63cm Roadeo arrived from Seattle

[Austin B.]

So the 63cm Roadeo I bought off the Seattle Craigslist arrived in Maryland this week.  First, I owe a word of thanks to those here who PM'd me and posted the link to the Seattle CL add--else I never would have seen it. Also, a nod to Bill Lindsay and his recent Roadeo acquisition which was most educational and inspired my build and the format of this post.

Condition: The original owner bought it from RBW in 2014--and judging by it, it has maybe a couple hundred miles on it. No dents, only a couple minor scuffs, else this bike is pristine. I've never bought a full bike from Riv, but this one was built up by Mark (there was a piece of paper saying so). Seeing how he built things--cable lengths and routing, bar tape, the component installs was a surprise bonus for me--excellent craftsmanship.

First Impressions on a short shakedown ride: I've read about the ride quality, the responsiveness, etc. from many on this forum and it's what I was going after. Not disappointed! I found the Roadeo to be extremely smooth, very responsive but not the least bit twitchy, and it climbed well without a propensity to pop wheelies. 

There's one fast downhill with a bend at the bottom that I've taken dozens of times with the other bikes I've owned. Taking it at speed, some bikes (my Sam & BMC Monster Cross) drift a bit outside, whereas my RB-1 can turn on a dime but is a little to twitchy & uncontrollable to keep me confident so I often tap the brakes. The Roadeo easily held my line with confidence.

The Details:

• Frameset: 63cm Roadeo, threaded fork, FSA Headset
• Drivetrain: VO 46/30 & BB, Shimano XTR SPD pedals, 105 10-speed RD, Ultegra FD
• Cockpit: Brooks C15 Carved, Ritchey Seatpost, 46cm Nitto Mark's Bar, Tallux 110mm stem, Ultegra Brifters
• Wheelset: Compass/RH BJP EL, H+Son Archetype, Ultegra Hubs

I'm still tweaking some things and once I lock in a stem, bars, and shifters, I have two rolls of red Newbaums ready to wrap (the only thing NEW going on this bike).

Some photos of what it looks like now.

Austin B

Sykesville, MD

[Joe Bernard]

It's a true gem. My arthritis has called off my days of riding any more dropbar road bikes, but the Roadeo I rode around the RBW building a few years ago was magic. Enjoy!

[Ryan Thompson]

That is one sweet ride. Really digging the black wheels and fat black rubber.

Ryan

Arlington, VA

[Ann L]

 I am much in favor of the red bar wrap.  I am also seriously jealous of your absolutely beautiful bike.  Well done :)

[Paul Richardson]

nice report on a great looking bike.  sykesville's streets are lucky!

paul

takoma park, md.

On Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 2:46:03 PM UTC-4, Austin B. wrote:

[Austin B.]

35 miles out in the country on the Roadeo today and man, I like this bike more & more. So smooth and comfortable. I topped out at 45mph on one downhill. And I rode a dirt section of nearby Sam's Creek Road on it with no trouble--something I'd never have attempted on my RB-1 with 25mm rubber.

I'm starting to like the Nitto M178 Mark's bar. But how do others set up the angle of these? I've always ridden drops where the top section of the bars run parallel to the ground--like Noodles. I originally set the Mark's Bar up with the top parallel to the ground. But the levers feel oddly placed that way. So it appears I am to rotate the bars downward. But how much? Is there a "Standard" or is it a personal preference thing? There is surprisingly little on the 'net about these handlebars.

Austin

[Tom M]

Jan Heine talks about setting up that bar: https://www.google.com/amp/s/janheine.wordpress.com/2015/09/16/compass-randonneur-handlebars/amp/

Hope that helps,
Tom Milani
Alexandira, VA

[Brian Campbell]

Pretty sue the Marks bar is just a lighter version of the Nitto Noodle. which is not the same bar as the one from Compass/Rene Herse.

Noodle set up info from Riv:

https://www.rivbike.com/collections/handlebars/products/nitto-noodle-handlebar

[Joe Bernard]

Mark's Bar is neither, it is/was a more modern roadie bend where if you set up the ramps flat then the drops will point at the ground at about a 75° angle. For positioning of bar and levers think cyclocross, a short intense ride with hands rarely in one spot for more than a minute.

[Austin B.]

Yes, they are definitely not Noodles or RH Rando Bars.

Just had a good thought--since Mark built the bike up with Mark's Bars, I should check Mark's Staff Bikes page on Riv. Plenty of examples on his page with Mark's bars setup. 

https://www.rivbike.com/pages/marks-staff-bikes

By my crude measure of holding a piece of paper against my screen parallel with the drops, it seems he generally angles them such that the drops point at the rear axle.

Wish I had thought to look at this earlier...

-Austin "Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then" Bishop

[Brian Campbell]

D'OH! Your right of course.  I was confusing Mark's bar  with the Soba bar.  Carry on!