I had to commute on the
Trek Antelope for nearly a week, post Canadian tour, before I got around to minor repairs on my Ross Mt. Saint Helens commuter bike. I fixed a rear flat tire and fitted new
Panaracer Pasela rubber - gumwalls are visible again! And as one thing led to another: polishing rims, flossing degreaser between freewheel cogs, wiping derailleur, (with the rear wheel removed some parts are easier to clean!) I finally took this mountain beauty out for a spin. It was then that I realized how much I'd missed tooling around on my girly bike - the Trek is faster, more suited to loaded touring, but I definitely prefer the Ross's upright posture.
Yeah, I suspect the
Clementine is gonna rock my bike world!
The Pasela is my favourite tyre. Enjoy!
ReplyDelete+1 on the Pasela's love them, and that is one clean wheel!
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss your post about the Clementine order?! Hmm... anyway, I am very excited that you have one on order and that you have some new rubber on your Ross. Hopefully, you are finding renewed joy being reconnected. I always enjoy new tires myself... makes the ride somehow feel new again. :)
ReplyDeleteOn a Rivendell note, I suspect that you will be happy with the Clementine (Clem-L). My biggest struggle with Rivendell has been sizing because of my height. Personally, I feel that everything is made in their models for those over 5'6" and those of us not quite or close to that height have a little more difficult time. I recall when I bought my Hillborne several years ago that the stated approximate height for the smallest (no longer made) size was 4'11"-5'5". I cannot even fathom someone who was anywhere near the low end of the spectrum being able to comfortably ride that bike as I struggle being closer to the taller end of the range. My point being that the proportions seem to be well suited for taller riders, and I hope that you will thoroughly enjoy yours when it arrives! :)
Thanks G.E., I remember saying that I would never order a bike unseen, and then, well, I obviously did just the opposite! My issue has always been to locate an affordable, large sized step-through frame with clearance for wide tires. I believe the Clementine will fill that niche. When it comes time to replace tires, you can bet Pasela gumwalls will grace the Clementine!
DeleteI think we have all said things and then changed our minds at some later point. :) Super happy for you and hope to hear all about it when you're able to get in some good rides.
DeleteI love gumwall tires. Of course, I always end up ordering black tires with a reflective strip, but I do love how these look.
ReplyDeleteI just put new Vittoria Voyager Hypers on my Bianchi Volpe. Plush!