PSA: NOS 56 Rambouillett on KC Craigslist

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Chad

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Mar 6, 2016, 12:19:22 AM3/6/16
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islaysteve

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Mar 6, 2016, 7:09:42 AM3/6/16
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This looks like the Ram that a list member posted about a short while ago.
Beautiful.

Hugh Smitham

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Mar 6, 2016, 12:46:34 PM3/6/16
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I was just pondering that if ever a 56cm popped up I'd throw down for one! Dang it timing is everything. It's a beaut though.

~Hugh
  Los Angeles, CA

Hugh Smitham

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Mar 6, 2016, 12:50:49 PM3/6/16
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Does anyone have the Geo chart for the Ram? I went to the cyclofiend pages and did a quick scan. Thanks,


~Hugh

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

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Hugh Smitham

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Mar 6, 2016, 1:17:48 PM3/6/16
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Looks like the 56cm would fit me with a 80.8cm standover but a 58cm with a 82.8cm would be even better. I don't think I see many 58cm pop up all that often? 



~Hugh

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

dougP

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Mar 6, 2016, 1:35:29 PM3/6/16
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Somewhere in the archives is an extensive thread entitled "Is the Ram the best Riv ever?" or something similar.  It was a few years ago and the general argument was that the Ram was the sweet spot for an all-rounder.  Light enough to be sporting yet able to carry a light touring load.  IIRC owners were passionate about these bikes so that may be a reason why they so seldom change hands. 

dougP

iamkeith

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Mar 6, 2016, 1:58:20 PM3/6/16
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On Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 10:50:49 AM UTC-7, Hugh Smitham wrote:
Does anyone have the Geo chart for the Ram? I went to the cyclofiend pages and did a quick scan. Thanks,


~Hugh
 

Jason Hartman

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Mar 6, 2016, 4:48:02 PM3/6/16
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It's in the old Riv Readers somewhere, but I think the front end geometry changed over time. The first ones had a 73 degree head angle with a 45 mm fork rake, at least on the middle sizes. 
Jay Hrtman
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Chad

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Mar 6, 2016, 5:35:02 PM3/6/16
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I think this may be the same seller that i bought a bike from last year. The seller also has a 94 RB-1 for sale. I'd be happy to check the frame out in person if someone here is seriously interested in it. If it was a 52 or 54, I'd be all over it!

Hugh Smitham

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Mar 6, 2016, 5:39:06 PM3/6/16
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That's a really nice offer Chad. Personally I'm really happy its not a 58cm. I'm currently in the thinning the herd process. Perhaps if and when a 58cm that looks like this I be ready to pull the trigger.  Who ever gets this one will be extraordinarily lucky.

~Hugh

On Mar 6, 2016 2:35 PM, "Chad" <cschoe...@gmail.com> wrote:
I think this may be the same seller that i bought a bike from last year.  The seller also has a 94 RB-1 for sale.  I'd be happy to check the frame out in person if someone here is seriously interested in it.  If it was a 52 or 54, I'd be all over it!

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Chad

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Mar 6, 2016, 6:38:29 PM3/6/16
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I believe the Rambo is only about a 10 min away from where I live in KC.

dougP

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Mar 6, 2016, 7:16:05 PM3/6/16
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This rang a bell & I dug out an old Ram brochure.  The geo chart lists HT angles at 71 in the small sizes, 72, 72.5, then from 58 on up to 68 (wowser!) all are 73 degrees. 

The 56 is recommended for riders 5'-5" to 5'-9", and 58 for 5'-7" to 5'-11".  The specs refer to the color as "an unusual blue" & all photos are blue, with no racks, fenders, front bags, saddle bags and just a little teensy seat bag.  The bike looks positively nekkid and racy compared to most Riv web photos, aside from the Roadeo. 

dougP


On Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 1:48:02 PM UTC-8, jay hartman wrote:
It's in the old Riv Readers somewhere, but I think the front end geometry changed over time. The first ones had a 73 degree head angle with a 45 mm fork rake, at least on the middle sizes. 
Jay Hrtman

On Sunday, March 6, 2016, iamkeith <keith...@gmail.com> wrote:


On Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 10:50:49 AM UTC-7, Hugh Smitham wrote:
Does anyone have the Geo chart for the Ram? I went to the cyclofiend pages and did a quick scan. Thanks,


~Hugh
 
It's in this chart:

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James Warren

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Mar 6, 2016, 7:18:33 PM3/6/16
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Yet that naked road bike is on a dirt trail in the brochure photo.

I too dug out that brochure this morning!


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Pondero

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Mar 6, 2016, 8:58:27 PM3/6/16
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I really must stop reading this thread.  It seems to be planting thoughts in my brain that are better left un-thought.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

Hugh Smitham

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Mar 6, 2016, 9:29:01 PM3/6/16
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I completely relate.

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dougP

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Mar 6, 2016, 11:45:12 PM3/6/16
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I found myself comparing the geo to my 58 cm Atlantis.  Likely I'm the only lister with only one Rivendell and an orange Ram would be such a neat sporty bike. 

dougp

cyclotourist

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Mar 7, 2016, 12:43:39 AM3/7/16
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Make it happen!

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Chris

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Mar 7, 2016, 7:12:05 AM3/7/16
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Wow, that is an insane price for a Ram frameset in my opinion... I'm all for a Riv and I would LOVE an orange Ram, but $1800 can get you so much more... Heck, you can get Black Mountain Cycles road frame that rides as nice as any bike I've had (and there have been many to include Rivs) for less than half that...

I say get it if that's the Grail you've been looking for, but just know there are other options out there... I wonder how many NAHBS framesets you could get for $2k?

Chris

Steve Palincsar

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Mar 7, 2016, 8:27:06 AM3/7/16
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On 03/07/2016 07:12 AM, Chris wrote:
> Wow, that is an insane price for a Ram frameset in my opinion... I'm all for a Riv and I would LOVE an orange Ram, but $1800 can get you so much more... Heck, you can get Black Mountain Cycles road frame that rides as nice as any bike I've had (and there have been many to include Rivs) for less than half that...

You could get a new Jeff Lyon L'Avecaise for that kind of money.




islaysteve

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Mar 7, 2016, 8:30:26 AM3/7/16
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Well now that the issue of price has been raised, I will say that the asking price struck me as high.  However, consider that this is a NIB Rivendell that is no longer made, a bike that is highly desireable (apparently) in what is arguably the most desirable color.  It's less than a new Rodeo or AHH, even if we consider that a buyer may or may not want one of those models more.  I guess you can get some customs for less than $2000, but I doubt you could get an NAHBS-quality lugged frame for less.  And finally, many Riv owners/buyers wouldn't consider anything else.  So it is, for some, indeed the Grail.  I'm not defending the price, just expressing some thoughts.  Someone will pay what they will pay, obviously. 
Steve

Steve Palincsar

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Mar 7, 2016, 9:25:08 AM3/7/16
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You need to take a look at Jeff Lyon's frames. The L'Avecaise is
definitely "NAHBS quality" and equally definitely nicer than a
Rambouillet -- not to mention the fact that it's custom fitted, not a
stock frame sized in 2 cm increments.

Kieran J

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Mar 7, 2016, 9:52:30 AM3/7/16
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The Ram has enough shortcomings that, unless it is exactly what you want, the price is quite high compared to options available. I like mine but I would never consider paying $1800 for the frameset - even if it was NIB.

KJ

islaysteve

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Mar 7, 2016, 10:11:15 AM3/7/16
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Steve, I did look briefly at the Lyons website and I agree that they look very nice for the price. Since you own one, I'll take your word as to quality, etc. so I stand corrected on that point. What I found even more intriguing was the fact that a full Lyon custom is $1000 less than a Riv custom. Not that Riv is the standard for a custom frame. But if you love Rivendell, then I guess a Riv custom probably is the ultimate (and you pay their price.).
Cheers, Steve (who is going to enjoy riding his non-custom Bleriot in the nice weather today)

Steve Palincsar

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Mar 7, 2016, 10:18:57 AM3/7/16
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I don't own a Jeff Lyon, but a friend in the local bike club had one,
and I've seen it up close and have ridden it a short distance. It's
lovely, every bit as nice as my MAP. But, as you note, it's not a
Rivendell -- it's not even very much like a Rivendell, being in the
small diameter tubing, front loading low trail camp.

Brian Campbell

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Mar 7, 2016, 10:47:39 AM3/7/16
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Jeff Lyon told me that his website prices were out of date and that he did not own his website and subsequently, was unable to change them. I got a quote and for a frame/fork 1 color PC and brazed on centerpulls and it was $2,300. FYI.

Steve Palincsar

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Mar 7, 2016, 11:09:43 AM3/7/16
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There's an ad in the new BQ for the L'Avecaise To Go, $1700.  Not sure what the "to go" model is, perhaps stock sizes.

George Schick

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Mar 7, 2016, 11:37:02 AM3/7/16
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This thread prompted me to search through my files to see what I paid for my orange Ram back in early '05.  It was $1,300 for the frame (and presumably with the headset since there is no separate cost broken out for it).  Not sure how that relates to today's dollars.  OTOH, I'm also not sure how it relates to the frame itself, either.  Do they depreciate or appreciate in value over time?  Seems like it's kind of up to the individual.

I have a neighbor who owns an early 60's Triumph TR4.  Those were not really well made top-of-the-line sports cars in their day.  They weren't intended to be.  Yet, he's kept it in pristine condition and he tells me that he could easily get in the mid-$20K range for it.  I looked the year and model up on the Web and he's pretty much correct.  It's a collector's item.  A vintage car. Maybe even a cult following.  And so it probably is with these frames.  Not sure I'd be willing to go to $1,800 for one, though, NIB or not.

Brian Campbell

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Mar 7, 2016, 12:00:34 PM3/7/16
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You are correct. I pulled the e-mail just to double check myself and I had added in lots of "extras". Sorry for the incorrect info. BTW, I would have put the order in when I spoke with him but I just didn't have the extra cabbage. Beautiful frames and super nice guy to boot.

dougP

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Mar 7, 2016, 12:02:41 PM3/7/16
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If the seller gets his price, he will be (roughly) getting back his purchasing power on his investment.  I doubt anyone buys a frame, then stores it for a long time, with the intent to sell in the future.  However, if that is the case, he's only breaking even on this one. 

As always, the market will find the "right" price. 

dougP

pb

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Mar 7, 2016, 1:17:29 PM3/7/16
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On Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 8:45:12 PM UTC-8, dougP wrote:
Likely I'm the only lister with only one Rivendell and an orange Ram would be such a neat sporty bike. 


I'm down to only one Riv:

Gotta have one orange bike.

~pb

Hugh Smitham

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Mar 7, 2016, 1:28:31 PM3/7/16
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That's exactly how'd I'd build one up. Nicely done.



~Hugh

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

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