mulleady

The Merc is a much better deal. That is way overpriced for a 3 speed clone Pampera. I'm sure Anita will be back from vacation soon.

pampera

Great news! I had a reply today from Anita, seems she is back. Thanks again for your advices, I' d have made a wrong choice if not were for you.

EvilV

Anita just emailed me and said she's been away for a few days. Hope she was able to answer your questions ok.

I expect the handle bar changer on the Flamingo is the same as mine. It has never gone wrong. It's a twist grip type. After about 2400 miles, I decided to change the cable for the gears, because a couple of strands of wire had broken down near the back wheel. Anita sold me a new cable AND a new changer twist grip mechanism for £6.50. It was on the bike in about ten minutes. Still going very well at 3000 + miles. That is about 4830 km.

Personally, I like the tubular frame on the merc rather than the girder on the Flamingo, although I am sure it will be strong and serviceable.

Did I tell you Pampera that I was in Spain recently walking on the Camino de Santiago? I went from Pamplona to Burgos at the end of April. I am going again in October to do some more. This time I will aim to complete the part from Burgos to Leon.

The people were VERY helpful to me as I don't speak Spanish, except for a few words. I lost count of the kindly people who helped me during my travels.

Pictures:
https://picasaweb.google.com/Volpoon/...64981475752274

mulleady

Tony you disappoint me! I thought you would have walked the 400 miles back to Barca as well! Or alternatively carried the Merc with you and have cycled back!

EvilV

Naa - I just talk big mulleady. After a week or so of walking at the end of April, I went home. I was browsing the easyjet site the other night looking at prices in October, and I got an offer I couldn't refuse. Two way trip NCL -> BCN, BCN - NCL for £40. With baggage and travel insurance for 10 days, £64. I just couldn't miss that kind of a bargain, so I bought the tickets. I'll be there from Oct 6th to OCt 15th.

pampera

Camino de Santiago, just for one or 200km is extraordinary. Very very busy this days so I'll have to wait to weekend to see the photos.

Maybe you like this: https://www.viasverdes.com/visita_virtual.htm
Many km of natural environment to know Spain with your bike. They're 100% safe to ride.

Coming back to the bike I hope everything is rolling, as you did, I asked for a second chainweel and will make it mounted here.

If nothing bad happens I should be riding again on July!

pampera

Evilv, maybe you like this: https://www.roncesvalleszubiri.com/
21K trough Camino de Santiago, running.
Last year I couldn't run, but maybe this year is possible.

EvilV

Ah - how well I remember that road. There is a very rough part before Zubri where the track rises over a steep hill with very broken stone underfoot.

I looked at the site, but I have very little Spanish - VERY, very little. I tried to run it through Google's language translator but being in Flash, the site wasn't translated.

Anyway thanks for sending the link. I see the run takes place on 5th October. That's the day before I next fly to Barcelona for my next Camino Adventure.

How did you get on with Anita? Did you order a bike, or were you asking questions?

mulleady

You ordered the Merc from Anita Pampera?

pampera

Mulleady, I will order, means, pay in full, on June 16th, due to family money ordering, so I hope I'll be riding again on July.
I asked her for another chainweel to try to install a gear-system like the photos of Evilv, I'll see if it is possible to be done here in Madrid. Also asked her to replace the plastic chain tensioner for a metal one. This will be done previously the bike is sent.
Anita was as nicest as possible. I am watching the photos she sent me everyday, to make my countdown easier.

pampera

Hi Evilv, I asked a lot of questions (chainweel, etc) and after getting the final budget told Anita I can make the money transfer on June 16th. It is due to the my not day-to-day money ordering. If this deal goes as it looks, I will be very very happy and riding again on July, when I expect the bike to arrive here.
As you told me, she was a caring seller.
I expect no problem at all after I make the money transfer. If it were for me, I would do it yesterday, but banks are banks and I'll have the cash back on June 15th, not before, I dont like debts.
I asked her for a second chainweel, so I will ask for your advice to install the gear system, if you are so kind. Also asked her to replace the plastic chain tensioner for a metal one.

About Vias Verdes and Zubiri-Roncesvalles I dont know why people here dont translate the webs (it very annoying), let me know if you are interested in something and I'll do m best to translate. The "race" Zubiri-Roncesvalles is the day before you arrive (if you like running maybe next year you can find another good plane tickets), but Vias Verdes (Green roads) are open all the year round and no racing involved, just roads to be cicled. They are safe 100% (I have one near my house and use it to train running) and very nice to ride.

Thanks again!

timo888 

Alas Maximum Rider Weight: 80 KG

Compared, say, to the Mu, which is rated at 105KG.

Regards
T