There are four frame sizes, and there is a bit of overlap between them. I'm
5'11" and my inseam is 34" measured to the floor. I ride a Royal Large frame but I can also ride an Extra Large. Sharry is 5'7" with a 31" inseam and normally rides a Large frame, but
she can ride my Royal Large if I adjust the saddle for her. Most people can choose between two frame sizes, but this isn't the whole story. If you have short legs and a long torso, then the smaller of the two sizes may be more appropriate. Frame sizing has a direct impact on the saddle, and rider comfort.
Saddle?
The saddle is a hammock, and when the bike is correctly sized for upright
riding, the saddle will usually have a bit more nose up attitude than on a
typical road bike. This isn't always the case, but I find this position
allows the rider to remain on the saddle, and to move slightly fore and aft to
change position while riding. And this is why a long-legged person on a smaller
frame is usually not the correct choice for an upright posture. Keep in mind
that the front anchor point for the saddle doesn't adjust, and as the saddle
height is adjusted, the geometry of the saddle can change, too. Raising the
saddle to the upper limit positions the saddle in a more flat orientation, and
can make the rider feel like they are slipping forward all the time. This is
a much less comfortable position, and the whole idea is for the bike to be
comfortable. Reverse all this if you would like to set-up for drop
handlebars,and opt for the smaller frame size to get the saddle in a flat
orientation.
Adjustability?
The saddle itself is very adjustable. There is 5" of height adjustment
possible in the seatpost. There are more adjustments possible than on a
conventional bike, but this can be misleading, because again, the front anchor
point for the hammock doesn't change and is not adjustable. While it is very
easy to orient the saddle in a more flat attitude when the saddle is at a low
height by loosening the webbing, it is impossible to position the saddle in a nose up
attitude when the seatpost has been raised to its highest position.
The Royal handlebars are available either as a one-piece stem/bar combination or without the attached stem. The one-piece stem/bar combination provides for a 2" height adjustment, but no method for adjusting the tilt. The Royal
handlebars are not required, but they do look good on the bike. The bars are
sized to handle typical mountain bike components, like brake levers and grip
shifters, and the hand position is perfect.
Riding Position?
It is important to decide what sort of riding position you
intend to have so that the frame size can be correctly determined.
The Pedersen riding position is usually very upright but, of course, some owners have
other ideas. The rider is positioned a bit further back than on a conventional bike,
more on top of the rear wheel. The frame geometry makes it hard to come out
of the saddle and pedal for that final sprint across the finish line. The upright riding position also creates a fair amount of wind resistance at speed, although it is very possible to tuck for any high speed descents and the occasional short breakaway. At the other extreme, if the bike is intended
to be used for long hill climbs, then lower gears for spinning will be required.
Gearing?
The Pedersen can be set-up as a single speed or with a fixed gear, but most Pedersen bicycles are assembled as 9-speeds, driven by a
single chainring without a front derailleur. This is because the design of
the frame, and the structure itself, makes it very hard to accommodate a
front derailleur. The seat tubes are not correctly oriented to support a
braze-on derailleur mount. And the position of the seat tubes will conflict
with the derailleur cage when shifting into a smaller chainring. Various
mounting options have been tried, but as yet none have been acceptable. The
9-speed, with an 11-34 cassette, provides a 300% range which is adequate for
most riding.
If additional gearing is required, there are several other options. One
option is the SRAM 3x9 Dual Drive. This is a 3-speed internal hub driven by a
9-speed cassette, providing a choice of 27 speeds at the rear hub. This is a
nice package that looks good on the bike, and provides a very wide gear range.
A second option, and certainly a more expensive one, is the Rohloff 500/14
Speedhub. This is a 14-speed, internally geared hub with a 500% range. The
Rohloff hub is a beautiful system and, much like the SRAM Dual Drive, the
range is more than adequate for the Pedersen. A third option is the Schlumpf
Drive. This is a 2-speed bottom bracket, providing either an overdrive or a
gear reduction.
What sort of components?
If you plan to assemble your own, there are some decisions to make with
respect to your choice of components. The frame can be provided with the
braze-ons and cable guides to make it easier for assembly and provide a more finished look. The frame is otherwise surprisingly conventional, and can
accept typical components. There are a few things that don't work very well,
and if you plan to assemble your own, I can go into a lot more detail.
Complete bikes are usually assembled with a matching set of Shimano Deore
components. These are available in a nice black finish that looks good on the
bike. I have a bit of an obsession about having all matching components, but
that's just me, and of course there are a large number of other possibilities
and options. Complete bikes are really works of art, and most customers have
some idea about what they want their bike to look like. The wood fenders are
a nice option, especially if they match the saddle, and there are matching
leather grips available, too.
A somewhat more detailed desciption of the various possibilities and options can be seen on the sample Design Sheet available here
or on the Links page.
Racks?
The frame can accommodate both front and rear racks. A typical front rack is the Tubus Tara, a low-rider style that attaches to the front fork. The best choice for a rear rack is the Tubus Fly, because the tension rods require that the rack have either an open top or a narrow top so that the tension rods can either pass through or clear the outside of the rack. Other racks can be installed, but keep in mind that there are some designs that may not work.
Color?
The frame can be easily powdercoated any RAL color. Powdercoating works best for this frame because of all of the tubes and connections, plus the finish is extremely durable. But there are many more powdercoat possibilities than just the RAL colors, and some will be better choices than others. Typically the most durable coating is the exterior, polyester-based finish. Some of the transparent two-layer powdercoats, like Transparent Copper, are quite stunning but can have a slight non-uniformity and can appear light and dark, with thinner areas and thicker areas. Other colors, like purple metallic, can be found in an epoxy-based powdercoat, but these finishes don't have a long life when exposed to sunlight and are not recommended, even when covered with a clear coat. Don′t despair, as there are so many choices of acceptable powdercoat colors that a decision can be very hard to make!
Extras?
There is a unique selection of leather bags available by Kunst und Leder. While their website is in german, there are plenty of pictures! And if you really want a unique way to display your Pedersen, have a look at the Full Wood bike stand. You don't get a choice of woods like you do with the fenders, but the stand is perfect for showing the Pedersen in your living room!
How long does it take?
I try to allow 6 to 10 weeks for your frame to be built, painted and shipped. Sometimes it can be a
little longer. The shortest transport time from Europe has been 3 weeks, and the longest has been 12 weeks! I suppose it
depends on the vagaries of the mail system, customs inspectors, and perhaps even the weather!
Complete bicycles can add another week or 2 to the schedule. I try to have all of the components
ready when the frame arrives, but there is always something that either doesn't work, isn't available in time,
or requires extra attention. And, I probably spend too much time making sure everything is just
right! Preparing complete bikes for shipment takes a bit of time also, so it is hard to deliver a
Pedersen on a tight schedule. Thanks for being patient!!
