I only have 1 chance to get a Rivendell.. which would you recommend?

[Polipop]

Only 1 chance because I'm living in Asia and the closest place I can buy is from Blue Lug online store in Tokyo. So, I have to pay for shipping and import tax.

I mostly commute 90% and joy ride the rest. Wish and would one day will go for long road touring. I'm considering the following model.

A. Homer Hilsen OR Sam Hillborne. From my research, their geometry are pretty much the same now. Except Hillborne is a bit heavier due to tube reinforcement. I'm leaning toward A. Homer Hilsen because its lighter and I can get one now.

Also considering their Step Through. First choice would be Platypus then Clem Smith Jr..

Which one would you recommend and thanks in advance.

[Victor Hanson]

that's a solid reason to get it mate.  A Homer it is......

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/025acaa9-51ee-4315-8e61-ccecfc59f9bdn%40googlegroups.com.

--

VIctor R. Hanson

Gen Mgr

Schmier Industrial Properties

o:  510-652-0800

c:  510-207-8593

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Oh, what a fun thread! I’m glad you asked. Everyone knows what I’m going to say, but when has that ever stopped me? Everyone loves a Platypus. Will from Rivendell has said it’s his favorite, and he has all the Rivs, so there you go. I love mine so much I have 3. All for different purposes. And that step-through feature is unbeatable, especially when you load up your bike. But whatever you decide, do let us know!

[Joe Bernard]

Welcome to the Bunch! For me the choice would be between the Homer and Platypus. Within that spectrum I would pick my preferred brakes, standover clearance, color and name. 

Joe Bernard 

[Eric Daume]

I would get the Sam for the effective brakes. I've never had a good experience with long reach sidepulls. 

Eric

--

[Johnny Alien]

For what you want it for and with price not factored in I would also vote for the platy. I think it will do everything the AHH can do but also give you the luxury of the step thru.

[Bikie#4646]

Dear A.H.,

Welcome!  I can't speak to the Platypus except it has wide acceptance here. However, I do have both a Sam Hillborne and a A.H. Homer Hilsen. Both are capable on pavement and dirt roads/rail trails, etc. The lighter tubing on the Homer makes it a bit more lively but the Sam is more capable for touring. 

My bikes both date to 2015 and before. So, the Sam has Paul center pulls and the Homer was converted to Paul Touring cantilevers. Both have fenders and use 38mm tires. Both use moustache bars (for different reasons).

So, I'd say, "pick your poison" depending on the type of riding you expect to do and what you intend to carry.. (And maybe your personal body weight. I am 170 lbs.+ -).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikecrazy-paul/53407463860/in/album-72177720313691125/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikecrazy-paul/53181801054/in/album-72177720313691125/

Paul Germain

Midlothian, Va.

[iamkeith]

Welcome, and what a solid bunch of advice you're already getting.  Two thoughts and my own recommendation:

For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure the Sam Hilbourne was originally conceived as a less-expensive A Homer Hillsen.  Fewer sizes offered, simpler paint and details, and different country of manufacture.  It's always been  interesting to me that, after morphing and changing so much, they've both stayed around.  Other similar instances (Romulus as a less-expensive Rambouillet, Bleriot as a less-expensive Saluki) didn't last once the original rationale ceased to exist.  This is over-simplifying, but the main point - which is evidenced by your interest in both - is that there is still a lot of overlap and similarity.

So, between those two, I'd personally make the decision based on brake preference and tire/fender clearance, and the Hillbourne wins for me personally.  You can always use a smaller tire if you want.  If you think you will lean more toward wanting an actual "road bike" experience, for paved-surface riding, then the Homer is maybe a little more elegant and lighter?

All that aside, I'd really say get whatever fits the best.  There's nothing like a bike that  fits without compromises, and you would choose it over any other bike in real-life practice if you had more than one, regardless of any other limitations it might have.

Finally:  unless you subscribe to the mainstream belief that bikes are for going fast first of all, and should be as light as possible (which it doesn't sound like you are), then the Playpus really seems like the perfect answer to the "if I could have only one" question.  Speaking for myself again, who owns seven Rivendells.  If I HAD to choose, I'd give them all up and get the Platypus (which I don't have and haven'tactually ridden, but can extrapolate pretty well).  It combines the best parts of all my favorite bikes / other Rivendells, does everything I'd need other than full-on mountain biking, and I'd know that I could ride it for the rest of my life.

[Sarah Carlson]

Another vote for the Platypus. It is such a versatile bike, you can really take it in so many different build directions without compromising your experience. When I think of all the ways I've seen the Platypus built up, it's king of mind boggling. People smiling out on trails with lots of bags and knobby tires, sporty version built up for the road, all purpose shopping and around town bike... I love all my bikes but with the step through I imagine this one will outlast the others when it gets tougher to swing my leg over a top tube. Hopefully that's way in the future... but it's one reason I'm happy to have a Platy.

Sarah

On Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 8:46:51 AM UTC-8 ahb...@gmail.com wrote:

[J S]

I prefer the Hillborne but I like it being closer to older bikes before the chainstays got longer and longer  at Riv. 

On Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 11:46:51 AM UTC-5 ahb...@gmail.com wrote: