LuganoNuovellaZermattCervinClassicoJuraIvanIvannaOldieFx
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9.22.2009

Opus Cervin, by Canadian Cyclist

cervin

Original text :
http://www.canadiancyclist.com/reviews.php?id=17529

September 17/09 12:50 pm - Opus Cervin
Posted by Editoress on 09/17/09


There is a certain style of bicycle that you see regularly in European cities. It has the mud and chain guards, rack and kickstand that appear on the type of bike that in North America is normally referred to as a 'City' or 'Commuter' bike, however, it has a certain sense of style that elevates it beyond a mere piece of transportation to that of a fashion statement. Opus introduced a pair of such bikes to their line up for 2009, under the well-named category of Urbanista.

The Classico offers seven speeds, while the Cervin provides 24. We tested the Cervin around town, for light duty trips to the ice cream parlour and the grocery store, and it suited admirably, even with a steep climb up to our house at the end of every ride.
Opus has married a classic bike frame design with a curved top tube (a dropped tube on the Cervin) and oversized down tube. The frame is 6061 aluminium - providing strength without an enormous weight penalty - and the fork chrome molybdenum steel. The Cervin comes in at a respectable 14 kilos (31 pounds). The frame, fork, mud/chain guards and rear rack are all colour coordinated in a matte ivory cream (Opus calls it Sand). Pretty much everything else is black - tires, rims, spokes, bar and stem, seat post and crank - except for stitched brown leather accents on the grips and nose of the saddle. All in all, a very pretty package.

The drivetrain consists of SRAM MRX twist grip shifters married to Shimano derailleurs (Tourney/Altus) and a Shimano M191 crank. None of it is high end, but it does the job just fine for the type of riding this bike is likely to see. The 700x35c CST Touring tires are more than adequate for both road and hard pack gravel bike trails. The only product spec I would quibble with would be the Tectro brakes, which are pretty flexy and can squeal like a banshee under heavy braking.

The sitting position is upright, with back-swept bars - don't even think about aerodynamics! This is a bike for a cruise along the bike path, or a leisurely ride to the market; not for working up a sweat pounding along the pavement. In that respect, it performs well, with good comfort and stability, and can even handle a climb with aplomb.

This is not the bike for a hard core fitness rides, but if you are looking for something in a more relaxed, lighter vein, that still offers good quality at a reasonable price ($610), then the Opus Cervin will not disappoint.

7.09.2009

bikesandtransit.com


photo : michael ara

Attached are photos of the bikesandtransit.com initiative aiming to help cyclists get the most out of public transportation in the GTA by incorporating public awareness of the relationship of bikes buses and trains and how people can use all three to get around to places they never thought possible without a car.

Toronto Transit Commission chair Councilor Adam Giambrone and City of Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee chair Councilor Adrian Heaps were on hand for the launch as was media outlets including CTV, Omni TV, Metro Morning.

An opus Classico was used as the prop for the entire presentation.

This footage will be seen on local evening news in the GTA.

6.05.2009

A team of urbanistas take to the streets of Vancouver


Vancouver, BC (June 4, 2009) – Dressed for downtown – no spandex here – eight urbanistas from Opus Bikes will be travelling throughout Vancouver today to celebrate Bike Month in BC and to show Vancouverites that riding the right urban bike is the new, sophisticated way to travel.

Team Opus will be riding Urbanistas, a collection of urban bikes that put a modern spin on the classic, upright bike that comes complete with lightweight fenders (keeps the dirt off this season’s latest fashions), rear rack (to secure small packages) and a kick stand (handy for that quick dash into Starbucks).

Fashion friendly and designed for the casual, city rider, the Urbanista bikes pay respectful homage to European styling. Like fashion-forward Europeans, Vancouverites are fashionistas on the go. Comfortable, stable and robust, the Urbanista bikes are perfect for riding to work, school, or around town in style!

Get a glimpse of our Urbanistas and meet Dave Cressman, urban cycling expert, who will be kicking off the tour around downtown at the corner of Robson and Burrard. Dave can speak to the emerging trends in urban cycling and how Vancouver is poised to become one of the most cycle-friendly communities in Canada.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Urbanistas Hit the Road to Celebrate Bike Month
Who: Vancouver’s own Team Opus Urbanistas
Where: Corner of Robson & Burrard
When: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 11:45 am – 12:30 pm