Which Riv now?

[Tim]

Well, since I didn't win the raffle like I was supposed to, I guess I have a decision to make on which Riv to get. First off, here is the situation: I live in the Kansas City area but I'm currently working on a 2-3 year project in the New Haven, CT area, so my current Riv's are here with me. They are a Hilsen and a Hunq. The Homer is my road/distance bike, with Noodle bars, 9-speed triple, 32mm Grand Bois, no racks. I put the majority of my riding miles on this bike and I absolutely love it. I've ridden a couple of brevets on it and a supported, solo tour (so no panniers, etc.) The Hunqa is set up with m'stache bars, 8-speed triple (geared quite a bit lower than the Homer) and 50mm Schwalbe Duremes, Nitto Big Back rack, Paul Thumbies. I bought it mostly for it's trail capabilities but also considered some light touring or bike camping as part of its use. As an ironworker I'm not able to commute so all of my riding is recreational. I go back to KC about once a month, and my only bike there is a too small Cannondale I bought as a racer wannabe. Since Riv has shifted my cycling focus and preferences, it has kind of made riding that bike not so much fun so I want something to ride when I'm there. So my thougts are this: Either an Atlantis or a Roadeo, ande here's why: The Roadeo really has no overlap with the other two, and eventually, they will all be at home in the same garage, and that would be nice. I like the occasional fast club ride or group century, and most of my riding, at least till I retire, is after work 20-30 mile rides for exercise, and I don't see that changing for a few years. But I fancy that I would like to bike camp or do some loaded touring, but having not done that before, I can't be certain it would be for me, and in all honesty, there is probably only a 50- 50 chance of that. So although the Atlantis is the first choice for that, I think the Hunq would do quite nicely. If anyone thinks otherwise please say so. If I bought the Atlantis, eventually I would set up the Homer for the fast club rides. I don't think it would hinder me, since I'm not all that fast anyway. I think with the Roadeo option there will be less overlap, but you guys tell me what you think? By the way, Liesl, I hope you're feeling quite satisfied with yourself at winning MY custom Riv and causing me such distress :-)

[Kelly]

I like your idea of the Roadeo. I did close to the same mice with a Ram.. So now the ram is fender less and only a seat bag for events and club rides. The AHH has full fenders a bit larger tire frone and rear small racks with saddle sacks.
My Bombadil is heavy touring and general riding too.

I don't think you can go wrong either way. Just that Roadeo is a dream of a go fast.

Kelly

[Liesl]

Quite satisfied!

Seems to me that a Rodeo is the bike that isn't the others.  But just to make a crazy suggestion: you could consider a Bike Friday if you travel a lot.  I have one, and it's a total pal, especially for work-related travel.

Liesl still-reeling-but-back in Minneapolis

[James Warren]

The Roadeo. You are fully covered for touring already and you state interest in "road riding" for this future bike. The full spectrum of Hunqapillar, AHH, and Roadeo will cover everything.

If you find yourself wanting to tour but with only Roadeo available in your city, you could probably stretch it and load it lightly and use big soft tires, which it still has plenty of room for. If you had to underbike in this way, it would just make you better at overnighters and fully ready to go when you do it again with one of the other two bikes.

- Jim

On Jan 5, 2013, at 6:19 PM, Tim wrote:

Well, since I didn't win the raffle like I was supposed to, I guess I have a decision to make on which Riv to get. First off, here is the situation: I live in the Kansas City area but I'm currently working on a 2-3 year project in the New Haven, CT area, so my current Riv's are here with me. They are a Hilsen and a Hunq. The Homer is my road/distance bike, with Noodle bars, 9-speed triple, 32mm Grand Bois, no racks. I put the majority of my riding miles on this bike and I absolutely love it. I've ridden a couple of brevets on it and a supported, solo tour (so no panniers, etc.) The Hunqa is set up with m'stache bars, 8-speed triple (geared quite a bit lower than the Homer) and 50mm Schwalbe Duremes, Nitto Big Back rack, Paul Thumbies. I bought it mostly for it's trail capabilities but also considered some light touring or bike camping as part of its use. As an ironworker I'm not able to commute so all of my riding is recreational. I go back to KC about once a month, and my only bike there is a too small Cannondale I bought as a racer wannabe. Since Riv has shifted my cycling focus and preferences, it has kind of made riding that bike not so much fun so I want something to ride when I'm there. So my thougts are this: Either an Atlantis or a Roadeo, ande here's why: The Roadeo really has no overlap with the other two, and eventually, they will all be at home in the same garage, and that would be nice. I like the occasional fast club ride or group century, and most of my riding, at least till I retire, is after work 20-30 mile rides for exercise, and I don't see that changing for a few years. But I fancy that I would like to bike camp or do some loaded touring, but having not done that before, I can't be certain it would be for me, and in all honesty, there is probably only a 50- 50 chance of that. So although the Atlantis is the first choice for that, I think the Hunq would do quite nicely. If anyone thinks otherwise please say so. If I bought the Atlantis, eventually I would set up the Homer for the fast club rides. I don't think it would hinder me, since I'm not all that fast anyway. I think with the Roadeo option there will be less overlap, but you guys tell me what you think? By the way, Liesl, I hope you're feeling quite satisfied with yourself at winning MY custom Riv and causing me such distress :-)

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[Doug Magney]

What if you had won the custom? What would that bike look like and what purpose would it serve? Great strategic plans all start with a clear and compelling vision of what you want at the end of the process. With a custom bike, you can essentially dream up your ideal ride. Once you're clear on your vision, you can decide if that dream is more like a Roadeo, Atlantis, or maybe even something else?

[RJM]

I'd go Roadeo just because your Hunq can easily do what an Atlantis would do and you have a defined need that the Roadeo would cover that the others aren't.

 

I am in the same boat since I didn't win the custom. This is the reason that I bought a gift certificate instead of buying some stuff that I sort of want or need but don't have a defined need for. I am putting money into a Roadeo frame and will build up a fast road bike for club rides, which is a lot of my riding now. I have a Sam if I want to bike camp or do some really long bike tour. The Roadeo seems perfect for club riding.

 

If I won the custom I would have to really choose between something for single track trail riding or something just like a Roadeo. It would be a tough choice for me. 

[jimD]

+1 Rodeo
-JImD

[Forrest]

Which Bike Friday do you have, Liesl?  -- Forrest

[Don Compton]

I have a 59cm Roadeo and have ridden it for 3-4 years. I don't race and I don't carry much ( just a few tools and spares ). Its a great bike for fast club rides or for slow rides. I had previously owned a Ram and the Roadeo is very similar, but I think the Roadeo is slightly more responsive and actually has room for bigger tires ( if you need them ). Some complain about the price, but considering that its Waterford built and the lugs and build quality are very much "top notch", if you are willing to put the money up, there will be no regrets.
Don C.

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

I don't agree that the Roadeo fills much of a gap in your fleet. The way your AHH is set up, it IS basically a Roadeo. With a AHH and a Hunq, if say you've pretty much covered the Riv spectrum. Any other Riv would have a fair bit of overlap, except maybe the Appaloosa or a Simpleone.

[Toshi Takeuchi]

True, but once all three bikes are together, he can put a Mark's rack
on the AHH and outfit that for brevet-style rides with a front bag,
while keeping the Roadeo for faster club rides etc...

Toshi in Oakland--hoping to get a Roadeo soon!!!

[Tim]

Thanks for your input Jim. Since you brought up Simpleone, that is something I had thought about. It is much flatter here in CT than in Kansas City. I know, everyone thinks Dorothy and Toto and all that, but it really is pretty hilly in the KC area. I rode a 200k brevet that had over 10,000 vertical feet of climbing. The rollers here can just go on and on and on... But then I would have to ship the Hilsen home, not the end of the world, but... Great food for thought, though. Thanks, Jim.

[Kelly]

After time my AHH has morphed into a credit card tour / take off for the day kinda bike. Next will be 700x37 pan racers.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/8355041256/in/set-72157625432975212

I wanted a go fast so the Rambouillet became my Roadeo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/8297440239/in/set-72157632274231014

Unless you change the build weekly having e semi fast travel / carry stuff bike and club ride event ride bike is fantastic.

So I agree to disagree .. With a smile..amd a wave..

Kelly