[CR]Re: Handlebar height/reach: Who cares?

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Ideale)

From: <BobHoveyGa@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 15:38:40 EDT
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: Handlebar height/reach: Who cares?

In a message dated 4/16/2005 3:02:16 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Garth writes:

The most
>recent posting re: handlebar height/reach was one of the most interesting
>works bringing sanity to an area of freewheeling self abuse. As a long time
>student of physiology, a former dancer and yoga instructor, I find the
>practice of keeping the bars 6 to 8 cm's lower than the seat absurd. I also
>find GP's of Rivendell, practice of keeping the bars at the same level of
>the seat or higher usually unnecessary or overly cautious.

Personally, I think all the complex and arcane formulas for fitting bike to rider are hogwash. There is only one way to set up a vintage bike... so that it looks good! Who cares what it feels like when you're riding it? If you want comfort, get a recumbent.

Personally, I am sick to death of seeing beautiful vintage bikes whose spiritual aura has been twisted and perverted by some rider who insists on exposing too much seat tube or tilting the handlebars to an angle that is visually displeasing, all because he wants to feel at ease while riding.

And another thing... folks that put brake cables on a bike that are too long or too short to form the proper aesthetically pleasing curves ought to be whipped.

Art and beauty and style is what vintage bikes are all about... we should be prepared to suffer a bit for it.

Bob Hovey (having a tongue-in-cheek day in) Columbus, GA

For me an object is something living. This cigarette or this box of matches contains a secret life much more intense than that of certain human beings. -Joan Miro