Herse made so many different bikes for so many different people and so many different purposes that it is hard to generalize. Do you want a racer? A track bike? A camping bike? A cyclotouring bike? A fast randonneur? 700C or 650B? A tandem? A "porteur" guaranteed to carry 110 lbs. of newspapers day after day? A "gentleman" bike to go to the office? A ladies bike? Herse would set you up with any of these and more. And each was specifically built for its purpose, not just a few different "accessories" hung on the same frames. (A similar range could be found "chez" Singer, Goeland and most other constructeurs.)
For me, the 1952 Herse camping bike I rode at the Cirque (sadly not mine) is the ultimate ride. It combined comfort, ease, precise handling and speed with beauty like few bikes I have ridden. 650B tires, huge fenders and all. For those who don't believe it, ask the people who were on the ride, some of whom got to try the bike.
Considering that this bike was designed for loaded touring - and I have no doubt it would excel there, too - it was amazing to see how well it worked for spirited riding over short distances. For the rides 95% of riders do, it is hard to beat that bike: MS150, Ride for the Roses, Randonneur brevets, Seattle-to-Portland, touring Vermont to see the fall colors (B&B or camping), or a fast ride with friends at the Cirque. Even forest roads, unpaved, are no problem for the 650B x 38 mm tires. The versatility of this type of bike continues to surprise.
The one disadvantage is price: Herse bikes today are cheaper than they were new, but still not affordable for most.
Of course, there are other French constructeurs, and especially Alex Singer bikes ride wonderfully. Alas, they aren't much cheaper.
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Jan Heine, Seattle
Editor/Publisher
Vintage Bicycle Quarterly
c/o Il Vecchio Bicycles
140 Lakeside Ave, Ste. C
Seattle WA 98122
http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com