2008 Lugged Steel Kona!!

[KnottedYet]

Oooh, baby....

http://www.dirtragmag.com/gal/showphoto.php?photo=3622&cat=668

[DebW]

even chromed lugs

[mimitabby]

pretty bike!

[divingbiker]

Oh, man...I love those shiny lugs. I've got bike lust for a custom steel bike in dark metallic red with polished stainless lugs. Very pimped out, but gorgeous!

[abvnx]

wwooo...nice! *drools*

[Zen]

Knott looking at lugged steel = 14 year old boy looking at porn;)
you know what I mean

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Too bad it's designed such an extreme racing position.
They can't make up their minds- why combine heavier lugged steel with an extreme racing posture? Makes no sense to me.

I suspect it will appeal to "poseurs" who want the cache of chrome lugged while looking like a TDF racer. The two don't really go together, practically speaking.
It's all about image on this bike.

[KnottedYet]

I just looooove it that lugs are "cool" again! :D

[Veronica]

Too bad it's designed such an extreme racing position.
They can't make up their minds- why combine heavier lugged steel with an extreme racing posture? Makes no sense to me.

I suspect it will appeal to "poseurs" who want the cache of chrome lugged while looking like a TDF racer. The two don't really go together, practically speaking.
It's all about image on this bike.

Isn't every bike about image? And who says lugged steel is heavy? :p

Why combine the two? There is no question that position is more aerodynamic and steel has a certain feel on the road which appeals to many folks, including racy types.

That's a lot of seat post showing. I suspect that a more comfortable riding position could be achieved.

V.

[KnottedYet]

It is all about image: I love passing guys in full kit and clipless on elegant carbon, while I'm on a steel bike with big ol' bags and in a flowered skort wearing flip-flops! Gotta love *that* image!:p
(funny how they never say "Hi"...)

[northstar]

Dang, Knot, yet another bike to stare at and drool...why do you keep doing this to us? :D

[7rider]

Too bad it's designed such an extreme racing position.
They can't make up their minds- why combine heavier lugged steel with an extreme racing posture? Makes no sense to me.

I suspect it will appeal to "poseurs" who want the cache of chrome lugged while looking like a TDF racer. The two don't really go together, practically speaking.
It's all about image on this bike.

Sting!
Ouch, Lisa, you were the LAST person I'd expect to see/hear strike such and exclusionary tone. Why should a lugged steel frame be the sole province of touring riders, utilitarians, and go-slowbies?
There are just as many riders out there as their are bikes to fill their niche. Someone who wants to ride fast, but do it on a retro-syled bike is certainly not necessarily a poseur. It's sort of like driving a '53 'vette. It's not cutting edge, but it cuts a certain picture when you're cruising down the road.
Nothing at all wrong with that!

[skyhand]

I loves me some steel bikery! Ridden other types and always and forever return to steel. Shmooooove ride, every time. (Unless I'm traversing over gravel. Smooth goes right out the window.)

[Veronica]

Sting!
Why should a lugged steel frame be the sole province of touring riders, utilitarians, and go-slowbies?


It's not. :D

http://tandemhearts.com/coppermine/albums/legolas/legolas_06.jpg

Have I mentioned how much I love this bike lately?

V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sting!
Ouch, Lisa, you were the LAST person I'd expect to see/hear strike such and exclusionary tone. Why should a lugged steel frame be the sole province of touring riders, utilitarians, and go-slowbies?
There are just as many riders out there as their are bikes to fill their niche. Someone who wants to ride fast, but do it on a retro-syled bike is certainly not necessarily a poseur. It's sort of like driving a '53 'vette. It's not cutting edge, but it cuts a certain picture when you're cruising down the road.
Nothing at all wrong with that!

This bike would be ok for cruising down the road...but then why have your a** 3 feet above your head? :eek: ;) (just teasing...sort of)

No, nothing wrong with enjoying an image- I do it all the time!
But I'm questioning the practicality of combining an extreme racing position with a heavier frame. Yes, lugged steel frames ARE usually heavier than carbon or titanium (or aluminum for that matter) frames. Steel frames are arguably the most comfortable frames you can ride, while racing position is arguably the most UNcomfortable position you can ride in.
For me, it comes down to picking a bike for the task at hand. Want to go really fast?- use a carbon racing bike with aerodynamic racing position. Want to be comfortable when riding for fun long distances through the countryside?- use a steel bike with relaxed geometry and a more comfortable body position.
Image is great. But as an extreme example- it would not be a good idea to do a triathlon in Dansk clogs, however great they look and comfortable they are.

I'm not saying nobody would enjoy owning/riding a bike like that Kona. If they like it, great. But I still question the contradictory elements in its design- what is it trying to be and do? As a "racing" bike it is likely too heavy, as a touring bike it would be way too uncomfortable. In my humble opinion of course. :rolleyes:
It appears to me to have been created not for practical riding reasons, but rather to satisfy riders only interested in appearing to be both racers AND tourers at the same time....but neither job of which I feel this bike will do very well.
Honestly, I don't think this bike will be very practical for either purpose. Again, my humble opinion and others will have differing opinions. :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It's not. :D



Have I mentioned how much I love this bike lately?

V.

Sadly, Rivendell has now put both the Legolas and the Rambouillet into "taking a nap" status. :(

[Veronica]

They are a small company. They can't do it all, all the time.

I am kind of excited about the new mountain bike.

V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Are you going to get one??? :eek: :)


They are a small company. They can't do it all, all the time.

Well, certainly not if they keep trying to be in the clothing business. ;) ;)

[Triskeliongirl]

Lisa, you are also making assumptions about postion and comfort. I have found that my position can vary with the bike and frame geometry. For example, on my steel Isis, which is a 19" frame, my bars are level with my saddle. However, on my titanium isis, which is a 17.5" frame, in order to feel balanced on the bike and have her handle well, I had to position my bars both closer and lower. So on that bike, the bars are 3 cm below the saddle. My reach is in fact one cm shorter on the smaller bike (taken from tip of saddle to front of brake hoods), and both bikes feel very comfortable to me and handle well, although the bike with the lower bars looks racier. So, sometimes its about getting the optimal position for the rider-bike combo. My husband favors a very aerodynamic position, whether he is racing or touring. He feels one should ride in the most aerodynamic position that is comfortable on any bike, cuz hey, its faster. Whether you are touring or racing, you still wanna get there quickly! Some people are more flexible than others, so for them having the bars low is comfy (my husband's bars are like 3" below his saddle). I think often women end up with higher bars because they ride bikes with top tubes that are proportionally too long.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Some people are more flexible than others, so for them having the bars low is comfy (my husband's bars are like 3" below his saddle). I think often women end up with higher bars because they ride bikes with top tubes that are proportionally too long.

Yes I do agree with that. :)

[sundial]

I love passing guys in full kit and clipless on elegant carbon, while I'm on a steel bike with big ol' bags and in a flowered skort wearing flip-flops!

Brings a new meaning to the Feminist Movement. ;)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oddly, most guys seem to drool over my waxed canvas "Little Joe" Baggins saddlebag more than anything else (at least as far as I can tell!) :rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

Guys drool over my lugged steel Waterford and my Brooks with springs! It cracks me up how much they like the Brooks with springs! (maybe secretly they want one?)

My Riv bag has gotten more comments from women than men. (women aren't as interested in my saddle... uh, I mean the one on my bike):D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

KNot- maybe the women like the tailored look of the Nigel Smythe and the men like the rugged "lived in" look of the Little Joe. :rolleyes: