Bleriot as a mountain bike (with bullmooseys)??

[justin...@gmail.com]

Hey folks-

Since getting my Saluki that fits me like a glove and is far sprightlier, my Bleriot has been sitting downstairs in the basement. I've gone through a couple scenarios, one being an around town singlespeed/fixed (ENO) cruiser. Another is as a lightweight (no downhill, mostly climbing and light trails) mountain bike. Some bullmooseys, Paul Racers and a Ritchey triple make this super appealing. Anyone have an opinion?

-J

[Marc Schwartz]

Why in blazes would a Saluki feel "far sprightlier" than its equivalent Bleriot? Basement banishment, even? Can paint, finish, decals, a pretty lower fork bend really count for so much? I will continue to wax my moustache and fly the Tricolor of my Bleriot, mon amis!

Saluki, sprightly Saluki? Good Doggy! Woof!

Marc


________________________________________
From: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com [rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com] on behalf of justin...@gmail.com [justin...@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 6:22 PM
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [RBW] Bleriot as a mountain bike (with bullmooseys)??

Hey folks-
Since getting my Saluki that fits me like a glove and is far sprightlier, my Bleriot has been sitting downstairs in the basement. I've gone through a couple scenarios, one being an around town singlespeed/fixed (ENO) cruiser. Another is as a lightweight (no downhill, mostly climbing and light trails) mountain bike. Some bullmooseys, Paul Racers and a Ritchey triple make this super appealing. Anyone have an opinion?

-J

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[rcnute]

If it's a 57 sell it to me!

The bottom bracket might be a bit low and I'm not sure if it fits knobbies.  (Anyone know if Quasi-Motos fit Bleriots/Salukis?)  But for what you're going to use it for I think it would work just fine.

Ryan

[Bruce Herbitter]

You can put small dia knobbies (like the Ritcheys that came on B-Stones, in 26") on the Bleriot if you can find them, or use Col dela Vies of course.

 The Hound Dog has heat treated tubes below and non HT above in addition to just being a different mix of tubes so it would feel different than the French Flyer would, That said, I think of my own Saluki as very comfy and capable but not springy. A thin dia old style 531 tube 80's Trek I once had was springy. A Saluki is "compliant". More refined, perhaps?

I hear the same stuff on the fountain forums too. Any time someone can bear down on a nib and spread the tines, it's "somewhat flexy." NO it's not. Try an early 1900s noodle (for Spencerian script) and feel the difference!

Tailwinds

[Joe Bernard]

The question is, which version would you actually ride instead of the Saluki at times? If you really think you'd hit the dirt more if you had another bike set up for it (the Saluki can already do the same thing), then go for the mountainy thing.

 

Joe Bernard

Vallejo, CA.

On Thursday, September 6, 2012 5:22:34 PM UTC-7, justin...@gmail.com wrote:

[Rick]

I had fatty rumpkins on for a while w/o fenders on the 'riot and that
was plenty good enough for me to do some trails at Tsali in NC, single
track stuff, not that I was bombing it. In fact, it was most fun.
Dirt it up.

[Frank]

I have a Bleriot and a Saluki as well, and I ended up here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pguillam/6013553180/in/photostream

650B conversion works just fine with a V-brake, and the bike is great. I grab it regularly for errands, kids futball games, and for meetings. I work from home but meet customers and colleagues frequently around Seattle, and EVERYTHING I need goes in the sacks without a thought. 

It's also nice to know that in a few years when my two boys match my height and steal my Saluki and AHH, I can un-hitch the Xtracycle kit and build the Bleriot back into some new incantation in an afternoon.

FWIW, Bullmoosy or the new bars would make this a better ride, but the old Nitto stem and bars (co-labeled as Suntour XC) from a 1985 Cannondale mountain bike work great, and I like the way they look, so I haven't changed 'em.

On Thursday, September 6, 2012 5:22:34 PM UTC-7, justin...@gmail.com wrote:

[cyclotourist]

I very happily rode my Bleriot as a MTB/trail bike for a while. I would recommend that set up. If you don't have such a bike, you need one! I rode with CdlV tires which worked 99% as intended. I even had Honjos and lived to ride another day!   http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclotourist/1561499481/ 

I don't believe it will fit Quasi-Motos, but Kirk Pacenti is hinting at finally getting the Mini-Motos to market, so hold out a bit till they come out (does he post here?). That would be a fantastic set up!

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Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA

**
“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” ― Neil deGrasse Tyson.

[Leslie]

On Saturday, September 8, 2012 12:13:45 PM UTC-4, cyclot...@gmail.com wrote:

I very happily rode my Bleriot as a MTB/trail bike for a while. I would recommend that set up. If you don't have such a bike, you need one! I rode with CdlV tires which worked 99% as intended. I even had Honjos and lived to ride another day!   http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclotourist/1561499481/ 

I don't believe it will fit Quasi-Motos, but Kirk Pacenti is hinting at finally getting the Mini-Motos to market, so hold out a bit till they come out (does he post here?). That would be a fantastic set up!

I've not seen Kirk post here; but he's on the 650b board on MTBR a lot;  when I see things of interest, I try to copy over to here...

He has a fatter tire, the MegaMoto coming, but wasn't happy and has done some redesigning on it, will be coming later...

I think the Megas would fit my Bomba (well, I know they'd fit w/o fenders, but don't think I could keep the fenders on;  I've got the 2.3 NeoMotos on under fenders w/ room for running my finger under there between...).   I've been contemplating taking my rear down to a QuasiMoto;  I can't run a kick-stand because of the tire's lugs... the Quasi might solve that.  

[cyclotourist]

OK, I knew 650B list fer-sur, but didn't know here. The mini-moto has been a vicious rumor for years now, but maybe someday...

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[ted]

I have Quasi-Motos and a kickstand on my 1st. gen Bombadill. No
problem.
Sounds like you have a newer even bigger clearance frame so YMMV but I
doubt it.

[Leslie]

Yup; I bought a double-legged kickstand from Riv when they were having the downsizing, getting rid of the black ones (otherwise would have bought a silver); the 2.3 Neo lugs rub on it when the legs are up alongside the chainstay... I think the Neo 2.1 would still rub, but maybe not the Quasi...

Truth be told, what I'd really like is a fatter Fatty Rumpkin... Something w/ traction but not as knobby, but fatter than Hetres... More 650b's are coming, will see what comes about...

[Matt Beebe]

I have 2.3 neo-motos on my bombadil and they barely clear the chainstays, but I don't think that tire was out yet when the bomba first came out.  

As far as I know the newer bombadils have more clearance and would probably fit the new mega-motos from Pacenti.

[Leslie]

On Saturday, September 8, 2012 3:36:53 PM UTC-4, Matt Beebe wrote:

I have 2.3 neo-motos on my bombadil and they barely clear the chainstays, but I don't think that tire was out yet when the bomba first came out.  
As far as I know the newer bombadils have more clearance and would probably fit the new mega-motos from Pacenti.

Yup, I'm running 2.3 neos with fenders, and plenty of clearance.  I'm confident the Megas would fit w/o fenders.  

But, I think, if I needed any fatter, I just might switch to a Pugsley or some other fat bike... 

 

[justin...@gmail.com]

Question:
Any chance a 2.1" tire would fit on the Bleriot?

I'm all about experimenting.

-J

[Leslie]

I'm curious, too (didn't mean to go all O/T on your thread...).

I like the idea of converting your Bleriot; my suggestion is, run the biggest you can... If a 2.1 works, great; if not, maybe a 2, or a 1.95, etc...
Hetres might be ideal, or Fatty Rumpkins, or....?

[justin...@gmail.com]

Sigh. It doesn't. As per: http://www.mail-archive.com/rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com/msg05830.html

I'd love the mini moto. May just experiment with schwalbe fatties.

[J. Burkhalter]

I say go for the Schwalbe Fatties!  I rode them on my Bleriot all last fall in Colorado and Utah on the recommendation of some folks on the list.  Cheap, tough, plump and cushy.  Great rough stuff 650b, IMO.  

http://flic.kr/p/aioka4

http://flic.kr/p/aiofdT

and a comparison to a 29er 2.3"  http://flic.kr/p/d9pTPG

-Jay B.  

On Saturday, September 8, 2012 11:08:36 PM UTC-4, justin...@gmail.com wrote:

Sigh. It doesn't. As per: http://www.mail-archive.com/rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com/msg05830.html

[Michael_S]

that Bleriot with the Schwalbe fatties just looks right to me. Fat tired lugged bikes are the cat's meow.

~mike

Carlsbad Ca.

On Thursday, September 6, 2012 5:22:34 PM UTC-7, justin...@gmail.com wrote: