O fellow classicists,
While I recuperate from pulling a muscle or two in my back in an un-related fashion(ouch!), I'll share with you some observations following more than a week of living with the Falcon San Remo I am currently riding as a fixed gear. Apologies for any off-topic leanings ...
1. - The ride quality is really very, very nice. Good handling, acceptably stiff when it needs to be, but springy enough (with 28mm tires!) to handle the occasionally bumpy in-town roads.
2. - Why didn't I ever get a set of Universal Super 68s before? When used with good brake pads, these may be the easiest brakes I've ever set up. They work smoothly and crisply, they stop the bike well, they feel good and simple and competent - and I love the way the quick release works ...
3. - If any of you have control of a manufacturing plant - bring back the Marcel Berthet mod. 23 platform pedal, please. Aluminum alloy wouldn't be bad, and you could use replaceable sealed bearings if you wish - but the shape is everything. There really is no pedal shape quite like it for fixed-gear use, and getting my feet into them is so easy ...
4. - Again, the Falcon frame is so neat. Sure, it has a funky, slightly misaligned bit where the wraparound seatstays join, but that just adds character. The only braze-on anywhere on the frame is a tiny stud to keep clamp-on shifters from sliding and scarring the downtube - very clean for fixed-gear conversions. The flamboyant green enamel grows on me daily, and combined with red Tressostar it looks vaguely Italian from some angles. The long-pointed lugs are simple and elegant.
5. - The headbadge is delightful, even missing a little paint. I would have to add Falcon to Rivendell, Legnano and Dawes for cool headbadge designs ...
Russ Fitzgerald
Greenwood SC
rfitzger@emeraldis.com
http://www.emeraldis.com/
http://www.lostweekend.homestead.com