The Limousine: the Protovelo Long Bike

[Ben Miller]

Hey Riv Bunch,

I was the one able to snag the Protovelo Long Bike: aka the Limo bike. I had had the opportunity to ride it back in Jan. I took it on some of the Shell Ridge trails and liked it. At the time, my understanding was that it wasn't going to be sold. But lo', in this past week's Riv newsletter, buried in there: it was up for sale as a web special. I doubt Riv will have it up for long, so here is the copy: 

58cm seattube, and a 77cm top tube. Best for PBHs around 89 to 98. If you're tall and mostly torso, this could be the best fitting bike you've ever had. 

We had this made to see if there was any benefit to extending the top tube as long as possible and compensating with a super stubby stem and swept back bars. The long (ha) and short of it is: it rides fine, but if there is a benefit, it's not clear enough to warrant using top tubes this long on our normal models. It felt slightly different than my (Will) Rivendells, but not in a bad way, and after riding it for fifteen minutes it felt totally normal. I took it on a long-ish ride around Mt. Tam and had a great time. I'm long in the leg and short in the torso for my height, and the bars still felt like they were in the right spot.

Comes with a sample of a wide 31.8mm Billie Bar that we decided not to order. I think the bars are one of two, and the bike is definitely one of one.

When I went to pick it up on Saturday, Will was there to congratulate me on the purchase. And Harry helped set it up for me (I should have realized it wouldn't come with a saddle/seatpost; so Harry hooked me up with a "loaner" so I could BART & ride it home). Since then I've put on a B17 and Nitto seatpost I had. Plus swapped out the MKS monarchs for some green XC-III's. I think I will put an OM-1 RD on there (which I already have). And I have some wide Loscos that I think would look great. Not sure what other modifications I might make further on: maybe a stout front rack and basket? Rear rack? Both? Probably dynamo it eventually (as I do all my bikes). But for now I'm just really enjoying this "one of one" Riv experimental bike!

Ben

[Ben Miller]

I should also mention that my wife, Stephanie, and I ended up taking the same train out as Luke and his crew who were also headed to RBW HQ. Luke was hosting Kim from abroad and he was making his Pilgrimage to Riv. It was super fun seeing Kim meet the Riv Saturday crew and watching him ride the Limo! 

Also, it was very hot in WC, and the Riv HQ had lost their water access that day! I felt bad for Harry who had to deal with no bathroom and hot temps! We left as Harry took the lull in customer activity as an opportunity to investigate the building to see if he could find the water shut-off. I hope Riv was the tap turned back on by now!

[Ron Mc]

Congratulations - a configuration I would never have dreamed, though I can see it riding very well.  

Thanks for the photo and full story.  

Made me look at the photoset on the Riv website listing - very good-looking bike, pleasant color, fun graphics, and singular.  

[Ben Miller]

Thanks Ron! It is a super comfortable, super stable ride. But it feels pretty normal otherwise. 

As far as the color, Will told be it was supposed to General Use Green, but apparently GUG hadn't been mixed or something yet, by the time it went to paint. But I really love the Forest Green Metallic Sparkle paint it ended up with!

Also forgot to mention, if anyone finds themselves in SF and wants to ride the Limo, hit me up, happy to lend it out

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[iamkeith]

Damn.  Congrats! I would have definitely considered that myself, if I had noticed.  Hope you enjoy the heck out of it.

[David Ross]

Love this bike and think it looks amazing. The reach has got to be well over 500mm. I run short BMX stems on my Gus as I sized up and it keeps the swept bars from spinning in the clamp. Handling seems just fine to me. 

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