So far the FWD is pretty much a non issue while riding. I did get some Big Wheel front wheel slip action with a commute load on the back and riding away from stops last week in the rain, but its a total non event really (makes you feel like a kid). I haven't finalized the return idler configuration - the setup that was on there with a moving arm and small pulley was elegant, and I'm sure worked well when new, but the previous owner had abused it some and it wasn't working too well, so I threw my spare Bacchetta Pulley on there until I decide how I'm going to set it up. My short legs make the boom extension short so most of the issues have to do when wheeling the bike around by hand and rolling backwards, it's not real fond of backing up and when turning the wheel to the right I do hit the chain. The chain seems to handle the twist just fine, and pedaling under load while turning has been fine. The bike handles really well and is very stable, When I jump back on the Corsa I nearly put it in the ditch it is so twitchy in comparison.
I was riding the Strada to work today and on one of the climbs I noticed I was doing the moving thing, and I've decided that it must be the cheap version of Q rings or Rotor crank action. I do turn the wheel in a rhythm with the pedaling, momentarily lessening the slope.
Paul took a picture and you can see the chain can touch the wheel if you turn it far enough:
http://s977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/RBENT%20StJo/?action=view&
;current=HPUMC09031.jpg Take Care,
Nelson.