Saluki.

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Hugh Smitham

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Sep 28, 2017, 2:52:59 AM9/28/17
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How come I rarely ever see Saluki's up on the chopping block? Did Riv only make a small batch?

I'd love a 56cm perhaps it's a pipe dream?

~hugh

Sky Coulter

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Sep 28, 2017, 3:15:41 AM9/28/17
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Hugh, I'm not sure how much difference there is between the 56cm 650b hilsen and a 56cm saluki.  I was under the impression the geometry was the same and that the 650b hilsen's are just kind of rebadged salukis.

Sky in new west 

Dave Small

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Sep 28, 2017, 7:35:45 AM9/28/17
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Hugh, I've wondered the same thing.  I'd be interested in a 60cm or 61cm Saluki---I can't remember if they come in odd or even sizes---but haven't seen one become available since I started watching.  I have a 700c Hilsen and love it, and would like to try a 650b Saluki that would let me put even fatter tires on it.  I agree with Sky that the Hilsen and Saluki are identical if they're both 650b, but in my size the wheel sizes differ.  

I recall a post from a few months ago in which someone described a NOS frame they'd bought from Rivendell that wasn't labeled, and Riv told her that it was a Saluki or Hilsen, take your pick because they're the same.  If that came from Riv than it's proof enough to me that the models are the same.  

Steve Palincsar

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Sep 28, 2017, 7:46:13 AM9/28/17
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Even


On 09/28/2017 07:35 AM, 'Dave Small' via RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
> Hugh, I've wondered the same thing.  I'd be interested in a 60cm or
> 61cm Saluki---I can't remember if they come in odd or even sizes---but
> haven't seen one become available since I started watching.

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Steve Palincsar
Alexandria, Virginia
USA

John A. Bennett

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Sep 28, 2017, 10:06:50 AM9/28/17
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Salukis were originally available/built in sizes 47cm to 62cm, starting in 2005.

When Rivendell wanted to make a bike with similar geometry and qualities (room for bigger tires and fenders, etc.), but in larger sizes, the A. Homer Hilsen was born.

Because bikes bigger than 62cm with 650B wheels didn't seem like a good idea, the A. Homer Hilsen was first offered as "the 700c version of the Saluki."  

When Rivendell realized that having two bikes that were, for all intents & purposes, "the same," the Saluki name was retired, and all existing (and future) frames became A. Homer Hilsens. 

John, late of Rivendell, currently of Rivelo, and rider of 62cm Saluki

Dave Small

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Sep 28, 2017, 10:25:21 AM9/28/17
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Thanks for that history and context, John.  

Dave Small

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Sep 28, 2017, 10:32:47 AM9/28/17
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John, something I've wondered about lately, and just realized that you're a perfect person to ask:

What's the difference between the Saluki and the Bleriot?  I know the Bleriot is Taiwan-built, but from everything I've read I'd expect the capabilities and ride qualities of these 2 models to be very similar, if not identical.  Are there differences I'm overlooking or unaware of, such as differences in the tubists that translate to differences in the bikes' qualities?  Thanks.

Hugh Smitham

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Sep 28, 2017, 2:03:57 PM9/28/17
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Hi sky,

The differences between the 56cm Salulki and 56cm Hilsen are purely aesthetic for me. I like the head badge better and I know it's a quibbly point but I prefer canti posts vs caliper brakes. I realize I could have had all this done on my Hilsen but I felt it was a tad too large for me and felt it was easier to sell and consider a different path. James, I think this answers your question. It was a 58cm (650b).

John, thanks for the inside scoop. So yeah the Saluki had a brief span before the Hilsen badging took over which answers my question about why so few pop up.

Virus-free. www.avast.com

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

On Thu, Sep 28, 2017 at 7:32 AM, 'Dave Small' via RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
John, something I've wondered about lately, and just realized that you're a perfect person to ask:

What's the difference between the Saluki and the Bleriot?  I know the Bleriot is Taiwan-built, but from everything I've read I'd expect the capabilities and ride qualities of these 2 models to be very similar, if not identical.  Are there differences I'm overlooking or unaware of, such as differences in the tubists that translate to differences in the bikes' qualities?  Thanks.

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John A. Bennett

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Sep 28, 2017, 2:06:06 PM9/28/17
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Dear Dave,

I'm a little rusty of the Bleriot specs. It was a very limited offering, done in conjunction with QBP, and yes, made in Taiwan. 

Riv originally intended the decals/HB/name for another model, but when the QBP thing came together, it was decided to use them for the Bleriot.

Jon Grant, who also did the Saluki artwork (and, coincidentally, Rivelo's logo), designed the Bleriot decals and head badge. 

All I can remember today....

John

Ray Varella

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Sep 28, 2017, 9:59:06 PM9/28/17
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If I'm remembering correctly, the Saluki had double tapered seat stays, not sure if the Bleriot did.


Ray
Vallejo CA

Fullylugged

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Sep 28, 2017, 10:42:32 PM9/28/17
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Saluki has nice Japanese tubing, HT TT and DT, and yes double taper stays. Made in Japan. Hilsen is made of different tubing and made in WI. Bleriot is made of Taiwanese tubing, in Taiwan and the lugs and details while nice are not as nice as Saluki/Hilsen. The idea was to make a great country bike at a lower price point. Analogous to the more recent Sam Hillbornes. The QBP thing went astray when the frames started showing up for cheap on Ebay. People who have Bleriots seem to like them. I sold my Saluki because I wasn't doing country style riding much and someone else might like to have it instead. It was a nice bike though.

ted

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Sep 29, 2017, 12:23:28 AM9/29/17
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Toyo built 650b Hilsens do exist. Currently they are made in Wisconsin, but that wasn't always the case.

drew

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Sep 29, 2017, 12:34:24 AM9/29/17
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I agree. There is something way more pleasing about the saluki over the hilsen for me. I know this is irrational. If a 56 saluki popped up, I'd be hard pressed not to jump on it.

Hugh Smitham

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Sep 29, 2017, 12:38:01 AM9/29/17
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Drew,

Don't even think about it Mr.

On Sep 28, 2017 9:34 PM, "drew" <drewbe...@gmail.com> wrote:
I agree. There is something way more pleasing about the saluki over the hilsen for me. I know this is irrational. If a 56 saluki popped up, I'd be hard pressed not to jump on it.

drew

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Sep 29, 2017, 1:07:34 AM9/29/17
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Ha!
If it comes to that, I'll thank you from preventing me from spending more money and saving my marriage.

lum gim fong

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Sep 29, 2017, 10:02:05 AM9/29/17
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I think they came with diff badges. RBW sells old model badges so you could call them and see if they have the one you prefer. This one looks like cloisonne trim?
IMG_9184.PNG

Bruce

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Sep 29, 2017, 1:29:06 PM9/29/17
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There were a couple including some LE pewter ones.  Mine had cloisonne edges.



From: lum gim fong <john1...@gmail.com>
To: RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2017 9:02 AM
Subject: [RBW] Re: Saluki.

I think they came with diff badges. RBW sells old model badges so you could call them and see if they have the one you prefer. This one looks like cloisonne trim?

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lum gim fong

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Sep 29, 2017, 3:55:55 PM9/29/17
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Why not consider a Roadeo?

They can do everything a Saluki can now that you can get braze ons wherever you want them, plus they will be a snappier ride/lighter tubeset.

I guess only restriction is tire size the Saluki probably has the Roadeo beat. But other than that the Roadeo should be the more exhilerating ride, in theory.

Steve Palincsar

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Sep 29, 2017, 4:05:14 PM9/29/17
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Only "probably"?  Per https://www.rivbike.com/products/roadeo  "FOR SURE: The Jack Brown, which is NOMINALLY 33.333mm wide on most rims--but that's irrelevant, remember?--measures about 700mm on a 24mm rim. It's the fattest unfendered tire we can categorically commit to fitting the ROADEO fork. If you want fenders also, best limit the tire to 682mm height...which will be about a 28."   I ran 650Bx42mm Grand Bois Hetres with fenders on my Saluki.  That is a huge difference, lum gim. 



Bigger than huge.  Monstro Gigantor.  Let's compare a Range Rover with an Aston Martin, why don't we.   I can see plenty of reasons why you might want to have both, but I can't see any reason to think the two would really be interchangeable.
Message has been deleted

Bruce

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Sep 29, 2017, 4:29:10 PM9/29/17
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Immaculate bike Steve.  You trailer it there, take picture then put it back? :)  
Love those honking fat tires.  Oodles of comfort and as fast as you want too.



From: Steve Palincsar <pali...@his.com>
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2017 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: [RBW] Re: Saluki.

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Kellie

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Sep 29, 2017, 4:29:33 PM9/29/17
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The headbadge on my 50cm Saluki.

With Fatty Rumpkins

Kellie

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Sep 29, 2017, 4:30:45 PM9/29/17
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Whoops! Here's the head badge:                                

On Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 11:52:59 PM UTC-7, Hugh Smitham wrote:

Steve Palincsar

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Sep 29, 2017, 4:58:13 PM9/29/17
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No.  This was entirely on pavement, even the part down the farm road in the Amish area, but even disregarding pavement fenders like this do a great job keeping the bike clean.  And that's especially important if you're riding in area where there are many horse drawn vehicles like the one where these photos were taken, in Maryland's St Marys County.  These photos were all taken on the same ride (indeed, on the same road) as the one featuring the Saluki.


On 09/29/2017 04:29 PM, Bruce wrote:
Immaculate bike Steve.  You trailer it there, take picture then put it back? :)  
Love those honking fat tires.  Oodles of comfort and as fast as you want too.

Yes indeed, those tires are very comfortable.  And in rural areas, high pressure narrow racing tires just don't get on all that pleasantly with farm roads, which are generally paved with coarse materials like chipseal, but also the iron shod horses' hooves and the steel tires on the the buggy wheels really tear up the pavement.

The bike below is now owned by list member Tony DeFilippo, who also lives in Alexandria VA.


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Steve Palincsar

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Sep 29, 2017, 5:03:11 PM9/29/17
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Pictured below is the standard Saluki headbadge.  There was also available at extra cost a pewter badge shown below:


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Hugh Smitham

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Sep 29, 2017, 6:41:50 PM9/29/17
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Swooning. I think it's my favorite head badge.

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dougP

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Sep 29, 2017, 8:16:38 PM9/29/17
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If the situation occurs, you guys can bid on it.

dougP

dougP

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Sep 29, 2017, 8:19:12 PM9/29/17
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Spoken like a true dog lover.

dougP


On Friday, September 29, 2017 at 3:41:50 PM UTC-7, Hugh Smitham wrote:
Swooning. I think it's my favorite head badge.
On Sep 29, 2017 1:30 PM, "Kellie" <kellie.s...@gmail.com> wrote:

Whoops! Here's the head badge:                                

On Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 11:52:59 PM UTC-7, Hugh Smitham wrote:
How come I rarely ever see Saluki's up on the chopping block? Did Riv only make a small batch?

I'd love a 56cm perhaps it's a pipe dream?

~hugh

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Hugh Smitham

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Sep 29, 2017, 8:50:36 PM9/29/17
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Lol. I am partial to sight hounds.

...

lum gim fong

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Sep 29, 2017, 11:00:22 PM9/29/17
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I always thought the sheep on the Rambouillet head badge looks like my dog Johnny.

lum gim fong

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Sep 29, 2017, 11:03:40 PM9/29/17
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IMG_0731.JPG

drew

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Sep 29, 2017, 11:26:45 PM9/29/17
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That's perfect.

Mark in Beacon

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Sep 30, 2017, 7:19:49 PM9/30/17
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If I ever have the pleasure of going on a ride with Steve, it will be like Oscar and Felix taking their bikes for a spin.

On Friday, September 29, 2017 at 4:29:10 PM UTC-4, Fullylugged wrote: Immaculate bike Steve.  You trailer it there, take picture then put it back? :) 

Ace Acer

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Oct 1, 2017, 7:50:04 PM10/1/17
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Ray,
   You are correct about the Saluki's having double-tapered seat stays.  The Bleriot's have single-tapered seat stays.  Below is a link to the Cyclofiend site with the Bleriot announcement pages from the Rivendell Reader #37 (2006).  A nice quick read.   


Ace
Providence, RI
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