I picked up my new Worksman Newsboy bicycle on Friday afternoon, May 11th. This is the first bike I have bought in 10 years that came completely assembled and ready to ride without needing as much as a little wrenching to tighten something up. Even the seat was properly adjusted at the factory. And yes, I picked the bike up at the factory from the person who actually took my initial order. [For safety I did add a bell, and LED head light and tail light - so a wrenched just a little bit.]
This is a big bike. With the baskets and fenders, the bike weighs forty+ pounds. At first I was a little skeptical that perhaps I made a mistake with such a heavy bike, but with the 3-speed transmission (rear hub) and the smaller (37 tooth) chainring the gearing is perfect for my riding needs. Around town I can cruise along at 10-12 MPH, I can easily hit 30 MPH going downhills, and the gearing is low enough that I can climb the hill leading to my house easier than I could on my mountain bike. And how can I climb better on a heavier bike? Because the Worksman's upright ergonomics are better than the crouched over mountain bike position, the Worksman is more comfortable and much easier to peddle up hill.
The workmanship on the Worksman bike is as industrial as the bike, and it is excellent. Despite all the chrome and the baskets, nothing rattles. I cruised around all weekend running errands and all I could hear was the tire rubber against the road (and at first I thought it sounded like an electric car - that spooked me).
Part of the plan for this bike was to use it as an advertising platform for my wife Heidi's toy business. The baskets on the bike provide almost 10 square feet of advertising space. So as the bike is parked at the train station all day waiting for me to come home from work, it is advertising Heidi's business. We used Buildasign.com and made up corroplast signs (corrugated plastic) which are zip-tied to the front a rear baskets. I have included here a copy of the sign attached to the bike.
Until next time.
