MIT Roadeo coming?

[Lum Gim Fong]

Anyone heard any rumblings about an MIT Roadeo frame coming anytime soon? Mayhap 650b?🤩

[Joe Bernard]

A 650B Roadeo is a Hilson.

[Belopsky]

It's already out. https://www.rivbike.com/products/roadini

[Lum Gim Fong]

No, Hilsen has thicker tubing IIRC and Roadini has 6degree sloping TT and isn’t fully lugged. Although the Roadini is probably the best engineered bike on earth right now.

I already have two 8/5/8 Rivendells and am interested in trying a 7/4/7 with shorter chainstay Riv like a Roadeo.

[Lum Gim Fong]

Let me qualify what I said by saying I thought I read Roadeo is 7/4/7. Legolas I thought I read that, too, but I think only way to get is custom $$$$.

[Jonathan D.]

I think for MIT Roadini = roadeo. All the MIT models have slipping top tubes and longer chainstays then the MUSA counterpart. I don’t think another one is coming out.

[Belopsky]

I have absolutely no data to back up my claim but the Roadeo did not sell as well as the other models and I don't see them bringing it in as MIT model.

[Joe Bernard]

That's my impression, too, Igor. Roadeo is an older mostly-level-toptube 700c design with mid-reach brakes like the Rambouillet; it never struck me as a big seller, nor one that Riv promoted much. I expect it to remain a MUSA bike you can special order, but I don't see a same-name MIT version in its future.

[Brewster Fong]

Is this a good comparison?!  Doesn't the Roadeo have lugs at all joints? This roadini thing looks mainly tig-welded except for the seat lug which looks...well, different.

I'm not against bikes made in Taiwan, as Maxway and Giant (mainly carbon) make good stuff. But this doesn't appear to be a good comparison.  Is there something else?

Good Luck!

[Ryan M.]

Not sure how much the Roadeo ever fit into what people think the "Riv philosophy" is, but I had a 53cm Roadeo painted orange (since sold on this list) with 11 speed Ultegra on it and it was by far my most comfortable and fun road bike, plus it was absolutely gorgeous...fast too. The Roadeo had great lugs and was built extremely well. I kinda lust after a Legolas which I hear is a canti post Roadeo, which I think would make a spectacular cyclocross bike but I got some other projects going on and want to get the new mtb Riv when it comes out.

I'd imagine the Roadeo will be like the USA Atlantis and such...special order and, of course, more expensive.

[Brewster Fong]

On Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 6:03:15 AM UTC-7, Lum Gim Fong wrote:

 Although the Roadini is probably the best engineered bike on earth right now.

Can you explain what makes the Roadini the *best engineered bike on earth* right now?!  It looks like a regular tig-welded frame with a fancy seat lug?! 

Thanks.

[Lum Gim Fong]

I could do a used Roadeo if the blue one and in good shape if no more new ones coming out. I will email RBW to see.
Or..an orange Rambouillet...
But I really would like a Roadeo.
I will wait to see what they announce in the works for next year.

[Leslie]

Almost sounds like what you're wanting is the Soma San Marcos...

http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/san-marcos-frame-set 


Maybe keep your eye peeled for one of those?

[Chris Birkenmaier]

+1 on the Soma San Marcos.  I really love mine!  Light and nimble feeling ride.

[Lum Gim Fong]

Thanks for the info and asking, everyone!

RE: Sam Marcos: Back in 2012/13,  I originally looked into one for price reasons while eyeing a new Rivbike, but the full build would have cost almost the same as a Rivbuilt Sam so I went full Rivbike Sam.

I already had a used Bleriot.

Riding both I determined that I would like something easier to pedal down the road. Then I traded the Sam for my Rambouillet and that was much easier to get on down the road.

Then I thought next bike I want to go with even a snappier Riv frameset  and Roadeo seems to be the snappiest they make without 6 degree TT and long stays.

I don't like 6 degree top tubes because they don't look like a "10-speed" anymore to my eye. So Marcos and Roadini out. Rivbikes are alotta money so I want to get something I like looking at, too.

RE: Roadini  being fantastically engineered: Just read the description of all the frame features on the Rivsite. That is a well thought out bike. Of course, I am not an expert and have no data to base the "best" on, but I bet on the entire earth that bike and Rivbikes in general are in the topmost echelons for finest bike design.

[Tony McG]

In 2011 I couldn’t afford a Hilsen, so I had Rivendell build a San Marcos for me. It was a typical Riv build with Nitto, bar-ends, Rich-built wheels, and 3x9 drivetrain. It is pretty, comfortable, and it loves to climb hills and fly down the other side. I’m in the process of replacing the drivetrain to a 2x9 (46,30 x 11-34) if Merry Sales ever sends me the IRD Lobo crankset that I ordered last April. The Rodeo would be another dream bike, but I’m happy with the Soma.

[Justin, Oakland]

If you already have a Ram then I don’t know if the Roadeo will be a huge change. Unless there’s a tire you can’t fit.
-J

[Paul G]

Indeed, all Roadeo sizes below 59cm are 7/4/7. Anything 59cm and up is 8/5/8. There are also other details to shave grams like the tiny chain stay bridge and modified Hilsen lugs. Cool details and a great design for riding in a pack. Very maneuverable without being overly twitchy, particularly with light 28mm tires. I think that's what separates this model from the others. That sharp handling.

In this current Rivendell era, it's interesting that this model even exists, what with it's emphasis on light weight. Such a cool bike.

[Mike Godwin]

Having owned Ramboullet, Roadeo and Legolas, the Legolas seemed snappier, slightly planing for me. It was/is 63 cm Legolas, 62 Ram, and currently 61 cm Roadeo. Roadeo accepts 36mm wide actual tires, IIRC Ram was about 40. Roadeo lighter road bike feel compared to Ram. Roadeo does not plane but it does behave well. Still on fence about keeping it. Ram lives in either Florida or Mumbai, Legolas in Walnut Creek.
Mike SLO CA

[Patrick Moore]

I'd be interested to hear from others who have ridden both: does the Roadeo ride differently from the Ram and, if so, how? One earlier respondent said that the Roodeo was slightly quicker in handling and felt more spritely. 

I'd buy a Roadeo if this were true; I've owned a Ram, and though a worthy bike, it was a wee bit sedate for my use of it (that is, I wanted a true "road bike" and not at all an all rounder or tourer.)

On Tue, Jul 31, 2018 at 5:10 PM, Justin, Oakland <justin...@gmail.com> wrote:

If you already have a Ram then I don’t know if the Roadeo will be a huge change. Unless there’s a tire you can’t fit.
-J

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Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?

[Patrick Moore]

After reading the rest of the thread, I did hear from a couple of others!

Patrick Moore, who would take a 57.

[Fullylugged]

Lim:

Essentially, I built my own "Road-ini". The Waterford RS12 that Jim here on the list sent my way is styled like a classic Riv. Level TT, extended HT, nice fork curve with generous rake resulting in a low trail and 42 cm chain stays. Converting it to 650B only enhances the comfort and the ride while fitting 38 mm tires without fenders and 33 +/- with. The colors are almost dead on for the original Road or Romulus blue with a cream head tube! By building it up with Riv spec parts (Sugino XD, Nitto Noodle, etc) it corners and tracks like a Roadeo, having crisper geometry than the Hilsen or Ram and lighter tubing as well. All that to say you might also look for a frame like that and build it up Roadeo style. Unless of course, you want to call RBW and discuss a custom. That could be great as well! Legolas was introduced as a CX bike before the gravel craze took hold. Roadeo was a nod to the fast club ride crowd and Roadini a more affordable bike doing almost the same thing. I posted a link to pictures in another thread.

Tailwinds
Bruce

[Lum Gim Fong]

Oops... correction:

Roadeo tubing is even lighter than I thought, at least when it first came out. Wonder what it will be if MIT?

From an article when the MUSA version first came out:

"Mix of Reynolds 725 and TrueTemp OX Plat. As thin as I/Grant could stand to go. (0.65 butts in the tt and dt, with 0.45 bellies)"

[Joe Bernard]

It will not be MIT. No one has ever even hinted at this. Even once.

[Kieran J]

I pine daily for an OS 7/4/7 phattie-tire road bike in 67cm. It would look approximately like a Roadeo. 

Perhaps one day my dream will come true.

KJ

[Kainalu V.]

Yup, the dream of being 6'2"...
But that's why the overly tall love Rivendell so, because they care. Maybe not enough to make our dreamy fat tyred planing machines, but at least bikes that fit. That said, where'd the 65 roadinis go! All presold to collectors no doubt.
-Kai
BKNY

[Leslie]

I'm going to concur w/ Joe here...    the Roadini is as close to a MIT Roadeo as you'll ever see.    RBW has been moving towards the sloping top tube for fitment.

If you want a 'classic' level top tube, I'm gonna say, hunt down a Roadeo...   they turn up here every so often...

-L

[Lum Gim Fong]

There was a 53 (my size) for sale here last year but I passed. Price was great, too.
It was still bumped at last OP post and not reported sold but by now must be.

[Lum Gim Fong]

Yes, Leslie...looks like I showed up too late for the rodeo...

...but I still have my blue Rambouillet!!! I love it! Thanks for your help with it!!

[Christopher Murray]

I have owned a Ram, Rodeo, and Roadini. They are all great bikes and if you can get over the lack of lugs and the fit is ok, the Roadini gives up nothing to the other two. With a pbh just under 85, all of Riv’s bikes seem to fit me perfectly. I’ve actually had people ask me if my Rivs were custom bc the fit it so good. I suspect someone at Rivendell who designs bikes is very similar in size to me. If I was buying new (and it is still possible to get a new Ram from Japan) I would get the Roadini, then the Roadeo, then the Ram.

Cheers!
Chris

[Lum Gim Fong]

So you feel the Roadini rode the best out of the three?

[sameness]

You and me and Grant.

Jeff "85-ish Club" Hagedorn

Los Angeles, CA USA

[Tim]

Christopher, what do you mean that it's still possible to get a new Ram from Japan? Is there NOS out there? Nothing I have read or heard would lead me to believe that there are new Ramboullets coming out of Japan. This would not be the first time I've not known what I'm talking about.

[Bruce Herbitter]

Alex cycles has new Rams made with niobium tubing in blue and green in 50, 52, and 56 sizes for $1,625 plus shipping (frameset). Good deal for those wanting them. I think supply is very limited.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 3, 2018, at 8:56 AM, 'Tim' via RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> Christopher, what do you mean that it's still possible to get a new Ram from Japan? Is there NOS out there? Nothing I have read or heard would lead me to believe that there are new Ramboullets coming out of Japan. This would not be the first time I've not known what I'm talking about.
>

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[Brewster Fong]

https://alexscycle.com/collections/randonneur-frames/products/rivendell-rambouillet-frame-front-fork-1

[Lum Gim Fong]

RBW said Alex’s Rams might be made of leftover lugs but they don’t know what tubing they would be using so I wonder if it is really the same thing?

[Joe Bernard]

What the heck is niobium?? I have Oakley shades made of "unobtanium", which sounds about as legit.

[Brian Campbell]

I bought a used custom on this list as my "poor man's" Roadeo. It fits 32's without fenders and minus the seat bag and water bottle weighs just shy of 22lbs. Light weight tubing throughout and no accomodations for racks.

[Bruce Herbitter]

Beautiful bike!

Sent from my iPhone

--

[Brewster Fong]

Niobium tubing is Chinese-made tubing that I think Ritchey uses on its steel frames:

http://www.firmetal.com/niobium/niobium-tube-pipe.html

After all, weren't people asking what is Kaisei tubing just a few years ago?!  Of course, Kaisei tubing use to be known as Ishiwata tubing which is good stuff! 

Good Luck!

[bruce.h...@gmail.com]

I don't think they're using actual niobium tubes (these go in nuclear reactors) but rather an alloy.  See this page from Columbus.

Columbus Tubi

Columbus Tubi

--

[Belopsky]

actually only the 52 in green and blue is available

[Tim]

I'm shocked, shocked, I tell you! Has the Alex Ram been mentioned here before and I missed it? I would have thought it would get mentioned more often. I don't recall ever having seen it mentioned on the Blug or Blahg. At that price I'd think they would sell quite a few of those.

[Joe Bernard]

It's come up a few times here. This thead is the most information I've seen about The Mystery Rambouillet.

[Lum Gim Fong]

Bill Lyndsay first posted about alex cycles having them.

I called RBW to see if they knew if the Alex frames were the real deal and they told me the info I posted above about the possible leftover lugs but unknown what tubing Alex would be using since RBW thought they used it all up for their own ordered runs. Either way, RBW was fine with them doing it.

T.O.M. (lister here) bought one and had it custom painted so we still wait for the word from him how it rides.

[DarinM]

Really? As in, Riv was unaware of them being sold and they weren’t part of Riv production run? That seems really strange. I know lots of Riv designs aren't exclusive and are available to other distributors (like Nitto bars and racks) but a whole bike?? That doesn’t really sit well with me, hopefully it’s not as it seems and they are somehow in on those.

Darin

[Lum Gim Fong]

RBW Was unaware but didn’t mind because they have had good relations with the Japanese in the past on projects.

[Lum Gim Fong]

That’s what they emailed back to me that they didn’t mind and wished them well with it, iirc.

[Lum Gim Fong]

I contacted rbw about it because i wanted to get one if real and also wanted them to know it was going on.

[Don Compton]

The largest size is 56ctc. Oh well

[Tim]

Quite a difference between Grant/Riv and Specialized. Specialized threatened to sue a bike shop called Cafe Roubaix and the guy had to change the name.

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2013/12/roubaix-roubaix-roubaix-roubaix.html

I'm not so sure I'm on board with someone else making and selling a "Rivendell."

[Lum Gim Fong]

I think it would have been nice for them to ask RBW first.
But RBW says they have had a really good relationship with “them” (toyo?). So they didn’t mind.

[Belopsky]

Did anyone miss the part that Alex's only has 52cm in stock? OK cool.

[Lum Gim Fong]

A few years ago they had more sizes. Guess they got bought up.

[Mark Anderson]

On Friday, August 3, 2018 at 12:39:58 PM UTC-5, Joe Bernard wrote:

What the heck is niobium?? I have Oakley shades made of "unobtanium", which sounds about as legit.

Niobium is element 41, a transition metal.  It was previously called columbium, but the name change was some time ago.  

Niobium bike tubes are steel with a wee bit of niobium alloyed in.  It presumably changes the properties of the steel in some way I can't be bothered to worry about.

-- 

Mark "viva chemistry" Anderson