Roadini - 650b on bigger sizes?

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Adam Bowen

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May 27, 2020, 12:04:11 PM5/27/20
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Hello! I was wondering if anyone had any experience with trying to shove in a 650x48 into a Roadini. Do you think it would work? or no clearance?

Thanks!
Adam

Andrew Turner

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May 27, 2020, 1:50:23 PM5/27/20
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I bought a Roadini for the soul purpose of turning it to 650b, even got Poppi's approval. Doesn't work :/ 

The brakes front and rear have different reaches so only work with 47-57 mid reach w/ 700c wheels. 650b x 48 would've been too large anyhow though. 38's had just enough clearance for me. 

The silver lining is even when I ran the bike with 28mm supple tires, the ride quality was just as smooth as my previous 650b'd build. 

Adam Bowen

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Jun 2, 2020, 7:38:22 PM6/2/20
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That answers that! Thanks for the info!

Jason Fuller

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Jun 3, 2020, 2:40:44 PM6/3/20
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I'm a broken record on this by now but I'm anxiously awaiting Rivendell coming out with a Roadini-adjacent model with increased clearance and a couple more braze-ons.  

Erik Wright

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Jun 3, 2020, 4:45:55 PM6/3/20
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A few weeks ago, maybe a month, when the Blug came out that talked about getting a shipment in (or something like that) they mentioned getting the Charlie H Gallup prototypes. No info other than that they'd been received, adjustments made, and a production run or something coming late-summer.

During that time, on a Riv-adjacent Instagram account, I definitely saw this bike (pictured) in the background sorta behind some people (and no, I don't think it was the Platypus prototype):

No. 30 Early November.   Required reading, this time. It's light.

I think on the Gallup thread it was pretty decided that the Gallup would be this model featured in a Blahg, but wanted to point out that I don't think the Roadini-adjacent model will be a traditional diamond frame. Not that you necessarily said it would be, Jason, but that's kinda how I interpreted Roadini-adjacent. I think we're gonna get Sams to fill that wide-tired, not-AHH "road" bike and I think we're gonna get this swoop-tube Charlie H. Gallup as a tig'd budget-ish, fits-50mm-tires model.

That's just my guess!

Erik, Philly

Jason Fuller

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Jun 3, 2020, 5:10:10 PM6/3/20
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Good reminder Erik - I have studied that image and indeed I've been withholding spending money on a new wheelset for my Clem because there's a non-zero chance I will jump on the presale of that frameset, given the chance. The posted geometry is a 700C frame and is probably my size (I might be able to go one down); I really hope for 650B! 

Collin A

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Jun 3, 2020, 5:19:15 PM6/3/20
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Wouldn't that be the AHH? They have 650b wheels to size 58 with clearance for a 44 (or tight 48).

Collin in Sac

Jason Fuller

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Jun 3, 2020, 5:24:34 PM6/3/20
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Sorry I missed an important detail in my statement, "Roadini-adjacent TIG model with increased clearance and a couple more braze-ons".  A lower key, more economical model that could be competitive against models from Surly, Soma, Crust, etc.  I know the MIT lugged stuff is quite reasonable but it's still a big jump from $900 to $1500 (particularly for me in Canada, with the terrible exchange rate).  Trust me, I consider a AHH to pair with my Hillborne though!  Similar frames, but I'd set them up quite differently. 

Zack Medow

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Jun 4, 2020, 3:17:07 AM6/4/20
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GP would probably say that they have loads of bikes like that. More mounts = weight = any of their touring oriented models. But if you’re referring to cheaper tig welded models, then yes I definitely agree.

David B

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Jun 11, 2020, 5:48:01 PM6/11/20
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Adam,
For curiosity’s sake, I put 650b wheels in my 61cm Roadini to see what fit would be with WTB Horizons (47mm). They technically fit, however the tightest point is fork width - only ~1mm on either side of the tire. Rear would be fine. My regular setup is 700c with 38mm tires with Shimano brakes (47-57mm) brake pads near the bottom, guessing around 54mm reach.
So with reach at 54mm for 700c, reach for 650b would be 73mm. So, do-able for sure, but at the end range for commonly available long reach brakes.
I’d be comfortable with 42mm 650b tires, with narrower than ideal fenders.
For me 38mm 700c and 42mm 650b wouldn’t justify the switch unless I intended to add fenders.
It’s a little bit of a shame as the Ram/Rom/Redwood had wider fork crowns. Here’s my Redwood with 47mm 650b: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_yrQRyl3T6/?igshid=uv3t2cag2s1f
David
River Grove, IL

Jim Bronson

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Jun 11, 2020, 6:12:20 PM6/11/20
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David,

If you are riding a 61cm Roadini, surely that must be the 65cm Redwood and not the 68 (which I have), I'm thinking.  Is there a difference in clearance between the two?

I would like to replicate this setup on my Redwood.  However, the lack of a 3rd bottle braze on keeps it as more of a daylight sunny day bike as compared to my 90s custom/road standard, which I use as my hard-core Rando bike.

Not that I've been doing many Rando rides the last few years, what with parenting responsibilities catching up to me, but I still feel the need to have a bike in the stable that I feel I can pick up and ride 300, 400 or 600K day or night in all weather conditions.  Because who knows when the want will strike me, or at least I like to think it will.

Anyway the lack of a 3rd braze on bottle mount is a liability in my mind that keeps the Redwood from being "that bike" that I'm going to pull down off the wall for Rando adventure.  But those 650Bx48 tires mounted on your Redwood sure make me take a 2nd look at it.  Maybe I should just do a stem mounted water bottle cage or two.

-Jim
Austin, TX

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David B

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Jun 12, 2020, 10:38:31 PM6/12/20
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Jim,
The Roadini would likely clear 42mm 650b tires are the max - fenders would probably fit but would need some mods at the fork crown. Guessing Tektro brakes would work.
The Redwood has more clearance for fenders and tires - 47mm 650b tires fit. I have 58m VO fenders - though those only fit with MAFAC Raid brakes.
And yes, mine is a 65cm - fit is close to identical to the 61cm Roadini - the stack on the Roadini is taller.
David
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