Roadini Build is complete

[Brenton Eastman]

Thanks to all the advice and guidance from folks here on my second Rivendell build! Turns out there are quite a few folks with a "Country Bike" that also went for a +1 Roadini. 

I've set up my 2017 Sam Hillborne several different ways; first it was drops+road focused, then it was a Riv 1.0 camping basket bike, then it got lighter wheels and no basket, then flat bars and knobbies, then it lost it's F+R racks, fenders have come and gone, and in each phase it's been "perfect". 

I just wanted a +1 and the +1 was to be lighter and faster. Months ago I was looking at 90s racing and sport tourers as cheaper alternatives to a Roadini, perhaps also lighter, and less well rounded, and more definitively alternative to my Sam. I test rode some: Specialized Sequoia, Waterford 22 Series, Bridgestone RB1. Nothing felt like the right move. I was being patient, doing the research, etc, when a Roadini frameset in my size and my preferred color was posted here, and the owner Lived 2 hours away. Let's go.

Using Sam's lighter wheelset, former drop bar cockpit, and a few other parts bin items, I was able to keep the entire build within my budget. I bought a lot of NOS and pre-owned components for great prices. Stoked. I'm happy with how it came out. There's a whole bunch of component interchangeability with these two bikes, which may come in handy some day. Weather in PNW has been bad for riding, good for wrenching. I still haven't ridden it yet. 

The only thing I was not stoked on was the Ultegra FD inner cage plate rubbed the middle ring when shifting to big ring. It was already up high-ish to not hit the chainstay. So now it's even higher out of necessity. It bothers me a lil bit. Bars and seat height+angle subject to change after test ride. Right now the drops swing just under the top tube to avoid dings.

Build List:

57cm Roadini Sergio Green

Nitto Noodle 48cm bars

Nitto Tallux 8cm stem

Shimano Tiagra levers

Blue Lug cotton tape (not as long as newbaums)

Tektro R559 brakes

Nissen clear housing

Velocity Dyad 32H, Deore w/11-32, SP front hub

Ultradynamico Cava 700x42

Sugino XD2 46/36/24

Ultegra 6500 FD + RD

Suntour Superbe DT shifters

Wellgo Pedals with gasp cages

Brooks C17 seat

King bottle cages

A few brass bling bits from Riv + Blue Lug

[exliontamer]

Nice! Curious what your saddle height is in the photos. I'm maybe about to pull the trigger and am on the fence between the 57 & 61. 

[brendonoid]

Such a clean build! That Sergio green is really growing on me too.

[zem...@gmail.com]

Such a fantastic build, Brenton! 

Is the bike giving you what you were looking for in your +1 from your country bike?

[Brenton Eastman]

I haven't ridden it enough to decide if it was the perfect +1 yet, but it was a fun project. I will report back after some miles.

It was great way to spend my time during 2 weeks of Portland snow+ice+wind. Did lots of research, and learned a ton more about components I was only mildly interested in before. Shopping for NOS+used parts on eBay was surprisingly fun, especially if you're after components that most folks ignore. I watched all the "built by blue lug" videos, highly recommend watching for both zen, appreciation of expertise, and educational instruction (though they are not intentionally instructional).

[Brian Witt]

Very nice build!  well thought out...nothing 'stuck on' or out of character for its mission...  I am also trying to decide between 57 and 61, and would like to know the saddle height on your bike...

[John Bokman]

Brenton, thanks for the post; nice looking bike. As weather allows, please let us know how this bike rides compared to your Sam (especially when it was in drop-bar mode). I'm sure I'm not the only Sam rider who is curious about this comparison.

John

[Brenton Eastman]

For the seat height inquiries:

Both my bikes are currently 41” top of saddle to the ground. The Roadini has less BB drop so top of saddle to crank bolt center is 31”, where the Sam is 31.5”. I may end up raising the saddle on the Roadini. Hard to compare a broken in B17 to C17 as well. I could probably raise both seats 1” and still have a knee bend at bottom of pedal stroke. 

I am 6’1” with 89cm PBH 

On Jan 22, 2024, at 11:10 AM, John Bokman <jpbc...@gmail.com> wrote:

Brenton, thanks for the post; nice looking bike. As weather allows, please let us know how this bike rides compared to your Sam (especially when it was in drop-bar mode). I'm sure I'm not the only Sam rider who is curious about this comparison.

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[Jay]

Looks great.  You have me questioning the Dark Gold I selected ;-)

[Brenton Eastman]

Took the Roadini for a 3 mile test ride and safety check and got some initial impressions. 

1. It felt expectedly similar to my Sam. The cockpit was a direct swap from Sam to Leo, makes sense. I bombed a lil hill that turned into gravel, felt very stable even when a dog ran out at me to join at my flank. I then climbed a steep street, seated in 36Fx30R, which is promising knowing I have a 24t option in front and will climb longer/steeper. If I stripped my Sam and put on slicks I’d be just as fast. Do I regret building this bike? Not yet and not likely. 

2. This seat won’t suit me for longer rides. My sit bones felt like they were on a wood beam. 

3. Even with the tall stack, sloped top tube, and my long arms, I still wished my hoods were 2” closer to me. 

Sunshine has yet to hit this bike.  ¯\_(˘͡ ˘̯)_/¯ 

On Jan 22, 2024, at 2:21 PM, Jay <jason....@gmail.com> wrote:

Looks great.  You have me questioning the Dark Gold I selected ;-)

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[Tony Lockhart]

Solid bike, Brent! So glad to see how nicely it turned out, especially with that gorgeous silver drivetrain.

I've got about 300ish miles on my Roadini now and I couldn't be happier. Oddly enough, I have been spending more time on my Hillborne because I don't want to feel guilty by leaving it in the garage. Can't wait to hear your impression by the end of the summer.....almost wondering if you'll prefer the Leo to the Sam.

Happy trails,

Tony

[jaredwilson]

Love this build, and good info as I'm also 6'1 with an 89cm PBH.

Hope you get tons of lovely miles out of this beaut!

jared

[John]

Awesome build! The Sergio green is great. Curious to hear how you think it rides. I've got an All City Space Horse that while not spot on, is pretty close to the geo of a Roadini, that I absolutely love.