Homer newbie questions

[molly keeler]

Hey everyone,

I have been debating on purchasing a 47.5 Homer demo after being off the saddle for a while due to a gnarly bike accident that left me with a wacky bent arm that yells at me. I fell back in love with biking a few weekends ago while riding in Crater Lake ( the drop bars on the bike I used wreaked havoc on my bent arm and the Homer demo has Albatross).

When I tried the Homer it was love at first ride. I want to love my bike and want to ride it ALL THE. TIME for errands, weekend rides/short tours around the bay/city/PNW, hence wanting a Riv. No one in my biking fam is telling me to not get him and I guess my main concern is how Homer will be in the Bay area hills - for some reason that is my biggest hang-up, besides a large investment for me, personally. Guess I am curious if there really isn't a reason to get him. I also am not super educated with bike knowledge and lean on my bike friends, so, technical info will be farmed out to them :)

I appreciate you reading this and providing any insight!

Molly

[Joe Bernard]

Hi Molly and welcome! 

Most Rivs get set up with a nice low gear for climbing, it's a byproduct of Grant's tastes in gearing from a shop at the base of a VERY steep mountain in Walnut Creek. If you can find a pic of the Homer you're looking at we'll be able to surmise how hill-climbable it is. Also you can always have lower gearing installed if it's not quite right for you. 

My opinion? If you already love it, buy it. The gearing will be sorted in short order and you'll be spinning all over the Bay Area! 

Joe "installed lots of low gears on both his Rivs" Bernard 

Clearlake CA 

[Stephen Durfee]

Hi Molly, I ride my Homer all over the Bay Area and love it....I bet you will too!

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Did you get your Homer, Molly? Sounds like you two were meant to be…

Leah

[molly keeler]

I picked Homer up today and am beyond over joyed, thank you! Riding it around was pure bliss and appreciate the support from yall! So stoked for a gazillion rides to come:)

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[Leah Peterson]

If that isn’t the cutest little Homer, I don’t know what is! I hope you will post about your rides and your observations with your new bike. Rivendells are so wonderfully different from “regular” bikes and it is fun to follow along on a new owner’s discovery of one. I’m sorry to hear about your arm in the wake of an accident. Upright bars will probably be a game changer for you. And you’ll feel really safe and stable on your Homer.

Happy to have a new RivSister and please post when you can, Molly!

Leah

On Sep 27, 2024, at 11:51 PM, molly keeler <mollyl...@gmail.com> wrote:



I picked Homer up today and am beyond over joyed, thank you! Riding it around was pure bliss and appreciate the support from yall! So stoked for a gazillion rides to come:)

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To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAMKr8kvCAb9GNQY7e7WzT_6A2D2DRXxFYgtdPj-0TFCm73oqjA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Greg Lamont]

Hi Molly, and welcome to the Riv club! I just wanted to say thank you for posting. Your story is quite inspirational to me. I had big plans for a lot of fun rides this summer, including the Crater Lake ride you did, but those plans were derailed due to a crash that broke my collar bone into 5 pieces, requiring 3 surgeries and counting so far. I own 3 Rivs (Gus, Clem, Roadeo), but my daily commuter is a 1986 Nishiki Riviera GT touring bike. That bike has had albatross bars on it for the last several years, and I absolutely love climbing with that bike. Transitioning from drops, I've found that a slightly longer stem and setting the bars about level or just below level with the saddle gives me a really nice climbing position just in front of the brake levers. I can imagine that the longer chainstays of the Homer might make the climbing experience that much nicer for you, especially on the steep stuff. I love climbing steep hills on my 60cm Gus for that reason - the super long chainstays just make it feel so solidly planted when most other bikes would feel wander-y. 

Anyways, I've had some pretty down weeks since breaking my collar bone in July, unable to ride at all since then. Your story of getting back in the saddle is a great reminder to me that I'll ride again someday (hopefully soon!). I'm wishing you all the best with your new pal Homer. 

[JAS]

Molly, that's one fine Homer!  I think the Homers have the best color of all the Rivs.  Your set up looks comfortable and practical for seeing the sights and hauling just the right amount of stuff.  Best wishes for many miles of joy!

RivSisters,

Joyce

[Leah Peterson]

Greg. Oh, your story. I’m just so sorry and had to say so. I don’t think I’ve heard anyone break a collarbone into that many pieces. So, so sorry and please let us know when you get back in the saddle and how it goes. That must have been a nasty, nasty crash. 

Molly, you too! You all keep the rubber side down and get well!

Hoping everyone’s bones knit properly and no more crashes,

Leah

On Sep 28, 2024, at 11:00 AM, Greg Lamont <greg.m...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Molly, and welcome to the Riv club! I just wanted to say thank you for posting. Your story is quite inspirational to me. I had big plans for a lot of fun rides this summer, including the Crater Lake ride you did, but those plans were derailed due to a crash that broke my collar bone into 5 pieces, requiring 3 surgeries and counting so far. I own 3 Rivs (Gus, Clem, Roadeo), but my daily commuter is a 1986 Nishiki Riviera GT touring bike. That bike has had albatross bars on it for the last several years, and I absolutely love climbing with that bike. Transitioning from drops, I've found that a slightly longer stem and setting the bars about level or just below level with the saddle gives me a really nice climbing position just in front of the brake levers. I can imagine that the longer chainstays of the Homer might make the climbing experience that much nicer for you, especially on the steep stuff. I love climbing steep hills on my 60cm Gus for that reason - the super long chainstays just make it feel so solidly planted when most other bikes would feel wander-y. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/57e729f3-c766-4316-829f-4dd4df2ce829n%40googlegroups.com.

[Greg Lamont]

Thanks Leah! Your posts inspire me on a regular basis as well. Reading, and very occasionally posting in, this group has helped keep me going. 

Molly, can't wait to read more about your adventures as you accumulate experiences on your new bicycle. 

[molly keeler]

Greg, I am sorry that you had such a horrible accident and can imagine the many feelings that go along with the healing process, it's not easy. I am pulling for you, wholeheartedly and sending you all the good vibes. I appreciate your kind words and thank you for also being so inspiring to keep at it. Everyone is so generous and I am so stoked for what's to come.

Molly

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/57e729f3-c766-4316-829f-4dd4df2ce829n%40googlegroups.com.

[Joe Bernard]

Molly, I love your adorable new Homer! I'll be interested to hear what you think of the gearing after you've ridden it a while. Have all the fun rides! 🙂

Joe Bernard 

climbing steep hills slowly in Lake County CA

[Ryan]

Molly...happy for you and your new Homer. Sweet little bike. And Greg, I hope your shoulder heals well and quickly so you can ride again. Be well both of you