Sam vs Appaloosa Trail Worthiness

[Dave White]

I would love to hear from people who have ridden fairly recent versions of both the Sam and Appaloosa/Atlantis on trails (lumping those together because they seem interchangeable). Besides the difference in tire clearance, how much more trail worthy is the Appaloosa than the Sam? I have to say I like the appearance of the shorter chain-stays on the Sam better. But do the long stays of the Appaloosa make the ride that much smoother? The slightly slacker head angle seems like it might matter even more than the rear of the bike. I find myself changing my mind every other day as to which of these I should pursue, so any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave White

Nevada City, CA

[Gabe]

Hi Dave, 

I ride a romanceur with drops, an appaloosa with drops and an atlantis with flat bars. I have not ridden a Sam. 

Romanceur works fine on singletrack with both 650b with 2.1 tires (before) and 700c with 38mm tires (currently). 

Appaloosa is on 48mm knobbies. It does feel a little more smooth and stable on the same singletrack, but the romanceur is still fun to ride. I guess I feel a little less "confident" on the romanceur but not to the point where I don't ride those trails. 

The atlantis (2005 or so) has 38mm knobbies on front and 38mm file tread on back with 800mm mtb handlebars. Does the same single track and feels great. 

The sub 40mm tires bury in the sand sometimes. 

But all three bikes can do smooth single track and pick through rocks. Caveat: I mostly ride in ft ord which is smooth packed sand with very few roots or rock gardens. 

Point is, any of these bikes work fine and you would get used to any of them. Maybe just think about what riding you're doing most of the ride and most of the time. 

And a mtb would work better on single track than any of these, if you're really keen on trails!!! 

- gabe 

Sent from my BlackBerry, the smartphone with the little keyboard and a big heart.

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[Brent Eastman]

sam is awesome on trails. 

[Andy Beichler]

That is good to know.  My ideal (perhaps mythical) "one-bike" is a roadish bike that is good for trails.  What size tires do you run? And do you run trails with fenders?  Thanks.

Andy

[Steve]

Dave, I can't speak directly to the Appaloosa, but I do ride a Hillborne and a Platypus and have taken both on trails. Regarding long chain stays  (my 2022 Platy's measure 505 mm vs the "25 Sam's at 455) -- yes, the long stays do make the ride a bit smoother over rough surfaces. The trade off is those longer chain stays combined with the Platy's slacker 69* head tube angle conspire to make it less nimble in tight, twisty situations, compared to the Sam.  

For context, I live in the Appalachians where trail riding - especially on a rigid bike - typically means dodging roots and rocks and negotiating tight switchbacks.  Having said that, most of my riding is on National Forest fire roads and double track logging roads. Both bikes perform nicely in those settings, but if I'm planning to ride single track trails I'll grab the Hillborne (or more likely my Ritchey Outback with 48mm knobbies)

Steve in AVL 

On Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 1:51:47 AM UTC-4 Brent Eastman wrote:

[Brenton Eastman]

i have done a ton of wheel/tire/fender combos. 

the biggest i can do on my bike is 42mm with fenders (42 cava, 42 hurricane ridge, 40 wtb raddler) with no fenders i’ve gone as big as 50mm (soma cazadero) also liked the 47mm terevail rutland. i’ve used velo orange smooth 55 and zeppelin 52 fenders. both work great. 

On Apr 30, 2026, at 5:47 AM, Steve <steve...@gmail.com> wrote:

Dave, I can't speak directly to the Appaloosa, but I do ride a Hillborne and a Platypus and have taken both on trails. Regarding long chain stays  (my 2022 Platy's measure 505 mm vs the "25 Sam's at 455) -- yes, the long stays do make the ride a bit smoother over rough surfaces. The trade off is those longer chain stays combined with the Platy's slacker 69* head tube angle conspire to make it less nimble in tight, twisty situations, compared to the Sam.  

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[Dave White]

Thanks for all the replies, very useful.

Brent, Do you think you could go wider on the tires with a flatter fender like the Honzos? https://analogcycles.com/products/honjo-by-simworks-fender-h-95-flat-wide-700c-29in-width-65mm

[Dave White]

Those are too wide for the bike I guess, but you get the idea. On my current non-riv bike I can see that I could run bigger tires if the fender were flatter.

[Brenton Eastman]

i have a caliper sam, so no. the fender is flush against the (tektro R559) brake body. 

on a canti post sam, i’m sure you can go bigger. 

my friend is running sks fenders and the new 45mm ultradynamico rose. looks beast. 

On Apr 30, 2026, at 6:42 AM, 'Dave White' via RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[Scott Garrison]

Hi Dave,

I can't speak to the Atlantis/Appaloosa, but I've ridden my Sam on some of the trails around Nevada City and it does really well, especially along the canals. I have the smaller frame with the 650b wheels and a 47 mm tire and it's quite a nimble bike. As long as the terrain doesn't get too bumpy, I'd take it on most singletrack.

[Dave White]

As soon as I saw the picture I was thinking I know that place. I've seen you ride by my house a few times (I live in downtown NC), I've been hoping to catch you and ask about your bike (couldn't tell the model). Thanks for the info, I'll say I hi if I see you.

Thanks,

Dave

[Zac]

Hi Dave, 

I ride a Homer, which is very close in geometry to a Sam. I grew up in Nevada City and when I'm back visiting, I like to ride loops that mix road and gravel, which are very much in its wheelhouse. Pioneer Trail, NID trails, old forest service roads would all be a joy with a Sam. If loaded bikepacking and touring, or rocky, chunky, rooty trails are your aims, that might tip things more in favor of the Appa, but I've never ridden one.

You're close enough that you should consider making an appointment at Riv HQ to test ride some different bikes. It's fun, and everyone there are knowledgeable and super nice people. Next time I'm up in NC, you're welcome to try my Homer if you fit on a 51.

-Zac

[Dave White]

Hi Zac, Thanks for the input. I think I'd be one size up from your bike, though I'm not 100% sure, so yes that would great if it ever works out.

[Jay]

Hi Dave,

Curious your previous trail riding experience (on what bikes), whether you'll use flat, swept or drop handlebars, and the types of trails you're planning to ride.

I have a Roadini and ride mixed surface a lot, either with 43mm semi-slick tires (below) or 42mm Hurricane Ridge.  Tire pressure makes a world of difference.  When I'm planning to be on trails 80% of the time, I run around 28psi, less trail more pressure (up to 35-38).  This morning I was mainly paved surfaces, but I did a couple km on this trail below, tires over 35psi and it was fine. I've thought of adding an Appaloosa or Atlantis, but I've decided that I'll add a Sam and have fenders on it full time, and maybe studded tires in the winter months (I'm north of Toronto, so winter is a 'thing').  To me it's not under-biking, it's just that I like drop bars and Sam will work well with them (the 54 Sam is very similar geo, in particular reach, as my 57 Roadini).  If you want one bike to rule them all, I think Sam is a great choice.  If you already have road bikes / all-road bikes, an Appaloosa would be fun alternative.  Good luck either way!

[Dave White]

Hi Jay, I have a full suspension mountain bike that I ride if I'm headed out just to ride single-track trails. I also have a Specialized Awol (kind of a dirt touring bike) that has Schwalbe Big Ben tires that measure 45 mm with fenders. The Rivendell would replace that bike. I use it on pavement 80% of the time, but I have rides I do that mix in dirt segments, or when it's too muddy to go ride single-track, I'll do some gravel type rides on it. But I end up riding the Awol a lot more just for transportation and grocery shopping (and to the golf course see below). The Sam sounds like it might have a little less clearance than the Awol, which might be fine. It sounds like either bike would be fine for replacing the Awol, at least how I've been using it. But I'm intrigued by the idea of one bike to do everything. Even though that would mean there are local rides I would probably end up not choosing to do anymore, with either Riv bike. Realistically I will probably always have a dedicated mountain bike, but then my interest in the riding where I need the mountain bike might also change down the road, in which case I might want the one bike to be as capable as possible.

[Jay]

You know trails then, and you have a mtb so that's great for technical rides.  I think either bike would be fun.  By the way, love your method of transportation to golf!