Is there a practical alternative to a Roadeo for lightweight yet comfortable build?

Pierre

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Mar 12, 2016, 8:45:38 PM3/12/16

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Hi bunch,

I found myself increasingly attracted to the the idea of a lightweight (sub-20lbs) Roadeo build.

But I already have a drop-bar Hilsen, so tiny part of me tells me I ought to look at alternatives.

What's out there? (in term of practical preferably-lugged can-fit-at-least-30mm yet-lightweight comfy frames).

Thanks.

Pierre

Deacon Patrick

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Mar 12, 2016, 9:00:59 PM3/12/16

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How much does your engine weigh? What would be the weight difference between the Hilsen current built and the Roadeo ideal build? What is the difference including engine? Is weight your only consideration, or are you wanting lighter/quicker handling? If so, have you talked with Rivendell about the differences there? Or folks here who've ridden both?

I have a Quickbeam and a Hunqapillar. I believe the QB falls between the Rodeo and Hilsen in tubing, though I could be wrong about that. It's in the vicinity. The spread between my Hunqa and my QB is far greater than the Rodeo and Hilsen, and the handling is remarkable similar. Yes, the QB is lighter/quicker/spryer but not by much and if I were to race myself on each bike (irrespective of single speed v. geared), the QB would win barely on a paved road, they'd tie on a country road, and the Hunqa would win by a country mile on single track.

My point being, if you want the bike, get the bike, but there isn't much delta to truly justify it beyond the esoteric differences of the riding experience and subsequent builds. I can't justify having the QB in a quantitative sense, but I sure can in the subjective delight of riding it on roads where it shines, just as much as I delight in the Hunqapillar loaded on roads and trails and bikepacking and on singletrack dayrides (which require road riding to get to.).

Go for it!

With abandon,

Patrick

Patrick Moore

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Mar 12, 2016, 9:02:03 PM3/12/16

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There are all sorts of sub-20 lb road bicycles, though one man's comfort may be another man's pain.

Do you want a Rivendell ride? If so, perhaps a Roadeo might work? My 58 cm custom weighed in at about 19 lb with 1X10 drivetrain and no stupid light parts, back when it was set up as a deraileur gofast. Adding a second ring and accoutrements would add no more than a lb.

If you can forgo lugs, what about a used Merlin or early Litespeed? Or, hell, for that matter, a carbon fiber frame? I once hefted a fixie built from a used Calfee frame made back when carbon fiber tubes were round, and even with cheap heavy wheels and cheap rattrap pedals the thing must have weighed no more than 15 lb -- certainly lighter than my steel Rivendell fixed gofast, at about 17.5.

And what is your budget? If the budget is more or less unlimited, you could get a very light custom -- Dave Porter claimed his excessively-latest-tech-steel frames were as light as carbon fiber ones (though this was some 5-7 years ago); and someone just showed a 9.5 lb steel road bicycle at the NAHBS. (Another reference says the bike, by Rob English, is only 9.9 lb ...)

I wholeheartedly approve of light bikes for fast road riding; they are great fun, and every time I think of converting that gofast fixie to something more practical, I take it out on a hilly ride (or even on a very flat but very windy ride like today's, with winds 30 gusting to over 40) and it is just too fun to modify. Of course, this attitude assumes you have other bikes with fenders and such, and others still with fat tires for dirt. (Though Compass has shown that you can have extremely light and fast tires that are fat enough for at least light dirt -- I ride the gofast in light dirt and gravel with 28 mm -- actual -- Elk Passes.)

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Lungimsam

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Mar 12, 2016, 9:02:46 PM3/12/16

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Boulder bikes has lugged steel superlight frames that are similar in price to the Roadeo.

Will

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Mar 12, 2016, 9:20:51 PM3/12/16

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I'd look around for an early 1980's Trek. The mid to upper range models were 531DB and very nicely lugged using standard tube sets... so nicely compliant. Steer clear of the models that have fast-back seat stays. They have clearance for 28s or less. Look for frames with side-tack seat stays and center-pull brakes (more tire/wheel clearance). Go to vintagetrek.com to see what was made. Stay away from everything with short reach brakes (more clearance issues), but otherwise... the frames are unbeatable for quality and excellent geometry. My son's '83 613 runs 700x36s with fenders. It's a fast, comfortable, nimble, ride.

It really is too bad that Trek went to aluminum then carbon. Their early steel road bikes were possibly the best manufacturing value in cycling history.

cyclotourist

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Mar 12, 2016, 10:21:53 PM3/12/16

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None of them are lugged, but all are great frames:

http://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/sport/

http://www.blackmtncycles.com/p/road-build-kit.html

http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/es

Any of them would build up a lightweight fair-weather roadie with the right parts.

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David

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islaysteve

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Mar 12, 2016, 10:32:42 PM3/12/16

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If you want lugs, Soma San Marcos? Supposedly being discontinued, but I'm sure there are quite a few around.

dstein

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Mar 12, 2016, 10:32:59 PM3/12/16

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I second the Gunnar Sport if no lugs are ok. I have one as my go fast drop bar bike, setup with a shimano 105 groupset. I had gunnar add some mid fork brazeons for a front rack where I keep a small trunksack. Best bang for your buck, I keep trying to replace it but always end up keeping it ;)

If lugs were a deal breaker I'd go for a waterford or custom.

Bruce Smitham

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Mar 13, 2016, 1:09:47 AM3/13/16

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I have a Rodeo and absolutely love it. It's one of the best riding bikes with Nitto Noodles and Schwalbe Kojaks. The handlebars are up nice and high so it's extremely comfortable. It's on the larger size of frames (59cm) for me but that adds to the Riv character. With that said, I bought a Ritchey Breakaway Titanium Cyclocross bike and really enjoy it. It's much lighter than any of my other bikes. I built it up with Ritchey wheelset, Compass 38mm tires (but can handle a little wider 40-42mm), Sram Apex road brifters and 10 speed Sram MTN drivetrain (42/28 crankset rings) and a 12/36 cassette. It's considerably different than the Rodeo in terms of performance- I can go anywhere off road, on-road, bike camping and travel with it. I just packed it up in it's suitcase to fly from San Diego to Monterey since I'm working there all next week. We'll see how the airlines handle it as luggage. So if I were you, I would consider a high performance titanium bike!

Good luck,

Bruce in San Diego