It's always a happy & exciting time when you receive a "care package" from a bike shop or company. It's a bit like Christmas even though you know exactly what's in there and exactly how much it cost.
So what's in the box this time? A variety of Velo-Orange goodness
These will go on the Roadrat, which is slowly being converted from an urban runabout to a touring bike.
On the front we have some Chris's Rando bars - a little different to regular road bars with an upward sweep from the stem, a longer section before the hoods and a slight flare on the drops (which I can use without my belly bouncing gently on my knees). These are very comfortable - so far they feel the best drop-bars that I've used, although it gets uncomfortable with your hands either side of the stem. This is mounted on a shiny VO stem and holds a 'baguette 'handlebar bag.
The seat is a leather 'Model 3' saddle, modelled on a Brooks B17 but made from Tasmanian cows. Leather saddles are traditionally used by long-distance riders (not racers) as over time they apparently shape themselves to the individual shape of your backside. This is known as an 'arse hammock'. The break-in time is supposed to be painful but I'm not finding it too bad, possibly because I'm only riding 20km at a time. It's mounted on a shiny VO seatpost, and suspends a 'Croissant' saddle bag. This is large enough to be useful but small enough to theoretically not be noticeable when you ride. Unfortunately the buckles on the fine-looking leather straps keep knocking into the seatpost with a distinct and incredibly irritating 'tick' every time I hit a bump - I need to do some masking with tape.
Finally there are Sabot pedals. I'm a big fan of flat pedals and most of the ones I ride are BMX pedals. These look a little more understated but still have a massive and very comfortable platform. Although the combination of flat pedals, no straps and narrow handlebars means wrestling the bike up hills is hard work.
As it's a Friday I was able to pack a complete change of clothes in the bags today - a carefully rolled and surprisingly wrinkle-free t-shirt and some undies in the front bag and a pair of trousers in the saddlebag. Flat pedals meant I was able to wear the shoes I rode in in around the office without walking like a constipated gazelle, and all I needed was a hip-pouch for essential tools and a camera.
So what's in the box this time? A variety of Velo-Orange goodness
On the front we have some Chris's Rando bars - a little different to regular road bars with an upward sweep from the stem, a longer section before the hoods and a slight flare on the drops (which I can use without my belly bouncing gently on my knees). These are very comfortable - so far they feel the best drop-bars that I've used, although it gets uncomfortable with your hands either side of the stem. This is mounted on a shiny VO stem and holds a 'baguette 'handlebar bag.
The seat is a leather 'Model 3' saddle, modelled on a Brooks B17 but made from Tasmanian cows. Leather saddles are traditionally used by long-distance riders (not racers) as over time they apparently shape themselves to the individual shape of your backside. This is known as an 'arse hammock'. The break-in time is supposed to be painful but I'm not finding it too bad, possibly because I'm only riding 20km at a time. It's mounted on a shiny VO seatpost, and suspends a 'Croissant' saddle bag. This is large enough to be useful but small enough to theoretically not be noticeable when you ride. Unfortunately the buckles on the fine-looking leather straps keep knocking into the seatpost with a distinct and incredibly irritating 'tick' every time I hit a bump - I need to do some masking with tape.
Sadly at some point I'm going to need to bite the bullet and put those new-fangled gear things on though.
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