My favorite bike invention!

[Michael Hechmer]

OK, admittedly a bit, ok a lot, off topic... but Riv people have a ....nuanced relationship with technological biking "advancements."  So consider this a philosophical inquiry. (Perhaps even GP will be interested in this unscientific survey) Yesterday as I was out for a very pleasant couple of hours riding in the Green Mountains on my Ram, I had a certain insight into what has added the most to my cycling pleasure during the last 35 years.  It was clear.  The "compact crank"!  

When I took up cycling, as an adult, with full Campy equipment,typical gearing was a 52/42 mated to a 13-23.  Even then being wimpy I used a 13-26 and discovered that despite Campy's claims my NR derailler would handle a 28.  Still big hills, let alone mountain passes, were agonizing.  Now with a 44/30 & 11/28, I can cruise up 8% grades in a near 1 to 1 ratio, and manage the occasional  10-14% ramp without distress even though I am 30 years older.  Of course longer 10+% mountain climbs want lower gears.  I believe that the compact crank has also driven both front and rear derailler development, yielding crisp shifting over just enough wider range  to make a go-fast set up appropriate for  tackling lots of hills.

Of course, learning the speed and joy are independent variables has also helped a lot.  But pain and joy are not.

Soooo.... what bicycle development has added the most to your enjoyment during your cycling career? 

Michael  

[RJM]

I use a triple and have often thought of going to a double, but then I get on a 14% incline and don't feel like mashing up it so I shift to my granny gear and realize I will always be a triple kind of guy. 

 

I have to say my favorite inventions right now are the great 650b tires out there. Pari Motos, Hetres, Fatty Rumpkins, Maxy Fasty and these Hutchinson tires I am trying out now have all been fantastic.

[Peter Morgano]

I know they arent new to the world but after doing MTBing for many years the riser stem and bar combo were a revelation. The fact that you didnt need to have your bars "slammed" to ride the acceptable way took a while to foment in my brain but it has been a comfort revoution.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/NVbhpyaDiU4J.

To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

[Will]

LED lights and dynamo hubs. The quality of system available today is exponentially better than 10-15 years ago. 

On Monday, July 2, 2012 11:43:13 AM UTC-5, Michael Hechmer wrote:

[Allingham II, Thomas J]

+1 !!!!!!

---

From: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com [mailto:rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Will
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 1:48 PM
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [RBW] Re: My favorite bike invention!

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/YC_Bpv3AEcUJ.

To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************************************************

To ensure compliance with Treasury Department regulations, we advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained in this message was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.
****************************************************
****************************************************

This email (and any attachments thereto) is intended only for use by the addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email (and any attachments thereto) is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error please immediately notify me at (212) 735-3000 and permanently delete the original email (and any copy of any email) and any printout thereof.

Further information about the firm, a list of the Partners and their professional qualifications will be provided upon request.
****************************************************
==============================================================================

[PATRICK MOORE]

Does this fall inside or outside of that 35 years? http://tinyurl.com/6qoelw3

Me: fixies!

Since ~ 1977? More or less in order of importance FOR ME, orders
subject to change at my whim"

Rivendells

Decent wired-on tires

Trickle-down, outstanding chromo etc. butted tubing

Mountain bikes

Cassette hubs

Clipless, at least SPD and Look

Fat 700C tires (Fat = > 2")

Fargo (= touring bike with room for 70 mm tires)

Original Flite saddle [I have two or more nice original edition Turbos
I'd like to trade for OE Flites in similar condition, if anyone is
interested. I am eking the last tentative miles out of the Flite on
the '03 which over the years must have 20K miles on it.]

Maes Parallel and (42 cm) Noodle bars

LED lighting, both headlight and blinky

Modern high efficiency dynohubs

Slant parallel derailleurs, esp Shimano

Tubus racks (Chauncey Matthews racks, too!)

Ortlieb

Banana Bag

Good quality, modestly priced padded bar tape

Good quality plastic fenders

Good quality, modestly priced stainless steel cages (eg King) -- no rust!

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit

> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/_2LUDiCpMbsJ.

> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.



--

"Push back against the age as hard as it pushes against you."

Flannery O'Connor

-------------------------
Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA
For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW
http://resumespecialties.com/index.html
-------------------------

[Kenneth Stagg]

On Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 11:43 AM, Michael Hechmer <mhec...@gmail.com> wrote:
> OK, admittedly a bit, ok a lot, off topic... but Riv people have a
> ....nuanced relationship with technological biking "advancements." So
> consider this a philosophical inquiry. (Perhaps even GP will be interested
> in this unscientific survey) Yesterday as I was out for a very pleasant
> couple of hours riding in the Green Mountains on my Ram, I had a certain
> insight into what has added the most to my cycling pleasure during the last
> 35 years. It was clear. The "compact crank"!

I thought people were doing that with the TA years ago.

Oh, well - my pick is Campy's Ergo brake levers. Brifter shifting is
fine but it's the shape of the levers that keeps them on my bikes.
They just feel right.

Runner up, Rohloff hub. It would be the winner if there was a real
shifter for it rather than POS twist shifters.

-Ken

[James Warren]

The huge-clearance, dual pivot, sidepull brake (like the Silver) that inspired the creation of the AHH.

-----Original Message-----
From: "Allingham II, Thomas J"
Sent: Jul 2, 2012 10:50 AM
To: "'rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com'"
Subject: RE: [RBW] Re: My favorite bike invention!

+1 !!!!!!

---

From: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com [mailto:rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Will
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 1:48 PM
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [RBW] Re: My favorite bike invention!

LED lights and dynamo hubs. The quality of system available today is exponentially better than 10-15 years ago. 

On Monday, July 2, 2012 11:43:13 AM UTC-5, Michael Hechmer wrote:

OK, admittedly a bit, ok a lot, off topic... but Riv people have a ....nuanced relationship with technological biking "advancements."  So consider this a philosophical inquiry. (Perhaps even GP will be interested in this unscientific survey) Yesterday as I was out for a very pleasant couple of hours riding in the Green Mountains on my Ram, I had a certain insight into what has added the most to my cycling pleasure during the last 35 years.  It was clear.  The "compact crank"!  

When I took up cycling, as an adult, with full Campy equipment,typical gearing was a 52/42 mated to a 13-23.  Even then being wimpy I used a 13-26 and discovered that despite Campy's claims my NR derailler would handle a 28.  Still big hills, let alone mountain passes, were agonizing.  Now with a 44/30 & 11/28, I can cruise up 8% grades in a near 1 to 1 ratio, and manage the occasional  10-14% ramp without distress even though I am 30 years older.  Of course longer 10+% mountain climbs want lower gears.  I believe that the compact crank has also driven both front and rear derailler development, yielding crisp shifting over just enough wider range  to make a go-fast set up appropriate for  tackling lots of hills.

Of course, learning the speed and joy are independent variables has also helped a lot.  But pain and joy are not.

Soooo.... what bicycle development has added the most to your enjoyment during your cycling career? 

Michael  

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/YC_Bpv3AEcUJ.

To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************************************************

To ensure compliance with Treasury Department regulations, we advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained in this message was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.
****************************************************
****************************************************

This email (and any attachments thereto) is intended only for use by the addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email (and any attachments thereto) is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error please immediately notify me at (212) 735-3000 and permanently delete the original email (and any copy of any email) and any printout thereof.

Further information about the firm, a list of the Partners and their professional qualifications will be provided upon request.
****************************************************
==============================================================================

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

[naw...@comcast.net]

Rivendell's new fork, the one with the awesome crown and double eyelet drop out.   It came on my SimpleOne. Amazing!

Dave Nawrocki
Fort Collins, CO

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

I didn't start cycling as an adult until well past the MTB boom years, so wide-range and compact gearing have always existed to me... I'd not want to time-travel back to being limited to square taper cranks, threaded headsets, or cantilever brakes, but I can live with any of these on an otherwise nice bike. My favorite "new" cycling innovation: Surly Junk Strap. I also like my Brompton and my Rohloff.

[Joe Bernard]

I'm a big fan of those new-fangled road bikes with 36-50 compact cranks, good tire clearance, and rack/fender eyelets. Which Grant invented. In 1992. Bridgestone XO-1.

 

Joe Bernard

Vallejo, CA.

[PATRICK MOORE]

I've just learned what I can make of much of that scrap strip leather
I bought last winter from Tandy. Excellent!

On Mon, Jul 2, 2012 at 1:38 PM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery
<thil...@gmail.com> wrote:
My favorite "new" cycling innovation: Surly Junk Strap.

[ted]

42/52 and 13-23 eh? I recall 44/52 and a 14-18 straight block.
Of course after 30+ years and a relocation, now I'm thinking about
28/44 and a 12-36.

[Eric Platt]

My favorite?  Might be the larger sized frame Surly LHT available with 26" wheels.  Am able to realize what I had been trying to get my bikes to do back in the mid 1980's.  Somewhat wide tires, with long chainstays and drop bars. 

 

And yes, an Atlantis will do the same thing, but frame sizes above 56 restrict one to 700C wheels.

 

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

[Tony Lockhart]

I'm relatively new to cycling (started back in 2008) and luckily I got off to a good start by focusing on low gearing, big tires, and being comfortable on the bike. In terms of developments that I like, I'm really digging the decaleurs that Velo-Orange introduced a couple of years back. I took some sewing classes a couple of years ago because I wanted to make my own luggage (I got tired of waiting for a Zugster/Acorn bag). I really like the decaleurs because I use them as structures to mount handlebar bags at the front of my bike...by doing this, I don't lose any handlebar real estate. When not using a bag up front, the decaleur is unobtrusive. And of course, when I have my front rack installed on my bike, I use the decaleur when mounting a bag.

Incidentally, I am VERY excited about the new lower front racks that the folks at RBW are designing....that's going to be a win-win product. I'm definitely going to be designing a set of mini panniers for those if the folks from Riv sell them.

[Bill M.]

The combination of comfortably shaped brake levers (Tektro, Campy, SRAM) and compact (short, shallow, non-anatomic bend) drop bars with flat ramps.

Clipless pedals are right up there too.

Bill

Stockton, CA

On Monday, July 2, 2012 9:43:13 AM UTC-7, Michael Hechmer wrote:

[James Warren]

Wait, it has to be the quick release.

James Warren

jimcw...@earthlink.net

- Remember, my friends, it is better to feel fast than to be fast.

[Kenneth Stagg]

But that's not from the last 35 years.... If we're talking in general
then I'd say the safety bike followed by pneumatic tires.

-Ken

[RJM]

I just thought of another one...v-brakes. I love them, they work really well and I have to say I prefer them over cantis. Paul Components makes some really nice ones that are easy to setup and look nice, but I have a set of xt v-brakes on my Hillborne that work great. Only problem I have with them is the fork stops me from opening them up wide enough to fit a 38mm tire through without letting air out.

 

On Monday, July 2, 2012 11:43:13 AM UTC-5, Michael Hechmer wrote:

[Jay in Tel Aviv]

I had to go look at my the v-brakes on my Sam to see how the fork
could get in their way. It's the pads, for anyone whi doesn't happen
to have that combo within easy looking distance.

Now I'm worried, though, having just ordered a pair of 37-622 Supremes
to replace the 32s I'm running at the moment.

Jay