New Cyclocross bike Terry Valkerie? [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

Tokie

01-02-2009, 09:18 PM

Hi, I was just looking up Kerry Litka's blog (small thing considered) for details on her "Ghetto Cross" bike she built up from a mt bike. Here she is talking about riding a Terry prototype of a cyclocross bike to be produced in 2009! I need to look into this - it could be perfect! tokie http://www.kerry-litka.com/main/wordpress/2008/10/page/3/

wavedancer

01-03-2009, 06:55 PM

Thanks for the link! What great news for us smaller 'crossers. Iwill definitely want to check it out when it becomes available.

Tokie

01-03-2009, 08:11 PM

I posted an inquiry on the Terry forum - so hopefully Georgena will give an update. It doesn't seem like a fortuitous time to launch a new product line with the sluggish retail economy - but I hope they do! Tokie

Tokie

01-06-2009, 12:14 PM

Georgena Terry answered my post - she says the 'cross bike info will be posted here http://www.terrybicycles.com/cycling_savvy/ tomorrow, Weds Jan 7th 09! I'm pretty interested. My bike mechanic said if I'm only going to race 1 or 2 cross races a year that I should consider just buying a mt bike and not even bother to change out the fork, not enough weight savings to make it worthwhile. But if I want to race more, to get a 'cross bike. He also mentioned that as the 'cross season ends in 2 weeks here, that I should keep my eyes open for someone hoping to upgrade and sell their frame. (except I need a really little frame). So maybe I'll still get an inexpensive hardtail and work on my skills til the next 'cross season, try some more races, and go from there! Tokie

wavedancer

01-06-2009, 05:22 PM

You can definitely do cross on a mountain bike and I think riding on off-road will improve your cross skills. I wouldn't bother trying to get a used cross frame...there aren't any that will fit us!

I had sent an inquiry to Georgena as well and got the same reply. I'm definitely going to be checking them out tomorrow. She said they are building them to order and it would probably take about 6 weeks to get one. Plenty of time to have one by next fall!

Biciclista

01-07-2009, 06:10 AM

so glad Terry is trying out the 26" wheels. Perhaps that design will morph into the road bike area too; i did not buy a Terry because the two different sized wheels really put me off.

Thorn

01-07-2009, 10:16 AM

If you tried before and it failed, the 2009 bikes are now on the Terry site.

To those who argued against pink in the pink bike thread, notices that the 2009 Terry bikes are not pastels or flowery and the Valkyrie is black!

Tokie

01-07-2009, 10:42 AM

Yes, the Valkerie has landed - I was hoping for a lower price - but it looks like a nice bike. I do have an old Terry that I bought when a local store closed - so it was 1/2 off, a great deal - but oh, that little front wheel made the steering way too quick for me. It now has a happy job as my trainer bike. Now I have to think about $ - cross season is a long way off. Maybe I can get my start on a cheapish mt bike while I save up for the Valkerie! Tokie

snapdragen

01-07-2009, 11:48 AM

so glad Terry is trying out the 26" wheels. Perhaps that design will morph into the road bike area too; i did not buy a Terry because the two different sized wheels really put me off.

When I first got my Terry, I was disappointed because I didn't get the smaller front wheel :p I was tall enough that my size Terry has 700c wheels all 'round.

I like the Valkyrie!

lunacycles

01-08-2009, 08:36 AM

so glad Terry is trying out the 26" wheels. Perhaps that design will morph into the road bike area too; i did not buy a Terry because the two different sized wheels really put me off.

26" wheeled 'cross and road bikes? I have always done them and always will. They are my bread and butter.

Or, wanna 26"-wheeled cross AND road bike?

http://lunacycles.com/PMiller.html

Not tryin to outshine Georgena--she's a goddess, but just sayn':)

Biciclista

01-08-2009, 09:01 AM

26" wheeled 'cross and road bikes? I have always done them and always will. They are my bread and butter.

Or, wanna 26"-wheeled cross AND road bike?

http://lunacycles.com/PMiller.html

Not tryin to outshine Georgena--she's a goddess, but just sayn':)

yum! butterscotch!!!
lovely bike ms Luna

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-08-2009, 09:38 AM

mmmmmm....butterscotch pudding....... :p

Triskeliongirl

01-08-2009, 09:56 AM

I don't think the problem is the small front wheel, its the tiny stem some models are spec'd with. Change it to a longer one and the twitchiness will vanish (I have done this on all my terrys). All my terrys have pretty neutral steering with a long enough stem (9-10 cm).

Some of us need the 24" front wheel if we have very long femurs but a short reach. For me, they handle way better than other stock bikes I have tried, although I am sure a custom Luna can be built to deal with these issues too.

Yes, the Valkerie has landed - I was hoping for a lower price - but it looks like a nice bike. I do have an old Terry that I bought when a local store closed - so it was 1/2 off, a great deal - but oh, that little front wheel made the steering way too quick for me. It now has a happy job as my trainer bike. Now I have to think about $ - cross season is a long way off. Maybe I can get my start on a cheapish mt bike while I save up for the Valkerie! Tokie

Selkie

01-08-2009, 10:45 AM

I have two of Margo's wonderful Lunas -- an Orbit and an Eclipse. The former is a cross bike, although it now is wearing road slicks and doing no off-road riding (because I rarely go off road and love to ride the Orbit).

Both bikes ride like butter.

If you are serious about a cross bike, don't discount treating yourself to a custom bike and check out the Orbit. The fit is incomparable. For what it's worth, I had two Terrys. Nice bikes but the Lunas are custom, steel beauties.

Now, can we talk Margo into working in titanium....

Aggie_Ama

01-08-2009, 10:47 AM

It is nice to see Cross bikes built for women.

Margo- You are evil. :)

LadyinWhite

01-08-2009, 11:59 AM

I've been riding the Terry Isis Pro since the wild goose chase ride last year. It was an upgrade from my Trek 1000. I am very happy with the bike over all though sometimes I feel like the cockpit is too tight. They told me it's because I was used to being "stretched out" on the Trek - 1200miles later and I'm still not sure. I slid the saddle back and then just the other day pulled it forward again. With the 600 wheels it looks like a toy bike compared to everyone I pull up next too.

The ride is beautiful though and it shifts like buttah.. So all in all I'm pleased - just not sure I'd go the WSD route again. I think at 5'5 I'm right on the edge of whether WSD works for or against me.

Course 2008 circumstances had me off the bike more than previous years - 2009 looks to be shaping up to be much better suited to a happy, healthy riding habit. Perhaps a year from now I'll feel differently.

T.

PS: just realized this thread is about cyclecross bikes.... sorry to stray off topic

7rider

01-08-2009, 12:28 PM

Now, can we talk Margo into working in titanium....

Mmmmmm....
Custom ti cross bikes. (http://www.sevencycles.com/cyclocross.php)
Mmmmmm....

lunacycles

01-08-2009, 03:35 PM

I think I successfully hijacked the thread!!! :D

Just kidding.

By the way, the bike pictured in the link is designed to work with 26" CX wheels and (as pictured) the uber light 650c Helios wheels from Velocity. All that is required is a little brake shoe adjustment.

It is really cool to see other builders, and companies like Terry (I consider her/them like Surly, small production but no longer a custom builder) starting to make actual, true cx bikes (not modified mtb's) using 26" wheels. Hopefully there will be more and more decent (and cx race legal) tires in this size in the near future so we can all share the love.

Y'all say such nice things. Thanks...

About titanium: I always wanted to do this. I raced a Merlin for years and loved it. However, welding titanium is pretty nasty and I'd have to become intimate with acetone, which--given the other toxins I confront daily--I'd rather not. Plus, it is harder and harder to procure tubing, especially in the configs. that would work wonders for small/light riders...plus plus, I have found my steel frames rival titanium for weight (2.6-3.5 lbs for road frames) and ride as nice. It's all about the tubing and custom tuning it for the rider. Too bad I can't mimic the ti finish in steel, as that to me is one of its nicest features.

Enough self promotion. TE forum moderators: feel free to pull my posts for blatant self promotion:)

lunacycles

01-08-2009, 04:22 PM

So all in all I'm pleased - just not sure I'd go the WSD route again. I think at 5'5 I'm right on the edge of whether WSD works for or against me.

"WSD" is all about your body. If you are short in the torso and/or arms, WSD is generally a great option. But, of course, many many women are NOT short in the torso/arms, so WSD can feel too compact as far as reach goes. It is a bit of a myth that all women need a shorter reach. The fact is, as you alluded to, shorter women often need a shorter reach than what is available on stock bikes. With 700c wheels, the smaller the bike, the longer the reach tends to be, relatively, and this is due to geometry constraints required when using the 700c wheel size.

Try adding a slightly longer stem to your Terry...that might help.

Just to drift the thread further, taller women with short torsos often do just fine "reach wise" on the larger stock bikes, but what is often the persisting problem, fit-wise, is the front end of the bike is not high enough for a comfortable/efficient position.

It IS my business, but having done it a decade and a few years, I do think women are more challenged to get the fit right than most guys are, as generalizing as that might sound....

emily_in_nc

01-08-2009, 04:30 PM

I don't think the problem is the small front wheel, its the tiny stem some models are spec'd with.

As a former Terry owner, I agree. I also think the narrow Terry t-bar handlebars contribute to some front-end squirreliness. I have the same issue on my Bike Friday Pocket Crusoe (20" wheels and narrow bars) but don't mind it since I don't notice it unless I try to climb out of the saddle, which I never bother doing on the Friday with it's super-low touring gears. When I had a Terry (Isis), I was often frustrated by how hard it was to climb out of the saddle due to the twitchy front end. Switching to a 650c-wheeled road bike with slightly wider handlebars and longer stem made a big difference in my competence out of the saddle.

Thorn

01-08-2009, 04:51 PM

Just to drift the thread further, taller women with short torsos often do just fine "reach wise" on the larger stock bikes, but what is often the persisting problem, fit-wise, is the front end of the bike is not high enough for a comfortable/efficient position.

Amen! As someone who rides the equivalent of something like a 60cm WSD frame, I'll provide the woman-in-the-street confirmation. Just because I stand 6' doesn't mean that a stock frame works. I either have to ride a 54 or 56 and have handlebars down around my ankles or I ride a 58 or 60 with a very short stem and end up with a weight distribution that causes the front wheel to pop up on inclines as low as 10-12%.

Sure, some shorter women don't need WSD; but some of us still do despite not be of normal female height. Custom is an option for me, but it is nice to see production options for women.

Tokie

01-08-2009, 08:13 PM

My latest thoughts on small cross bikes. After seeing the price for the Valkyrie, I asked myself - how close is this price to custom? Of course, that is a slippery slope when you consider upgrades you can put on a custom bike. I e-mailed Margo last night, and looked at the Rodriquez website too. since I have an ultegra group I could use, that would make it more affordable. Also I don't understand - why would Terry put 170 cranks on a little bike? Anyway, as I'm going to be spending a bit more than I expected, I plan on giving myself through the summer to practice on my new mt bike, try a few more cross races...then consider buying one. The Luna bikes are pretty nice! Are there any TE'ers who ride a Luna 'cross bike? Tokie

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-09-2009, 07:35 AM

The Luna bikes are pretty nice! Are there any TE'ers who ride a Luna 'cross bike? Tokie

See post #14 of this thread.

Selkie

01-09-2009, 08:48 AM

[QUOTE=lunacycles;394201]I
About titanium: I always wanted to do this. I raced a Merlin for years and loved it. However, welding titanium is pretty nasty and I'd have to become intimate with acetone, which--given the other toxins I confront daily--I'd rather not. Plus, it is harder and harder to procure tubing, especially in the configs. that would work wonders for small/light riders...plus plus, I have found my steel frames rival titanium for weight (2.6-3.5 lbs for road frames) and ride as nice. It's all about the tubing and custom tuning it for the rider. Too bad I can't mimic the ti finish in steel, as that to me is one of its nicest features.

QUOTE]

I had no idea! I don't blame you.
Regardless, I love the bikes you've made for me and am actually thinking about adding an Una to the stable, possibly after I get an assignment w/in commuting distance of home (hopefully, later this year!).

lunacycles

01-09-2009, 11:44 AM

Regardless, I love the bikes you've made for me and am actually thinking about adding an Una to the stable

3rd Luna (actually, isn't this technically your 4th?) gets you 10 percent off the frame price! And I will even toss in some polished stainless track dropouts just for you! Woo hoo!

Someone stop me...:)

Selkie

01-10-2009, 04:59 AM

3rd Luna (actually, isn't this technically your 4th?) gets you 10 percent off the frame price! And I will even toss in some polished stainless track dropouts just for you! Woo hoo!

Someone stop me...:)

You're bad but in a good way...

You're right. The Una will be the fourth frame (golden retrievers damaged the original Eclipse frame and you made me a new one).

Unfortunately, I won't be able to apply for a new assignment until August. Right now, there is no practical way for me to commute to work by bike due to distance & lack of safe accessibility.

I'll probably be in touch w/you later this year! Maybe I'll drop a hint to my husband, as I have a birthday coming up soon. ;)

Triskeliongirl

01-11-2009, 11:45 AM

Margo, we are delighted to have you here, so don't worry if sometimes your comments appear to contain a little self-promotion. You are sharing your expertise with the community so I don't have any problem with it, and even welcome it. We get answers directly from the horses mouth so to speak. I can tell from your posts that you are someone I'd love to work with. If I didn't already have two bikes I love (and two kids I am putting through college), I'd order one in an instant from you.

I agree with Emily's comments on bar width. I changed both the stem and bar on both my titanium and steel isis (and a whole lot more) and they handle much better (perfectly actually). Actually, georgena lets you make some substitions if its stuff from a regular supplier of theirs (such as bar width and stem length) if you use the ship to shop option. The shop I worked with on my titanium isis just kept the parts that shipped with the bike and let me swap out whatever I wanted. Most good shops will do that if they are parts they can use on another build. My steel isis I bought as a frame only and built to my own specs.

madscot13

04-15-2009, 04:43 AM

the valkyrie and fast woman are both pretty great bikes. I like the fork on the fast woman more for some reason. But I think 26" wheels are the way to go for me since I'm not much of a racer and I would appreciate the versatility of the different tire widths for the 26"

Someone made a good point though, at that price you could definitely go for a Luna custom! Wish I could!

Becky

04-15-2009, 05:16 AM

Also I don't understand - why would Terry put 170 cranks on a little bike?

Depends on leg length, I suppose. I'm 5'4", ride a ~49 cm frame, and use 170 mm cranks 'cuz I'm all arms and legs. I wonder if Terry would let you swap 165s on there?

madscot13

04-15-2009, 08:11 PM

does sram do anything smaller than a 170?

Jaclyn

04-21-2009, 04:13 PM

I am one of the first customers to purchase Terry's new cross bike. I bought it back in early/mid January as soon as it went on sale. It wasn't delivered to the bike shop until last month, and then there were a series of difficulties with missing parts / design issues for the brakes that were unexpected and delayed the build. I've had it out only twice for a brief test spin and to our local brewpub (and DH is now doing a partial rebuild to fine tune it to me and my needs).

re: the 170 cranks - I was worried about this because they seemed too long - I would have preferred 165's (my bike is an XS and I'm 5-1/2 inch when stretched!). As I said I have less than 25 miles on the bike so can hardly comment except to say that I'm impressed that there is no toe overlap whatsoever even on this smallest end of the range.

I'm focused on longer 300k-600k brevets right now in preparation for the National 24 Hour Challenge in June, but will post my impressions of the bike once I've found the time to ride it on some technical cross type rides.

madscot13

04-21-2009, 06:12 PM

hey Jaclyn, let us know what you think of the bike! It looks like a lot of fun!

seeingsparks

06-19-2009, 10:43 PM

@Madscot13 SRAM does make a 165mm crank.

It's exciting to see that there will be potential reviews for the Valkyrie but personally I think that I am going to save up or forgo a new road bike for a Luna. Currently, I work over at a bike shop and I've spent hours upon hours looking over framesets and build options for a cross bike since I'm 5'1" its really hard especially with the way I am proportioned and the better bang for the buck would probably be Luna.

I priced out a Valkyrie frameset alone and it was 1500 and personally at that price point I'd rather spend the extra money on a Luna at that point. I want a cross bike as a beater but my inseam is just a tad too short with the higher bottom bracket on a Bianchi Volpe so if I am going to spend the money I'd might as well spend the money. That's just me though.

Selkie

06-20-2009, 03:46 AM

Sparks

I own two Lunas - an Orbit and an Eclipse - and they were worth every penny I spent on them. I've gotten more than my money's worth, as they are such a pleasure to ride that you will put lots of miles on them.

Margo is wonderful to work with and she will do what's necessary to make you a high quality, well fitting bike.

I've had a lot of compliments on my Orbit (primarily from MEN, even though it's pink/purple). There's a picture of it on the Luna Photo Gallery, if you want to look at it.

moderncyclista

01-15-2010, 06:50 PM

Oh man.

Luna Cycles I just looked at your sight. Your bikes are amazing.

Beautiful work. I love it when women are framebuilders! I wish I could afford one, but maybe someday. :o Keep on churning out great bikes. ;)

I always wondered if someone would make cyclocross bikes for smaller women eventually. Why don't big manufacturers do it (Trek, Specialized, and so on?)