Reflections on a Rosco

[Jonathon Medgyesy]

First off: thank you to Chris Miller Rosales, the fellow member of this group that not only sold this bicycle to me but also answered every one of my many questions, was transparent, packed the bike carefully, and was wonderfully easy to work with. Highly recommend him as a seller.

Secondly: This is my first Riv. After clamoring for years to even ride one, much less own one, the time has finally come. I don't want to sound too melodramatic, but it was well worth the wait. Since I only just received it today, I got it built up as minimally as possible just so I could throw a leg over it and ride it around my cul-de-sac and wow. What is so striking is the immediate comfort and uprightness. I understand I'm not saying anything new to seasoned Riv riders, but it genuinely struck me as soon as jumped on it. Hell, even after reading the same "Rivs are so comfy!" review/characterization for years, I became desensitized to the actuality of what that meant. I thought I had achieved true comfort on other bikes. The closest build that I can compare it to was my Bosco'd MB-3 (see attached). But the Rosco just feels entirely new while also having a developed, seasoned comfort built into it. O, the wonders of geometry!

Thirdly and lastly: Does anyone have any recommendations on a budget dynamo (around $120) light for mixed terrain riding?

Best to all,

John M.

Tucson, AZ (but not for much longer)

[Bill Lindsay]

"any recommendations on a budget dynamo (around $120) light for mixed terrain riding?"

That bike was mine originally and I sold it to Chris.  Glad to hear it reaching its next chapter.  There was a movie about Traveling Pants.  We could do one about a bike improving many people's lives.  

One way to find discounts on a dynamo hub is to find QR disc brake hubs.  QR disc brake bikes are not popular so the demand for those dynamo hubs is poor.  A quick google shows the Shutter Precision variant is going for $109 at a couple retailers, and that's a good hub.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Jonathon Medgyesy]

The photos I forgot to attach to my original post. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sKLm372VMZNL9fb76

[Jonathon Medgyesy]

Hey Bill! Cool to know it passed through your hands as well. Were you the original owner? Your movie idea is a great one.

I appreciate the dynamo hub rec. but I was looking for lights. I already have a Shimano dynamo hub, just no light. New to the whole dynamo game but am familiar with the more expensive lights like the Edelux. 

Best,

John M.

[Bill Lindsay]

Yes, I was the original owner.  I bought the frame set directly from Riv, and for a while had both that Rosco Road and Rosco "Trusty MUSTy", a Mountain Utility Step Through.  I miss having a Lift a Tube bike, but I do less BART commuting than I used to, so...

I run several copies of the modest EYC in my stable and I think it's a great lamp for very cheap.  

BL in EC

[Sheng Lo]

On Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 8:05:39 AM UTC+8 Jonathon Medgyesy wrote:

The closest build that I can compare it to was my Bosco'd MB-3 (see attached). 

Ha! It's funny you said that! What brought me to Rivendells was after I tried a friend's MB-3, I cried: "Hell! This is so comfortable! Why aren't modern bikes built like this?" About a month or two later I visited San Francisco for business, and told a colleague about this. He told me: "Well, Grant Peterson's Rivendell is just across the bay - why don't you drop by and check it out?" And so I did! I dropped by on the Saturday before the Homer went up on sale. I met Grant and James, had a great chat with them. I ordered a Homer the following week and had it shipped to Singapore.

Oh mine, it is so comfortable. I use it for my commute to and fro from work!

- ls