Susie Longbolts – offload yours on me or talk me out of it?!

[Max S]

Thinking of getting a fatter-tired bike going for casual Zone 2 sorties and quiet trail riding. (Mainly need a frame as an excuse to use my idle Bullmoose bars... so it goes.)

If you have a Susie, what's your experience been like? Would you recommend it and for what? Should I try to find a 56 cm Susie (Riv is out of stock), or should I get something else?.. Should I get something custom made that'll be lighter?..

- Max "idle lunchtime thoughts on this cool November day while not wanting to do any work nor organize my already overflowing bike room" in MI

[Mack Penner]

Hi Max,

In the spirit of talking you in rather than talking you out: I completely love my 59 cm Susie and it would be great for what you describe.

The only time I think I could stand to add another mountain bike is when I don't ride the Susie for a period of time. Otherwise, it does everything I'd ever ask of it, from the prairie single track I usually ride to occasional visits to the Rockies.

But thinking of it as a mountain bike sells it short; hillibike is apt. The best thing about it is its versatility. It does not ever tempt me (well, I don't own a car, but the point stands) to drive to a trailhead, because it is super pleasant for cruising along city streets. And for related reasons it would make a great touring bike (I'll try that next summer). Last week, I did a 65km ride that was half city cruising with my dad, half mtb ride. Then, a couple days later, I did 50kms on trails, gravel roads, city streets, and a large hike-a-bike segment. Best bike around for that kind of mix-and-match stuff.

And I wouldn't worry for a second about weight. Mine is rackless, but otherwise built without a care for weight: super heavy dynamo hub (w front and rear lights), super heavy Flyer saddle, super heavy xtra wide steel bars, heavy Cliffhanger rims, and heavy 2.8 inch tires. It's right around 30 pounds and it rides light. My 2TT appaloosa doesn't ever compare, the Susie is tons more "sporty." And oh the flex! It's like a dual sus bike without all the drawbacks. I also think, fwiw, that it's a great candidate for a "light build," and one day I'll prob cannibalize another bike to try it out with a light wheelset, 2.2ish inch tires... it would fly.

Mack

[Jacob Ireland]

Def snag! I saw there is one listed on FB group. I rode a buddies Susie with big squishy maxxis 29er tires and it was divine. I heard they quit making them due to the cost of production. 

-Jake in sf

On Nov 20, 2023, at 09:06, Max S <msh...@gmail.com> wrote:



Thinking of getting a fatter-tired bike going for casual Zone 2 sorties and quiet trail riding. (Mainly need a frame as an excuse to use my idle Bullmoose bars... so it goes.)

If you have a Susie, what's your experience been like? Would you recommend it and for what? Should I try to find a 56 cm Susie (Riv is out of stock), or should I get something else?.. Should I get something custom made that'll be lighter?..

- Max "idle lunchtime thoughts on this cool November day while not wanting to do any work nor organize my already overflowing bike room" in MI

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[Richard Rose]

Coming from a Gus owner who has ridden both; DO IT! For all of the reasons mentioned here and more. My Gus is a very capable & comfortable rigid MTB. Also a pleasure riding to the trail & superb on gravel. Bikepacking? YES! 29 x 2.6 @ 16-18psi (tubeless) and it rolls over everything. It’s just a great, fun as hell bike. When I rode a friend’s Susie I really did not notice the weight difference. What I can say is the front end might be a bit stiffer. Not in a bad way, just very precise. You cannot go wrong.

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 20, 2023, at 12:06 PM, Max S <msh...@gmail.com> wrote:



Thinking of getting a fatter-tired bike going for casual Zone 2 sorties and quiet trail riding. (Mainly need a frame as an excuse to use my idle Bullmoose bars... so it goes.)

If you have a Susie, what's your experience been like? Would you recommend it and for what? Should I try to find a 56 cm Susie (Riv is out of stock), or should I get something else?.. Should I get something custom made that'll be lighter?..

- Max "idle lunchtime thoughts on this cool November day while not wanting to do any work nor organize my already overflowing bike room" in MI

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[Joe Bernard]

I believe Large in this instance means 56cm, they seem open to shipping. They're not coming up very often soooo...

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/d/san-francisco-large-gold-rivendell/7689088638.html

[Richard Rose]

Just re-reading my post. To be clear, it’s the Gus that was a bit more precise up front. Credit I guess to the 1 1/8” threadless steer tube? Possibly insignificant.

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 20, 2023, at 2:43 PM, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote:

I believe Large in this instance means 56cm, they seem open to shipping. They're not coming up very often soooo...

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[Richard Rose]

This review is pretty convincing.

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 20, 2023, at 2:43 PM, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote:

I believe Large in this instance means 56cm, they seem open to shipping. They're not coming up very often soooo...

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[Kim H.]

From the RBW website about Susie W. Longbolts:

"It’s like the Gus but for riders under 210 pounds and who promise to ride them with loads of 25lbs or less, and no jumps or canyon-crossings. It's a Gus for lightweights and light loads. A Susie/Wolbis frame weighs only about 12oz less than the same sized Gus frame, and there is NO ride difference. If you make the weight limit and have no plans for off-road bikepacking or death-defying showoff stuff, get this over Gus. Also, it uses a quill stem and has a Riv-standard 1-inch threaded steerer.

Our 210 lb weight limit is a conservative hunch, not laboratory-derived. A lot of it depends on tire pressure and even more importantly, technique. It's not like the Susie has super thin-walled tubes or anything, but it doesn't have the same abuse cushion that Gus has."

Kim Hetzel.

[Richard Rose]

This exactly is why I was not disappointed when I thought I wanted a Susie but found a Gus instead. I am 170lbs. but wanted no limitations in regards to loading the bike or jumping it. I mean, at 68 I am only jumping by accident, but I do enjoy the rough stuff including drops of up to two feet. On my local trail there is this one jump, not much more that a foot in height but it seems like more as it’s a downhill landing leading to a flat bridge. It’s a fun feature that I did once on the Gus & the Bosco slipped. Nothing too dramatic but alarming nonetheless. Problem has been solved with the Albacore bar - solid as a rock. So that is still my “one jump”.:)

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 20, 2023, at 8:53 PM, Kim H. <krhe...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Kim H.]

@Richard -

I always enjoy reading your posts, whether it's about riding your Gus or your Clem. 

Kim Hetzel.

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[Richard Rose]

Thanks Kim. I am only writing in a somewhat lame attempt to put into words the joy riding these bikes brings me. How many forms of exercise exist where you cannot wait for the next workout?

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On Nov 21, 2023, at 11:59 AM, Kim H. <krhe...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Kim H.]

@Richard -

You are more than welcome.

I'm glad to hear that you are trying to express your inner joy and happiness riding your bikes. 

Excellent question presented.

Kim Hetzel.

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[Ryan Frahm]

I will chime in just to say that I think Richard is right about how amazing these bikes are to ride! In my opinion, I’d go for a Gus. If I had, I’d likely still have it. I’m 170lbs so on Will’s suggestion I went for the Susie. In my experience, the Susie turns into a noodle at speed through the rough. It was better with a different bar (I had a Tosco 60cm) but I bet the Gus is awesome with the stiffer steering. 

I think it really depends how aggressively you ride though. Just cruising through rough roads the Susie rode like a dream! I was just honestly worried I was going to break it every time I rode it more aggressively though. I do still jump often as a note. Just my experience. 

[Ryan Ogilvie]

I got a 56 Suz a few months ago and experience aligns with Mack's. Really versatile--fun on road and trail. 

Frame is pretty light, so you could do a minimalist steel frame build. I have dynamo, cliffhangers, racks, but don't mind the weight. 

It is a looong frame. Hard to fit on car racks, trains and that sort of thing, but also hard to wipe out with those chainstays. 

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[Ryan Ogilvie]

You could also wait for the new batch that's apparently a merging of Suz and Gus. 

[Max S]

You all have been very, very helpful! Will ponder this and, hopefully, make some progress on my fitness with indoor exercise, as the cold months set in.

- Max