EvilV,

Yes I have read that article. What a rich history that company has. Most of us have read the history of other makes like Raleigh, and Schwinn, but for most of us Westerners, Flying Pigeon was pretty much unknown, until recent times as China has become more globally involved.

I just came back from a 40-45 minute ride on the Pigeon. What can I say? It rides quite smoothly despite the stiff Mg/Al frame. I could be the tires that help there It does make a low "clicking" sound as the crank rotates, and I believe it's one of the pedals which need to be re-tightened. I have to go throughout the entire bike to check on the tightness of the hardware.

The bike is geared LOW! I guess it was spec'ed for terrain that could include hills. Non the less, I like it that way as it makes for a casual paced, low effort ride. I don't have a cyclometer installed yet, but I guess I can cruise at about 10-13 mph easily. To get into the higher "teens", I would have to spin pretty good.

Last night, I ran the numbers for the chainring (42 tooth), and the rear cluster (14-28), and plugged in the tire size (20"x1.75"), and the length of the crankarms (165mm) into Sheldon Brown's online gear calculator. I got a result of a gear range of 28 to 56 gear inches. So the "high" gear on my bike is like your Strida knockoff's single speed ratio.



I am having a problem with the seatpost sliding slowly back into the frame. It uses a plastic shim, and I've noticed that adhesion with metal is not very good. I stopped momentarily and tightened the QR to the point where I had to really push on the lever to close it! When I got home, I checked the seatpost, and it had not moved. Good except that I shouldn't have to use that much effort in opening, and closing the QR. There is a bike shop in the neighborhood, and I might go out in a few minutes to see if they have an aluminum shim (28.6 to ?) that will fit.

It is a beautiful day for a ride, and I took first towards the lake. There are two docks with gazebos at the end. I stopped at one of them, and sat down to take in the view. The blue/purple color on the Pigeon shows very nicely especially on a bright sunny day. I wish I had my digital camera with me. Maybe if I do go to that bike shop, I take the camera.

By the way "Evil", I don't want to make you jealous, but that saddle is quite comfy Now I probably rode 4 miles or so, but I can tell already it's going to be good

This is going to sound funny but I am pondering the idea of getting a second FP to "hot rod" it. They sell this bike in Orange, or Red, which are "sportier" colors. I would take off the fenders, and the rack, change out the chain ring to something like a 52 tooth...the rear cluster would be changed to a 7 speed Shimano "Megarange" (11-34) so that it would have a good high gear, and decent low as well. A set of 20" x 1.5" Greenspeed Scorcher tires would make this bike a fast roller.

The magnesium frame is definitely worth any upgrades, especially considering the low price.

Ahhh....think of the possibilities.

Raleigh Twenty...eat your heart out

Happy New Year to All!

Edward