As a solo rider, I never worry about having to keep up with anyone. For certain people, the saddle was uncomfortable. retrospec It is straight gauge and not seamless. The componentry is bargain-basement, with riders reporting breakage of wheels, hubs, tires, chains, and handlebars in under two weeks of riding. With the smaller chainring, I spin at a higher RPM, as I do on any other bike I ride. So please consider the stand over height before purchasing this bike. Rear triangle could have been better aligned. But if you do get to ride in the Tour de France, dont worry, they will get you better brakes. Freewheel: 16 tooth. The original 46 tooth chainring looks good hanging on the wall or perhaps for future projects.

Minimal working parts often equate to minimal maintenance. For every person that found the Harper to be a featherweight, just as many described it as being very heavy. It doesnt hurt that I am also a big fan of the long ago Tours of France, when such bikes were king.

For starters, the Harper is a fairly well built machine with an excellent paintjob. Plastic and vinyl, with steel rails. I feel confident cornering fast on smooth roads. If you find a lower price, email us at [emailprotected] with documentation of the price. There is no amount of money that even the most wealthy 170 lb cyclist could spend, that could result in a lower total weight of bike and rider than whatthis bike and I weigh: 174 lb combined. beaumont retrospec drab However, I think the rewards and satisfaction found in riding one is far greater than modern bikes with their endless bells and whistles. Reviewers who received instructions, described them as being very easy to follow. You see, the Africans use their bicycles as many westerners use sedans and Ford F-150s. A high tensile steel frame is used by Retrospec for the Harper. Generic, alloy and totally adequate. Value: a very cost effective bicycle. As such, Retrospec has recently responded to customer demand by offering larger 28C width tires as standard, to cope with rougher terrain. If you are riding any fixed gear bicycle at a high rate of speed and your shoelace becomes entangled in the chainring, you could be seriously injured. It wasnt uncommon to find reports of the pedals falling out of the crank thread after low miles. 16 tooth generic that made sounds like popcorn popping and had a dangerous tendency to occasionally not engage while riding in very cold weather. The Flip-Flop rear hub allows the option of riding in either singlespeed or fixed-gear mode. If you order a frame size that has always worked for you in the past, please note that this bike has a high bottom bracket. Hubs are loose ball bearings. The bike must be the same color and size, sold in the US and not include the use of a coupon. This is explained by the fact that it is heavy for a fixie, but light for an average commuter. It was definitely an upgrade for that bike. This informs the choice of the Retrospec Harper for many riders. Personally, I am thankful to be free from the derailleur and all those cables, after so many years. I became interested in single speeds during a 2009 trip to East Africa, while working there on bicycles. Cornering with the Harper is a joy. The hubs are loose ball, which is good for me, as I enjoy spending quiet time with grease and wrenches.

To summarize performance; the Harper is stiff and almost harsh on bumpy roads but performs all tasks well. 2.) A single speed is a lot more work than a multi-gear bike.

Prices constantly change and its impossible to compare them all yourself. The plastic pedals themselves, are one of the least favorite components. The gloss paint and finish is a big draw. 3.) However, those parts would very likely suit you well while travelling through some of those same mountains in France.

The brakes and most other components. Believe me, I have those wheels very well-greased and adjusted for a very low rolling resistance. Although, it is a bit heavy at 25 lbs. If you were flying down a winding mountain road with professional riders, you would likely not be able to match their stopping power. At your own pace, of course. Stem too short for frame size. My greatest competitor is me! The original chainring was a steel 46 tooth, I replaced this with a new Origin-8 alloy 38t. RevoShift shifters make changing gears easy, convenient, and safe with their positioning on the handlebars.Precision RidingFront and rear alloy brakes guarantee a precise and safe ride combined with Shimano 7-speed drivetrain and RevoShift grip shifters providing the ultimate control. I replaced this freewheel with a new Shimano FS 1200. The Harper is everything a good single speed should be. Fixed Cog: 16 tooth. My gear selection limits my top speed but is necessary for me to conquer the local hills. This makes the Retrospec Harper bike a simple, enjoyable and affordable choice. I should disclose that I initially transferred the stock wheels from this Retrospec and used them on another, far more expensive bike. I dont complain about new bikes costing so much these days, since I have chosen the option of keeping things simple. Were committed to making sure that the cost of a bike does not keep you from cycling! Frame Size: 53 cm. No noted discomfort. The step-thru style frame makes it easy to mount and perfect for any age, stature, or style (dress & skirt friendly!). Its relatively lightweight (for a bike in this price range) and simple in both design and construction. A large number of reports mentioned a lack of instructions. The brakes and most other components on this bike would likely not be found in modern day, professional level pelotons of the Tour de France. Combined with front and rear alloy brakes, the Shimano 7-speed drivetrain, and RevoShift grip shifters ensure utmost control and precision.Construction & SafetyThe Beaumont-7 helps you take control of your ride with a Shimano rear derailleur and RevoShift grip shifter for smoother, faster, and easier transitions. Mon - Fri: 9:30am - 6:00pmSat: 9:00am - 5:00pmSun: 10:00am - 5:00pm. For some, the gear ratio was too high for tackling steeper hills. The Retrospec Harper comes with a chainguard, but without mounts to attach it. BikeRide finds and shows you the best prices of the bikes you want to buy. The parts selection is mostly non-branded components that function well, doing the job asked of them. Many consumers described the hi-tensile steel frame as impressively lightweight. The combination of average-quality brake pads (that many reported as wearing out quickly) and painted rims, was a recipe for compromised stopping power. My thanks to my friend Tony, for his assistance and editing this review. This lower gear helps to level the local hills and likely saves my knees from the stress inflicted by climbing with the bigger 46 tooth chainring. Due to non-standard sizing, they were too large for use. According to many reports, it can be easily assembled within fifteen minutes, from scratch. BikeRide is reader-supported, and sometimes we receive commissions for links you click on. For some of us, the Harper is about as good as a bike needs to be. 110 mm BCD, accommodating a smaller chainring than the 130mm BCD chainsets. Its a promise we stand behind: If you find a lower price on a bike elsewhere, we will sell it to you for 10% less. This Retrospec model can not fit both caliper brakes and a fender at the same time. This high tensile steel frame seems lighter than some of the other bikes in this category and is a delightfully stiff platform on hard out-of-the-saddle climbs. Freewheel was noisy. However, the 39 inch wheelbase and frame geometry demand that you keep extra alert while riding. DescriptionOur city-dwelling 7-speed cycle has something for every type of urban rider. 1.)

BikeRide works hard to help you find the lowest prices and information on each bike from the widest possible range of sources. Some buyers received packages with vital parts missing, including the saddle and pedals. Pair that with Beaumonts robust 700x35C tires for reliable gripping and improved shock absorption. The Retrospec Harper is cheap, not just compared to other fixies and singlespeeds, but when compared to all other options for a commuter. It was there that I came to realize that a good single speed is all I need. *Please note that due to availability issues related to the pandemic, tire color may slightly vary from what is shown in the photo. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. The coaster-brake option provided the simplest possible version of this bike, negating the need for brake-setup or assembly. Weight: 25 lbs. Crank Set: 46 tooth steel chainring. This bike can turn a corner or change lanes simply by thinking about it. Small sizes (49cm) disappointed riders of shorter statures. 1996 - 2022 bikeride.com Elite CafeMedia Publisher. In summary, this is what cyclists think. I replaced the original with a 38 tooth alloy ring. Beautiful, professional level paintjob. Combat Bay Area inclines, flat Chicago-land boroughs, and tight New York one-ways with this top-notch hybrid. In a number of instances, cranks suddenly snapped. We have read all expert and user reviews on the Retrospec Harper. Commuters were satisfied with the gear ratio, for riding on all kinds of low hills and flat terrain. The Retrospec Harper is about as basic as a bicycle can be, other than a coaster brake bike. Riders were often pleased with the provision of fittings for dual bottle cages, in addition to eyelets for front and rear racks. One of the factors that really appealed to buyers of the Retrospec Harper, is the wide range of color choices and combinations available. For example, if you find a bike for $480 that we have listed at $500, we will offer you to buy it for $432 through BikeRide. However, I am concerned about cornering too quickly on a rough road or cobblestones, simply because High Tensile steel is not as responsive as a Reynolds or Columbus frame. This bike has room to fit beefier road tire widths. If you are riding a version of this bike with only a coaster brake and you lose a chain on a long downhill run you could be killed. We search for prices on over 120 bike retailers to guarantee that we find the lowest prices to save you time and money. 2020 Urban Cycling Bike Shop Policies & Shipping Privacy Accessibility.

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