Didn’t sell it and glad

[Joel S]

When I started on a new bike hunt in my mind the Bleriot would get sold.  In 10 years of not riding it it seemed a bit squirrelly at times and it is a tad too big but not too big to ride. I put bigger tires (42mm) on and relearned where to hold my Albatross bars to keep the Bleriot as stable as I wanted it.  So I brought in an Atlantis and it was not for me.  I thought it would be with 48mm tires and it did ride very smooth but I could not get the setup right.  It found a new home back in CA.  I found a new 2019 Sam, I would have preferred the black but orange is what I got.  The fit it a tad smaller than the Bleriot with 42’s and the Sam wears 48’s, the ride is very smooth, still working on saddle position but that will come.  The Bleriot is quicker, maybe the tires, or somewhat lighter rims, or aluminum albatross vs. the cr mo on the Sam, but none of that matters, I wanted a bike that rides differently and that is what I got.  

Today I rode the Bleriot knowing it would be a shorter (1 hour) ride due to the chill, but tomorrow promises to hit 70 so I have a nice longer ride planned and I picked some rougher roads to try.  

I would be very unhappy today if I would have sold the Bleriot, damn, I’ve sold too many great bikes to think about.  I do seem to bond well with 650b wheels.  

I never name my bikes as I call them by color or model name and the Sam hits a nice note as my favorite person was my Uncle Sam, or Sammy, but I will just call it Sam, and he would have loved the orange.  Me, I like understated so I will continue to warm to the color.  

Joel

[Jason Fuller]

Truth be told I wouldn't have bought orange if the blue wasn't sold out when I bought mine, but I am really glad now that I ended up with orange. Glad the Sam is taking better than the Atlantis, and it's interesting to hear about its comparison to the Bleriot, which is a bike I've never ridden but coveted 

[Joe Bernard]

Joel, I'm happy to hear you're keeping it. I had one which definitely was too big - I needed one size down - but it was a spectacular bicycle with an interesting mint color and the best name and decals Riv ever did, in my opinion. And we're getting far enough away from the '00s that some of that era Rivbikes are getting hard to find. Enjoy your classic Riv!

Joe Bernard 

[Joel S]

Thanks Jason.  The Bleriot reminds me of my old Roads and Custom except more comfort with the fatter tires.  The Sam is a whole different deal, a nice do it all bike.  

[Joel S]

Thanks Joe.  Yeah, it is like the classic Rivs, I missed many that came after it.