Re: [RBW] A bike to grow old with?

[James Warren]

The decision needs to take into account how much loaded touring or offroad riding you would like to do on the bike. If you're not sure and want a bike that can do anything, get the Atlantis if the $2300 price for Frame/Fork isn't too steep. That bike in your size should have 1 top tube.

The Hillborne would be a slightly more economical form of the something similar, a bit less tire clearance, extra TT that you don't want, frame designed around fewer sizes so maybe not as glove-like in fit, but $1000 less.

I myself was not a double top-tube fan, but now that I've been riding a bike with one, it seems totally normal.

-Jim W.

On Feb 14, 2013, at 2:19 PM, markt...@gmail.com wrote:

New member to the group here. Just retired last spring after teaching for 38 yrs and am thinking that I deserve a new bike to ride during my retirement. Seeing Keven's proto-Appaloosa on the Riv website, I noticed the quote that the Appaloosa was a "bike to grow old with". Since the Appaloosa isn't yet available, any recommendations for which other Riv would be a "bike to grow old with". (My kids already think I'm old, but nevermind!) I like the price of the Sam, but can't get used to the double top tube. Last time I checked, my PBH was 86.5 cm. 

Thoughts? Anyone have a Riv for sale that could work for me?

Thanks,

Mark Taintor

Chanhassen, MN

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James Warren

jimcw...@earthlink.net

- 700x33

[Mike Schiller]

the new Sam's will come in a 55cm size  with a single top tube. That version would fit an 86.5 PBH pretty well with it's 58cm top tube length.

~mike

Carlsbad Ca.

[William]

I'd recommend a Betty Foy.  Enthusiastically.  So would Keven.  

[Lyle Bogart]

Greetings Mark!

I'll second Jim W's recommendation of the Atlantis. I have one and can't imagine I'll ever part with it. In fact, when I was in the selection process leading up to the Atlantis, my primary criterion was "the only bike I'll ever need." That said, I really enjoy riding my wife's (too small for me) Betty Foy. It's a delightful bike and, with the step-through frame, it (and the "more manly" Yves Gomez) would make an excellent bike for the later years.

Good Luck!

lyle

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156 bradford rd

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206.794.6937

[Garth]

I never met a bike that wasn't capable of "growing old" with ... lol 

[IanA]

The Hunqapillar would be worth strong consideration. The extra tube is diagonal, which may appeal.

Ian A

Edmonton AB Canada.

[William]

At 86.5 PBH, he'd be on a single TT Hunqapillar.  

[James Warren]

So it sounds like number of TT's will not factor in, unless it's the Foy!

That brings us back to the types of expeditions you envision and a projection of how much you would appreciate the step-through frame.

Sent from my iPhone

[RJM]

I don't own one, but I would vote for the Atlantis if your needs will involve some loaded riding. If you don't plan on weighing it down a ton and are going to primarily ride paved road or dirt roads, the A. Homer Hilsen is a top contender. If you plan on riding a bit more on the dirt end, Hunqapillar is a winner.

 

I have a Sam Hillborne and love it, my next riv is a Roadeo though. I still do club riding so it made more sense for me to go that route. The Hillborne can do a lot of things really well, but if I was going to have only one bike to ride, I would have to pick an Atlantis.

 

Screw it, get an Yves Gomez. Why not.

[dougP]

Mark:

Welcome to the group, and congratulations on your retirement.  Yes, after 38 years, just get the best bike you want and don't compromise.  Fortunately, any Rivendell model is a "bike you can grow old with"  The designs allow a variety of set-ups, and it's easy to get the bars up high, so comfort is not an issue.  Spend some time on the various photo groups & you will see a wide range of set-ups, bars, seats, racks, tires, etc.  I believe Grant one time referred to a bike frame as a place to hang the parts you like to get the bike you want. 

As to which model, think about what you want to do with the bike, and remember that the versatility allows you to do a lot of different things with the same bike.  Do you want a "nice bike" to ramble around on?  Do you know for sure you're going to load it down with 4 bags & take off on extended tours?  Is your main interest off-road trails?  It's amazing how just adding some racks or changing the tires can transform a bike. 

When I bought my Atlantis 10 years ago, the model line-up was more limited than today.  I knew for sure I was taking it touring and the Atlantis was the heaviest duty frame Riv made at the time.  Rivendell had a wonderful brochure that showed Atlantis set up as touring bikes, commuters, mountain bikes, etc.  So my choice was a lot easier than it would be today.  I do 2 or 3 extended tours per year, but when I'm home the Atlantis is my go-to ride.  To me, it's comfortable, stable and fun to ride off-road or on, loaded down or with minimal luggage. 

My intention when buying my Atlantis was that I wouldn't be needing to buy any more bikes.  While I am occasionally tempted by interesting looking bikes, a deep breath reminds me that the Atlantis does everything I need a bike to do.  After 10 years and well over 40,000 miles, the two of us are aging nicely together. 

dougP

[Norman]

Fight the dying of the light. Get what works for you now. The future
holds too many variables. Anyway, these bikes are pretty versatile.

[cyclotourist]

Most of the retirees I know have more bikes than I do, so this is the wrong place to ask that question!!! ;-)

But a bike to keep riding even when elderly would be a step through frame. So Foy/Gomez.

On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 2:19 PM, <markt...@gmail.com> wrote:

New member to the group here. Just retired last spring after teaching for 38 yrs and am thinking that I deserve a new bike to ride during my retirement. Seeing Keven's proto-Appaloosa on the Riv website, I noticed the quote that the Appaloosa was a "bike to grow old with". Since the Appaloosa isn't yet available, any recommendations for which other Riv would be a "bike to grow old with". (My kids already think I'm old, but nevermind!) I like the price of the Sam, but can't get used to the double top tube. Last time I checked, my PBH was 86.5 cm. 

Thoughts? Anyone have a Riv for sale that could work for me?

Thanks,

Mark Taintor

Chanhassen, MN

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[Crazy4Suki]

I have a Hilsen and a Betty...  I think the Betty will be the one that grows old with me because 1) the step-through is easier than kicking the leg over at age 80+... and 2) I will probably shrink as I age, and the Hilsen may be too big then.

 

I vote for Foy/Gomez too.

[Liesl]

Welcome to the group, Mark.  And there are plenty of us Rivsters here in the Twin Cities!

[Jim Mather]

On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 2:49 PM, cyclotourist <cyclot...@gmail.com> wrote:

But a bike to keep riding even when elderly would be a step through frame. So Foy/Gomez.

Although I respect everyone's ability to look to his or her own future, I just don't see that getting old necessitates a mixte. If you ride frequently, there's no reason (absent orthopedic issues) that you can't ride whatever you want. For example: http://bicycling.com/blogs/thehub/2012/09/28/100-year-old-man-sets-100-kilometer-cycling-record/

jim m
wc ca

[numbnuts]

Hey Mark,

Well, first, you found something special here. I hope you grow to understand and appreciate that as much as I do.

Next, I can't possibly climb inside your head and know what is right for you. But I can say that if that was the choice I was making at this moment I would choose an Atlantis, and likely somewhat custom (maybe setup for IG, and maybe even discs). Others have said something similar, so I'm just another voice among the many.

Oddly, that same bike would not be my choice given my current circumstances (many years from retirement, and a very uncertain future). So maybe the best I can do is suggest that the realities of one's place in the timeline of their life should at least inform the choice. But I bet you knew that.

All the best,

Chris

Redding, Ca.

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Hey Mark,
The double TT is weird, but it has grown on me over time. I know you a little bit and I've worked on some of your bikes. Atlantis or Hunqapillar would be suitable, in my opinion, but that's a lot of cash for a frame. Whatever you get (or not), I hope you can come on the Midwest "Country Bike" Rally on June 1-2.

Jim

[Tim Tetrault]

I think I agree with James that your two best fully functional bikes would be the Atlantis or the Hilborne. They consistently get mentioned in the "only one bike" debate as good choices. I also agree that when you get on in age the Betty would do you well, if riding well into old age is a goal. I think most of us would be delighted with the versatility of the Betty Foy, even if step-throughs aren't yet our thing. 

[Michael Hechmer]

We actually  went with a custom tandem for retirement.  I call it my Rollex.   Since retiring, I find I have less need of a bike that will carry a load, like the Atlantis. Touring is more often on the tandem and always inn to inn.  We take the canoe when we go camping.  I now ride my Rambouillet more and rarely my Ebisu, which is set up for carrying loads.  However I still ride a lot of dirt roads, in fact more now that I don't commute into town, so find I still want wider tires than the Ram can handle for those kind of rides.  So, unless you plan on lugging a lot of stuff around, I would suggest the Rodeo.  Put Jack Brown's on it and you'll be fine on dirt or pavement.  If you actually see yourself touring then the Atlantis is a great choice.

BTW, I just purchased my second Riv bike, the beautiful Saluki recently offered here.   It should be delivered on Monday.  So now I will have a fat tire Riv for the great dirt roads (although tres muddy today) here in northern Vermont.

Michael

[islaysteve]

Mark, Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your retirement! This comes from one who will also be retiring with similar years in service, this May. My bike to grow old with is,apparently, my Bleriot,which I purchased about two years ago. I won't pretend to have as much experience as most on this forum, but I would agree that a Sam would be very versatile for whatever kind of riding that you may do at this point. One thing that I've learned here is importance of tires, clearance and tire pressures. Both my Bleriot and the Sams will take the wonderfully supple Pari Motos and the universally loved Heters. So, best of luck in your search,you'll have lots of fun before and after the purchase. Steve

[Bruce Herbitter]

I was reminded of this yesterday, when the route included multiple rough RR track crossings and old worn chip seal. The 650B conversion to a RBW Road allows 38 mm Pari-Motos. At 55 - 60 lbs of air pressure, they float over that junk.

On Sun, Feb 17, 2013 at 4:06 PM, islaysteve <alki...@verizon.net> wrote:

.. One thing that I've learned here is importance of tires, clearance and tire pressures.  Both my Bleriot and the Sams will take the wonderfully supple Pari Motos and the universally loved Heters. ...
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[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Ha! I've been all over town and in the woods on my light and supple Surly Knard 26x3.8 (tubeless) at 3 psi. Talk about floating over junk!