Bike Updates (or, my laziness has set in, so I'm combining posts into a quick update)

I don't know what has happened to my blogging schedule. Somehow, I've found myself in near melt-down mode over the last several weeks, and have been avoiding any "unnecessary" activities, which apparently includes writing here. Oddly, I have little to say these days, so I thought perhaps a simple update on the bicycle happenings would be an appropriate catch up for today.

First, like many areas across the States, it's been fairly mild weather-wise. It does make it a lot easier to get out and ride because it generally means simply adding an extra layer (or two) depending on the temperature. We have had a few dumpings, but fortunately, they have (mostly) melted quickly. I am quite certain we are in for a good snow bath sometime in the next 1-2 months, but that remains to be seen. Temperatures, however, have been on the warm side, staying fairly consistently in the 25-40 degree Fahrenheit temperature range.

The Bella Ciao is in the process of being sold to a lovely woman in Chicago who is excited about getting the bike. If all goes well, she should be riding it around very soon. I am happy that it's going to someone who will enjoy it, and that it will get regular use... and if it doesn't go to her, I remain positive that the right individual will come along.

Although it went largely unreported here, I actually purchased a Soma Buena Vista mixte frame some time ago and have been attempting to get that built up; however, it's yet another project that has gone by the way side with too many non-bike projects taking place these days. So, it will be sold to avoid the gathering of "extra" stuff around the house. It was just one of those projects that started strong and then, unfortunately, fizzled out. I am trying my best to avoid these "deals" that seem to come my way. It seems I am quite incapable of saying no to a project when the price is right. I'm working on it, but I believe it is some sort of personality flaw that needs some repair.  Secretly (or not so - as I've just typed it out here), I have hopes of another project bike, but I think I need to wait and make sure it's the right one, and that there is the time/funds to devote to it.

So, the bicycle herd is dwindling once again, and not too many changes have taken place with the remaining rides. One fun change was the handlebar tape on the Hillborne. I felt that it was looking to masculine, and needed a bit of a feminine splash of some sort, so a couple of months ago I decided to switch out to a raspberry colored bar tape. I have to admit, it's a bit of a different look, but it's growing on me. What do you think?

Other than these few changes, life continues on. Hopefully, your winter rides are going smoothly. Before we know it, spring and warmer weather will be here. Happy riding!

2012: Change is Good

Normally, I am not one to make New Year's resolutions. However, I do think that the beginning of the year is a good time to renew, refresh, and to re-evaluate the direction of life and goals in general. To be able to take the time to reflect and to have the opportunity to perhaps view things in a new way can be invaluable. To that end, I've had many thoughts over the last few months in regard to where things are going in this space, and while I don't want to stop writing entirely, I often feel uninspired or as though I'm entering into repetitive topics, causing me to avoid writing at all (which is not something I want to do). In addition, time constraints have made a regular schedule of putting information here more difficult, so I have been evaluating what to do and the direction I'd like to go, as well as whether or not I want to continue this at all.

Ultimately though, I started this space for myself as a means to kind of track things that were interesting to me at a particular point in time, and also to hopefully have something amusing to look back on at a later date. While sorting out the last boxes from our move (over 8 months ago), I came across a bicycle camera mount I purchased more than a year and a half ago. I had bought it with intention to immediately go home, mount it to the bike as a way of making photography easier while riding. When I found the camera mount, it was still attached to its original packaging.

It was more than a little disappointing to see something I was so excited about not so long ago, buried in a box of unused "stuff." Even more disappointing was the fact that I had never even taken the time to mount it to any bike, let alone making it a regular use accessory. It reminded me that change is sometimes a very good thing to go through though, and so my plans for 2012 for this space include using this tool much more often and perhaps shifting (at least somewhat) the type of posts here. I don't know if it will be something that sticks, but I'd like to give it a try because there are times when I really do think that photos can speak so much more than mere words. I am by no means a photography pro (or even amateur), but I think ride pictures could be an interesting way to share what I get to see while on the bike.

I do have the mount out of (most of) its packaging, so I am on my way to actually using this particular item in the near future. I'm sure there will still be rants about various items, or the occasional post regarding some life event, but I am excited about the opportunity to have a bit of a shift. Other plans for 2012 include figuring out my own herd of bicycles and where I need to be. I have all but put the Bella Ciao up on the chopping block, and I believe this is the direction I am headed. I'm sure in the next couple of weeks there will be a post up regarding it being for sale (if anyone is currently interested, please feel free to e-mail me - but I am fairly certain it will be for sale in the very near future). I want to whittle down the number of bicycles, spend less time worrying about the little specifics, and also have the right variations for my ride style, needs, and life. What that means exactly? Well, I'm still evaluating... but, I definitely don't want to have unused bicycles collecting dust.

So, I just want to thank you for bearing with me as I attempt to figure things out. I'm not entirely certain I even know where this is headed, but I'm excited about having a bit of change. In addition, I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and safe New Year's, and that 2012 will be full of positive growth, good health, and many enjoyable bike rides. Happy New Year, and thank you for continuing to read!

Two City Bikes: Bella Ciao Superba and the Electra Amsterdam

It's taken a bit of time, but I am finally able to sit and write out thoughts on the borrowed Electra Amsterdam "La Fonda del Sol" and the Bella Ciao "Superba."  I should first point out that it is a bit of an odd comparison to attempt to contrast these two very different bicycles. However, I also think it's valuable to have something to compare to/with, so hopefully it will help me sort out my dilemma with the Bella Ciao, and perhaps provide some insight for others as well. (I should also note that I couldn't quite figure out how to ride two bicycle simultaneously, nor could I find anyone when I had time to ride the second bike, so some of the photos included are less than glamorous. My sincere apologies).

The Electra Amsterdam is a colorful beast (I use the term "beast" with an affectionate intention) with a 3-speed Shimano Nexus internal hub. It has a rear coaster brake and a front hand brake, providing enough stopping power for city riding purposes. It is also equipped with a rear rack, bell, battery powered tail light and bottle driven head light.

While riding this bicycle, I feel happy - literally, I can't stop smiling. It is almost as though it creates a good mood, even if I'm feeling a bit grouchy. It also rides large. What I mean by this is that it feels very expanded. The rider sits back (part of Electra's "flat foot technology," no doubt) and there is a lot of room between the saddle and the handlebars. It feels big, but comfortably so. The handlebars sit wide and I'm always relaxed when riding this bicycle. The saddle is comfortable for short distances and is made of a leatherette material. For longer rides, I find the saddle uncomfortable, but for sub-6 to 8 mile rides, it works just fine.

Even the Amsterdam's saddle is fun!

As stated in a past blog post, it's difficult to ride this bike and not get the attention of those around. I have to say that it certainly catches many an eye because it isn't the typical color scheme found on most bicycles. Whether this is good or bad for the rider depends on the individual. For me, I love the opportunity to talk to people about a bicycle, but I can also see how it could get to be a bit annoying if the rider is in a hurry to get a task done and someone is trying to ask about the bicycle. Although I tend to think I am a wallflower, I doubt I would find this so attractive if I were, so I suppose it is something each person must figure out for him/herself. At minimum, the rider should be prepared for the occasional comment from a passing car or other cyclist.

The rear rack is rated to carry up to 25 pounds (a bit over 11 kg). In all reality, for many this is not a high enough rating to use this to haul groceries and other heavier items. While it is doable, I would prefer a higher rating for instances when I have more of a full load to carry. For anyone wondering about the frame, it is made of aluminum and the fork of steel. I am not normally a fan of aluminum bicycles (particularly for a city bike), but this one seems to do the job without creating hand vibrations, which is my biggest concern with aluminum.

 The Bella Ciao and Electra are just about as different as two of the same "type" of bicycles can be in many respects. On the surface, they seem to be a similar bike, but when digging in the rider can definitely see and feel the differences. The Bella Ciao feels petite and bird like when riding. The handlebars sit narrower (coming in closer toward the body) and the seating position has the rider positioned more directly over the pedals. When riding the Bella Ciao I feel proper, for lack of better phrasing at the moment. I sit up high and more vertical, versus the relaxed position of the Electra. The saddle is made of leather, is narrower (and thinner), but is much more comfortable over longer distances.

Bella Ciao saddle vs Electra Amsterdam saddle

Both of the bicycles have rear racks, however, the Bella Ciao's rack is rated to carry up to 40 lbs (18 kg), which is nice because it's a bit more weight that can be transported. Not that I ever really carry 40 pounds of "stuff" with me, but it's nice to know that the rack can handle it if need be. I don't think I'd have ever guessed by looking at the two racks side-by-side that the Bella Ciao's handmade rear rack can carry more weight than the Electra. Which just goes to show that just because something appears stronger doesn't necessarily make it so. I do prefer the length of the rear rack on the Electra because it provides just enough space to be able to scoot things back a bit so that it doesn't hit my back while riding. I think it has to do somewhat the with rounded edge on the rear of the Bella Ciao rack. Looks-wise, I would give the point to the rack on the Bella Ciao. Put plain and simply, it's just daintier and prettier to behold.

Both bicycles come with fenders and a full chain guard, however, only the Electra has a skirt/coat guard on the rear wheel. This is not a huge deal to me, but could make a difference for some. Also, adding a skirt guard to the Bella Ciao is possible, so it shouldn't be a deciding factor necessarily. The grips on these bicycles are different as well. The Bella Ciao has cork grips while the Electra has coordinating leatherette grips. Personally, I prefer the cork (both for its looks and comfort), but I think that each seem to go with their respective frames, and I don't find either offensive.

Bella Ciao cork grips vs Electra leatherette grips

The lights! Oh, the lights. This is probably one of the most difficult things for me about each of these bikes. I dislike both systems, but for very different reasons. On the Electra, the head light is powered by a bottle driven system. When the rider wants to turn on the head light, she simply flips the bottle so that it connects with the wheel, which generates the power to light up the head light. When activated, the bottle system creates a good amount of drag on this bicycle. The nice piece of this lighting system is that it's only "on" while one is riding the bicycle (thus, there is only a sensation of dragging while it is engaged), but the down side is that it's only on while one is riding the bicycle...meaning that when the rider comes to a stop at a light or stop sign (or for any other reason), the hub is no longer powered, which means that the rider is less visible because the light has turned off. In addition, the tail light is battery powered rather than connecting to the system that lights the front of the bike. Personally, I would prefer not to have to worry about carrying around extra batteries.

On the Bella Ciao, the lighting system is part of the hub and the rider simply flicks an on switch to activate the head light. In the case of the Bella Ciao, it also powers the tail light, preventing any need to replace batteries. While this system seems ideal, the hub on the Bella Ciao creates a drag (even when it isn't on), which I initially thought was only in my head. I had a reader contact me who also owns this model and expressed similar concerns. She ended up taking her bicycle to her local shop where she learned that the the hub is a lower end model and the head light is a halogen light (rather than an LED light). Between the two items, it causes a dragging sensation as well as requiring more juice to generate the power for this particular light. To summarize, even when the light isn't on, it is still creating a drag, and when it is on, it needs more power.

Both of these bicycles have rear coaster brakes. In the past, I have always had coaster brake bicycles and they never seemed to bother me. Over the last 1.5-2 years, however, I have not owned a bicycle with a coaster brake, and unfortunately is isn't something I have easily become used to again. Because I am so incredibly klutzy, and have to start with a particular foot in the "correct" position, using the coaster brakes hasn't been my favorite experience. I have found myself using only the hand brake, which in turn causes me to pedal slower if there is a good deal of traffic, or if I think I may need to stop abruptly.

There are other differences (that can make a big difference to some riders) such as the tires, the bell (the brass bell on the Electra is a replacement - it comes with a coordinating colored bell), the shifting systems (Sturmey-Archer vs Shimano) and the pedals, but really it all comes down to what works for the rider. Personally, I am conflicted about each of these bikes. I have owned an Electra Amsterdam in the past and I sold it for a reason - it just wasn't what I was looking for in a bicycle. I didn't like the saddle for slightly longer distances, and replacement saddles weren't working for me (though I have learned much about saddles since that time). I also didn't like that it was so difficult to attempt to stand up and pedal on it due to body positioning. That said, it was probably my most ridden city bicycle because it was easy to use and not horribly heavy. I do currently own the Bella Ciao and have considered selling it - but for different reasons. It rides well, is functional as a city bike, and is quite beautiful. However, I am not certain it is the right bicycle for me. There are days when I ride it and think, "How could I get rid of this?" and there are other days when I just don't feel comfortable on it and think that it could find a good home with someone who would appreciate it and ride it more regularly.

I haven't figured out the answer for myself just yet. There are certainly pros and cons to a decision to move on to another bike; however, I also know that changes could be made to the Bella Ciao to make it more appropriate for me. I could take off the coaster brake and replace it with a roller brake, I could remove the dynamo hub and opt for a higher end model or remove the system all together and use battery operated lights, but in the end I question the additional costs versus either keeping the bike as is or selling it to someone who is looking for this very type of set up. With any decision, I have concerns and wonder whether the pocket book can handle any choice I make. In time, I am certain the right decision will make itself known, and in the mean time, I have the great fortune of riding two very interesting city bikes a bit longer.

{Part 4} How I Ruined Myself on Upright Bicycles: The Conclusion?

*If you are just beginning to read, please see Parts 1, 2, and 3.
For all the failure I seemed to be experiencing with the upright bicycles, I just could not give up on them. If anything, the failures seemed to spur me on to find the right one. I test rode, I researched, and I asked for others' thoughts. I wanted desperately to keep the price of the next upright bike in the sub-$800 category. It's not as though I have money to throw around, and I believed that it was possible to find this bike because I had done so in the very beginning. I made a list of possible bikes and went to test ride as many as possible. I even considered finding a vintage bicycle to rebuild and restore. Despite my best efforts, I could not find what I wanted and ultimately had to raise the price range.

I believed Linus bikes would be a good contender, but they just didn't satisfy.
*Image from Linus

And then I heard it. It was quiet and almost inaudible, but it was definitely there: a little voice. It was a very small angelic whisper telling me to wait, telling me that there are options, trying to convince me that the much louder and larger horned beast inside was wrong. Ultimately, the larger horned beast pummeled that poor small voice into submission, which resulted in my purchase of the Bella Ciao. I tried to find one to test ride locally before the purchase, but was unsuccessful. Our city bike shop, The Mindful Bike in Denver is supposed to carry this brand (per the Bella Ciao distributor site), but when I paid them a visit, no Bella Ciao's could be found. It's apparently a brand they intend to carry, but there was no plan for an exact arrival date. I made the leap and purchased one of the Superba bikes from Harris Cyclery in Massachusetts. Because it is a sportier ride made to handle the hills a bit better, it seemed a logical choice to me (and believe me, I was actually trying to be logical at that juncture). The Bella Ciao is a perfectly fine upright bicycle, and pretty to boot. While I'm not certain it is the upright bike for me, that remains to be seen, and is a tale for another time.

This Bella Ciao is so gorgeous, it hurts.

To date, I believe there are a variety of factors that have "ruined" me on upright bicycles. I still believe it is possible to find one that will work (and perhaps it is currently in my possession), but I know now that I have to attempt to filter through others' opinions (as best I can), my past experiences (both with city bikes and road bikes), as well as (at least somewhat) my aesthetic choices in order to find something that will work long-term. While I can only shut down my visual perceptions of what is attractive to a minor extent, I believe on some level this trait has skewed what I am willing to ride, or caused me to want to modify a perfectly working bicycle for no good reason other than looks (but still I wonder, what is wrong with that?). I have learned that I should do my best to be happy with the bike I have, because the next one might be worse (though it can also be better), and perhaps even more importantly that more money spent doesn't necessarily equate to a happier, more pleasant riding experience. If I have a bike I like, I must refrain from always looking for the next best thing, because maybe what I have is what's best for me. Listening to others' opinions is a wonderful way to learn more about bikes, but those others don't live my life, or have my body, nor do they know my budget constraints or any number of other factors that can play in to a decision.

*Image found here

I have learned (or at least become more aware of the fact) that I truly love change as well as the experience of being able to try out different styles of bicycles. Perhaps this is something I shouldn't attempt to shut down, but rather should encourage? While it's not necessarily a trait I can afford to have, I have relished the process of trying to find the perfect upright bicycle, asking questions and attempting to find acceptable explanations. I certainly don't have all the answers, even for myself, but the process is really a good portion of the fun, as well as, unfortunately, the frustration.

Currently, I have two city bikes in my possession which I will be using for comparison purposes (the Bella Ciao, and a long-term borrowed bike). Despite my best efforts, I can't seem to stop the need to compare. Maybe this curiosity will turn into something positive, or maybe it's just a huge waste of time and energy. I can't help but think that I still haven't found the right bike though if I continue to have the need to look. After all, even though there were many, many changes to him, the Hillborne has remained as the stable, long-term, all around, comfortable bike (of course, the Hillborne and road bikes in general could be yet another reason I've found the upright bikes so challenging, adding yet another layer to the puzzle).  But, I honestly don't think the problem rests on my inability to find satisfaction in a bike, and even with all I've said, I still believe it is possible to find long term happiness in an upright bike.

And so, I press on - ruined or not. Have I reached any dramatic conclusions? Probably not. Are there others who identify with this mess? Maybe. But, if nothing else, perhaps my (mis)adventures are simply turning into a source of amusement for others, who can shake their heads and wonder what this nut will do next... and, I suppose, in some ways it is a way to keep me amused as well.

Initial Ride with the Bella Ciao Superba

My sincerest apologies go out to anyone waiting for my post about the Superba. I know that I had said I would get a post up early this week, but it just wasn't in the cards. I keep starting posts to talk about the Bella Ciao, and then find myself stopping and coming back, only to begin again. Part of the continual re-starting is that I'm not entirely certain what to say about the bike just yet, and in part it is that I'm not sure I'm really ready to evaluate her, even initially. But, I also believe it's important to have first thoughts, as well as longer use opinions, and I've promised these initial impressions, so I'm going to attempt to give this a go. Please do keep in mind, however, that I've only ridden this bike less than 10 miles total.

On Saturday, I finally had the opportunity to take the Superba out for her inaugural ride. The snow had cleared enough and the weather was pretty warm (considering the time of year and cold temps of just a few days prior), so it seemed an appropriate time to get outside. We decided to ride to breakfast. Sam had a gift card to use, and I wanted out of the house for a bit.

Just looking at this bicycle anyone can see that it's quite beautiful (In fact, I was actually stopped while photographing the Bella Ciao by a woman who was curious about it). The color combination, the lugged frame, the elegant rear rack - what isn't there to love about this ride? I especially appreciate that it visually stands out in a more subtle manner (is that an oxymoron - 'subtly stands out'?), rather than screaming, "Here I am - look at me!" Of course, there's more to a bicycle than looks, so it was time to get out and ride this little lady.

Before I get into the actual ride I would like to note that at 5' 3 3/4," I am probably about as short as a person would want to be for this bike, unless the individual has long legs. As you can see from the photos, the seat post is nearly all the way down, with only about 1/2" of post showing. I would say if a person is under 5'3", particularly if she has shorter legs, I'm not sure this particular bike will work. Proportionately, I do have shorter legs than torso (not absurdly so, but slightly shorter), so that may be beneficial to a person wondering about this 54cm frame size. I am also unable to touch the ground while sitting on the saddle (I like to have full leg extension, rather than be able to touch the ground), so if this is of importance to a rider, it's something to keep in mind.

But, getting back to the bicycle ride... The ride to breakfast has a variety of hills and flat land, but as a whole, the ride out is mostly a gradual incline, and for the most part is a slight downhill return. "Mostly" being the key word. I thought it would be a great test route because it does have hills (both up and down), flat land, and some slightly varying terrain depending on the route choice. As you'll soon read, however, I won't really be able to evaluate fairly the ride because I was distracted for most of it with other items. Beginning our ride, things weren't off to the best start. The Superba felt difficult to pedal and fairly heavy, which is odd considering I've owned far weightier bikes, and even the Hillborne is heavier in its current set up. I fully expect that a city bike won't ride the same as a road or touring bike, but I felt as though something was pulling me in the opposite direction (a severe dragging feeling), and I just felt very slow and as though I was putting forth a lot of effort with little results. I kept wondering what was wrong with me. Was I tired? Was it that I hadn't been on a bike for a few days? I struggled the entire short 4-mile ride out to our stopping spot. We discussed my problems over our morning meal while I tried to think of what could be wrong. Sam seemed to think that it was perhaps the chain because it was extremely tight when it arrived, leaving no give at all, or that perhaps it was the weight of the dynamo hub in the front, which does put a bit of drag on the wheel (though not nearly to the extent I was experiencing). I wasn't completely convinced it was the hub because I've had bikes with the same type of hub and not had issues. The chain? Well, I honestly couldn't say if that was causing problems.

On Sunday, the house mechanic (aka Sam) had some additional time to spend with the Bella Ciao. He was able to get a bit of give (relaxed some of the tension) in the chain, and fix some of the noises that were taking place (the chain was dragging inside the chainguard, driving me absolutely insane, and there was some clicking in the crank), likely from shipment and movement of parts during this process. All of the rattles and strange noises were resolved with his tweaking, and I was happy that the Bella Ciao wasn't as noisy as it started out to be the day prior. A couple of laps around the block and I could see that it was more of what I'd expected from this bicycle, however, that dragging feeling still hadn't disappeared. To date, I still haven't quite figured out what it is. It's possible that I've just grown used to riding the Hillborne and the Pacer and I need to re-adjust my mindset for a city bike again, or perhaps there is actually something taking place here that we haven't quite determined as of yet.

The odd thing to me regarding this initial impression is that I generally either immediately love or completely dislike a bicycle the first time I ride it (of course this can change over time), but after the first ride, I was left feeling a bit ambivalent. I also don't know that I can offer a fair initial assessment of this bike because of our rocky start, and I cannot help but feel guilty writing anything even remotely negative about the Bella Ciao. I suppose in my head I don't really view it as "negative" impressions, but rather just initial feelings, and my thoughts of being unsure of this bike during my first experiences with it. I think that I, more than anyone, am surprised by my feelings about the Bella Ciao, and hope that more riding will prove to remedy any doubt about this bicycle.

Some of what I found most enjoyable about the Superba during our inaugural ride was the riding position. It's nice to have that more upright posture again, as I have missed having that over the last few months. I also love the saddle selection of the Brooks B-72. I've had this particular model on bicycles in the past, and I have found it to be one of my favorite saddles for the appropriate bike, such as this one. Also, although they are perhaps not the most beautiful thing on this bike, I appreciate that the pedals are a kind of grippy/non-slip pedal, so I am able to ride if my shoes are wet or get into the snow (such as was the case on the day we rode).

I should also state that I am merely sharing my initial feelings/experience with this bike, and others who have ridden this bike, and those who own this bike absolutely loved it from the start, which just goes to show that individuals have different ride styles, opinions, and experiences. What is great for one person may not be the same for another, and vice versa. It's also nice to be able to test ride a bicycle on multiple occasions to have first impressions before committing to a specific bicycle, though I certainly was aware of the potential risk in buying without test riding. Additionally, after some more tweaks, I may absolutely love this bicycle and wonder what I was so worried about initially. It's difficult to know after one fairly short ride, and my experience has been that rarely does a bicycle arrive perfectly suited for me. Adjustments almost inevitably follow any initial ride, and I will freely admit that I tend to be rather finicky about the way my bike is set up, so it can take a good deal of time for me to find comfort on a new bicycle.

I am intentionally avoiding discussing the specific components on this bicycle in my first thoughts because I really don't think I've had enough time with the Superba to comment on elements such as lighting, braking, functionality, and so on. This is not to say that I find them in any way bad or unusable, but simply that I haven't had the time with the Bella Ciao to form even basic opinions. Over time, I believe I'll feel more comfortable discussing these areas, but for now, as I had promised initial thoughts, I wanted to offer those up (for what they may be worth - which, probably isn't much).

Above all, I believe the Bella Ciao Superba is a beautiful bicycle and Velouria did a great job with her color selection, rear rack, and design. Though I am aware my first impressions may not seem overly encouraging or positive to an individual considering this bike, I hope that anyone thinking about purchasing the Bella Ciao (or any bike) will take the time to explore on their own and determine whether or not this will be a good choice for him/her. Certainly, I am not speaking for a large population of bicycle riders, but rather in regard to my first experiences with the Bella Ciao. I am also not stating that I dislike the Superba by any means, but rather that our short initial ride together was not my most pleasant first ride on a bicycle.

I do, however, look forward to spending more time with the Superba and determining whether or not she is a good fit for me. If anyone has had the opportunity to ride this bike, or if you have thoughts on what the dragging sensation might be, I'm hoping you'll chime in with your thoughts, as I don't want anyone to think that my short initial ride is by any means what everyone will experience, nor what I will find to be true in the long term. I look forward to sharing more as the rides continue.

The "Snowpocalypse" and the Arrival of the Bella Ciao Superba

As predicted by the forecasters for the last several days, the snow storm hit the state over night (and is still actually dropping snow as I type). We awoke to no power (and no heat, more importantly), but the views outside were actually quite beautiful.

View from the window

Sagging tree branches from weight of wet snow

The large trees keep snow off a lot of the ground, but they seem to suffer for it in the form of losing branches

I love seeing the combination of the fall colors and the snow together

Depending on where I look, there's anywhere from 1/2 an inch to about a foot of snow, but surprisingly, the roads seem to be fairly clear, considering the amount that fell. Heat and power have now been returned (at least here) and life begins to resume. Then, just as I was finished shaking snow off of some of the tree branches I could reach, a delivery arrived for me: the Bella Ciao Superba.

The driver didn't seem happy to be dropping off a 46 pound-and-some-change package, but when I looked at the box, I wasn't thrilled with the way it had been cared for while in their hands.

Bottom of box as delivered

More damage - just a couple of images of the many slices and holes present on the box.
On an interesting note, it appears I received #11 out of 12 of the Superba's!

This is not the first time we've experienced poor carrier handling, so I suppose I wasn't horribly shocked to receive the box in this kind of condition. Disappointed, certainly, but not surprised. I opened up the box to survey the package.

Looks good so far

I started to pull out the packing materials, praying that there was no damage to the bike. There was a lot of packaging, so I assumed the Superba would be fine. Sadly, I was wrong.

Dimples in rear fender

I was disappointed to see dimples on the rear fender. How the damage occurred is even more odd to me because the exact position of the indentations actually had a large piece of foam surrounding it. There was, however, a large slice through the reverse side of the box, and it was easy to see in the formations on the foam that something had struck it.

Slice in box that coincides with location of the fender and dimples

Thus far, it seems that this is the only damage that occurred, and while I'm not exactly happy to have a new bike that already has damage, I will say that the fender is probably the easiest area to deal with some imperfections. I have yet to contact Harris Cyclery about the damage (though they will likely have me file a claim with UPS, which I already know will not have positive results because of past experiences), but will do so as soon as the bike mechanic is home and can take a closer look. From what I can tell, the rest of the bicycle seems to be unscathed, but I don't want to speak too soon.

As you can see, in this photo it's difficult to see the damage to the fender, and eventually the rear rack will also somewhat cover the area.

I have to admit, when it came time to vote for the color of this Bella Ciao, I voted for periwinkle. Of course, at the time, I didn't think I'd be purchasing one either (though I certainly was lusting after the bike). While I am a sucker for that lovely grayish-lavender color, I have to say that the green is actually quite pretty, and was probably a better choice for this bike.

Unpacking the contents of the box has been fun. All sorts of goodies to discover, like the grips, the rear rack, the kickstand, the saddle and so on. I especially enjoyed the note on the front of the grips, reminding the assembler that the grips must be glued in place.

I should point out that this bike is meant to be assembled by a bike shop or a bicycle mechanic, so anyone who is considering shipping one of these should be aware that there is some technical expertise needed. Fortunately for me, one lives in-house. So, while the snow continues to fall, I await his return home to assemble this beautiful bike, and hope for the roads to clear quickly so I can actually take her out for a ride. I look forward to seeing her in all her glory and sharing initial thoughts.

A City Bicycle Decision

The last several weeks have been full of thoughts, research, and test rides in an attempt to figure out what sort of city bicycle I should have or seek out. Having owned several types of upright bikes over the last few years, I think it's almost more difficult to make a choice because I have too many thoughts and past experiences flowing through my head. I know, poor me...my tiara is too big and my gold shoes are simply too tight. I don't mean it to sound "princessy" at all (though I am aware that I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to try many different brands/styles), but it really is seemingly more difficult to pick out a bike after there have been so many with varying features and degrees of enjoyment.

I seriously considered re-purchasing a Pashley Princess Sovereign because I just couldn't seem to find an upright bike that would work well for my purposes. The one lingering issue that kept pounding in my head about the Pashley, however, was her weight. While she's not as heavy as some of the Dutch bicycles on the market, when you have a lot of hills to climb, a rider definitely starts to feel the weight of the Pashley. While she is pedal-able up hills, the overall ride is a bit slower than I would hope, and I kept holding out hope that something would stand out as a suitable city bike.

**Image from Velorbis

After discovering a Velorbis Dannebrog in an expired listing on e-Bay, I thought that it could be a possibility. I have not had the opportunity personally to ride the Velorbis, but after reading several reviews, hearing about test rides, etc, the consensus seemed to be that it was a very similar feel to the Pashley Princess, which isn't necessarily what will work for me right now. To compound matters with the Velorbis, the seller prefers strongly to sell it to someone who can pick it up locally (in Connecticut) because he was having difficulty finding a shop to pack and ship the bike even remotely reasonably. A 2,000 mile drive probably isn't the most economic choice, I am aware.

Without going into too much detail about what was and wan't working for me in each bike I considered, I will simply say that I found myself trying to find one that made the most sense and wouldn't break the bank. I discovered quickly that I wasn't going to find what I wanted in a sub-$800 bicycle, so I opened up the prospects to an almost double-the-budget range. I looked for used bikes that sell for higher retail prices but would be discounted in a used state, at vintage bikes that could be turned into something beautiful and usable again, and of course, new bicycles. In the end, I really want a bicycle of quality that I can hang on to long-term, but finding a place to test ride each of the bikes I have interest in is challenging, even with our new city bike shop in Denver, The Mindful Bike.

**Image from Bella Ciao

Prior to my last visit to The Mindful Bike, I had been searching online for U.S. retailers of Bella Ciao. From what I read online, The Mindful Bike is carrying this brand in their shop. Oddly, I hadn't recalled seeing them on my last visit, and after visiting them again, realized that my initial thought was correct. I inquired as to whether or not they would be carrying Bella Ciao bicycles, but the owners were out of the store, and the gentleman I spoke with wasn't sure if they would or wouldn't be carrying them. After returning home, I recalled that there were a handful of Bella Ciao's available at Harris Cyclery in Massachusetts - or at least, there were back in August. I assumed that they would all be sold out at this point in time and figured I would continue my search, but thought it was worthwhile to find out. Surprisingly, my inquiry returned positive results with Elton stating that they do in fact have a few of these bikes left in stock.

I took a bit of time to think about it, to debate whether or not it was a good decision, but ultimately decided to go for the purchase of the Bella Ciao Superba. It's unnerving to purchase a fairly expensive bicycle and be unable to actually test ride it, but I remain positive that it will be a good choice. I do have a couple of small concerns, but it is supposed to be a lighter ride than many other bikes on the market, and it has the options I was hoping to get on a new upright style bike. I am so incredibly excited to receive this bike (it's due in the middle of this week), and cannot wait to get it built up and take her for a ride. Of course, now I am going to have to figure out how to make up for the price difference from what I had intended to spend, and the reality of what it ended up taking to get this bike, but I remain hopeful that it will be a good decision (Anyone want to buy a bicycle... or maybe a painting, or two... or ten?). Stay tuned for a ride report (hopefully by the end of the week, if our weather holds) and first impressions.