ROADUNO - a new singlespeed!

[Nathan F]

From today's BLAHG:

"1. RoadUno, a onespeed derailerless country-kind of bike (not modeled after a track bike). For pavement, town, commutes. It's not a trail bike. You can ride it on dirt and gravel roads, but it's kind of rude to ride it on hilly and rough trails. More on it way below."

Sounds great. I'm praying for purple (no grey or RBW Blue, please--sorry but they use 'em too much) and v-brakes. Based on the name I think the latter is unlikely : (

- Nathan in PDX

[Ian A]

It looks great. So far the colours are more along the lines of green and orange/gold which both sound great.  

https://www.rivbike.com/products/roaduno-2021?_pos=2&_sid=2cf69cddb&_ss=r

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

Fingers crossed that they'll make a big one...

..any color will do

-Kai

[Berkeleyan]

How will it be different than a QuickBeam? That's more of a rhetorical question, maybe just asking what was there to improve on a QB that a R1 will get right? My 66cm QuickBeam (Orange) already has *adjustable* wheel base, is fully lugged, and has proved versatile enough for a loaded S24O, a 55 mile Brevet, all my local grocery shopping and restaurant dinner takeout pickup. I know, it's just the RBW "way" for bike models (apart from Atlantis) to have limited runs, frames that carry their cachet for years/decades beyond their end-of-run date. I'm  never letting go of my QB, but I hope the R1 is an awesome frame that sells like begeezus.

- Andrew, Berkeley

p.s. It took me a while to get the new sticker - "nothing" is greater than a bicycle!

[Robert Gardner]

Was there a picture I missed? I am super excited as a QB owner....clearance for 50s!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 11, 2020, at 8:33 PM, Berkeleyan <asht...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Mike Godwin]

I'd like a Lime Olive one. Single top tube? Probably. Sloping top tube? yes, since there are only 4 sizes. Rebirth of Roadini? It is a Roadini version of the canti-Romulous. Long wheelbase? hope not. 

Mike SLO CA 

[Robert Hakim]

I’m curious why they went/will go with a 120mm spacing. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems like 130 would allow for a larger variety hub options. In theory, wouldn’t a 130mm SS-specific hub have slightly wider flanges thus allowing for a stronger wheel build?

-Robert

[Nathan F]

Interesting points all, and thanks to Ian for linking that (secret? I could only find it via search) in-progress webpage. I too am hoping for shorter chain stays, Grant comparing it to the Hillborne/Homer is good news in that regard. After some further reflection the one thing I'm not a huge fan of is the name. Is "Roaduno" supposed to be a play on "Roadini?" Maybe it's that any name is going to fall flat when compared to Platypus?

Robert, 120mm is great because of all the existing wheelsets available. After the fixie craze a decade a go high-quality track parts are CHEAP. Modern rims and spokes built up by a competent mechanic won't have any issues. So I think they made the right call there. Not to mention 120mm is 10mm lighter than 130mm 😉

I'm really tempted by this one. A month ago it would've been an easy purchase but I acquired a free White eccentric hub the other day and the financially prudent thing to do would be to install it on my '18 Hillborne. That's not quite as fun though, you know? 

[Ian A]

Hi Nathan,

No secret - I just searched "roaduno" using the search (magnifying glass icon) on rivbike.com. 

IanA Alberta Canada

[Eric Daume]

I think one key thing will be the dropout design. The draft copy says it can handle a six tooth gap. That's what my Surly Cross Check could do with careful gear selection, and it's forward facing horizontal dropouts are much easier to live with than the rear facing track ends of the Quickbeam.

Eric

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[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

Just hit the link, 61 for the biggie? sadface.

I too loved my Quickbeams, two 68s. I'd buy more if I could but would welcome a brand new slightly tigged Roaduno in a size huge. Sloping tube 64 might've done it, alas, it isn't meant to be...

Won't be fitting any of those 40 new Roscos either, but will enjoy the parade nonetheless

-Kai

[Patrick Moore]

I'll be interested to see how this turns out. I'm not captivated by the name, but I can always put tape over the decals. (*) 

I'm curious what tubing they'll use; not that I sweat the numbers, but I very belatedly (after 25 years of owning Rivendells) discovered that thickwall OS tubing doesn't work for me as well as normal gauge thinnerwall tubing (858 531 standard gauge). Also, how big a tire. Me, and I don't expect to get this, would like a ss road bike that will take true 50s and ride like a Rivendell, and not be overbuilt. Oh well, I suppose I'll have to settle for a carbon fiber Monocog 29er (equivalent). 

(*) I disapprove of smiley faces on principle, as I do on excessive earnestness.

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

[Jason Fuller]

To Patrick's point on tubing, I get the sense that today's Rivendell "road" tubing is practically yesterday's "mountain bike" tubing.  Looking at the CHG's engineering print, for instance, it's a 1.1-0.8-1.1 31.8 downtube and 0.9 25.4 top tube (ovalized). Not sure on the rear end. But you could build a touring bike with that tubing by older standards.  If I were placing a bet, it would be that this bike will use the aforementioned tubing that the CHG is.   

I love the simplicity of a singlespeed, and how you quickly adapt to just pedaling and not thinking about gear changes... but I can't justify one in our mountainous region. 

[Berkeleyan]

Okay, after reading the obscure details on the R1, I stand corrected. Despite the shocking shortcoming of its very limited PBH range, it has one great advantage over the QB of yore, and THAT is support for wider tires. I tried running Bruce Gordon Rock 'n Roads (38mm) on my Orange QB, and they just only barely fit. Currently I roll on 38mm Ocean Air Soma C-Lines, which fit just fine without fenders. But if the R1 will go well into the mid-40's, yes, that is an improvement.

- Andrew, Berkeley

[Christopher Cote]

I expect these are sized like the more recent Rivendells such as the Sam Hillborne, etc. The 54cm would be the right size for me, and I would have ridden a 56 or 58cm Quickbeam, for example.

Chris

[Pete B]

This bike sounds a lot like the Rosco Roads, which used SimpleOne forks, but tire clearance with fenders is apparently better . My Rosco Road has 130mm rear spacing and I do 700x35 to be on the safe side, but could probably do 700x38. The RU is supposed to do 700x45 with fenders. I wouldn't have guessed that'd be easy to do with 120mm frame spacing, but the Quickbeam probably gets pretty close to that, right? I assume the frame is spaced at 120, and not just the hub.

120mm frame spacing is desirable because it allows a larger chainring (>40t) to be installed with good chainline on a 120mm hub which aren't really specialty items. I've done several conversions of 120mm wheels on 126mm and 130mm frames using axle spacers to make up the difference. A 120 fixed or free rear hub dictates chainring choice. You basically have to run what will not hit the chainstay while giving good chainline. Often that means something smaller than 42t. A 42x15 is a nice combination for just riding around, but if you want a bigger gear, you're out of luck. Better to go with a bigger front ring like a 44 or a 46 and then you can swap out freewheels and cogs to get the combo you want. If you don't care about riding fixed, 130mm hub spacing is easy, because you can just use a regular road cassette hub and adjust the chainline on the rear wheel using spacer kits like the kind Surly makes. Then you can put a bigger chainring on the outside of the spider or use a longer BB to get the ring clear of the chainstay.

[Coal Bee Rye Anne]

I had a feeling there must have been some discussion on this one after finally catching up with the Blahg and seeing the teasers.  Like Kai I have my fingers crossed for a biggie in any color but assume the working text from Ian's link confirms it'll get capped at 61cm.  I have a tall 27"/69cm 1983 Schwinn Traveler built up as if it were a 68cm QB with Chocomoose bars and 700x38mm semi-slicks with mid reach front and long reach rear Tektro calipers but ideally wish I had something exactly like the described RoadUno to fit a bit more rubber plus fenders.  If they don't end up surprising us with an upsloping 63cm or 64cm size I'll happily continue riding the Schwinn as it is or maybe, eventually, singlespeed my 65cm Clem H with Paul Melvin and a Surly cassette cog sitting in my parts box.  Unfortunately, I haven't had much time for tinkering, and any free moment that presents itself I'd prefer to get a few miles of leisure riding vs. wrenching, so I'll just keep my fingers crossed for a huge RoadUno in the interim and hope I don't miss any announcements because otherwise it checks all of my personal boxes so far and I have a mix of parts ready to go.

Brian Cole

Lawrenceville, NJ

[Scott Calhoun]

My Quickbeam is spaced to 130mm and I use the Surly cassette spacer and cog kit to get a perfect chainline. I like the 130 spacing as I can use any of my road wheels. Also, I run 43mm Gravel Kings on my QB no problem. I consider the geometry on my QB near perfect as an all around road bike, and it is nearly identical to the current (2019 forward) Roadeo geo (72.5 HTA, 72 STA in size 63cm Roadeo, same as on the 64cm 2006 QB). It'll be interesting to see how the RoadUno is designed. 

[Paul Richardson]

okay, so three of us pulling for the much-larger-than-61cm frameset...is that enough of a critical mass to convince the powers that be?  

barring that, who's holding a 68cm quickbeam and wants to free up room in the stable?

paul

takoma park, md.

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

Howzabout a 68 Zombiebeam? (if you're familiar with Birdman's 'beam you'll know what I mean). I've got two corpses...:)

-Kai

[scott minor]

+1, Make that four of us pulling for a larger size.  

[Bill Lindsay]

If you ~100cm PBH folks are serious, I bet you could make it happen.  We all know Grant knows how to design a 65cm Roaduno.  I'd say the chances are decent that he already has it.  The only reason Rivendell Bicycle Works doesn't go 'one size larger' or 'one size smaller' is they don't have the cash or space to tie up in the inventory.  If you ~100cm PBH folks want to self-assemble and make it happen, you could definitely make it happen with dollars.  You'd want to find one really nice and really informed individual to volunteer to be your spokesperson.  Have that very nice and very informed person talk with Will, and plan on your group of buyers being prepared to prepay to the tune of ~$10,000 of Rivendell Gift Certificates.  If your group of tall folks could present Riv with that one nice and smart spokesperson and $10k of cashflow, then I'd bet your chances would be good that you could get that 65cm Roaduno to happen.  Prepaying for bikes is a business model that is keeping Rivendell going.  It's something they are comfortable with doing, so if you can leverage that to your benefit, it's a win-win.

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[greenteadrinkers]

Super interesting to see this new single (double?) speed! This past fall, I finally had the funds to get my SimpleOne built up for riding here in hilly western mass. Here's a link to some images post by my LBS, they put together the bar, stem, brake, and fenders (they also built the wheelset). The stem is now about two inches lower than pictured.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdvFFoF-CO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Scott

[Paul Choi]

What would this sell for, $1,400 complete?

[Sky Coulter]

My guess would be closer to 1800-2000.

Sky in new west

On Dec 15, 2020, at 7:32 PM, Paul Choi <choi....@gmail.com> wrote:

What would this sell for, $1,400 complete?

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[Paul Richardson]

Bill, 

I love the idea.  I remember Grant writing in an email or blahg or somewhere, in terms of the business, "We're smaller than you think."  We'd really prove that in a lovely way if we realized a larger run of a new singlespeed. 

Any tall guys who're serious:  let's talk.

paul

takoma park, md.

[Corwin]

Hi -

I admit I have an older [coleman green] Quickbeam. My 38mm Schwalbe Dureme Supremes fit with room to spare. My Rene Herse 38mm Barlow Pass tires fit with OODLES of room to spare. I have seen numerous posts and articles ascribing usage of 44mm tires on Quickbeams. Perhaps your Rock'n Roads are a little wider (only advertised width I have seen is 43/44mm). Or maybe my calipers need to be recalibrated.

Anyway, I will stick with my Quickbeam.

Namaste,

Corwin

[Mark Roland]

I was puzzled by the 38mm R&R too. Mine are 700 x 43 and I thought that was the only size in 700C?

[Berkeleyan]

I'm sorry, it was my bad memory! The R&R were 45.3 mm across the tread and I needed more clearance.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclemoss/7531767556/in/datetaken-public/" title="P1030186"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7106/7531767556_5a9dd3834f_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1370" alt="P1030186"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

and I have a picture of their tight fit

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclemoss/7531752382/in/datetaken-public/" title="P1030193"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/8144/7531752382_6ec65a198e_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1370" alt="P1030193"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Andrew "losing my marbles" - Berkeley

[Jim M.]

I had 50mm Big Apples on my orange QB. Not knobby like the R&Rs. Tight fit but didn't rub. The BA's felt slow, which is why I changed them.

jim m

walnut creek

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

Bad news.

I asked and they said they were cancelling all but the smallest of the singlespeeds because of my incessant badgering. Sorry 61ers, Sorry 57ers. Sorry 59ers, Sorry 57.75ers. No singlespeeds for anybody over 5'4"...

-Kai 

JUST KIDDING!!  There's already a 64 planned, and with a 6% sloping toptube it'll be a beast for most anybody.

Yay!!  

On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 5:05:42 PM UTC-5 Bill Lindsay wrote:

[Bill Lindsay]

That's dynamite news for you long-leggers!  Start planning your builds!  

If anybody wants to go uber-traditional I have a NIB Dura Ace Track hub, 32 hole, for $90.  If you want to go strictly fixed, there may be no classier hub.

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Philip Williamson]

How about those colors and graphics?? I love them. 

https://www.rivbike.com/blogs/peeking-through-the-knothole/no-22-december

The headbadge is no Rosco Bubbe rocketship, but #2 is quite nice.

(Chrome ate my longer post)

Philip

Santa Rosa, CA 

[Michael Morrissey]

Is there any update on the Roaduno? If there was, I missed it.

?

M

[Joe Bernard]

This excerpt is from the August 6 newsletter. I'll be shocked (but bake in that I tend towards the skeptical) if we see a Roaduno before 2023. 

- The rest of our orders, most of which we placed in September 2020, have been pushed back to 2023. We're still waiting to hear for sure what we can get from our other frame maker - so far all they've said is that they'll try their hardest to get us Homers in July '22, but no word yet on Roadunos, Roadinis, and Gus-n-Susies, which they also make. -

Joe Bernard

[Doug H.]

Hey all, I wanted to revive this old thread to see if any one has any new information about when the Roaduno might be released for sale. 

Thanks,

Doug

[Wesley]

The latests update about frame deliveries was from March an already looks hopelessly optimistic. This comes from the bottom of this post: https://www.rivbike.com/blogs/grant-petersens-blog/mid-to-late-march-another-shortie

Rosco Platy's are actually going on pre-sale this week, then Roadinis after that. I guess that means there might be Roadunos in about a month? 

[Bill Lindsay]

The plan had been that the Prototype Roadunos would be in one of these Summer Shipments.  I think that the prototype Roadunos maybe were in the shipment with the Atlantis' or maybe will be in the next shipment.  Those will be prototypes, so we'll presumably get to see them built up, and locals can test ride them.  If there are any final tweaks Riv needs to make on the real production Roadunos, they'll find those goofs on the prototypes.  

Then, we'll wait.  I think sometime in early 2023 the production Roadunos will be buyable by us.  I had been eagerly awaiting the prototypes arriving because I am local and was going to give one a test ride.  I have managed to acquire a Quickbeam and so I'm not as desperate, but I'm still keeping my finger on the pulse.  Folks that are desperate for the absolute latest should call Will and ask him.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

On Monday, July 11, 2022 at 7:16:14 AM UTC-7 Doug H. wrote:

[Johnny Alien]

I think the Gallops are 2023 and they have already gone through two proto stages.  I think Roadunos might be further out than that.

[Bill Lindsay]

The Roaduno samples are on the boat, at the dock in Oakland this week, so those sample builds will be along soon.  Exciting.

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Bones]

Exciting indeed. I will be first in line for the production frames. I wonder what the color options will be?

Bones

[Eric Daume]

I saw the earlier images, but it’s still not super clear. I’m guessing it’s like a long wheelbase-sloping top tube Quickbeam?

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[Bill Lindsay]

That sounds about right to me, Eric.  I'm guessing something that is kind of like a Leo Roadini with cantilever brakes, clearance for 50mm tires and Quickbeam-style ends.  I hope it has a long front center to avoid TCO.  My Crust Florida Man has no TCO with 700x50 tires, and I think that's awesome.  My 58cm Quickbeam has a tiny bit of TCO with a 700x42 front tire, and it's annoying.  I'd gladly run a 2cm shorter stem with a 2cm longer front-center and the same HTA.  

BL in EC

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[Doug H.]

I have not put together a complete bike although I've changed out many parts over the years. I think I will begin acquiring parts with the plan to build up a Roaduno in 2023. WI freewheel is a no-brainer for me but all the other parts are TBD. I agree about TCO Bill. Although manageable to ride I prefer a longer front-center for plenty of clearance. Grant seems to be designing new bicycles with the utmost concern for comfort and style so I don't imagine he would fall short in that detail.

I may put together a parts list to share with the group with the intention of getting feedback and advice.

Doug

[Bill Lindsay]

The "Quickbeam style ends" were shown on Rivs instagram.  It's a plastic prototype, presumably 3d printed.  They are pretty snazzy and consistent with lots of the "design vernacular" Rivendell has been using in the 2020s.  They are hooded, so it's cheaply tiggable, and leaves tons of freedom on angles.  It's got a der hanger in the casting.  It's got some frills, and looks stout.  I'm eager to see them in metal and on a frame.

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Eric Daume]

It reminds me a lot of the dropout on my old Surly Karate Monkey. Maybe longer though, it’s hard to tell. 

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[Coal Bee Rye Anne]

I like 'em.  I'm certainly curious if the hanger addition will be accompanied with any other spec changes like going from 120-130/132.5/135mm rear hub spacing or just as a nice option on the 120mm frame.  I recently just found a crack on one of my single speeds reducing my fleet to a Clem and two old fixer-upper single speeds.  Apparently the cracked frame may be repairable but out of warranty so depending on cost for repair plus some potential add-ons that would make the repair more worthwhile I'm thinking it may be wiser to hold off and just put that towards an eventual Roaduno purchase.  Either way, looking forward to see how these turn out.