Comments on: Azor Secret Service: Delivery Notes and First Impressions

By: elliott

elliott — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:21:15 +0000

Glad we helped, John!

By: John Calaway

John Calaway — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:14:46 +0000

Thanks Marcus for the great review. I read it last October before deciding to purchase a 61 cm 8 speed Secret Service. I’ve been happily riding it since November of 2009 in hilly San Francisco. The Secret Service WorkCycle is more than sufficiently geared for SF’s biggest hills, so long as you cycle under the motto “Style over Speed.” I purchased my WorkCycle from MyDutchBike.com of San Francisco (Market near 2nd Street). Your review Marcus, helped persuade me to take the plunge and ride “upright” in the very anti-Low Country terrain of Northern California. I really won’t go back to riding rode style, all hunched over.

By: Michael Meiser

Michael Meiser — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:23:49 +0000

BTW, very impressed with how well spec’d your bike is. Tremendous attention to detail. It amazes me how it can be so very high end… and yet has such an extremely conservative look and style. Typical american bikes are a celebration of tech first, performance second and style a distant 3rd if at all. Perhaps it’s a characteristic of dutch bikes to put function first, style a close second and technology last. The technology is impressive, it’s just very understated in it’s use. I like it. A lot.

By: Michael Meiser

Michael Meiser — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:17:20 +0000

Oh, and despite what user “BAW” says if you’re brooks is properly angled it will not pose any threat to your prostate. I’ve put mine on my cyclo / touring bike and regularly put 100+ miles on it in a day. Even a couple 140, a 160, and a 200 mile day this year. It’s amazing that I feel as comfortable at the end of the day as the beginning.. there is absolutely no issue of numbness… though on very hot summer days I do think it’s lacking a little in the ventilation area which could lead to saddle sores.

By: Michael Meiser

Michael Meiser — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:13:44 +0000

FYI, I’ve found the same issue with my brooks saddle on an upright riding bike… on my road bike it’s great nearly level, but on my upright / commuter bike it definitely needs an upright angle. It’s such a firm seat with very specific fit characteristics the angle makes a huge difference.

By: BAW

BAW — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:03:59 +0000

Brooks saddle, upward angle?

Oh, well–it’s your prostate.

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:03:26 +0000

Hello Marcus.
It is the style of Bike,they naturally have high Handlebars. I had to decide how high I could go without it looking weird.The Bike I got cost €1,000 Euro and €200 to get it sent from Amsterdam to Dublin. It was delivered by a Logistics Freight Company from England Picassa and two other Companies from Amsterdam CTS Group European Dis.Nieuw Vennep Nederland. through England. They missed me on the Delivery Day and had to Deliver the Next Day,I was just going out when they called. I assembled mine in the front Garden as it was easiest. Thanks for your comments about the Dog,it was inevitable and sooner or later I would have to decide as His Strength began to fail him. His weight did not Help him either he got very overweight and I was trying to get him to loose some.If and when I get another Dog it will be a small one and I will get one of those Basket Things for the Front so I can carry it around Amsterdam Style. Good Luck Dublin Ireland 5.07 pm G.M.T.

By: marcus

marcus — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:31:24 +0000

Jack & Les — thanks for your comments! I really appreciate the feedback.

Jack — I’m only 5’8″ or so (or maybe a bit under that) so I don’t have a problem with the handlebar height. I do have the handlebars up quite a ways though, so much that they look funny, actually. Also, sorry to hear about your dog, I just read about that on your blog yesterday. I had a german shepherd myself for 16 years who we had to put to sleep a couple of years ago, was quite sad to see her health degrade over the years, so your postings really resonated with me.

Les — I linked to your blog, looks good! When you ride those Azors, are you going to be bringing them back from Holland if you like them? If so, try and document the process (and maybe the cost), I’m sure people are interested.

By: Les

Les — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:50:03 +0000

Too cool! We are actually looking at 2 of the exact same model. My wife and I leave from Amsterdam in a couple of weeks and my Dutch buddy is making the arrangements for us to get the bikes when we arrive. We will then tour around the Netherlands as 2 Dutch people.

Very well-written review (I may link back to it).

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:01:58 +0000

Hello Marcus. I am glad you are delighted with the Bike. That UPS Man deserves a good Kicking, a very bad mark for the Company. The least he could do was tell you he had the Bike and let you carry the Thing upstairs yourself instead of taking it back to the Depot at the Aerport. I had the same Problem with the Saddle at first with me slipping forward on it.It was adjusted with the Nose slightly Tilted downwards and I had to adjust it upwards a bit. It is annoying to find the Handlebars slightly Scuffed and the Elastic Cord on the Carrier broke.The Saddle was very firm for a long time on mine until it got Comfortable. It went from a Dark Red Burgundy to a Black Dark Colour Red over the Months. The Metal Attachment for the Elastic Cord looks different to mine which has round shape. What about the Handlebars hitting off your Legs did you have to Heighten them much. I am Feet 6 .1 Inch and my Knee Hit off the Handlebar at the Top Stroke of my Knees, and I had to Adjust it as High as Practicable but it is grand now. My Tyres is Schwalbe Marathons 700+ 1.75 with Kevelar Belt. Good Luck. Dublin Ireland.3.07 pm G.M.T.