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It is not about the bike and
its not about the rider. It is about the interaction of the rider and
the bike. When you decide to purchase an Herse bicycle, you are buying
a process. We spend extensive time determining fit, intended purpose,
and the rider's frame flex preferences. This is a time-intensive
process, but proper design of the machine is vital if the bicycle is to
perform as intended. An Herse bicycle while beautiful, is not intended
to be wall art. It is designed for use; to be ridden hard and to
provide countless miles of cycling enjoyment.
The “typical” cycling enthusiast enjoys
shorter daily rides and the occasional longer excursion; perhaps several
century rides per year. A René Herse bicycle is the perfect machine for
this cycling lifestyle. A light responsive frame enables the cyclist to
“mix it up” with the fast folks during the week, while provision for
wider tires and a front rack to accommodate a handlebar bag makes
century ride jaunts a pleasure. In rainy areas, the use of fenders
allows the rider to stay drier and more comfortable. It is now finally
being “re-learned” that all else the same, wider tires actually have
less rolling resistance than skinnier tires. That means that riders can
use top quality wide tires that give them the performance they need to
ride with the “fast set” yet enjoy wonderful comfort that is vital to
the enjoyable (and fast) completion of longer event rides such as
centuries.
Many riders would like to take advantage
of riding on rougher roads (or even dirt and smooth packed trails). The
650b wheel size enables riders to roll very fast on the smooth pavement
(with amazing comfort) and to subsequently take a pleasurable turn onto
dirt roads to explore areas less traveled. If someone wished to only
own one bicycle, a light 650b machine is the perfect choice. René Herse
Bicycles is committed to this size in additional to the more popular
700c.
The centerpiece of our
product line is the Randonneur Bike, a bicycle intended for use on 100
plus mile rides with the integration of lighting, fenders, racks, and
bags. Experience Brevet riders know that both physical and mental
fatigue are the enemy. A bicycle must be optimized for efficiency, and
also provide the features that allow the rider to participate in the
event with minimal thought. Lighting must be easily accessible for easy
changes according to changing conditions with a power supply that is at
the ready with minimal rider thought. The bicycle must have a geometry
that is sure and stable so that a rider can stay safely on route as the
rider's energy becomes taxed.
(René Herse Bicycles Inc. is
pleased that nearly 50% of our current orders are for machines earmarked
for PBP in 2011; Lyli Desbois (Herse) at our recent meeting was
especially pleased to learn that the Herse name will continue on at this
storied event.)
While Randonneur Bicycles are
a specialty, there is something called the HERSE PARADOX; one reason for
the Herse legend is the tremendous variety of bicycles that Herse always
offered - from a svelte track racing bicycle to a stout world tourer
intended to carry heavy loads, the purchaser has always been able to
order a bicycle designed precisely for a specific use. One can imagine
owning 5 or more Herse Bicycles, each designed for a specific purpose.
Yet at the same time, Herse offerings include machines that are
amazingly versatile in their ability to work exceedingly well in a
variety of conditions. A 650b lightweight Randonneur will work
beautifully on fast club rides, yet can take the rider to many places
folks only go to on mountain bikes. For many riders, such a machine is
the only bicycle they may ever need!
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