The Final Legolas

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Brian Campbell

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Aug 4, 2019, 3:35:30 PM8/4/19
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Back in January when it became apparent that it was "put up or shut up" time, I bit the bullet and ordered the last Legolas. A little more than 7 months later, it is enroute and I am headed out of town on vacation with the family....oh well what's one o week right? :-)

Riv sent these pictures so, this is all I got at the moment. I will be updating the thread w/ pictures etc. as things progress.

Legolas #2.JPG

Leolas #1.JPG

FWIW, I also ordered a couple of Tange "vintage style" bottom brackets. I think this will get one.

Patrick Moore

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Aug 4, 2019, 3:37:15 PM8/4/19
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Very nice. There are a few Rivendell models I'd at least like to try if I had all the money and time in the world, but the Legolas is #2 on that list, after the Roadeo.

Question: What is the difference in geometry and tubing between Legolas and Roadeo?

And: Am I right in thinking that the Roadeo can take a fatter tire?

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William!

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Aug 4, 2019, 3:55:36 PM8/4/19
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I replaced my Roadeo with a (used) Legolas and it can run a wider tire. Roadeo maxed out ~35mm. The Legolas is currently running a 42mm, could probably fit a 46 or so...

Brian Campbell

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Aug 4, 2019, 4:01:15 PM8/4/19
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The Roadeo has ever so slightly less aggresive geometry, by about 1/2 a degree on the HTA and a lower BB 77 vs &0 on the Legolas. The Roadeo has a max tires size of 35mm and I think the Legolas is the same. The Legolas is  built by Mark Nobilette and the Roadeo is built by Waterford.

Since the Legolas is considered semi-custom(?) I was able to spec it with: downtube shifter mounts, braze on (seat  chainstay) points for fender mounting, braze on rear cable stop and mounts for small front and rear racks. I don't think I will use any of those in the first iteration, as I have an AHH that is already set up in "Rando Mode" but since it was being built I figured, why not?


On Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 3:37:15 PM UTC-4, Patrick Moore wrote:
Very nice. There are a few Rivendell models I'd at least like to try if I had all the money and time in the world, but the Legolas is #2 on that list, after the Roadeo.

Question: What is the difference in geometry and tubing between Legolas and Roadeo?

And: Am I right in thinking that the Roadeo can take a fatter tire?

On Sun, Aug 4, 2019 at 1:35 PM Brian Campbell <bdcamp...@gmail.com> wrote:
Back in January when it became apparent that it was "put up or shut up" time, I bit the bullet and ordered the last Legolas. A little more than 7 months later, it is enroute and I am headed out of town on vacation with the family....oh well what's one o week right? :-)

Riv sent these pictures so, this is all I got at the moment. I will be updating the thread w/ pictures etc. as things progress.

Legolas #2.JPG

Leolas #1.JPG

FWIW, I also ordered a couple of Tange "vintage style" bottom brackets. I think this will get one.

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William!

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Aug 4, 2019, 4:05:13 PM8/4/19
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Those are really smart customizations, Brian. I wish my Legolas could do downtube shifters, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if you end up using those rack mounts. If I was ever considering repainting it I’d do those things plus some reinforced holes for internal dynamo wiring...

Brian Campbell

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Aug 4, 2019, 5:01:03 PM8/4/19
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William, the thought crossed my mind for the internal wiring mods but I just had my AHH re-done by Hanfornd Cycles in Philadelphia, They added Paul Racer Braze-ons, internal wiring on the frame & fork, painted fenders to match the frame and touch on the frame where the mods were done. They did a fantastic job on the color matching.

The internal wiring install was a bear. After swearing I would never do it again, one of my soldered connection went bad after a month or so and I had to redo it. That was enough to never want to do it again!

Patrick Moore

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Aug 4, 2019, 7:54:41 PM8/4/19
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Another Legolas excellence, then. Good to know.

Brian: Thanks for the comparison. Can you, or anyone else, describe how handling differs? In particular, does the Leglolas exhibit as much as I assume that the Roadeo does that signature Grant combination of straight-line stability and quick but seamless turn-in?

Also, how does tubing compare between the L and the R? (I would fit a 58 R, which I think has slightly lighter tubing than the larger sizes.)

Overall, would you (all) buy a Leglolas or a Roadeo for principally pavement use?

Patrick "weighing my options" Moore

On Sun, Aug 4, 2019 at 1:55 PM William! <william.c...@gmail.com> wrote:
I replaced my Roadeo with a (used) Legolas and it can run a wider tire. Roadeo maxed out ~35mm. The Legolas is currently running a 42mm, could probably fit a 46 or so...

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Brian Campbell

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Aug 4, 2019, 8:59:02 PM8/4/19
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Patrick,

It will be a while before I get the bike built and can let you know of any difference. I am not sure about the tubing but I had e-mailed Mark at riv a while back when considering a Roadeo and he told me the tubing was not much different that the tubing spec in my 61cm AHH. I was looking at a 61cm Roadeo. I He said the biggest difference would probably come from narrower tires on the Roadeo giving it a quicker feel.

The Legolas is a 59 so I imagine it will be somewhat similar I suppose.


On Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 7:54:41 PM UTC-4, Patrick Moore wrote:
Another Legolas excellence, then. Good to know.

Brian: Thanks for the comparison. Can you, or anyone else, describe how handling differs? In particular, does the Leglolas exhibit as much as I assume that the Roadeo does that signature Grant combination of straight-line stability and quick but seamless turn-in?

Also, how does tubing compare between the L and the R? (I would fit a 58 R, which I think has slightly lighter tubing than the larger sizes.)

Overall, would you (all) buy a Leglolas or a Roadeo for principally pavement use?

Patrick "weighing my options" Moore

On Sun, Aug 4, 2019 at 1:55 PM William! <william....@gmail.com> wrote:
I replaced my Roadeo with a (used) Legolas and it can run a wider tire. Roadeo maxed out ~35mm. The Legolas is currently running a 42mm, could probably fit a 46 or so...

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Patrick Moore

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Aug 4, 2019, 9:49:09 PM8/4/19
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Thanks, Brian. I'll read your ride review and any comparison with great interest.

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Mike Godwin

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Aug 4, 2019, 10:38:40 PM8/4/19
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Patrick
I think there was a discussion, started by Lum maybe, a while back asking about the tubing differences. Heck, maybe on I-bob list.  I cannot recall the differences though. Both are fantastic riding machines. The Legolas was a tad big, and I wish the Roadeo was 62 cm. Oh well.

BTW - the color scheme of Brian's last Legolas is the same as my 1996? AR.

Mike SLO CA

William Henderson

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Aug 4, 2019, 10:53:40 PM8/4/19
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William
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Patrick Moore

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Aug 4, 2019, 11:08:12 PM8/4/19
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Thanks, all and particularly to Wm who shows that I raised this question 2 years ago (and probably have the data archived somewhere). Oh well, it doesn't hurt to revisit worthwhile topics.

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John G.

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Aug 4, 2019, 11:21:09 PM8/4/19
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Congrats on the Legolas! I'm sure you'll love it. Interesting to note the geometry difference between the Roadeo and Legolas. I own Mike's old 61cm Roadeo, and I can say it is one of the nicest handling bikes I've ever ridden. Like Mike, I also wish it came in a 62, and sometimes I even think I might like a 63 cm even more. 

I'd love to see a pic of the Legolas' chainstays. The Roadeo has noticeably oversized chainstays, especially compared to other Rivendells I've ridden. I wonder what effect that has on the way the bike rides. 


On Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 11:08:12 PM UTC-4, Patrick Moore wrote:
Thanks, all and particularly to Wm who shows that I raised this question 2 years ago (and probably have the data archived somewhere). Oh well, it doesn't hurt to revisit worthwhile topics.

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Brian Campbell

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Aug 5, 2019, 2:04:51 PM8/5/19
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Frame arrived today. Very nice. Here are some low light pics from my basement:

Paul G

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Aug 5, 2019, 11:44:35 PM8/5/19
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Beautiful, Brian. Love the green and cream accents.

Regarding the L vs R question above re: pavement use, the Roadeo has a slightly lower bottom bracket than the Legolas. I think that might be beneficial for handling feel while descending on the road when compared to the Legolas' better clearance over obstacles on the cyclocross course.

Regarding tire sizes and road handling feel on the Roadeo, I liked the handling best on mine with 28mm tires but choose to use 30mm-33mm for improved comfort via lower pressures. And the wider tires allow the occasional dirt or gravel road to be enjoyed.

Paul

Patrick Moore

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Aug 6, 2019, 10:48:58 AM8/6/19
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BTW, I am amused that others seem to keep better track of my questions than I do. I suppose I should feel complimented.

Mike Godwin

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Aug 6, 2019, 1:06:31 PM8/6/19
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That is because you ask good questions. And the questions elicit a wealth of information in the responses, so yes, a compliment Dr Moore.

Mike SLO CA


On Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 7:48:58 AM UTC-7, Patrick Moore wrote:
BTW, I am amused that others seem to keep better track of my questions than I do. I suppose I should feel complimented.

On Sun, Aug 4, 2019 at 9:07 PM Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks, all and particularly to Wm who shows that I raised this question 2 years ago (and probably have the data archived somewhere). Oh well, it doesn't hurt to revisit worthwhile topics.

To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.

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Patrick Moore

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Aug 6, 2019, 1:36:31 PM8/6/19
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Why, thank you. I do learn a great deal from others on this and the Bob list.

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Brian Campbell

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Sep 7, 2019, 8:29:52 PM9/7/19
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Here is a quick update:

I got things toghter and did a 7 mile shake down ride. WOW! What a fund ride! I am going to take it out tomorrow for a couple of hours consecutively to make syre everything is in good order and the tape the bars.

Build so far

Legolas Frame/fork built by Mark Nobilette
Tubes are a mix of Columbus Life and Columbus Zona.
I asked for the same color as the Rivendell Redwood model from days gone by.
Velocity A23 & Dura Ace "hubbed" wheels set 32/28
10 Speed 12-30 Cassette
10 Speed Ultegra, Long Cage RD
CX70 FD
CX70 Cantilever brakes
10 Speed Dura Ace Downtube shifters
Electra Ticino crank 170mm Arms
Sun XCD 46/30 rings
Rivendell 110mm Cup & Cone bottom bracket
Brooks B17 Special (Ti)
MIche seat post
Shimano SPD double sided pedals
FSA Headset
100mm Nitto (new Pear)l stem
42mm Nitto Noodles
TRP Levers
Velo Orange Cages

The bike with pedals, saddle and water bottle cages weighs 21.8 lbs (Digital hanging scale). The ride is quick, handling is quick and the paint has a fine, metallic finish that looks great in the sun. I waited 7 months for the frame and am grateful that I now have it to ride. I think its going to be a lot of fun!









Marty Gierke, Stewartstown PA

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Sep 8, 2019, 10:41:43 AM9/8/19
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A fitting end to the lineage. Bravo on an outstanding build. Color is perfect. Enjoy the spirited rides ahead.

Marty 

Mark Etze

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Sep 9, 2019, 7:05:42 AM9/9/19
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Turned out perfect Brian! Those lugs are amazing and I that green from the Redwood has always been one of my favorites. The shifters on the down tube is the only thing I would personally change, I just can't get that low anymore. 

Brian Campbell

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Sep 9, 2019, 1:05:23 PM9/9/19
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Thanks Marty!

Brian Campbell

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Sep 9, 2019, 1:06:31 PM9/9/19
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Thanks Mark. The I like the DT shifters but the more I ride it, with the TRP levers. I see how a set of brifters might be in its future.....

Brian Campbell

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Sep 15, 2019, 10:01:11 PM9/15/19
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Got the bars taped and did 53 miles of road & path today. Great riding bike!

Mark Roland

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Sep 15, 2019, 10:23:59 PM9/15/19
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A handsome and well appointed machine, Brian. May you have many more happy miles!

RichS

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Sep 16, 2019, 12:38:35 PM9/16/19
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Brian, such an impressive machine. Color, parts, everything first rate. Congratulations!

Best,
Rich in ATL
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