New Bike Day X2

[Tim Bantham]

Hello Riv Bunch,

My first Riv was a 2TT Sam Hilborne that I purchased in 2017. I had an Appaloosa that I sold just over a year ago. I've regretted selling my Joe ever since. I even saw my old 2TT silver Appaloosa at this years Nutmeg Nor'Easter. I thought about offering to buy it back but I never did ask the new owner. I doubt he would have sold it back to me anyway. The only consolation is that the new owner told me that he loves the bike and rides it nearly every day.

While at the NNE I saw so many cool Riv's. I was talking to fellow Riv Bunch member Justin Kennedy about his Platypus. My UBU (unresonable bike urge) has been in high gear ever since.

I will soon become a proud Man on a Mixte and my 60cm Sergio Green complete will be on the way to me very soon. I'm going to change the bars right away to Billie's and will build a nicer wheelset with a Dyno hub before getting it on the road. I figured if Leah can own 3 Platypus's its got to be a good bike! I'm exciting for it's arrival and can't wait to ride it. 

The second inbound Riv is a A. Homer Hilsen frameset. I'm going to build the Homer up as a drop bar road bike keeping it rackless and light as possible. I am thinking about building it as a retro mod with downtube shifter and some older parts. I still need to decide on that. Anyway I thought I'd share the exciting news with fellow bike nerds. The Sam, Platy and AHH will give me a nice collection.  I am feeling very fortunate to be able to add two new bikes to my collection. N+2!

[Dorothy C]

Congratulations Tim. I have a Sergio green 50cm Platy in the workstand as I write. I bought a complete and I’m swapping most of my parts with a Clem 45cm (26” wheel version) which I plan to sell

[Roberta]

Hi MOAM man!

I have Homer and Platy and think they are wonderfully complimentary bikes. I no longer have my Appa as I don’t do off road or loaded touring that it shines for. 

Looking forward to hear your impressions. 

Roberta 

[Stephen Durfee]

Hey Tim, I'm just now building up an older AHH as a dedicated road bike...I considered DT shifters, as I had some Simplex SLJ's hanging around, but ultimately decided on Dia Compe bar ends from VO...and so far, I'm happy I did!  I do love to recycle, so I did find some older parts to add to the build. After a few test rides to feel out the stem and setback, I feel like I'm ready to tape up! Sorry for the backside pic...

[Sarah Carlson]

Tim, that is exciting news! And please post pictures because we need more men on mixtes! Every time I find one I show my fiance and say, "see, this is a great men's bike!" And he looks at me side eyed. Which makes me want a "Men on Mixtes Calendar...." Maybe it's a project for next year.

On Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 8:04:01 AM UTC-8 Tim Bantham wrote:

[Steve]

Tim, as a fellow XY chromosome'd mixte rider ('22 Platypus with Billie Bars) I had to chuckle at your "proud Man on a Mixte" appellation.  Perhaps some day we'll have to establish a MOAM subgroup on this site. 

You may have run across this "Me and My Mixte" blog post from 2011, if not, here it is: 

http://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com/2011/02/me-and-mixte.html

Steve

[Tim Bantham]

Roberta - Nice to hear from you! I didn't know that you had the same combo. We are kindred spirits! 

Chef- The Homer looks great! I'm excited about the Platy but the Homer has been on my radar for a long time. Looking forward to building this one. Mine will be the classic Home Blue color which I am just in love with.

Sarah-The idea of a mixte as a "girls frame" is only a construct. I think it will be practical when I take it camping and no longer have to swing my leg over whatever huge bag I have on the back of the bike. 

Steve - I can't take credit for the "MOM" acronym. I got it from the Riv print catalog from a few years ago. I think it may have been Will who coined that phrase. It is a good one though!

[Paul Richardson]

tim you've done the right thing.  i wanna see that roady homer with downtube shifters!!

paul

takoma park, md.

[Tony Lockhart]

Speaking of Homers, any idea when the next run will be? I had something in mind like Chef's bike....looks fantastic.

@Tim, can't wait to see updates when you build them up. 

[jamin orrall]

Homer makes a great stripped down road bike! Here is mine

[Patrick Moore]

BSNYC built up his Homer similarly and praised it highly, tho' I think that, now, it's back to swept-back bar. Qv. 

[Tim Bantham]

Beautiful build Jamin!

[jamin orrall]

thanks Tim

[ian m]

On Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 9:53:48 AM UTC-5 Tony Lockhart wrote:

Speaking of Homers, any idea when the next run will be? I had something in mind like Chef's bike....looks fantastic.

@Tim, can't wait to see updates when you build them up.

Anyone know? Looking to get a Homer

[Jingy]

Speaking of Homers, any idea when the next run will be? I had something in mind like Chef's bike....looks fantastic.

According to a recent weekly email, no Homers in 2024

Jim in Mpls 

[Paul M]

I wouldn't be surprised if RBW dropped the Homer Hilsen from their line-up and replaced it with the Charlie H. Gallop (expected next year). Especially since it looks to have longish chainstays and uses the same caliper brakes as the Homer. Different frame design but similar "country bike" vibes.