Vendetta Questions

[charlesw]

Hi!

I'm pretty interested in a Vendetta, but I've never ridden one.

How does it compare in riding ease to a Silvio? Just from imagining, I would think the Vendetta might be a little easier. Seems like it might have less torque steer because of the alignment of the boom and axis of turning.

Is it harder to ride in an urban environment than a Silvio? Eg. is it more difficult to turn and such because of the recline?

Can it take 700x28 tires? I realize the brake calipers could, but is there enough fork and rear stay clearance for 28's?

My xseam is 46", which looks like I would fit the high-end of the new medium boom, or the low-end of the large boom. Which is a wiser size boom to go with for my xseam?

Thanks!

 

[John Tolhurst]

I'm pretty interested in a

I'm pretty interested in a Vendetta, but I've never ridden one.

I've been riding mine for a year now and for the last month, the pending version with revised steering geometry and .. well just about I revised everything, just slightly.

How does it compare in riding ease to a Silvio? Just from imagining, I would think the Vendetta might be a little easier. Seems like it might have less torque steer because of the alignment of the boom and axis of turning.

The silivo has slightly less torque steer. The direction of leg thrust with respect to the steering axis is the factor here. Perpendicular and you maximise torque steer, parallel and you negate it completely. Because the seat is low, the pedals higher and the steering axis almost the same, there is more torque steer on Vendetta - but - this only applies at very slow start of cadence or maneuvering slow pedal situations. One your cadence gets to its regular speed, torque steer on either is not something that will enter your mind, ever, after you have done your initial learning.

Is it harder to ride in an urban environment than a Silvio? Eg. is it more difficult to turn and such because of the recline?

Yes, it is. Its harder because

• 
  its harder to swivel your neck around to take a good look at the traffic,
• 
  your torso is further reclined, your head is laid back on the head rest and it appears having you head in an unusual orientation makes balancing more difficult. Low racers are hard to balance at first and I believe quite possibly for the same reason.
• 
  when you reclined back like this, putting your feet down comfortably and securely at stops is more difficult

Can it take 700x28 tires? I realize the brake calipers could, but is there enough fork and rear stay clearance for 28's?

Yes, when I was designing the fork and in discussion with the fork maker, we decided it needed to accommodate 700c x 28.

My xseam is 46", which looks like I would fit the high-end of the new medium boom, or the low-end of the large boom. Which is a wiser size boom to go with for my xseam?

Good question. If riders who are in the overlap upt for the large set, there are several effects.

• 
  the crank is higher which improves aerodynamics,
• 
  this extra crank height means the handlebar clamp on the end of the slider, is lower, and this is good for use of the bullhorn bar (which is an optional extra), where the hands are above the clamp height
• 
  for use of the dropbars, which are standard, the lower clamp height may mean you will want to extend the fork steerer with an aftermarket unit, in order to really optimise the fit.

The above are indicators only. What each person needs depends on each persons individual proportions and physique and riding goals.

Thanks!

Hey!, I enjoyed these questions.

 

[John Tolhurst]

An example of choosing the

An example of choosing the large over the medium is Jim Parker, who did a test build. You can see the small fork steerer extension.

 

[charlesw]

Jim Parker's Dimensions

John, or Jim,

What are Jim's dimensions for xseam and height? Looking at that picture of Jim, I'm trying to get an idea of how my torso would fit (I realize the neck support is adjustable).

Thanks!

 

[Jim Parker]

Hi Charles,
I'm 74 inches

Hi Charles,
I'm 74 inches tall and my x-seam is about 44". I think I like the large boom better. It's faster.

Jim

 

[charlesw]

OK. Thanks Jim! I'm 76" tall

OK. Thanks Jim! I'm 76" tall and 46" xseam. So my torso fit should be about the same as yours.

 

[charlesw]

Why brifters over the bullhorn?

Hi Jim,

One more question, why do you prefer the WTB bar w/brifters instead of the bullhorn bar w/bar-ends?

Thanks!