Which RBW model (current or former) is best for light touring?

[Forrest]

I’ve been looking at various RBW models, current and former, trying to find one well-suited to light touring (2-4 days light camping) and/or credit-card touring. Something that also is suitable for group/club non-competitive road/pavement rides. 

Something lighter than an Atlantis or Joe Appaloosa. Maybe more like a Sam Hillborne or A. Homer Hilsen. Canti or V brakes would be okay (but maybe not necessary), and sidepulls would be fine for my purposes, I think. 

I know new models of Sam and Homer are not available in my size (55 and 54.5). So may look at used, or early-generation models of the AHH. 

Thoughts and advice welcome, thanks.

[Jay Lonner]

I personally am done with long-reach sidepulls like the Silver/Tektro R559 for reasons that have been discussed fairly extensively in prior threads, so that narrows it down quite a bit. Maybe a canti-Rom or Heron touring? I also wouldn’t be so quick to rule out the Atlantis or Joe, and to find weight savings elsewhere in the build. Whenever these sorts of questions come up the answer always seems to be Atlantis — it’s just so versatile. 

Jay Lonner

Bellingham, WA

Sent from my Atari 400

On Mar 31, 2022, at 9:25 AM, 'Forrest' via RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I’ve been looking at various RBW models, current and former, trying to find one well-suited to light touring (2-4 days light camping) and/or credit-card touring. Something that also is suitable for group/club non-competitive road/pavement rides. 

Something lighter than an Atlantis or Joe Appaloosa. Maybe more like a Sam Hillborne or A. Homer Hilsen. Canti or V brakes would be okay (but maybe not necessary), and sidepulls would be fine for my purposes, I think. 

I know new models of Sam and Homer are not available in my size (55 and 54.5). So may look at used, or early-generation models of the AHH. 

Thoughts and advice welcome, thanks.

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[lconley]

#1 - Canti/V- braked Sam

#2 - Centerpull/sidepull Sam

Laing

[Joe Bernard]

You need to look at PBH sizing and effective toptube numbers to find your size in Sam and Homer, the seattubes will now be in the 51cm range for you. Great bikes which will cover your needs well, plus I would consider the Platypus if you want low stepover and canti/v-brakes in a road-ish frame. 

Joe Bernard

[Forrest]

I have a 60 cm Platypus. Previous Homer (from many years ago) in 59 fit me well. Same with Hillborne in 55 (current canti version) that I’ve ridden. Current Homer, I’m not sure, but I think 54.5. I’m 5’10” with 85-86 PBH and like saddle height of about 76. So the 51’s would be too small for me. 

[Joe Mullins]

I think the Sam is a perfect fit for your wants. I’ve never ridden an Atlantis or a Joe but my Sam is one of the nicest bikes I’ve ever ridden and it can easily do all the things you want and it’s lighter than an Atlantis or Joe. 

Mine is a newer version 54cm. I have an 85 PBH and it’s a perfect fit. 

Thanks,

Joe

On Mar 31, 2022, at 9:56 AM, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote:

You need to look at PBH sizing and effective toptube numbers to find your size in Sam and Homer, the seattubes will now be in the 51cm range for you. Great bikes which will cover your needs well, plus I would consider the Platypus if you want low stepover and canti/v-brakes in a road-ish frame. 

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[Joe Bernard]

My bad, I misunderstood the situation. 

[E. Ricky Creek]

I replaced, sort of, my 2005 Surly LHT with a 2011 Waterford Canti-Sam. I rode up and down the West coast and then across the USA on the Surly. I got the Sam as a Country Bike to complement the LHT (this was to remain my loaded touring bike).

The Sam ended up being my dedicated touring bike almost right away. It handles whatever sized loads just fine and is significantly stiffer in the BB, which is important to me as a heavy rider. I have done some 2 day tours and some 2 week+ tours on the Sam and the only thing I noticed was some front end wiggle on descents, fixed with setup adjustments. 
Then in 2017 I finally got my dream bike, a Waterford Atlantis, which is now my touring, etc. bike, but the Sam really can't be beat and I wouldn't hesitate to ride it on any length tour shy of full off-road touring. 

The LHT has been a frame and fork hanging in my garage for years now. I don't imagine I'll do anything with it, but I have so many memories with it that maybe someday...

For what it is worth, my wife has an Appaloosa, and it is awesome! But I would consider it more of a long WB, long TT Atlantis type bicycle. Not my thing, but she loves it. It is stout as F*$K!