Introducing Feronia

[Triskeliongirl]

What a great bike. Smart design. Love the versatility.

Thanks Deb. You helped me design it!!! I am so glad now that I went with the steel fork and canti brakes, the two points I agonized over. I need to ride her more to be sure, but one interesting thing I noticed is how much stiffer the bottom bracket area feels than any other bike I have owned. Could that be the reynolds 853 steel? WHile BFs are great for easy folding, I think you loose stiffness in the hinge design. When I rode her yesterday, in some ways she felt more powerful and comfortable than even my ti isis with carbon fork (by comfort I mean mostly in my upper body, back neck shoulders feel more relaxed). I felt like every watt of energy applied to the pedals was translated into power. My body even felt more comfortable on her even though the fit is identical (she is one frame size larger, so to get an iidentical position I have a 1 cm shorter stem (10 vs 11), and my seatpost and stem are 1.5" less exposed). Do you think that is due to the difference in frame size or frame materials? The other bike is titanium with a carbon fork. All other angles, rake, etc. are identical. It may also be that she was put together with nearly new parts. I really liked the mechanic. This is a new shop (for me) and not only did he take all the parts off my old bike, he put them in this special cleaning machine, and he also rebuilt the hubs on my touring wheels, so perhaps some of what I am feeling is the smoothness of a fresh build. I haven't tried her out yet on hills, where I may appreciate more my lighter ti bike. I'll do that tomorrow.

[Bad JuJu]

What an elegant solution to your cycling needs, and one gorgeous bike too.

I had a Terry Symmetry for about 13 years and the one thing (and I do mean the only thing) that bugged me about that bike was that the fork wouldn't allow for wider tires for touring, so it was probably actually an advantage that you were able to have your fork custom made. But I loved that steel Terry otherwise, and the only reason I no longer have her is that Hurricane Ivan washed her away in 2004.

Enjoy your new steel ride--What a find!

[Triskeliongirl]

I had a Terry Symmetry for about 13 years and the one thing (and I do mean the only thing) that bugged me about that bike was that the fork wouldn't allow for wider tires for touring, so it was probably actually an advantage that you were able to have your fork custom made.

Its interesting that you say that, cuz that also bothered me on my titanium Isis. Like last time I took her to CA I wanted to ride her to Solvang, but had to go a bit off road and really wanted 32c tires. When I first bought my classic in 2001, even though it was a touring bike, the widest 24" tire you get was only 28c but now the terry tullus which is a very nice touring tire comes in 32c. I also noticed that on the Isis bikes when I compared the new bare frame to my built one, is that what keeps me from using a 32c tire is not the frame per say, but the brake style. A 32c wheel hits the top of the side pull brake not the frame, so I got the idea to use cantis. She is really a bit of a cross between the classic and isis now. The classic has cantis, and even more clearance for wide tires and fenders, but then she was made from heavier steel. The cantis also make rack attachment on the small frames easier. But, since Feronia was designed for side pull brakes and rear stays are a bit narrow so I have to deflate a 32 c rear tire to clear the brakes, but that is a minor inconveneience given what a good deal I got on the frame. What I don't get is why more manufacturers don't offer stock bikes for how we really ride, i.e. the versatility of using 23-32 tires, fenders, etc., but also considering lightness and a need for speed. I noticed Veronica's new legolos has a lot of the same features as my bike, but why do we need to go to framebuilders to get what we want? It seems like they tap two markets, the super fast racers, or the heavily loaded tourist, but what about us in between gals? Its also interesting to me that both the classic/madeleine and isis/symetry families, while marketed for touring vs sport riding, both have very similar geometries classifying them both as very adaptable sport tourers.

[DebW]

I can tell you that my understanding of the packing process is that it is is *much easier* for small frames vs large frames. One issue is how much needs to be removed. ... On larger frames you sometimes need to take the fork out, and/or crank.

Do you wedge foam or something in the case to keep parts from shifting? I assume you'd want a spreader bar in the fork tips and dropouts for protection. And some protection for the rear derailleur if you leave it attached to the frame.

My framebuilder also said that women that go with 650c or 26" wheels have an easier time packing. I can see that now, as to pack my 700c wheel I need to deflate it completely and wedge it in there, although my 24" wheels just drops in anywhere (cases are 26" x 26" xx 10" to meet airline reg). So if I were doing this from scratch I might choose a bike with 650/26" wheels.

I'd be alot more comfortable transporting a wheel with air in the tire. As long as the pressure is 15 psi below the max tire rating - won't want explosions on a plane.

Thanks Deb. You helped me design it!!! I am so glad now that I went with the steel fork and canti brakes, the two points I agonized over. I need to ride her more to be sure, but one interesting thing I noticed is how much stiffer the bottom bracket area feels than any other bike I have owned. Could that be the reynolds 853 steel? ... When I rode her yesterday, in some ways she felt more powerful and comfortable than even my ti isis with carbon fork (by comfort I mean mostly in my upper body, back neck shoulders feel more relaxed). I felt like every watt of energy applied to the pedals was translated into power. My body even felt more comfortable on her even though the fit is identical (she is one frame size larger, so to get an iidentical position I have a 1 cm shorter stem (10 vs 11), and my seatpost and stem are 1.5" less exposed). Do you think that is due to the difference in frame size or frame materials? The other bike is titanium with a carbon fork. All other angles, rake, etc. are identical. It may also be that she was put together with nearly new parts. I really liked the mechanic. This is a new shop (for me) and not only did he take all the parts off my old bike, he put them in this special cleaning machine, and he also rebuilt the hubs on my touring wheels, so perhaps some of what I am feeling is the smoothness of a fresh build.

I really can't answer that. In theory a smaller frame should be stiffer, and you have a bigger frame. Tubing can make a difference, and a frame can be built with a stiffened bb and a softer ride elsewhere. And apparently some newer cranksets are noticably stiffer, especially when they put the bearings outisde the bb and use the integrated crank/spindle designs. I don't think a "fresh build" should create a noticable difference in feel unless you were riding on really really grote hubs before.

What I don't get is why more manufacturers don't offer stock bikes for how we really ride, i.e. the versatility of using 23-32 tires, fenders, etc., but also considering lightness and a need for speed. I noticed Veronica's new legolos has a lot of the same features as my bike, but why do we need to go to framebuilders to get what we want? It seems like they tap two markets, the super fast racers, or the heavily loaded tourist, but what about us in between gals?

Now that's a good question.

[Triskeliongirl]

Do you wedge foam or something in the case to keep parts from shifting? I assume you'd want a spreader bar in the fork tips and dropouts for protection. And some protection for the rear derailleur if you leave it attached to the frame. I'd be alot more comfortable transporting a wheel with air in the tire. As long as the pressure is 15 psi below the max tire rating - won't want explosions on a plane.

Each tube is wrapped with these wrappers, which are like cordura filled with soft padding, and sealed with velcro strips, as are all the exposed joints on the frame. You don't really use foam, but once you start to place everything in there, things pressing against each other hold things in place. Interestingly, he didn't pack the fork tips or dropouts with spreader bars, although I have some from my trico ironcase that I could use. He seemed more concerned with protecting the frame itself from getting scratched. You also put several crush protectors in the case. Did you mean to say you'd be more comfortable transporting a deflated tire. I agree I would deflate it partially, but what I meant about smaller wheels being easier is that you don't have to completely deflate them, and then they would lie flat rather than at an angle in the case. I'll let you guys know more how the packing goes after I take some trips. I think I was just so used to my tiny bike friday case that this one seems enormous by comparison, yet my frame is still relatively small.

I rode her again today, and I think some of the differences I was perceiving between my ti (Isis) vs steel (Feronia) bikes had more to do with the saddles and seatpost positions as I've been shifting things around. Yesterday I rode Feronia first with my more broken in brooks saddle, and then immediatly after rode Isis with the newer saddle, and think I put the seatpost a tad higher than normal, so she didn't feel that good. I think when they are similarly equipped they feel pretty similar in terms of body comfort, although I still think that Feronia is stiffer than Isis. I plan to take Feronia on two club rides this weekend to see how she feels doing the kinds of things I'd do when I travel and am not touring, tomorrow will be a hilly ride so I put my 11-34 cogset on, and sunday will be flat although I'll keep this cogset on as more 'general purpose' as a test as well. Normally I use a 12-27 for most things, and the 11-34 for steep stuff, but sometimes I am caught undergeared witht he 12-27 so it will also be fun to see how I like her with the 11-34 all the time. I worry about the large gaps between gears. In some ways I wish I had a triple, but it was easier to make my custom orthopoedic crank set in a double.

[Veronica]

Our tandem has S & S couplers. This what half the bike looks like when packed.



Our new tandem will have 26" wheels to make it easier to pack.

V.

[Triskeliongirl]

Our tandem has S & S couplers. This what half the bike looks like when packed. ...V.

It looks like you got the soft case. Have you had problems with damage on airplanes? I got the hard case cuz it seemed to offer more protection. Deb had asked about padding. As I was putting the case away today I realized that he did pad it with newspaper since it only had the frame and wheels, not as full as when she is fully built up. I took her on my first long ride today. She rode like a dream!! I was amazed, cuz at the beginning of the ride I could tell folks thought I was crazy to bring a steel bike out for a hilly club ride. But, I wanted to know what she would be like in that situation traveling. I did put the 11/34 cogset on, and she climbed like a dream. I don't have computer for her yet, but I was faster than a group of women that I usually have to struggle to stay with or pass me, and I even passed a guy walking his carbon trek up the first steep climb. I really knew I was doing well when a little before the halfway point it started to drizzle. I was worried it would get worse and my new brooks saddle would be ruined (I forgot her raincoat) so I decided to do an out and back instead of the planned loop. Well, that was the surprise cuz as I went back I could see all the folks still behind me (again, on their carbon fiber racing bikes!). I was not really trying to stay in a group, but kind of trying to get used to the bike and see what she could do. The ride was smooth as butter, and I actually think she felt more stable descending than my titanium isis with carbon fork. After the ride folks were really amazed how well we did, and that I was comfortable and fast without a carbon fork, etc.

[Triskeliongirl]

What an elegant solution to your cycling needs, and one gorgeous bike too. ...

THANKS! I was just logging my ride on bike journal and a pic of your bike popped up. I noticed you have a waterford adventure bike and bianchi veloce. BEAUTIFUL BIKES! I am a bit surpristed about the veloce, since compared to the terry geometry the seat tube angle is very steep and top tube quite long, at least in the small frame sizes. What frame size are you? I am also curious about your waterford. Roughly what does it weigh? Did you have it custom made or did you buy it used? Does it have S/S couplers? I have a friend having one made now with S/S couplers and he's curious how heavy it'll be, although I guess that depends a lot on who its built for.