tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post4726363522196692828..comments2024-03-27T11:44:15.723-04:00Comments on The Retrogrouch: Smart Wheel Size "Breakthrough"?Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-78407670545704568442014-08-18T05:46:50.260-04:002014-08-18T05:46:50.260-04:00i have two 26" mtbs - both being retro "...i have two 26" mtbs - both being retro "foundlings" bought for €50 and €60 respectively. i've seen quite a few bicycles with 29" frames and wheels but only one (i think) 27.5 model.<br /><br />obviously the size and weight of a rider will be the deciding factor when choosing a bicycle but for pure aesthetics - the thing itself - i find an "old school" hard-tail mtb to be an object of perfected beauty. in platonic terms, its designed proportions - especialy with a top-tube parallel or as near as, to the ground - conform exactly to what i image the ideal bicycle form might be. the larger, 29" version looks like perfection on steroids - in my 'umble, ever so 'umble opinion - and anything smaller looks like a toy.<br /><br />the negative spaces in its construction, the diameter of tubing used, its proportion, height ... length, etc., etc. ... are all exactly as they should be.<br /><br />there's the theory that beauty survives better than practicality - hope bicycle manufacturers are aware of this. bill kilpatrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03672904702448622324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-6050389833838026492014-06-20T10:58:42.507-04:002014-06-20T10:58:42.507-04:00Hi Steven -- actually, Terry originally built thei...Hi Steven -- actually, Terry originally built their reputation on the whole idea of choosing the proper wheel size for smaller riders. But they are and always were a pretty small company -- especially compared with something like Trek. I'm not sure what's going on with Terry Bicycles, as I don't think the company founder, Georgina Terry, is associated with them anymore, maybe not even for a long time, and ownership may have changed.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-59647117585875167092014-06-20T09:10:40.171-04:002014-06-20T09:10:40.171-04:00My 4' 10" tall wife rides a vintage Terry...My 4' 10" tall wife rides a vintage Terry Mountain bike with 24inch wheels back and front. Although not the fastest bike, it fits her better than a 26 inch wheel bike and is much easier to handle and more comfortable for long rides. So besides Trek, Terry has been "smart sizing wheel" sizes in the past, although I do not believe this configuration is currently available. Probably not enough sales. Tire choices are not plentiful, but Schwalbe came through with a good and high quality tire.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04480639201872933830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-32210023838892545712014-06-10T13:47:44.607-04:002014-06-10T13:47:44.607-04:00Ahaha, poor 'ole 26" wheels. So terrible...Ahaha, poor 'ole 26" wheels. So terrible to use...<br /><br />Kidding, of course. I have an old rigid steel Trek mtn bike with 26" wheels that I put some fat slicks on, and wouldn't trade it for the world. Nice and comfortable, it's a perfect "puttering around" bike, and I think I could load a refrigerator on the rack and it wouldn't faze those wheels.<br />I'm 6'7" tall, 36" inseam, obviously I'm tall enough that a "29'er" would be a legitimate choice for me, but I think that between gearing, and geometries, and tire fitment, etc. there's so much more to consider than what's "cool" at the moment. Of course what is old now will be new again someday I suppose... I just have to stock up on enough good 26" tires to last until that size comes back into vogue, I guess. Oh, the embarrassment of running "entry level" gear. <br /><br />Not only am I retro, I guess I'm amateur, too. I run stem shifters (on purpose!), I like 27" and 26" wheels, and I don't have one pair of clicky-shoe-pedals. <br /><br /><br />Actually, as I was typing this it occurred to me that I've seen some of my favorite bits and pieces for bikes coming around lately. Centerpull brakes seem to have a bit of a resurgence (particularly with the Paul brand), being one thing I've noticed in particular. In Rivendell's latest catalog, they sell an IRD mount to turn downtube shifters into stem shifters. <br />Maybe an interesting topic to discuss in the future? "Entry level" stuff that is gaining momentum/ making a comeback?<br /><br /><br />Wolf.N/Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14710395292374599493noreply@blogger.com