What to get, what to get....

[Kiley Demond]

Hi- Formerly an active participant, I am now merely an inconsistent lurker so I may well be asking questions already addressed. I will gracefully accept links to previous conversations that answer the questions.

Since I am approaching this with a wide range of 'acceptable' answers, no need to limit responses to Rivendell-only possibilities. I know that you know what I mean when asking for certain things, such as a steel step-thru frame with great ride-ability and room for wider tires 😁. I don't have to explain why those things are important. 

My dream is a step-thru frame that is long enough in the chain stay to be stable and handle-well, but not so long as to be cumbersome. With a PBH of 91 on a 5'10" person, I need all the help I can get with a large bike that remains wieldy (I assume that is a word). Ideally, it could be fitted to be a pedal-assist electric bike at some future time.

Riding: 20% pavement, 60% gravel/sand/dirt, 20% trails. Want wide-ish tires but don't want to be a slug on pavement. (Of course, what I want and physics may not agree.)

1. Is there a new Riv bike on the horizon? I vaguely remember reading about one, but I could be out of step with reality. This Q is the real impetus of this post.

2. In the non-Riv world, is there anything along these lines? Perhaps one that may have (the pleasantries of) disc brakes and an internal hub?  

3. Step-thru frames for the tall....?  Perhaps available in northern Europe where the bike-lovers are frequently tall? I once imported a Dutch bike, so purchasing options don't have to be restricted to the U.S. (It did not handle particularly well and made my Cheviot look positively svelte.)

My actual Riv experience has been a Cheviot I owned for a couple of years and lusting after a Clem L. I used to live in the Bay Area and went to Walnut Creek on a couple of occasions so I rode a few others, but no memory on the specifics. Sometimes, I think a mixte-style Appaloosa would be ideal (want to get a 64cm Appy for my HE (husband-equivalent). The list of bikes I have owned in my life is obscene and not particularly useful for discussion, especially because it only underscores the lack of rideable bikes for people with atypical geometry. I loved riding my Riv and want that joy again. I am not in a (huge) hurry and will wait for the right ride. 

Thank you to all the Riv fans answering Qs on the forum!

[Garth]

Offhand Kiley I'd say this one though it's not a very low step through :

 thehttps://www.somafab.com/archives/product/buena-vista-disc-frame-set

Otherwise you'd be better off getting a custom frame. They don't have to be super expensive and they allow you to specify all the nuances you want. You know, you can pay more upfront for what you really want, or pay more later for getting what you really don't.

[Joe Bernard]

Did you like the Cheviot? The current (slightly longer) version is the Platypus; now with canti/v-brakes I would consider it a low-stepover equivalent to Appaloosa. You would probably ride a 60cm. 

[jaredwilson]

Piggybacking on what Joe just said, PM sent :)

jared

[Johnny Alien]

Rivendell is going to replace the Susie/Gus line with something lugged (I think) but that is going to be far down the line. You said you lusted after a Clem L. What about one of those? They are at least related to the hillybike family (susie/gus) and would meet everything you seem to want.

[velomann]

What about the Velo Orange Polyvalent Low-Kicker?

Nice step-through design and takes disc brakes.

https://velo-orange.com/products/polyvalent-mk5-1

On Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 2:39:50 PM UTC-7 Kiley Demond wrote:

[Kim H.]

@ Kiley - a Rivendell Clem 59cm would fit you best only in size, but your all around needs as stated by Johnny.

Kim Hetzel

Yelm, WA.

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

I see Jared’s 60 Platy sold…are you the lucky new owner, Kiley? 

😍Leah

[jaredwilson]

Leah,

Mine is going to a sweet kid down in Los Angeles as his first Rivendell, couldn't be more happy for him.

Kiley was offered first right of refusal on Ariel's bike, I will be listing hers in the next day or so. I did however have a dream last night that you purchased it as some sort of reserve of Platypus goodness....

jared

[Leah Peterson]

Ha! It’s not out of the question that I would do such a thing! I have a recurring nightmare that my bike gets stolen and then somehow by the end of the dream I find an extra frame in the garage and it’s ok. But I think Ariel had a 60, so too big!

Kiley, I hope you find your dream Riv soon! 

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 21, 2023, at 1:28 PM, jaredwilson <duh...@gmail.com> wrote:

Leah,

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[iamkeith]

I too think the 59 Clem perfectly describes what you're looking for - except I assume that's what you call unwieldy, having had direct experience.  As Johnny says  the revised, lugged Susie/gus might work, but it's a long way off and we can only make educated guesses about what it'll be.  I think that, with your experience and criteria  you might be a candidate for a custon riv.  

If you don't want that, the ONLY option I  can think of is an expensive one:  Jones makes the LWB in a large, spacframe version, but in titanium only.  Not a true stepthrough, but close and with most of the benefits.  Accommodates disc brakes and rohloff and BIG tires.  Long by industry-standards, but not as long as a clem.