Email from Francesco Volpi endorsing the Monster as a brevet machine

Ciao Howard

On my Monster = i have on rear XT hub with Mavic 317 32 holes and tire Specialized Pro 26x1 . On f= ront Ice disc hubs Alex rims 32 holes and Stelvio tires 26x1.

Yes Monster is= a great randonneur , fast and comfortable . I pedal also with great satisfact= ion my Baron but believe me there is not so much difference on long ride about = the finish time . In mountain there is a great difference between the two : mor= e relax with Monster ! When you stay on bike many many hours you need relax more th= en speed . For this reason i have decided to go to the next PBP 2007 with Mons= ter.

Ciao Francesco=

-----Messaggio originale-----

Da: Howard Vei= t @ 'BentRider Online Forums [mailto:ve= ithr@bellsouth.net]

Inviato: sabat= o 29 luglio 2006 17.14

A: Volpi F.

Oggetto: Monst= ers setup

Volpi,

I hope that yo= u are doing well and doing lots of riding. I am considering doing some long-dista= nce riding this year on my Monster and wonder whether you might share some information. I bought my Monster used, and it came with very lightweight wh= eels (Sun Rims) and Titanium spokes. The titanium spokes are quite fragile and I have already broken three. I am thinking about either getting a new set of front wheels. ICE sent me a set of hubs. What wheels do you run on your Monster? What tires? I read your post on the recent ultramarathon event that you did on your Monster. Congratulations! Do you use your Monster on all yo= ur ultra events? Generally, do you consider the Monster to be a good randonneur bike? Others have argued that a two wheel recumbent would be more efficient= and faster on such a ride. I agree, but there are trade-offs. The longest ride = that I have done on my Monster is about 100 miles. I finished comfortably but was about 45 minutes slower than my normal Century time.

Thanks in adva= nce for any insights.

Cheers, Howard=

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