Toscana Trials

[europa]

She's here





As you can see, the box is a lovely rectangular shape and in the traditional brown.

An interested observer might take the trouble to read the writing on the box which suggests that inside is an OSS Toscana, the twin 26" wheel model, coloured red

The really observant will also note that the rain has stopped and the driveway is dry But it's not going to last

Richard
having a nerve tautening coffee before reaching for a sharp knife

[europa]

Out of the box - there's a bike in there



Seriously, there is



And it's RED so it's FAST

Now, how the frick does it go together

Richard

[europa]

By golly, there was a bike in there



Man this thing is loooonnnnngggggg

Richard

[Kalgrm]

By golly, there was a bike in there

Well then, you better let me be the first to tell you to "Get a REAL bike!!!"

(I won't be the last to say it, either ....)

Cheers,
Graeme

[europa]

"Get a REAL bike!!!"

It IS real, magnets stick to it

Hotdog's 'comfy chair' comments start to make sense.



Man those bars are close to your chest.

Richard

[sogood]

The really observant will also note...

MIT... Made in Taiwan.

[europa]

The really observant will also note...

MIT... Made in Taiwan.

Yup and the workmanship is a real credit to them. The welds are nicer than the Trek's and my Trek frame was made in the USA. For that matter, the painwork makes the Trek look like a backyard special.

Richard

[europa]

Before I break something - SRAM twist grip shifters. They are either very stiff (being new probably) or I'm about to break them.

Do you just twist them in each direction or is there something I'm missing?

Richard

[sogood]

Yes, there are some decent technology there on the island. MIT is no longer a derogatory tag any more as far as bike parts are concerned.

As for these bents, are people trying to get back to being a couch potato? They just looked too comfy!

[Kalgrm]

Before I break something - SRAM twist grip shifters. They are either very stiff (being new probably) or I'm about to break them.

Do you just twist them in each direction or is there something I'm missing?

Richard

Yep, twist them in each direction to the desired gear. They are likely to be a little stiff because they are brand new and also they are not "top end" twisters. Of course, you need to be pedalling to affect a gear change too ....

Cheers,
Graeme

[Kalgrm]

As for these bents, are people trying to get back to being a couch potato? They just looked too comfy!

I got mine for the aerodynamics, however many people buy them because they find "normal" bikes painful to ride. They really can't be beaten for comfort on a bike - regardless of how exact the fit of your diamond frame is.

Cheers,
Graeme

[John Lewis]

Yes, have to agree Red bikes go faster even if mine is yellow.

Great to see you got it home. Tink I feel a fit of envy coming on .

Watch out for heel strike on that first ride. You may be lucky but with my short legs it was a problem and tipped me off.

Keep us all posted. (Of course he will)

John L

[s-s-a]

Congratulations on your new baby Richard.

When you get a chance with the camera, gisalook behind the seat (for kiddy towing purposes). Btw we are allowed to call it a seat aren't we - or is it a "couch" ?

Is it ready to ride yet and if so is it raining?

Steph

[nimm]

Looks sweet! I'm very seriously thinking about a 'bent as the reduced drag really appeals to me. Graeme - I may join the HPV ride this sunday if I get a chance, perhaps someone will be willing to let me have a go

[Mulger bill]

That does look nice, if a little "pinkish"

Can't wait for the first "wobble down the road, feeling like a 4yo again" report

Shaun

[europa]

That does look nice, if a little "pinkish"

Oh yes, tis a weird colour. Depending on the light, it's metallic red through to metallic pink through to metallic orange, and if you get the light in the right place, you get all three at the same time

She's all together.

Got the computer on - you'll love where I have to mount the computer to get around the 40cm max distance from speed sensor to computer

Set up the rack and panniers.

Mounted a drink bottle holder and slipped in a bottle - you'll love this position too.

Got the gears working.

It's even got a SIDESTAND There's a specialist mount for the stand and a really nifty stand so I'll leave it on for the moment.

Man is it LONG. Nearly two metres from rear tyre to front crank. I'm guessing I'll have to remount the roof racks on the car

I tell you what, riding this will be a cinch. I've been off and on her all night and she hasn't shown a sign of falling over. All I have to do is take her out of the wind trainer and ...

Richard
decent photos tomorrow ... if the rain stops

[Mulger bill]

Got the computer on - you'll love where I have to mount the computer to get around the 40cm max distance from speed sensor to computer

Well, where? The suspense is killing me

Mounted a drink bottle holder and slipped in a bottle - you'll love this position too.

Same question...

Man is it LONG. Nearly two metres from rear tyre to front crank. I'm guessing I'll have to remount the roof racks on the car

And rearrange the dining room.

BTW the armchairs not cream coloured

Mate, I'm rapt you're so stoked over this unit. I'd love to see it in the flesh.

Shaun

[Kalgrm]

Looks sweet! I'm very seriously thinking about a 'bent as the reduced drag really appeals to me. Graeme - I may join the HPV ride this sunday if I get a chance, perhaps someone will be willing to let me have a go

No problems nimm. 7.00 at the Burswood, riding out to Freo. Craig (who supplied Richard's bike) will be there on his new suspended trike. I saw it in a half-built state last weekend, and was very impressed with it.

Cheers,
Graeme

[Halfanewb]

Grats Richard !

bet you cant wait to get her out on the road this morning,, any ideas on a name yet?

[europa]

Grats Richard !

bet you cant wait to get her out on the road this morning,, any ideas on a name yet?

Got up this morning. Bright eyed (okay, red and bleary) and bushy tailed (man, did you hear that crash of thunder ).

Yup, it's raining. The road outside my house isn't just wet, it's got rivers running across it

Maybe I'll sit around in full lycra and sulk all day.

The forecast is for thundery showers, so there's a good chance there'll be a big enough clear spot for the road to dry and for me to get her out - no, I'm not going to learn to ride this monster on a wet road. It'd be different if I had a coach with me, but my coach is in Perth (g'day Graeme). Be a pity if I miss out on riding this weekend though - I don't have the kids and have the little one for three weeks straight after christmas.

The name. I keep wanting to call her Tosca (from her name, Toscana) but that's so bloody obvious. I could stir Jan up by calling her 'The Other Woman'. I'm sure she'll be called a lot of things over the next few days, I'll just wait until I use a name I'd be game enough to use in front of my mother

Richard

[europa]

Now, a word about my supplier - Just Bents run by Craig Meyn in Perth. A brand new company (I was one of his first customers ) importing directly from the factory.

Craig's been great. Very patient. Good communication. Understands that I'm an utter novice and was able to work on that basis. It's been a real joy buying from him.

Is was led to him by Graeme (kalgrm), who rides with him periodically and so knew that Craig was setting up this company (I had to wait for that to happen so I could place my order). I'd been seriously looking at bents all this year, but couldn't afford the $3,000 price tag of the Bacchettas and the like. There are a few bent dealers in Oz now, particularly if you like trikes. My own lbs sells Greenspeed trikes - I'll have to own a Greenspeed one day just for the engineering But I couldn't afford that.

This little Toscana is no Bacchetta and at quite a bit less than half the price, that's understandable. However she's very well made. According to Graeme (who's already ridden her), she rides quite well. So, as the cheaper components wear out, putting good stuff on her is a workable option.

I'd like her to become my main workhorse, though I can't see how I can tow the tag-along and even the dog's trailer is going to be difficult thanks to the shape of the rear forks. I can address the trailer issue, even if it means changing the trailer hitch, not sure what I can do about towing the lass though. In any case, I won't be towing anything until I get used to riding her.

Thanks for your efforts Craig. I've enjoyed the buying process, despite some evidence to the contrary.

And if you want to buy a bent, give Craig at Just Bents a bell

Richard

[s-s-a]

Re names - hmmm can your mother speak Italian?

Given you're after a female name and the new bike is red with an Italian name (Toscana) then how about an Italian slang word for "scarlet woman"? I googled and found this site about Italian slang.

How about Battona (literally streetwalker, because she pounds (battere) the pavement)??

Steph

[europa]

I wonder what the Italian is for "I'M GOING TO DIE"

Richard

[europa]

Cagareis appropriate

Richard

[Dave A]

Looks nice Richard.
You'll need a bigger house soon for your fleet
I look forward to seeing it, ive never seen a bent in the flesh.