Rides Report - New MIT Atlantis

[Steve Cole]

This is my second posting related to my new MIT Atlantis.  The other post (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rbw-owners-bunch/zHDypfGZKYQ) was a description of the bike, it's components and the thinking behind my choices.  This post concerns two recent rides, a brief one on Saturday, (3/28), another on Sunday (3/29) and then this morning (3/31).  By way of background, I live just across the river from Washington, D.C. in Arlington.

I've tried to attach a photo of the bike from about a week ago.

Saturday, March 28

I planned to ride from Fletcher's Boat House on the Potomac River in DC about 3 miles upriver from Georgetown to Haines Point about 15-20 mile ride roundtrip.  I'd heard a few days earlier the Tidal Basin where the Jefferson Memorial is located and the Japanese cherry trees were in bloom was closed.  After riding through Georgetown and past the Kennedy Center, I was stopped by police.  The Tidal Basin and cherry trees were closed to the public as the area had been swamped with people, too many to maintain the recommended separation.  Oh well, back home.

Sunday, March 29

The day started out dark gray and looked like rain for most of the day.  Around 3:00 p.m., the clouds disappeared and the bright sun came out.  When the sun appeared, I headed out. I planned to take a different route from my home across the Potomac, head down the Mt. Vernon Trail on the Virginia side of the Potomac, cross the 14th St. bridge and then find my way to Haines Point.  There's nothing like a warm (mid-70s) day, however, to bring a huge bunch of cooped up people out for a walk, run or ride.  What's more, Memorial Bridge, which goes directly from Virginia to the Lincoln Memorial was closed to all traffic, partly due to construction, partly to discourage people from going to the Tidal Pool. I went on to the 14th St. bridge, which connects to DC at the Jefferson Memorial. Cars did go across, bikes were stopped. I should have known better.  In addition to blocking cyclists' way across the Potomac, I have never seen the trail as crowded.  Since only about 2-3 miles of the trail were open, it seemed even more congested.  I passed hundreds of walkers and runners.  I would hazard a guess there were also a few hundred cyclists.  It was an obstacle course to say the least.  I turned for home.

 

Tuesday, March 31

What a difference a day makes.  Temperatures dropped into the low 50s.  I rode early.  It was gray.  The Governors of Maryland and Virginia and the DC Mayor all issued stay-at-home orders the prior afternoon -- exercising outside while maintaining distance allowed.  This was a 12 mile ride from my home around the U.S. Capitol and back.  A nice 12 miles.  In the about one hour I rode, I saw 5 other cyclists.  There were almost no walkers or runners.  While I did not make it to the Tidal Basin on any of these rides, I never intended to.  This morning's ride was fabulous.  Riding down Pennsylvania Avenue, up the Mall, through Georgetown, and home and I virtually had the roads and paths to myself.  While I loved the ride, I hate the reason for this good fortune.

MIT Atlantis Report

As noted, I purchased a new MIT Atlantis a month ago.  It joined my other Riv bikes,  a Toyo A. Homer Hilsen and a Rohloff-converted Simpleone. My wife rides a Betty Foy.   I bought the Atlantis hoping it would become my "one" bike.  If it does, I plan to pass on my other bikes.  It is the first new bike I have purchased in years so I was able to spec all the components.

What to say about its ride?  To begin with, it has taken much of the month to get it dialed in.  Adjusting the seat and handlebars to the correct heights, for-aft positions and tilt.  Adjusting and readjusting the derailleurs and brakes.  Adding some personalization.  I think the seat still needs to go a little further back and I still struggle to have a completely smooth shifting rear derailleur.  These will come in time.

I think talking about how a bike rides can be a little like listing the attributes of a particular wine.  I am unable to divine the nuanced flavors of wine -- berries, tobacco, leather, etc.  I'm also unable to  describe a bike's ride with all the adjectives that other  cyclists can. As I've read comments about the MIT Atlantis, even before I got it, I worried it would be sluggish, that it wouldn't quickly and safely react.  I worried it would be heavy.  I worried it might not fit well.  All of these worries have been allayed. It seems to be just as quick as my Homer.  It climbs hills with ease.  I still have used the lowest gear combination only a time or two (24T chainwheel up front, as low as 11T cog in back).  I worried I wouldn't like the appearance -- the long chainstays, the color.  The verdict is clear to me.  I don't think I would change a single thing.  I absolutely love this bike.  For those fretting about getting one or another of the long chainstay Rivs, put your concerns aside.  If the others are like this, it is more than fast enough, agile enough, secure enough on gravel, comfortable enough (did I say I am riding on tubeless, extra light Rene Herse Antelope Hill tires (55 mm, inflated to 35#).  Any bike that makes me want to get out on a cold, gray day and ride, ride, ride is a keeper!

Steve Cole

Arlington, VA

[Steve Cole]

Sorry about the error on my lowest gear.  It should have read 24T chainwheel, 40T cog.  Oops.

[Drw]

Good reading/thanks for sharing. What is the device connecting from the top tube to the stem?

[Steve Cole]

It's a SteerStopper.  It is a not inexpensive way to hold the front wheel in place.  I find it especially useful when loading my bike onto my roof rack or stowing it in our garage where, to save space, it hangs from the rear wheel from a ceiling hook.

[WETH]

Steve,
That’s a great looking build and wonderful write up! I’m so pleased to learn how well it came together for you! Hope to see you around on the local trails sooner or later!
All the best,
Erl