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How is it on hills?
Steepest hill I occasionally climb on the junker 10 spd is a 50-foot cobblestone driveway where I have to stand and lean forward. It's steep enough that the back tire slips a few times on the way up as it goes over over the cobblestones. A difficult first gear grind (more from the uneven surface & traction probs).
I just took the bent up the same driveway. It has a gearing advantage over the junker. Its 1st is comparable to maybe 2nd gear on my mountain bike (which can go up much easier than the junker 10 spd).
But I went up without too much fuss. You can really put the power to it because of the seat back. My line was a bit more erratic though: low speed = even more sketchy steering, as already noted. Plus the weight transfer back contributes to the steering issue, and you can't compensate by leaning forward as on a standard bike.
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One other drawback I realized on this trip: you can't use your legs as "suspension" for your butt. On a standard bike, you often stand or at least tension your legs to go off a curb or through a sharp bump. But you must remain seated and get it full force on the bent. Rear suspension would be good.
But still a lot of fun. Total grin factor. I'll be making up reasons to go places on this bike.
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