but in materials and >> technology; an aluminum version with modern components would be far >> less deadly to ride than a Sport. I've owned many Sportses.) > > The blurb says upgraded and improved over the old, one of the upgrades > is tire size another cable brakes. So I'm not sure how much of these > criticisms of traditional roadsters still apply here. > > I didn't dig into detail, but I don't think there's any way to use 28 x > 1 1/2" tires with any kind of cable operated brakes (other than drums) > so I'm guessing they've gone to a 700C hybrid tire. They've also > upgraded saddle and handlebars, so I think that leaves the geometry as > the roadster residue. > > So, how relevant is roadster geometry? For an urban commuter on the > Dutch model, short distances w/dress clothes, I think the roadster > position is a real winner. No need for extra shoulder room in your > blazer or tweed sports jacket to allow for the cycling position here! > Also, for most riders (Young Patrick in India notwithstanding) the > roadster position highly discourages "enthusiast" riding; relaxed, cool, > calm, [literally]laid back all fit, and that's exactly the approach you > need when riding to work in your dress clothes. >
Perhaps - but I rode one of the pigeons a couple of years back and it was not a ride I would wish on others. It was difficult to lift the bike up at all. Now i'll admit to not being the brawniest guy but lifting it up stairs shouldn't involve hernia surgery. Add to that rod-brakes and I think I'd rather spend the money for a flying pigeon on any number of other bikes. -sv -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
