Ciao Bella, tha knows like. (or Dalesman with some Italian flare)

Peachy! · Mar 19, 2022

Little test around the block and all seems well. Slightly longer run planned for tomorrow. I think I might put some higher pressure tyres on tonight if I’ve time.

vcballbat · Mar 19, 2022

That was a quick and easy transformation, looking great with the new levers, hope you've protected that wall from the Rolls..

. I'm seriously thinking about switching to flat bars on my Holdsworth Mistral touring bike as I spend most of the time riding the narrow tops of the bars.. food for thought..

Peachy! · Mar 19, 2022

vcballbat said:
That was a quick and easy transformation, looking great with the new levers, hope you've protected that wall from the Rolls... I'm seriously thinking about switching to flat bars on my Holdsworth Mistral touring bike as I spend most of the time riding the narrow tops of the bars.. food for thought..

New experience for me, never having ridden a proper road (other than my tandem) with a flat bar. I’m not sure what to expect from higher speed curves?

vcballbat · Mar 19, 2022

Counter steering... push on the opposite bar your turning and drift round speedway stylee..

I find toeclips are better for this as you can pull your foot out quickly to steady yourself mid bend...It was carnage seeing the uninitiated gravel boys crashing out on the slippery chalk stuck in spd's on the Ridgeway last year.

PeterPerfect · Mar 19, 2022

vcballbat said:
Counter steering... push on the opposite bar your turning and drift round speedway stylee..

Mm, not so sure about doing that style of steering with that short stem.

Does that not feel a bit twitchy?

Peachy! · Mar 19, 2022

PeterPerfect said:
Mm, not so sure about doing that style of steering with that short stem.

Does that not feel a bit twitchy?

Possibly, but I’ve not tried it properly.
I put the short stem on to counter having my arms wider apart. Tomorrows ride will be a good gauge hopefully.

Peachy! · Mar 20, 2022

Went out on a nice little 15 mile shopping round trip this morning. I must say I’m very pleased with myself! For a ride in trainers & jeans it was great fun, mainly on cycle paths & byways, tarmac, gravel & concrete but the rolls, carbon bars and of course the Reynolds tubing didn’t have me wanting suspension once.
After getting over the initial feeling of riding a penny farthing I soon settled down to quite a comfortable cadence. I am however looking forward to fitting the thumbies as soon as they arrive as the reach down to the levers and subsequent spreading of my legs whilst still peddling was starting to get a little boring.

Peachy! · May 5, 2022

Now then, I think it’s now in its final guise, I’ve made a number of changes, so here they are in no particular order;
1. Swapped the short stem for a Sakae ATB riser with canti stop. Much better, still comfy and more stable in the corners.