Monday, August 24, 2020

Velo Orange

Velo Orange is a relatively small French company. They make high quality cycles and components. Both are quite expensive. One of their famous products is mudguard. They make beautiful shiny stainless steel mudguards that are much coveted world over by cyclists who love the classic look. 

In India the only importer for these expensive mudguards turned out to be who else but Happy Earth. I bought a pair from them that got delivered last year (August 2019 for Rs 5600). These mudguards are not in regular supply. The moment they arrived I grabbed them. I wasn't cycling for the better of 2019. So I kept them unpacked in the box in which they came. Then I started cycling every day from this year and my installed plastic SKS were doing fine. 

I used to want to install the SS ones but would push back the idea thinking that I might go for a tour in the near future and will install them after this tour. Then I realised that such a tour might not materialise any time soon. And then I also spent considerable time with Mezda's mudguards. So the thought about the VO mudguards became top of the mind. 

Last evening after going back home I cut open the box for the first time. I was under the impression that I had the snakeskin version. I cannot remember why I thought so. When I opened the box, much to my delight I discovered that I had the smooth ones. This is what I like. I would have preferred a black one but they did not import and black mudguard. The pack contains all the hardware needed for the mudguard installation and the two stays. I need not worry about getting leather washers etc (I had even planned to make my own, if they weren't supplied). I did not cut open the packet to see exactly what was included because I do not intend to install them now. I will wait for the monsoon to be over. Perhaps another month or so. As of now they are back in the box. 

If I ever go for a tour where I take the bike packed in the initial transport sector I will take the SKS plastic ones along. These are apparently more scratch prone. But installation may not be a cake walk. Let me see. 

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