We’re entering into the great time of yr round right here:

The foliage hasn’t peaked but however there’s already loads of coloration to thrill the attention, and naturally the air is crisp and funky, which sends some Freds right into a panic (the temperature has but to dip under 50 American Freedom Levels™ and I’ve already seen my first balaclava), however which when you’re me simply means you possibly can experience with out perspiring. Additionally when you’re me the altering of the seasons evokes remembrances of bicycles previous, and it was at precisely this time two years in the past that I used to be falling deeply for the Davidson Impulse:

A smart reader who is aware of high quality when he sees it (even when it’s lined in splatter paint) quickly bought it from Traditional Cycle, and I miss it sufficient that I nonetheless have restrain myself from changing it when objects like this seem on common Web public sale websites:

After the Davidson was now not beneath my custodianship Paul of Traditional Cycle despatched me a comfort prize, seen right here a number of weeks therefore when autumn’s palette is at its most exuberant:

The Colnago Bititan was quick-handling and nice enjoyable to experience, however whereas there was one thing viscerally thrilling about this airbrushed titanium sizzling rod although it appeared to sacrifice consolation for agility. And now I’m driving the Cervino:

Just like the Davidson, the Cervino can be obtainable for buy from Traditional Cycle, and when you’re be at liberty to drop me a line…although I secretly hope you received’t since I’m having fun with it a lot.

Whether or not it’s the tubing or the tubular tires or the geometry or all these issues collectively the Cervino has all these qualities they ascribe to traditional metal highway bicycles: easy, supple, springy, forgiving, yadda yadda yadda. The drivetrain is very unrefined by in the present day’s requirements, and but the general really feel of the bicycle is so silky you don’t actually care–like how when you go to an exquisite outdated home you don’t thoughts that the toilet has a clawfoot tub and separate faucets for the cold and hot. If something it solely enhances the appeal. It additionally represents the swan music of the lugged metal highway bike, since by the top of the last decade new supplies began taking on, and the Vengeance Bike–seen right here additionally at just about precisely this time of yr, just one yr in the past–was very a lot a harbinger of what was to return:

Additionally, setting apart the plain variations between the frames, the C-Document part group on the Vengeance Bike succeeded the Tremendous Document group on the Cervino. In some methods the distinction are largely beauty. Think about the shifters:

The C-Document shifters are rather more modern-looking, however they work precisely* the identical manner:

*[Actually, strictly speaking they don’t work exactly the same way, since the right shifter on the Kestrel is a “retrofriction” shifter–though apparently the older Campagnolo shifters were also available in a retrofriction version, and other companies made them too, so there.]

There’s additionally no elementary distinction in how the crank attaches to the bicycle:

Although the C-Document crank options some noteworthy variations that transcend its sensible end and modern aesthetics:

For one factor there’s the self-extracting crank bolts, however rather more importantly the BCD is diminished from 144 to 135, which suggests you possibly can go all the best way down to a 39-tooth chainring.

Then there are the brakes:

The Delta brake’s alleged lack of stopping energy has grow to be one thing of an city delusion, however I promise you it stops like a motherfucker in comparison with its predecessor–although on the expense of tire clearance, clearly:

I’m not saying these older sidepulls don’t work–certainly, they work simply fantastic, and I’m positive they’d work even higher with trendy pads. However the Deltas are a lot smoother and extra highly effective, they usually’re probably not all that difficult to take care of when you metal your self and confront their inside workings:

However sure, it’s scary to take that entrance plate off, and also you form of count on a bunch of bats to fly out.

As for the rear derailleurs, they give the impression of being dramatically completely different:

However as Disraeli Gears notes, essentially the C-Document iteration introduced nothing new by way of performance, and was heavy as well:

It’s most likely the nicest-looking bike half I’ve ever dealt with although, which counts for one thing. And if you add all that up the C-Document group does really feel noticeably extra refined in operation.

In fact even with the power to make use of a 39-tooth inside chainring, each are wildly “overgeared” by in the present day’s requirements, although just like the aforementioned old-timey toilet that’s a part of the appeal, and it’s actually not an issue so long as you know the way to make use of it. The reality is you possibly can climb just about something with a 42/21–the true secret is to by no means shift all the best way down into the 21. Positive, that makes it even more durable, however so long as you retain telling your self you possibly can all the time downshift that’ll offer you all of the psychological cushioning it’s essential get to the highest. Additionally, low gears don’t make climbing any simpler, they only make you do it slower.

There’s additionally one other secret:

Which is to have one other bike with a number of actually low gears:

It’s simple to tough it if you don’t all the time must.