A Modern(ish) Classic

2019 has arrived and here at Ferretti Cycles I felt it was fitting to start the years off with a bike that is sure to become my favorite (or hopefully yours).  You see, this bike has been brewing in my head for several years now.  It was conceived when I asked myself what my favorite bike was.  The contenders were numerous as I've lost tract of how many bikes I've owned over the years.  Ironically, it was super easy to whittle away at that mass of bikes and come a few that I really loved.  So you ask, what/who were my contenders???  In no particular order 1. Batavus Competition (year unknow), 2. Bridgestone RB-1 (1990), 3. Schwinn Paramount (1994).  Yup, there it is...  my dream list.  

Though completely different bikes, all three had some common traits.  All were steel, all were lugged and all were "all day" type bikes.  So that's what I set out to do...  Build a Lugged steel bike using modern alloys, modern components, having "neutral" handling, a beautiful old school look that rides like a million bucks!

Frame-  The first question people always ask me is "what tubing is it"?  Well I hate to break this to you folks but the brand...  well it really doesn't make that much of a difference...  I know, I know, you think you like Columbus or Dedaccaia or Reynolds... but truth be told, you can't tell a difference riding...  What makes more of a difference is if the builder takes a thoughtful approach by utilizing the proper tubing diameters and butt profiles to optimize a bike for the potential rider...  now that makes a difference!  In fact, it makes a palpable difference!  All this said, to answer what you really asked is this bike is a combination of Columbus Spirit, Columbus Zona and Deda Zero.  Are you happy now???  Oh, and you need to see this frame in person...  It's got an amazing paint job.  It's Metal flake silver with Candy Blue accents.  Photo's don't do it justice!

Geometry-  Oh another area people like to geek out....  What's the head tube angle?  What's the chainstay length?  Rarely the more important questions of what's the trail and the bottom bracket drop?  Never the most important question of was this build centered off of a professional, known good fit?  So since this is my blog and I'm writing it (I'll cry if I want to, cry if I want to, you would cry too if it happened to you), I'll tell you...  In my humble opinion any great riding, great handling bike starts out with a design that is centered around a great fit!!!  And this one was designed around a fit performed by Noel at Bonkwerx.  I've spent several hours with Noel, fine tuning my fit and coming up with a fit that works.  From that fit, I'm able to design a bicycle where my mass is where it's supposed to be, without the use of super short/long seatposts/stems, excessive seat seatbacks, 100 stem spacers, so and and so forth...  So there...  Now for what you think you want to know...  Parallel 73 degree angles, 72 mm bb drop, 405 stays (if you want trail you'll have to ask nicely). ;-)

Components-  I'd say "nothing special" but the more I think about it, they are!  I selected all parts that are super solid, affordable and will last a good long while!  Drivetrain duties are handled by Sram Rival 22 with a 50/34 crank and an 11/32 cassette.  So much has been written about this stuff that I'm not going to bother with another word.  Wheels-  My own brew!  I work with a manufacture that produces carbon rims to my spec.  These happen to be 38mm carbon rims that are tubeless compatible.  Though compatible, these are set up with Michelin Power Competition 25mm tires, my current favorite.  Hubs are Bitex and offer a great way to get an awesome set of wheels for an affordable price.  Cockpit duties are handled by Whisky Parts .  I've utilized their fantastic No.7 6F bar.  It's aluminum and has a shape I find to be very agreeable!  I've continued with the Whisky line, utilizing their No.7 seatpost and stem!  Nothing super fancy but they offer a great performance to value proposition!  The seat is a Fabric Scoop.  I wish I could insert a heart emogi there because that's how I feel about their saddles...  That pretty much wraps up this bike...  Oh, a silver King headset.  Enough said about that.

The ride- Well, I just went for a quick spin on it.  Let's just say I had to get off it quickly!!!  You see, I actually built this bike as a demo bike for Rochester Fitness and Cycling .  Being a dealer/rep for my bikes, I wanted to be sure that the shop had a bike to show folks!  Anyway, that's what ended my ride so fast...   I could tell that if I kept riding, this bike wasn't going to make it to the shop.  It would be added to my quiver of bikes...  And If you know me, you know that Michelle will kill me if I bring another bike home.  So, do me a favor and save me from myself!  Stop by Rochester Fitness and Cycling to test ride this machine!  If it fits you, it's for sale.  If it doesn't fit but you have a dream bike, hit me up!