Re: [RBW] What should I do with my slightly-too-small bike?

[cyclotourist]

I'd try to trade the frame for a 61cm Hilsen, Atlantis or Ram. Someone might want to trade and that would be the easiest. Then just swap parts.

On Fri, Oct 12, 2012 at 5:30 PM, Karl Fundenberger <karl.fun...@gmail.com> wrote:

My 59cm Rivendell Road Standard, I have finally decided, is too small for me. It has been a fabulous bike for me; but it is what it is — a road bike, when really, I've wanted a touring bike.

Here are some photos, with the newest toward the bottom:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fundenphoto/sets/72157625044930434/

It is currently running Rivendell's 609mm rims, with the (approx. 34mm) Schwalbe tires. I put these on when I discovered the bike wouldn't clear anything wider than a 700x28 tire.

I have my eyes on the Velo-Orange Campeur - which I'm thinking I may build up from a frame. Any proceeds from the Riv sale would be funneled toward the VO build.

I see my Rivendell options as follows:

- Sell the complete bike as it is built. (plus the original 700c wheels)
- Cannibalize the parts for the Campeur project; sell the Riv frame.
- Hang some or all of it up in the attic.

What do you think?

Of course, it would be nice to partially fund the next project... but perhaps it would be better to keep the Rivendell? What am I overlooking?
 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/Bbek-pFa0bgJ.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

--
Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA

**
"Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it." -Mark Twain

[Bruce Herbitter]

Karl:

 You might also add the serial # which gives the manufacture date. Yours looks to be in the '95 - '96 range,

[Joe Bernard]

Those pics show a bicycle with a fistfull of seatpost. What dimension do you find makes it seem too small?

 

Joe Bernard

Vallejo, CA.

[Larry Powers]

If the bike is set up correctly in the pictures then it looks like it fits fine.  If the issue is you just don't want a go fast road bike that is fine but it looks good to me.  If the parts will work on the bike you have in mind then I would strip them and sell frame/fork/headset.  What you may find is that for what you can get you might as well hang on to it for un-loaded riding.  Of course that is the thinking that got me a garage full of bikes.

Larry Powers
 
Get a bicycle.  You will not regret it if you live. - Mark Twain

---

Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:30:22 -0700
From: karl.fun...@gmail.com
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [RBW] What should I do with my slightly-too-small bike?

My 59cm Rivendell Road Standard, I have finally decided, is too small for me. It has been a fabulous bike for me; but it is what it is — a road bike, when really, I've wanted a touring bike.

[Will]

Get a longer stem. And/Or a setback seatpost. Get a couple of decent racks for light touring. KEEP THAT BIKE. 

[IanA]

I went through a similar dilemma, although not a Riv frame, a beautifully made road frame without the clearances I wanted for fenders or the the ability to mount a rack properly and no room for wider tires.  I sold the frame and haven`t missed it all. I replaced it with a touring bike (Columbus SLX tubing) and it was a great improvement. However, the Campeur, although probably well designed is a much cheaper product than you have now.  It might be a disappointing contrast.  You might be patient and wait for a used AHH in your size or maybe an Atlantis?  Waterford touring frames come up for sale on CL from time to time.

[Ken Mattina]

I'd try to keep the bike.  If the issue is clearance for fatter tires and fenders, have you considered a 650b conversion?

Ken

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/zw3MsiK1XkAJ.

To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

--
Where did the spring go?
Where did my hormones go?
Where did my energy go?
Where did my go go?
Where did the pleasure go?
Where did my hair go?

-- Ray Davies

[Leslie]

Serial number doesn't bother me so much. A long top-tube is a bit harder to deal with for fit issues. Trying to slide the saddle forward can help a tad, but might not be ideal. Not that I would 'really' suggest such, as it feels funky, but you could try the stem 'reversed', more tillerish.... But, if there's a reason to let a Riv go, a long tope tube would be one.

Good luck....

[charlie]

There are a couple things you can do for the long top tube.......raise the bar which will bring it closer to you or use a shorter dirt drop stem that angles upward and again raise the bar and/or get a shorter reach bar. It appears you have a noodle bar and that bar has a longer reach than most. A 60cm top tube is only 1 cm longer than a 'square' frame would be. Most 59cm frames have a 58-59 cm top tube. a shorter reach bar and stem combo will reduce your top tube by 2-3 cm and will probably be enough to get you in the sweet spot. I would not sell that frame if the tire size is adequate. A 650B conversion however might be the ticket along with the stem/ bar changes. You may also look into a narrower bar as this will naturally 'lengthen' your arms if your shoulder joint width is compatible. I run a Nitto Rando bar on my Simple One and the hoods are only 38 cm wide and I normally use a 41-44cm Noodle bar but its not uncomfortable. Hope  this helps !

[Michael_S]

It's a beautiful bike, but it looks like it does not fit properly and doesn't fit your needs. The seat is slid forward, the stem is raised up high and short. Maybe a shorter reach bar would work, but a 650B conversion won't help those things.( the BB is probably too low anyway). Sad to lose such a bike... but I'd sell it and get something that works better for you. 

~mike

[JL]

"My 59cm Rivendell Road Standard, I have finally decided, is too small for me"

+

"To be more specific - the fit issue I don't like is the long top-tube. It's 60cm, and even with a short-reach, tall stem, I still feel too stretched out on the bike."

Huh?

Is it too small or too big?  The VO campeur comes in a 59 and a 61cm with 59 and 60cm top tubes respectively. (although fit is more than just these measurements)

I think you should sell this bike and get another that suites your needs/wants.  650b is a great option for most bikes, and the tire choices offer a really nice ride.  That said, I assume a 650b conversion like others have suggested isn't a good option for you as the 609 wheelset didn't bring you the change you were after.  It seems you want bigger tires and room for fenders - just figure out which size you need before you get a new bike. 

One good thing is you should be able to get enough from selling this frame to pay for the Campeur frame and shipping.  You will need a new set of brakes, a new rear wheel (135mm vs 130mm from your riv 700c wheelset), and a new set of fenders but overall most of the parts should crossover. 
  
JL

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

I'm a little confused. The top tube is too long, but the bike is too small? A bigger bike will increase the top tube length. Few bikes are more comfortable with the saddle slid forward, which is often counterintuitive. If I'm looking at the correct photos, it doesn't appear that your stem is as tall or as short extension as it might be. Slide the saddle back and get a technomic 50 mm. See Grant's book for the explanation of CPT.

Of course, if you also want fatter tires, then you may be out of luck.

I have a friend who owns a beautiful but unorthodox fat-tire 650B custom that he's ridden very little and tried to sell a couple times for reasons that have nothing to do with the bike. It's a 60 cm with a short top tube. Sounds perfect for your needs. I'd be happy to put you in touch with him - let me know off list.

[Michael_S]

That is what I think the issue is... long legs and short torso. If you use the PBH measurement only you can end up too stretched out if you are built like that.  The bars are rotated up as well to shorten reach.    The shorter stem would help but it doesn't make it a touring bike.  

another option... keep it set up for road... and find a 80's used touring bike like a Miyata 1000. They have short top tubes for their bikes.  I know the 59cm frame has a 57 TT.

~mike

[rob markwardt]

..or buy my 82 Schwinn Voyager. It's about 62 x 58 and is getting
lonely hanging in my garage. I was going to part it out but I can't
bring myself to do it. Currently a frame with all parts (original)
attached..no wheels. Pic here shows it set up for my 88.5 pbh.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77502424@N00/6366230387

Rob Markwardt
Seattle

> <http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5302/5704499906_eea2119c83_m.jpg>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[PATRICK MOORE]

From the photos it doesn't look too small: there is the canonical one fist of seatpost, for example. Does it not feel right? If not, I'd say (again, judging from the photos) that it is the right size and simply needs to be refitted properly.

As for use, only you can decide what you want. But I can say from bitter personal experience that wants change; I've jettisoned many things including a few bikes thinking I'd never again want them, only to discover in a couple of years that, whoops! those were bad decisions. (Eric, no, I don't regret selling the Motobecane. I do regret selling my 1989 Falcon and my '95 Riv custom, AND my Monocog 29er and a few others.)

If I were you, I'd hang it up for a couple of years. If at the end of that time I still had no use for it, I'd sell it to someone who does want it.

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/4WGkZjniSh0J.

To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

--
Vote early, vote often, vote Rhinoceros!

http://tinyurl.com/d7muj2t

-------------------------
Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA
For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW
http://resumespecialties.com/index.html
-------------------------