In an earlier post, I boasted of my curbside find of a pair of Hondo/LeFol-style hammered fenders with a randonneur-style rack while riding along Kent Avenue in Brooklyn.
I really liked the look of them, and the quality seemed decent. However, I wondered how useful that sort of rack would be to me. And my research shows me that the fenders and rack are actually original equipment from an Electra Ticino bike.
I don't mean to disparage their quality: I have never used any of the company's products. They might well be perfectly good: After all, people rave about the bikes.
Still, I have to wonder whether using them to replace VOs would actually constitute an upgrade. If I ever switch fenders on Helene or Vera, I think I'd want Honjos
But a cursory glance showed me that the way the mounting holes were drilled, the rack would not sit level on any of my bikes unless I drilled another mounting hole. That would mean plugging the original drilling. It's not only an aethetic matter: Whatever is used to plug up the original hole will evenutally pop out and have to be replaced. Also, if the plug is not airtight, it will never be as good as the material that was drilled out of the fender.
And, all right, I'll admit: I'm just too lazy to change the fenders on my bikes. So I took my fortuitous find to Recycle-A-Bicycle, who were only too happy to take them.
I really liked the look of them, and the quality seemed decent. However, I wondered how useful that sort of rack would be to me. And my research shows me that the fenders and rack are actually original equipment from an Electra Ticino bike.
I don't mean to disparage their quality: I have never used any of the company's products. They might well be perfectly good: After all, people rave about the bikes.
Still, I have to wonder whether using them to replace VOs would actually constitute an upgrade. If I ever switch fenders on Helene or Vera, I think I'd want Honjos
But a cursory glance showed me that the way the mounting holes were drilled, the rack would not sit level on any of my bikes unless I drilled another mounting hole. That would mean plugging the original drilling. It's not only an aethetic matter: Whatever is used to plug up the original hole will evenutally pop out and have to be replaced. Also, if the plug is not airtight, it will never be as good as the material that was drilled out of the fender.
And, all right, I'll admit: I'm just too lazy to change the fenders on my bikes. So I took my fortuitous find to Recycle-A-Bicycle, who were only too happy to take them.
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