I help coach a group of beginner athletes and in our most recent program, an athlete showed up to our first bike workout with a brand new Terry bike (http://www.terrybicycles.com/Bicycles/Ready-To-Ride-Fitness/Symmetry-Drop-Bar). What stuck me as very odd is that the bike has a 24 inch front wheel and a 700c rear wheel (size 42X48). The next two sizes of this model - 44X50 and 46x51 have 650s on the front and rear. All larger sizes are 700s on front and rear. I knew Terry has previous models with a 650 front and 700 rear but the 24" front seems bizarre to me.
Any idea on the rational for building a bike with a 24"/700c? Also would this somewhat odd setup cause handling issues? This athlete is having a terrible time trying to ride the bike but it could just be her lack of skills.
The main reason Terry does tis is to eliminate toe clip overlap on smaller sizes. Most of the time thats not a big deal though. Designed properly a 24/700c should ahndle just fine.
I help coach a group of beginner athletes and in our most recent program, an athlete showed up to our first bike workout with a brand new Terry bike (http://www.terrybicycles.com/...ss/Symmetry-Drop-Bar). What stuck me as very odd is that the bike has a 24 inch front wheel and a 700c rear wheel (size 42X48). The next two sizes of this model - 44X50 and 46x51 have 650s on the front and rear. All larger sizes are 700s on front and rear. I knew Terry has previous models with a 650 front and 700 rear but the 24" front seems bizarre to me.
Any idea on the rational for building a bike with a 24"/700c? Also would this somewhat odd setup cause handling issues? This athlete is having a terrible time trying to ride the bike but it could just be her lack of skills.
My wife has one of those and thanks me for talking her into it every time we ride. She was never completely comfortable on “regular” bikes, but says theTerry is awesome.She’s definitely not a serious cyclist (she asks which shifter works front/rear every ride), but hasn’t complained about any handling problems.
Only downside is fairly minor: she has to carry two spare tubes in her saddle bag. (Not that she could change a tube, but they’re there for riding companions ;^)
Gorgianna Terry has built wonderful bikes for decades. Her company has made more products for womens cycling and womens cycling comfort than all the others combined. From the Butterfly saddle to clothing to yes - her first product - bikes with 24" front wheels and 29" (700c rear) wheels. Her reputation is spot on stellar - when other companies were flailing in the custom market - she was going beyond the wildest dreams (others of note of the time happen to be from a guy named Dam Empfield, some odd ball dude building bikes with 650c wheels - that were rapidly copied by Nishiki and many others).
If the person in question is having issues with handling, I would check fit first and foremost - beyond that - it is all about confidence and capabilities.