BOSCO RUBBE

[Marty]

More info and photos posted:

http://rivbike.tumblr.com/

Looks like an easy bike to warm up to. Good thing too - it's cold here in Chicago! Wish I was close enough for a test drive.

Marty

[Bill Carter]

I hope this post goes through. For some unknown reason I have trouble
posting here even though I am a long time list member.

I was in my LBS this morning getting the wheels trued for my
daughter's college bike. (They needed it badly after only one
semester of use at Berry College in Rome, GA.) My LBS happens to be a
Giant dealer, and while I was there the manager was delivering one of
these to a customer making a Christmas gift purchase:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/via.2.w/9017/48940/
Pink wheels and all! I couldn't help but notice some similarities
with Grant's new design and its intended purpose, including swept back
bars, 700-32s, single front ring, thumb shifter, relaxed angles, and
so on. The Giant is a split top tube mixte with swooping stays that
reminded me a little of the pictures of Grant's design minus the top
tube. Interestingly, the Giant bike, intended for possible Townie/
Commuter use or as an all purpose cruiser, comes with its own allen
wrench tool for removing the wheels (does not use quick releases), and
has a faux Brooks honey saddle with springs, leather looking grips,
and metal fenders. I complimented the customer on his purchase and
assured him this should be a very versatile, fun bike. I haven't
ridden one of these to known how it rides, but I give Giant credit for
designing and building a well thought out steel bike with great
versatility. I think Grant, Sheldon and others deserve a lot of
credit for getting the big companies to start thinking outside of the
box.

[René Sterental]

I stopped by RBW earlier this afternoon with my son to get a couple of items and found Grant working on the new prototype. I did not have to insist to test ride it and after adjusting the saddle and handlebar heights to suit my completely by eye and nailing it perfectly, Grant sent me off with a warning... "No one who has test ridden this bike and not liked it has come out of here alive!"

I went on my test ride with a laugh and after a few pedal strokes was relieved to discover that I was going to get home alive.  The bike is sweet to ride and the new handlebar feels like a winner. Will it be the magic one? Only time will tell as I'm going to make sure I get one as soon as they're available.

I was only able to go around a couple of times, but loved the ride. Smooth and sweet, close to the ride of a 61 Betty but better. Grant said there are still details he's tweaking and I suggested he adds the extra higher braze-on on the seat stays like my Hunqapillar has that allows a larger frame to run the smaller Nitto rear rack to get the front of the rack under the saddle to avoid the interference that the larger one creates with the rear Sackville SaddleSacks. He thought it was a good idea.

The rear stays look so artistic and nice, adding a touch of real elegance to this bike. It'll be, in my opinion, a superb and comfortable commuter, a bike to enjoy riding around town at leisure and for lengthy exploration. Exploration of the soul as much as everything else.

Congratulations to those who ordered one blindly. You won't be disappointed. Me, I guess I'll be wringing my hands when this becomes a production bike and I'm trying to rationalize why I don't really need another bike...