Bleriot First Ride

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Eric Norris

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Dec 25, 2013, 2:39:43 PM12/25/13
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Here are a few quick shots of my new-to-me Bleriot:


This comes to me from Chris in North Dakota. I added a Brooks saddle and fenders, changed the bar tape from green to leathery brown, swapped the Nifty Swifty tires for a set of Col de la Vies, and put on an alloy crankset that Santa brought me. The Carradice seat bag was sitting in the closet, waiting for a bike to go on.

So far, so good. The ride is definitely plush, although I'm not convinced that it isn't a tad slower than a similarly equipped 700C bicycle.

Merry Christmas, and congrats to everyone who is trying out new bike stuff today!


Patrick Moore

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Dec 25, 2013, 2:52:03 PM12/25/13
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I'll be interested to hear how you feel it compares to a 700c ride.

Patrick Moore, who got two pairs of DeFeet Wool Duragloves and a badger hair shaving brush for Christmas.
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Bruce Herbitter

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Dec 25, 2013, 5:35:26 PM12/25/13
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The CdVs are slow tires. Nifty Swiftys are flat resistant but the Maxy Fasty is nicer in my book for quick riding.

Looking forward to the rest of your impressions.
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Steve Palincsar

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Dec 25, 2013, 5:50:58 PM12/25/13
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On 12/25/2013 05:35 PM, Bruce Herbitter wrote:
> The CdVs are slow tires. Nifty Swiftys are flat resistant but the Maxy
> Fasty is nicer in my book for quick riding.

In BQ's tire tests weren't the CdlVs faster than either the Nifty
Swifties ore the Maxy Fasties?


Frank Brose

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Dec 25, 2013, 6:14:54 PM12/25/13
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I agree with fullylugged. Throw some Grand Bois on it and give it a run. I also think (with me at least) it's splitting hairs but the Grand Bois tires just seem to ride nicer and hence probably feel faster. A Bleriot is the bike that converted me. Enjoy it! 

Bruce Herbitter

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Dec 25, 2013, 8:54:56 PM12/25/13
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I've ridden all the tires mentioned and reported my own findings. The
G.B. Oursons use the same tread as CdV but on a better body. Also ride
nicer and to me quicker.

Michael

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Dec 26, 2013, 11:17:40 AM12/26/13
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Congrats on the bike!
 
Is this your first Rivendell?

RoadieRyan

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Dec 26, 2013, 12:07:48 PM12/26/13
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Eric 

Beautiful set up, that frame looks brand new.  The Bleriot has special place in my heart as it is the bike I found some place on the web years ago that eventually led me to the Riv site and started my conversion from a guy who thought he just had to have a Carbon bike so he could go "fast" to one who appreciates the beauty and utility of a lugged steel bike, and riding to put a smile on my face rather than trying setting a new course record.  Gotta find me a nice 57 cm Bleriot one of these days.   Enjoy your new ride man.

hsmitham

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Dec 26, 2013, 2:35:33 PM12/26/13
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Eric,

That's a fine looking ride! Congrats and enjoy. One thing tho...you might need to change your moniker unless you plan on replacing parts ;-) Just saying. It's a fine bike even without Campy parts.

~Hugh

On Wednesday, December 25, 2013 11:39:43 AM UTC-8, Eric Norris wrote:

Joan Oppel

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Dec 26, 2013, 4:38:26 PM12/26/13
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I definitely concur with Bruce on the tire evaluation.  On my Bleriot, I've ridden Col de la Vies, Maxy Fasty's and Hetres.  I definitely prefer the Hetres.  Maxy Fasty's would be second choice.  Col de la Vie's would be a (distant) third.  (Bruce doesn't mention Hetres.......)
Joan 

LBleriot

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Dec 26, 2013, 4:58:04 PM12/26/13
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You're gonna love that bike, but put some GB rubber on it.

LBleriot

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Dec 26, 2013, 4:58:04 PM12/26/13
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Bruce Herbitter

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Dec 26, 2013, 5:56:01 PM12/26/13
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If Joan wants to send me a "tester" set I'll glad evaluate them :)


On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 at 3:38 PM, Joan Oppel <oppe...@verizon.net> wrote:

Eric Norris

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Dec 26, 2013, 6:12:35 PM12/26/13
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I have caved in to peer pressure. A set of GB Hetres is on the way. Hate to spend that much on tires!

Eric N
www.CampyOnly.com
CampyOnlyGuy.blogspot.com
Twitter: @CampyOnlyGuy

> On Dec 26, 2013, at 1:58 PM, LBleriot <gary....@att.net> wrote:
>
> You're gonna love that bike, but put some GB rubber on it.
>

Elton Pope-Lance

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Dec 26, 2013, 8:02:05 PM12/26/13
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You won't regret it!

Elton Pope-Lance
Natick, MA


Don Compton

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Dec 26, 2013, 8:25:42 PM12/26/13
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Eric,
I hated buying GB Cerfs for $60, but they are so good on my Roadeo. Also, they last a long time for a high performance tire. I have to believe that the Hetres have to make a big difference over the lower end tires that you have tried. Hope you enjoy the Hetres.

Michael

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Dec 26, 2013, 10:21:10 PM12/26/13
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Hopefully I will shoe my Sam with Hetres to ride on next spring, summer, and fall.

If the Hetres prove flatproof enough through next spring, summer, and fall, I will be so happy and just stop looking around for 650b tires, finally, and use Hetres for all my 650b needs.

I really hope they work out. They look great and ride great, the few rides I have had on them on my Bleriot.


Hugh Smitham

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Dec 26, 2013, 10:35:28 PM12/26/13
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Ahem,

This is my experience with the GB Hetre tire. YMMV.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein


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Eric Norris

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Dec 26, 2013, 10:52:47 PM12/26/13
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OK. Trail riding on Hetres is off the menu.


Eric N
Twitter: @CampyOnlyGuy
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Eric Norris

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Dec 26, 2013, 11:01:59 PM12/26/13
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I admit I'm a little troubled about all the attention paid to tire choice with 650B wheels. I'm not one to spend a lot of money on tires, and I've had great results for many years with Panaracer Paselas. Rode to Kansas on them, did PBP twice on them (no flats in 2400 kilometers of riding), and *never* felt like they were slowing me down.

Now, all I seem to hear about the wonders of the 650B wheel size seems linked to buying expensive, "supple" tires. 

The Col de la Vies I have on my Blériot ride nicely--certainly very comfortable, but not—so far—especially fast. 

I just hope that I'm not locked into spending upwards of $60 a tire to get the speed improvement that Jan Heine waxes on about (his brevet times dropped as soon as he started riding on 650Bs).


Eric N
Twitter: @CampyOnlyGuy

Peter Morgano

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Dec 26, 2013, 11:02:15 PM12/26/13
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I don't think they are billed as a trail tire, honestly. Lets face it, there is no one tire to rule them all but for most riding the Hetres are pretty plush, IMO. I had one flat in 1k miles of city riding, large piece of glass that was sticking straight through. Without a belt or other ride deadening features I don't see how you could have a "slash proof" tire. Just my two cents.


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Mike Williams

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Dec 26, 2013, 11:16:26 PM12/26/13
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Hey Eric.   I have 2 brand new in plastic pairs of hetres.  1) clay.  2) white/ cream.  That id be willing to sell for 100/pair and you pay shipping,   Im in SF BTW.  -Mike

Sent from my iPhone

Hugh Smitham

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Dec 26, 2013, 11:28:58 PM12/26/13
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Peter,

I admit that I took them where they had no business...my Hilsen is coined a country bike and here in the San Gabriel's country means fairly rugged terrain. If you are sticking to asphalt and smooth to gravely roads they're fine. 

There is no tire to rule them all, you make a compromise with any tire just depends on what you're willing to give up to gain. No such thing as a slash proof tire as far as I know. Looking for a more slash resistant tire with moderate weight not super light weight and decent speed.


~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein


justin...@gmail.com

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Dec 26, 2013, 11:42:40 PM12/26/13
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Hey-
I'll take those clay ones if no one else claims them white ones too!

-J

rob markwardt

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Dec 26, 2013, 11:51:02 PM12/26/13
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I started off with Col de la Vies on my Bleriot and thought they were fine ( a little soft and cushy), however,  I switched to Marathons a few years back and...gasp...I think they are faster and have a better ride. Plus side is that they are bombproof.  I just replaced the rear after 3.5 years and the front is still going strong.  I'd give hetre's a try but I think I don't think they'd fit under my current fenders (I sold a set of fatty rumpkins because they were a tight squeeze).

Peter Morgano

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Dec 27, 2013, 12:03:26 AM12/27/13
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I was looking at the force field rumpkins for some rocky trails out here but they would only be for a ride or two a month.  What I really  need is two sets of wheels so I don't have to change the tires out depending on the ride, oh and a support vehicle following me with a new bike when I need it, haha. My wife would be as easy to convince of the former as she would the latter! :)

Hugh Smitham

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Dec 27, 2013, 12:11:11 AM12/27/13
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That's a slippery slope my friend multiple wheel sets, but I'm right there with you just taking my time on which wheel set to go for? Do I want to spring for a set of Phil's on velocity hoops? Or keep with Shimano XT and velocity.

Sounds like you've got a good spouse there.

I love my FF Rumpkins.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein


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Michael

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Dec 27, 2013, 12:25:38 AM12/27/13
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@Eric:

Wow! 2 PBP's? That is amazing! I admire people who do endurance riding.
 You must be spending some serious, year round,  man-hours in the saddle.
What makes you like riding so much?

I can't comprehend or begin to understand how to train for something like brevets.
But I'd like to start doing that sort of thing.
I guess I would need to find a Rando club to learn.

Let us know how the Hetres compare to the C de la Vie's and the Swifty's.

Mike Williams

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Dec 27, 2013, 2:44:58 AM12/27/13
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Justin, the clay ones are claimed, the whites are yours if you want them. -Mike

Sent from my iPhone

Steve Palincsar

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Dec 27, 2013, 9:55:41 AM12/27/13
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On 12/27/2013 12:18 AM, Michael wrote:
>
>
> I think ultra-riders are beyond your typical cycling enthusiast.
> I admire people who ride that much.
> I can't comprehend it or begin to understand how to train for
> something like brevets.
> But I'd like to do it.

If you can ride a century you can ride a 200K brevet. It's only an
additional 24 miles.

There are books and articles about training for long distance cycling.
Many have titles that talk about training for a double century.


Steve Palincsar

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Dec 27, 2013, 10:01:58 AM12/27/13
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On 12/26/2013 10:52 PM, Eric Norris wrote:
OK. Trail riding on Hetres is off the menu.

Depends on what you mean by "trail".  Hetres would be just fine on something like the Mickelson Trail (shown below) and on most gravel roads.


Eric Norris

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Dec 27, 2013, 10:26:27 AM12/27/13
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Wow. I want to be riding right there!


Eric N
Twitter: @CampyOnlyGuy
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Steve Palincsar

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Dec 27, 2013, 10:42:32 AM12/27/13
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On 12/27/2013 10:26 AM, Eric Norris wrote:
Wow. I want to be riding right there!

The Mickelson Trail is quite interesting.   http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/mickelson-trail/ is the official web site.  109 mi in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Unlike any other trail I've ever ridden, this one is a toll road. 

I'm from the east, and I've never seen vistas like this outside of movies.  There we are riding along for what seemed like hours with nothing in sight but wild country and wild animals, and suddenly we come upon a town straight out of a Sergio Leone western: two bars across the street from each other and a deserted cement plant.  All that was missing was this guy here:



Besides the Mickelson Trail, the Black Hills of South Dakota have lots of stupendous cycling.  Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road are simply amazing.

Dave Johnston

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Jan 3, 2014, 10:50:03 PM1/3/14
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The Bleriot isn't designed for 42mm tires and fenders so its a pretty tight squeeze. It's been done of course, but clearances are tight.

-Dave



On Wednesday, December 25, 2013 2:39:43 PM UTC-5, Eric Norris wrote:
Here are a few quick shots of my new-to-me Bleriot:


This comes to me from Chris in North Dakota. I added a Brooks saddle and fenders, changed the bar tape from green to leathery brown, swapped the Nifty Swifty tires for a set of Col de la Vies, and put on an alloy crankset that Santa brought me. The Carradice seat bag was sitting in the closet, waiting for a bike to go on.

So far, so good. The ride is definitely plush, although I'm not convinced that it isn't a tad slower than a similarly equipped 700C bicycle.

Merry Christmas, and congrats to everyone who is trying out new bike stuff today!


Michael

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Jun 15, 2014, 12:15:08 PM6/15/14
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So how's the Bleriot doing?
Still good to you?
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