Comparison II
The Protovelo is a big bike for me - big in the Rivendell-fit kind of way, but also exceptionally comfortable with Albatross bars, and ready for "country bike" rambling, S240s, and all the wonderful things that Grant designs for. I put drops on last year, as I was riding the bike on harder efforts, and the Albatross bars weren't doing it for me. Its a nice ride with drops, but I feel too stretched out. Looking at Mr. Heine's Grand Bois, the Protovelo is bigger, but the fit-dimensions are similar, especially the saddle-to-cockpit distance. The thick powdercoat on that lugged stem won't let me lower it any more, so I'm going to try rando bars on a regular Technomic to get those narrower bars down and see if it tightens up the ride.
Comparison II
The Protovelo is a big bike for me - big in the Rivendell-fit kind of way, but also exceptionally comfortable with Albatross bars, and ready for "country bike" rambling, S240s, and all the wonderful things that Grant designs for. I put drops on last year, as I was riding the bike on harder efforts, and the Albatross bars weren't doing it for me. Its a nice ride with drops, but I feel too stretched out. Looking at Mr. Heine's Grand Bois, the Protovelo is bigger, but the fit-dimensions are similar, especially the saddle-to-cockpit distance. The thick powdercoat on that lugged stem won't let me lower it any more, so I'm going to try rando bars on a regular Technomic to get those narrower bars down and see if it tightens up the ride.