Comments on: First Look: Velorbis Churchill Balloon

By: behoovingmoving

behoovingmoving — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:09:50 +0000

I’ve been riding a Velorbis for quite a while now, so decided to write this technical review for anyone contemplating buying
http://behoovingmoving.livejournal.com/30387.html

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:26:26 +0000

I am about to purchase one of these bikes. I understand it now. When I was younger, I never would have rode a bike like this because I had a need for speed. Now that I am a little advanced in age, I don’t want to be hunched over my handlebars. I want to be sitting comfortably upright, still enjoying the ride,only from a different perspective.

Thank you for the reveiw!

By: Max McLaughlin

Max McLaughlin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:00:26 +0000

I have a Velorbis Churchill Classic and I cannot reccomend these bikes enough, as good as you could ever want a bike to be. I have one for sale in London. Very good condition, a bike I have cherished..£475

A bargain.

mclaughlin.max@googlemail.com

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:18:32 +0000

If anyone’s interested I’m sadly selling my Churchill Balloon as I’m moving abroad for work. Its on ebay uk at the moment: 330322784919. Cheers.

By: JC

JC — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:31:15 +0000

Great read and what a good looking bike. I heard that there is a bike shop opening in the Wicker Park neighborhood that will be selling them. I cant wait!

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:18:46 +0000

In response to your comments about manoeuvrability, I live in Cambridge, UK, where these sorts of bikes are the most popular – both new and delicious, like these, or falling apart like my ancient 1958 British Racing Green Dutch women’s roadster. I have to say, I don’t think we Europeans ride as fast as Americans do, so manoeuvrability is not such an issue. Plus there’s the fashion statement of riding beautiful old-fashioned bikes. Here, bikes are just the most efficient mode of transport around the city, not a workout method, although getting my bicycle over hills does break a sweat! I couldn’t tell you how much my bike weighs – no one really brings their bikes inside here, we just chain them outside. But these bikes are stable, can carry all sorts of junk (even suitcases), and they’re beautiful. I grew up in a hilly rural area, riding mountain bikes, but find that the posture required makes my back and wrists ache. Plus you really feel any extra weight on them. I love riding sitting up, large baskets, and the ability to ride in a skirt. Perfect town bikes.

So I have to retire my old bicycle now – the rod brakes are on their last legs (considering I bought it three years ago from a junk yard, it’s done pretty well). If I had the cash, I’d be buying the Velorbis Victoria. As it is, I’m desperate not to go back to ugly, uncomfortable, unstable roadsters.

By: Arthur van Leeuwen

Arthur van Leeuwen — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:44:45 +0000

Carrying a Gazelle upstairs really isn’t that much effort, if you know how to best lift it. Dutch students do it often, as there’s quite a bit of student housing that is first and upper floors only. This includes small female students!

The trick is to lift the bike’s saddle to your shoulders, gripping the bottom tube of the frame, and then carry it up. Doesn’t really take much upper body strength at all, just the strength to get a good grip on the bike’s frame. The riding you do already prepares your legs for the lifting.

Oh, and I’m not full of it: I did this for a couple of years while still a student. It was that or leave the bike out in the rain for the bicycle thieves to come and steal it.

By: Phil M.

Phil M. — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:29:36 +0000

I’m anxiously waiting your complete review. So Tim Grahl when do you think you’ll be done?

By: Neil D

Neil D — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:03:08 +0000

I called the guys in Summerville Mass and was quoted about 1200.00. Pretty steep considering I have had three bikes stolen during my ywo years of commuting. Still it is a better looking ride than my FP which has horrible components.

By: Stuart M.

Stuart M. — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:12:41 +0000

I live here in Japan and commute to my English teaching jobs on a German-built Diamant “touring bike.” It weighs 40 lbs. and has fat 47-622 tires. I put a Brooks saddle with fat spings underneath on it. I love it! I also have two wire baskets that hook unto the sides of the rear luggage rack. Just lift them off and into the store I go.