Fortunate Timing -- My New MIT Atlantis
Steve Cole
As we’ve all no doubt discovered, social isolation, plain and simple, is not fun. Going for long walks or rides is a wonderful antidote. For me, these rides have been doubly fun on my new MIT Atlantis received just last week. James at Analog Cycles helped we work out the build details and his partner Candice built the bike. I heartily recommend them.
Some background before going over the choices I made. I’m 70 years old. I still try to ride 3-4 times each week. Generally, my rides average around 20 miles in length. Most of my rides are on pavement but some are on paths, dirt roads, etc. I wanted a bike that would serve my needs extremely well 90% of the time and would be adequate or better the other 10%. Finally, I think of this as my last bike. It may not be, but I approached it as if it were.
I am a long-time aficionado of Rivendell bikes. I own a Toyo A. Homer Hilsen and a SimpleOne (converted to a Rohloff hub). My wife rides a Betty Foy. Assuming my new Atlantis meets my goals, I’ll be passing my other bikes along to others. To start with, I like the classic Rivendell look of silver components. In addition, my component choices reflect some elements of my other RBW bikes. Other choices were influenced by James at Analog. Most will consider this a high-end build. In the end, since I approached it as my last bike, I tended to avoid making compromises.
Frameset: MIT Atlantis 55 cm, 700c wheels
My AHH is 59 cm and my SimpleOne is 58 cm. Not surprisingly, I expected to ride a 59 cm MIT Atlantis. The geometry of the new longer seat stay/top tube MIT Atlantis is such that the shorter seat tube is right on point for me. Before I understood this, I bought a 59 cm, used (I love the look with the rainbow second top tube). Thanks to James, however, I switched to a new 55 cm and the seller of the 59 cm was kind enough to take it back.
Headset: Cane Creek 110 – EC30
As is also the case with bottom brackets (see below), I dithered with the other classic headsets, Chris King, Phil Wood, Tange, etc. James steered me (pun intended) to the Cane Creek. I expect my children will use it well.
Handlebars: Nitto Bullmoose
These are the bars (with the incorporated stem) I have installed on my AHH. I prefer bars for which the grip is like grasping a bar running parallel to me rather than shaking hands with a bar that is running alongside me (I sold my Albatrosses some time ago). Personal preference. With a 34-degree sweep, these are just right. In addition, the extra extension running in front gives me a place to attach my handlebar bag and phone while preserving a second location for my hands close to the stem when I’m climbing.
Brakes: Paul Motolites with Paul Love 2.5 Levers
I want brakes with a very firm action – no squishiness. Shimano brakes have always seemed overly squishy. With these brakes, I now have Paul brakes on all three bikes, Racers on my AHH, Touring Cantilevers on my SO and these Motolites on my MIT Atlantis. I swear by all three.
Drivetrain: Rear - Shimano XT RD-M772 Shadow 9-speed; Front – Shimano CX-70;
Shifters: Shimano XT Rapid Fire 3x9; Crankset – Middleburn RS7, 170 mm, 44/32/24;
Cassette – Sunrace M9, 9-speed wide ratio 11T-40T
The choices here reflect my age and conditioning as much as any other components. First, I wanted a drivetrain that would help me ease my way up some significant hills but also allow me to maintain good speed/cadence on the flats. I chose the RapidFire shifters, which are also on my AHH, because I simply like precise, easy shifting. James encouraged me to get the Middleburn cranks noting they are beautiful, extremely strong, English-made. They are available as a triple and have a replaceable spider. He was right on all accounts – no regrets.
Bottom Bracket: SKF 110 mm
Not much to say here. I wanted a trouble-free, sealed BB. Everything I’ve read suggested this BB is more than up to the task.
Wheels: Rims - Velocity Quill 700c; Spokes – Sapim Race; Front Hub – SONdeluxe Widebody
Dynamo; Rear Hub – Bitex BX103R; Tires – Rene Herse Antelope Hill EL Tubeless
I always think of Grant Petersen’s admonition about the cheapest and most worthwhile component available is air. Purchasing the MIT Atlantis was integral to increasing the volume of air available to me. As the MIT Atlantis 55 cm is a brand-new design, there was no way to know before receiving it how large a tire it would accommodate. A bit surprised, it not only handles the 55 mm wide Antelope Hill, we were also able to fit the bike with fenders (see below). These tires called for the Quill rims, which are stronger than Cliffhangers. James is a big fan of Bitex hubs so I took his advice. I moved up from a Shutter Precision hub to the SONdeluxe (just because), which powers both SON Edelux II front and Rear Rack lights.
Fenders: Simworks Honjo Flat 62 mm
It was just a hope that the 55 mm RH Antelope Hill tires would fit. If they did, I doubted fenders would be possible. I was wrong. With a little crimping around the fork and seat stays, they fit. Thank goodness. These are very, very nice. Candice said they are also quite straightforward to install.
Security: Pitlock Skewers; Penta Pin Bolts
I live in a large urban area where bike theft is a fact of life. I rarely leave my bike outside, even locked. Nonetheless, I never want it stolen. I lock every component I can to the bike.
Saddle: Gilles Berthoud Aspin Open
I’ve learned I need an open saddle. I have wanted to try a Gilles Berthoud. The Atlantis gives me the chance.
Racks; Front – Nitto Mark’s Rack; Rear – Nitto Campee
Partly practical – carrying things around town or S24Os. Partly vanity – I simply like the way bikes look with racks.
Pedals: Shimano XT T8000
I have used clipless pedals for years. At the same time, I like one side to be clip free. These are fabulous. I doubt there is anything better for my purposes.
There are small details that I have no
t described here. If there is interest in anything else I have chosen, please ask. And, if you gotten this far, like me, you are a RBW bicycle nut. Thanks for reading.
Steve Cole
Arlington, VA
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Steve Cole
Christopher Cote
On Friday, March 20, 2020 at 8:17:04 AM UTC-4, Steve Cole wrote:
Igor
On Friday, March 20, 2020 at 8:17:04 AM UTC-4, Steve Cole wrote:
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Steve Cole
Steve Cole
On Friday, March 20, 2020 at 8:17:04 AM UTC-4, Steve Cole wrote:
