Replace my Atlantis ?

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Peter Forde

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Dec 10, 2020, 2:53:08 AM12/10/20
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28D2644F-06A5-4181-9EBB-6C351B65BA2B.jpeg
I’ve had my 58cm Toyo Atlantis since 2002.
It has taken me on numerous 1000+ mile tours, 400k brevets and has kept me smiling for many, many miles.
Workhorse it is, but I am thinking of perhaps a lighter, more subtle frame.  Any ideas or suggestions (Riv or otherwise)?
P.S.  I do like a front, rack mounted bag but don’t have to go crazy with lower trail and want to keep my 700c wheels.
Thanks.
Peter

dougP

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Dec 10, 2020, 9:12:12 PM12/10/20
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I have the same bike as you, from 2003, with thousands of touring miles under the wheels, so I understand what your ride is like.  The Atlantis really rides its most comfortable with a load.  A couple of years ago, I had a ride (perhaps a couple of hours) on a current model, long wheelbase Atlantis.  The shop knew I rode a 58, 700 wheeled version.  After doing a few measurements, they set a demo up & had me give it a go.  Right away, I felt it rode "better" in terms of comfort, taking the speed bumps in the ally with no drama.  Later, we were out on some local trails, challenging but no technical.  Even on tight turns, it handled just like my own bike.  In short, Rivendell had improved the ride quality noticeably, and hadn't sacrificed anything in handling.  On return from the ride, I found out it was a 53 cm in their newer sizing system.  I'm not sure what wheel size they are using these days. 

dougP

frankie garcia

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Dec 10, 2020, 9:42:16 PM12/10/20
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I have the same. Although in the 26 in 56cm version. I rode mine with a 26 x 2.3 and find the plump tires create a perfect balance of speed and comfort. 

Cheers. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 10, 2020, at 8:12 PM, dougP <doug...@gmail.com> wrote:


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Benz Ouyang, Sunnyvale, CA

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Dec 10, 2020, 11:22:48 PM12/10/20
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Replace, or add to?

I have a Toyo Atlantis with 26" wheels, and don't think I'll ever part with it. It's too useful, as a Jack-of-all-trades. Fastest? Nope. Lightest? Nope. Not even close. Fanciest? Nope. But it's set up with fenders, racks, wide gear range, and dynamo lights, and it's as comfy and no-nonsense as they come. If I'm not sure know where I'm going, I'll slap on a pannier and take the Atlantis.

I've thought about selling my Rivendell All-Rounder (with the 753 tubeset) and Boulder All-Road (with "skinny" tubing). I've even thought about selling my Colnago Master and Seven Ti Axiom. And I've actually sold my Surly LHT and Litespeed Blue Ridge. But I've never considered selling my Atlantis. In fact, I like it so much I got my son one too.

On Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 11:53:08 PM UTC-8 Peter Forde wrote:

Sean Cleary

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Dec 16, 2020, 11:50:36 AM12/16/20
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Hey Doug (and others who know new model)- do you recall approximately what size tire was on the new Atlantis you rode that rode so well? I'm looking to create a 700 x 2.3" bike with a Jones H bar. Anyone else have experience on big tire Rivs? The new Clems and Gus Boots just don't appeal to me. Wish there were still Bombadils and Hunquapillar (sp?) to choose from.

Background: a long time Homer Hilsen owner which has been an excellent jack of all trades but a master of none. I find it too jarring on some pavement surface despite large tires. Esthetically, Atlantis has always been my favorite Rivendell. I realize a Jones bar is a weird element on a Riv but it's become my favorite bar as I grow older...and older.

Jim Bronson

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Dec 16, 2020, 1:03:44 PM12/16/20
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If you want a livelier ride while staying 700c and road-ish, consider an early Road Standard or Custom, or a Rambouillet.

I have a Clem H and while I love riding it, I am easily 2+mph faster on a 20-30 mile ride on my 90s Road Standard than I am on the Clem.

But on the other hand, I am much more comfortable on mixed terrain rides on the Clem.  The Road Standard is converted to 650Bx38, and it will do pea gravel & sand trails, but it feels way more squirrely doing it, like I might accidentally get sideways in a turn.  The Clem just bombs through any surface I throw at it and feels really stable doing it even at relatively high speeds.

Jim
Leander, TX

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Toshi Takeuchi

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Dec 16, 2020, 3:38:16 PM12/16/20
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I agree with everyone else.  I don't think you will find an adequate replacement for the Atlantis for everything that you do, unless it's a newer model or an Appaloosa.  If you can add to your stable, then a Roadeo would be nice for brevets.  I've done double centuries on my Roadeo and see no problem doing 400k brevets with it.  For longer brevets, I would set up a Mark's rack for a light front load and would recommend balancing that with a saddlebag for the rear.  (Mark's rack would require p-clamps for mounting to the fork).  The Roadini should also work well, but I've not ridden that one.

My Roadeo doesn't have a front rack, and when I needed extra carrying capacity, I've used a Sackville small saddlebag and it's worked great.

Toshi in Oakland, CA

Roadeo-2019.jpg

Chris L

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Dec 16, 2020, 4:24:37 PM12/16/20
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I've ridden my Hunqapillar with 700c x 53 tires (Maxxis Torch 29) and Jones bars and it was a very nice setup.  The Jones bars alone have improved the handling of all the bikes I've put them on, but the Hunqapillar is a great handling bike to start with, so it just becomes that much nicer.

The past Appaloosas were so close to the Hunqapillar in geometry, that with the exception of the chainstay length, I don't think you would feel any difference at all between it and the Hunqapillar, at least in my size (54 Hunq, 55 Appa).  

dougP

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Dec 16, 2020, 7:28:58 PM12/16/20
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Sean:

According to Rivendell's current info, the 53 cm Atlantis is on 650B wheels.  Don't know what width tires it had.  The 55 cm has 700c wheels. 

I don't think Jones bars would look out of place on an Atlantis.  With the wide variety of bars that Rivendell offers, there really is no "standard" bars for any given bike.  Currently, I have Ahearne Map bars on my Atlantis.  I was looking at Jones H-bar Bend but it was only available in 31.8.  The Ahearne's are available either clamp size & the bend is pretty similar to Jones.  Quite comfy.

dougP

Jason Fuller

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Dec 16, 2020, 8:29:23 PM12/16/20
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Like the others, I couldn't in good conscience suggest replacing an early 2000's Atlantis with just about anything!  My experience with the older Rivs is limited, but I've found that the old MUSA frames generally run lighter than their modern day versions, ie my Bombadil is barely heavier than my Hillborne, both in weight and in feel.  I would not be surprised if the newest MIT road-focused frames coming out like the Charlie H Gallup and RoadUno end up with similar tube sets as your Atlantis.  This is all speculation though, I could be wrong. 

The only reason I could see wanting to change it up is for more tire clearance but I'm not getting the vibe that this is a priority?  

I suppose a custom would always be a good replacement... haha

Grandy

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Dec 18, 2020, 5:52:35 PM12/18/20
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Sean, I have Jones bars on all my bikes, including my Atlantis. I also own a Jones Plus LWB. My MIT Atlantis with 29x2.1's rides smoother than my Jones with 29x2.6's. Both bikes have a 1200 mm wheelbase, give or take a few mm, which I found interesting. If you do run Jones bars with a 1" quill stem, stick to a steel stem. Aluminum stems are too flexy, from my experience.

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 8:50:36 AM UTC-8 Sean Cleary wrote:

Grandy

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Dec 18, 2020, 5:52:52 PM12/18/20
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Sean, I have a new 55cm MIT Atlantis, the smallest frame size designed for 700c wheels. Riv has conflicting information on their website in regards to maximum 700c/29er tire size.  2.2 and 2.4 is mentioned. In my experience, experimenting with different tires, I would only fit 2.1's or smaller, unless you are sticking to pavement. Numerous sticks and rocks got caught between the frame/fork and tire with 2.2's.  

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 8:50:36 AM UTC-8 Sean Cleary wrote:

Michael Lopez

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Dec 18, 2020, 6:51:28 PM12/18/20
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It rides like a road bike with lighter wheels and no racks, and can tour for days with the set up pictured below. So my only recourse was to build something completely different yet still managed to be a 26" 9 speed friction bike.
1010201238a.jpgatlantis.jpg

Sean Cleary

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Dec 20, 2020, 9:26:17 PM12/20/20
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Atlantis to the rescue, huh Michael? I believe that's what I'll do but need to wait 'til September when frames arrive, ugh. Grandy and Doug, thanks SO much for the feedback. I was heavily considering a Jones SWT but respect Grandy's ride assessments. Atlantis it is then.

Merry Christmas everyone!

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