The B17 Aged is made from a softer leather, unlike the standard hard-as-steel B17. The Aged version wears in a lot quicker and is more comfortable right from the off.

[QUOTE=John Koehrer;657999]Oddly I agree with jerold on this...QUOTE]

One thing we can all agree on is the importance of a comfortable behind.

I'd recommend you wait for a bit. I use a Brooks on my "good" bike, and I like it, and it's more comfortable than what it replaced which was a lightly padded Italian saddle.
However, for the first half hour or so, any saddle will be about the same as any other. If you are only on the bike for short rides, you probably wouldn't notice much difference.
Ride the bike for a while so that you can get a better idea of what changes you might want to make. OTH, if the shop happens to carry Brooks saddles, by all means, see if you can try one out. But if you have to order it, and get it imported, I'd wait until you've done some riding.

The leather is a little softer on the "aged" models, at least, so I understand. But I've also heard it wears out sooner, so you might get only 10 or 15 years out of it, rather than 20 or 30.

My father has been a keen cyclist for the last 60 years or so (he is now 71). He was a time trialler and regular tourer who cycled through Europe several times and all over Britain. His B17 Champion Sprinter, bought back in the early '50s is still going strong.

Here he is many years ago at Hollandsch Diep bridge with his fixed gear Bryars* (which he still rides).


*The scan is a bit blurry as its the best I could do with a fifty year old 35mm contact print.

Ari: get Andy's Dad's bike. A vintage Taylor or Singer or Herse are the Leica and Contax of bikes. Except they are completely functional, or better so, than when they were new. ANY of the '50s designs are better for what you want than a mass produced piece of trash from China.

Arii:

Does Rollie make a bicycle?;);):D

Matt

Does Rollie make a bicycle?

Perhaps not, but Fuji does.

(but I don't think it's the same company)

Got it!
Thank you all for your great advice and suggestions!
I rode it for maybe twenty seconds and it feels great!
The thing is that I stopped at a cafe with a friend and already somebody knocked the bicycle down, so it is now equipped, along with night lights and water bottle, with evil eye protection. Same like the one I've used for my Rolleiflex and Hasselblads.
I am not normally superstitious, but I've come to respect and fear the evil eye...
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x247/arigram/Bicycle.jpg

Looks a nice bike Ari, but the proof is in the riding! Give it a few thousand miles to really see if you like it!

That's a very cool self-propelled rolling tripod you have there Ari.

That's a very cool self-propelled rolling tripod you have there Ari.
One of the first things that came to mind was a camera mount at front, but then I thought of the Rolleiflex or the Hasselblad on the bike, with all their weight, bulk and expensiveness and quickly shook that thought off... of course I could always get a manfrotto mount and attach a digi p&s on it, one of those pink ones... or maybe an Holga... HMMM!

Yes, Andy, you are right. It feels great, but lets see how it goes!
The problem is that I live right at the center of the city. Everything is ten seconds away on foot. And I am not much of a sports guy. So, I would need to make a habit of taking the bike for joy rides.
Maybe I will go see Batman tonight or tomorrow in those movie theaters I usually beg a friend with a scooter to take me to...

Phew! *pant* *pant*
I just took it for a spin around, from my neighborhood, to the port, not a long distance.
Holy smokes Batman, I didn't imagine such exercise, or in how bad of a shape I am!
I almost pooped half the route and that last, long uphill ride nearly killed me!
I am either going to be in a hundred times better physical health than I am right now in a week, or my parents will sell the bike after my funeral.

About ten years ago I got a bike and went for a short two or three mile ride. I hadn't been on a bike for fifteen years. When I got home and got off the bike my legs were so wobbly, I could only just stand up.

The last few hundred feet to my house are up a steep hill. I used to get off and push. Now I amaze myself that I can ride up it. It gets easier the more you do it.

I'm not in particularly good shape but I'm not unfit either. I try to walk about six miles each evening. I should take the bike out more often but I would probably have to do about ten miles to have the same benefit as my six mile walk.


Steve.

Hope you got some bike insurance

One of the first things that came to mind was a camera mount at front, but then I thought of the Rolleiflex or the Hasselblad on the bike, with all their weight, bulk and expensiveness and quickly shook that thought off... of course I could always get a manfrotto mount and attach a digi p&s on it, one of those pink ones... or maybe an Holga... HMMM!

Yes, Andy, you are right. It feels great, but lets see how it goes!
The problem is that I live right at the center of the city. Everything is ten seconds away on foot. And I am not much of a sports guy. So, I would need to make a habit of taking the bike for joy rides.
Maybe I will go see Batman tonight or tomorrow in those movie theaters I usually beg a friend with a scooter to take me to...

RAM makes a variety of mounts for cameras, gps, telephones,mp3 players etc.
You can google themor try Gadgetguys.com or Aerostitch.coom both are purveyors to the motorcycle trade and many of their merchandise is camping/cycle related

Hope you got some bike insurance
...err... no... I will ask the local bicyclists if it is needed...

RAM makes a variety of mounts for cameras, gps, telephones,mp3 players etc.
You can google themor try Gadgetguys.com or Aerostitch.coom both are purveyors to the motorcycle trade and many of their merchandise is camping/cycle related
I've found them and it looks cool.
At the moment I will go about taping an holga, as it was just a passing idea, but it may come out with some interesting pictures.

...err... no... I will ask the local bicyclists if it is needed...


I'd get some if I were you. Having had a road racing bike stolen which wasn't insured I'd never not insure a good bike, especially a brand shiny new one.

Mine was chained to a fence. The thieves had wire cutters.

More importantly, you want to be sure that you have 3rd party liability insurance. Bicyclists can cause accidents too, and you want to be insured if you do, or someone claims you did.

If you have home insurance, or car insurance, it may be that you are already insured for the bike as well.

Naturally, it could be entirely different where you are Ari, but I would be surprised.

Have fun riding!

Matt

I am meeting some bicyclists this Friday, who are getting together for the local Critical Mass ride, so I expect to meet some people and get some advice. I have already exchanged a few messages with one of the main participants. I actually did go in one meeting a couple months ago to take pictures with the Hasselblad, which I haven't printed yet.
(http://cmheraklion.blogspot.com/)

Got it!
Thank you all for your great advice and suggestions!
I rode it for maybe twenty seconds and it feels great!
The thing is that I stopped at a cafe with a friend and already somebody knocked the bicycle down, so it is now equipped, along with night lights and water bottle, with evil eye protection. Same like the one I've used for my Rolleiflex and Hasselblads.
I am not normally superstitious, but I've come to respect and fear the evil eye...
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x247/arigram/Bicycle.jpg

Con grats on your new bike Ari. So now, will you participate in next years "World Naked Bike Ride"? :D

Sorry couldn't help it. I'm bored can't think straight and have to do something to keep me from doing something stupid like buying a Leica or a Bessa R2M with a 35mm f/2,5 color Skopar.
Kind regards

Con grats on your new bike Ari. So now, will you participate in next years "World Naked Bike Ride"? :D

Hey, if I manage to get my butt toned to be proud enough to display it in public, I might as well. Although, in these parts, wearing a hat and goggles and driving a bicycle is a shocking spectacle enough. Plus, I think I make enough of a "let's beat the crap out of this weird guy" target as it is.

Sorry couldn't help it. I'm bored can't think straight and have to do something to keep me from doing something stupid like buying a Leica or a Bessa R2M with a 35mm f/2,5 color Skopar.
There are a lot of more dangerous things to do if you are bored, some that might even be more harmful to your health and of others than just your pocket.
What's up? Its summer still over there, isn't it? Is it raining? Why aren't you out taking photos of pretty Danish girls? Hell, I might come over there and kick you out on the streets and steal all the girls!

There are a lot of more dangerous things to do if you are bored, some that might even be more harmful to your health and of others than just your pocket.
What's up? Its summer still over there, isn't it? Is it raining? Why aren't you out taking photos of pretty Danish girls? Hell, I might come over there and kick you out on the streets and steal all the girls!

You are welcome Im a married man
Yes the summer just arrived up here. Thats the problem, I'm at work and there is almost nobody here. Its so quiet you can hear a sewing machine fall to the floor :) But tomorrow afternoon tadaaa two weeks.....ahh. :D
Kind regards

I am meeting some bicyclists this Friday, who are getting together for the local Critical Mass ride, so I expect to meet some people and get some advice. I have already exchanged a few messages with one of the main participants. I actually did go in one meeting a couple months ago to take pictures with the Hasselblad, which I haven't printed yet.
(http://cmheraklion.blogspot.com/)

I'm going to CM on friday too! Make sure to get a bike multitool, lube, and tubes and a good pump.

Make sure to get a bike multitool, lube, and tubes and a good pump.
I've got a good portable pump, I've got a tube repair kit, but I am leaving the multitool and spare tubes for now. My rides for the moment are extremely short, the bike shop is very close to my house and I need to learn more about bicycles first. I've got the bike's manual, I've found some online info, but I try not to overwhelm myself yet. If I get a flat tire, for now I will just walk the bicycle to the repair shop. When I am able to ride for more than half an hour and take it out of town too, I will start needing the extra tools and knowledge. I still haven't found a saddlebag I like too. They are all too "modern" and "sporty" and usually vintage-style bags have hoops for Brooks sadddles and not for the saddle post. Anyway, that's a detail.

A bit of rant, regarding my town:
My city has the biggest fortress walls in the Mediterranean and one of the biggest in Europe. Inside, the center of the city is where most of the life is: bars, clubs, stores and cafes. I also happen to live right down at the very center of it. I only need ten seconds walk to get to almost all the interesting places.
Lately they have started transforming a large part of the center into pedestrian pavements, which is truly great. But, there is absolutely no reason why one would need any roads in the city inside the walls. I mean, you can walk from one side to another without breaking a sweat, unless its a really hot day. So, they should close the gates to cars and motorbikes and make all the old town pedestrian. Allow only bicycles and maybe build a tram or something to take the lazy and the old around.
The problem with the citizens of Iraklio is that they are used to taking their cars or motorcycles just to buy cigarettes down the street. Well, fuck that! Make them walk, make them ride a bicycle and the quality of life would change a million times for the better! No noise, no dodging cars and crazy scooters, no pollution, no parking anxiety and lots of healthier and happier people!

Bloody cyclists think they own the roads...:D