What Does A R. Herse Crankset Give The Buyer?

[BobCochran]

I have a question. Bear in mind that I am inexperienced with bicycling technology. What does purchasing and using an R. Herse crankset from compasscycle.com give the buyer, compared to a Full Speed Ahead or SRAM or other manufactured crankset? Do you just get the bragging rights, or is there a real advantage in using such a crankset?

Thanks

Bob

Topic

[Harry Meatmotor]

@vvill 146288 wrote:

I have a lot of respect for Jan Heine and enjoy reading his stuff (and Bicycle Quarterly in general). I would love to try some Compass tires – only partly for the ride quality (I almost always take a photo of them when I see them on a fellow rider’s bike).

Just think the marketing is laying it on a bit thick, although that can be true for the whole cycling industry.

If my sarcasm in up-thread posts isn’t clear enough, I’ll state more clearly: I don’t trust luddites that eschew the last 30 years of technological advances and mainstreaming of superior materials science. He may be “fast” on a bike, but he’s a kook. Seriously, 7-4-7 non-OS tubing will dent if a moth farts in its’ general direction… and that rear derailleur?? yeah, obviously Tullio had it ALL wrong…

[dkel]

@Harry Meatmotor 146292 wrote:

If my sarcasm in up-thread posts isn’t clear enough, I’ll state more clearly: I don’t trust luddites that eschew the last 30 years of technological advances and mainstreaming of superior materials science. He may be “fast” on a bike, but he’s a kook. Seriously, 7-4-7 non-OS tubing will dent if a moth farts in its’ general direction… and that rear derailleur?? yeah, obviously Tullio had it ALL wrong…

That bike is an art piece. It’s functional, but the entire point is to be artsy. I wouldn’t take the many listed design “advantages” too seriously.

[vvill]

@Harry Meatmotor 146292 wrote:

If my sarcasm in up-thread posts isn’t clear enough, I’ll state more clearly: I don’t trust luddites that eschew the last 30 years of technological advances and mainstreaming of superior materials science. He may be “fast” on a bike, but he’s a kook. Seriously, 7-4-7 non-OS tubing will dent if a moth farts in its’ general direction… and that rear derailleur?? yeah, obviously Tullio had it ALL wrong…

Yeah those things are definitely beyond casual retrogrouch. I specifically mentioned only the tires. I was “liek, whut?!” when I read about the tubing choice, and it seems pointless to run a rear shifting combo like that for any reason other than to be super-vintage-elite.

[ian74]

@hozn 146272 wrote:

And it is steel and weighs 52g !? That is more than my Performance Bike stainless steel cages.

Now a King cage has at least a little more justification charging that sort of price. (Titanium)

Oh, you want light? The Nitto 80 cage is made with hollow steel tube, only costs $90! It saves 10g!

@vvill 146288 wrote:

I have a lot of respect for Jan Heine and enjoy reading his stuff (and Bicycle Quarterly in general). I would love to try some Compass tires – only partly for the ride quality (I almost always take a photo of them when I see them on a fellow rider’s bike).

Just think the marketing is laying it on a bit thick, although that can be true for the whole cycling industry.

Totally agree, I’m probably going to try a set of the Barlow Passes when it’s time to replace my Panaracer Pasellas. I’m curious to try them (even though they are made by Panaracer). I’m also interested in how they will withstand my commute with plenty of riding in debris strewn shoulders. I’m also interested in seeing how they compare ride-quality wise with the Pasellas. They also are totally hyped up and marketed as the next coming of Christ in tire form.

@dkel 146295 wrote:

That bike is an art piece. It’s functional, but the entire point is to be artsy. I wouldn’t take the many listed design “advantages” too seriously.

I’m totally going to replace my front derailleur with a lever actuated one, too.

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

I’m pretty sure I can dig up some lead paint if you want to do any detailing. It’ll make you go faster downhill too!

[hozn]

@peterw_diy 146280 wrote:

Real-world riding: second place on a 360mi self supported race on unpaved roads, with a 2×5 freewheel setup and, yes, that crankset:

https://www.cxmagazine.com/gravel-grinder-bike-jan-heine-oregon-outback-360-2014

Keep that in mind when you read his “all roads” description.

So I guess if he’d switched to hydraulic disc brakes, proper tubes, modern derailleurs, and spent half as much money on his bike, he’d have been 2 hours faster! (i.e. Ira Ryan on the Breadwinner)

[hozn]

I have been a little bit curious about the Compass tires. I’ve been a lot more interested in tubeless tires, especially in larger casings, but I see they now have tubeless options in 700×35. I might give them a try and see how they compare to Schwalbe Pro One or Specialized Roubaix Pro 2BR tires.

[Harry Meatmotor]

dkel;146295 wrote:

it’s functional, but the entire point is to be grouchy.

ftfy.

[EasyRider]

I’m just a commuter who reads Heine’s blog for entertainment, but he has praised the Soma Wolverine and a carbon frame Calfee, and owns a titanium Firefly. He’s not a total retrogrouch, but he did put those Herse cranks on the Firefly!

[Rockford10]

@EasyRider 146325 wrote:

Soma Wolverine

Speaking of a Soma Wolverine, if anyone is interested, I think there is a frame for sale in the Classifieds sub-forum…

[BobCochran]

From cranksets to bottle cages to frames in the classified section to farting moths, I’m sure learning from this thread! As a bicycling innocent, please accept my deepest thanks! I’m eagerly following the discussion.

Bob

[Author]

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