Rivendell Atlantis

[Khalid Mateen]

Hello everyone:

I am new to this forum and I have a question to ask about ordering an Atlantis.  I have taken my PBH but I am no where near Walnut Creek California.  I am on the east coast of the US and no where near a Rivendell Dealer.  Can you tell me, your experience of bicycle fit when ordering over the phone a bicycle that you have never tried?  Did the bicycle feel to big or too small?  I have always heard good things about the people who work for Rivendell Bicycle works but wanted to ask people who actually purchase their bicycles.

THanks

Khalid

[Seth Vidal]

Where on the east coast are you?

maybe ask if there are atlantis owners nearby you.

we're all over the place.
-sv

[Mojo]

If you are looking at an Atlantis, then you are likely in tune with
the Riv philosophy. That may not be necessarily true if you were
looking at a Roadeo for instance. The folks have many decades
experience fitting thousands of mostly happy folks to fine bikes. I
suggest you can trust their judgment. Call and tell them your
experience, your concerns, and what you want to do with your new bike.
I am quite certain you will be pleased.

For me in the late 90s, I was shocked when they wanted to sell me a
61-62cm frame after I had been riding 58s for over a decade. They
were so right.

[cyclotourist]

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

--
Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA

*...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would
probably benefit more from
improving their taste than from improving their performance.* - RTMS

[cyclotourist]

Hello Khalid, as others noted, definitely call and talk it over with
the staff at Rivendell. They know their bikes better than anyone
else! They will most likely recommend a size larger than what you
would consider, but 90% of the time they are spot on. You may wonder
about that other 10%. I know there are some folks that have said they
wish they purchased the smaller size, rather than what they ended up
with. They have a valid point, but I (and hopefully they) would say
they are in the small minority there. Doug's touring on his Atlantis
right now, or else I'm sure he would be the first to reply in
encouraging you to get one. Great bike that most people can do
everything they would ever want to on.

So give 'em a call & talk it over. Measure and re-measure your PBH.
Really consider what kind of tires you will be using and where you
will be riding. Think about it all, but do trust the merry elves of
Rivendell.

[Rick]

Call them. And do the re-measure at least twice. I measured
incorrectly at least that many times, shorting myself a couple of
centimeters, but was instructed by Riv staff to try again, due to the
apparent discrepancy between my height and alleged pbh.

In the end, I wound up with an Atlantis a size up from what I
expected. And I love it.

[Minh]

We can try to help you as we have a decent cross-section of heights
+pbh on this list but it's always helpful to get a ride. if you're in
a decent east coast city you should be able to find an owner to let
you test ride. there are also some bikes that are similiar in
philosophy that can help.

the biggest mental hurdle is that you will be on a bigger size bike
(unless you get one of the vanity sized bikes like the bombadil or
hillborne :) ) there are some anecdotal stories of people buying one
size too big and then going back to a smaller size, but i think thats
due to the variation from person to person. i have a 56 hillborne, i
think i could've done a 60 as i have my bars pretty high.

[GeorgeS]

I don't know where on the east coast you are but Harris Cyclery in
West Newton, Mass has, or had the last time I was there, several
Atlantis' in stock.
GeorgeS

[Philip Williamson]

+1 on "call them." I bought my Quickbeam over the phone, and I love
it. John asked me how big a tire I planned to use, and how I intended
to ride it (biggest tires, + trail-riding), and suggested the 60cm,
even though my 85cm saddle height indicated I would want a road-only
Riv in a 62 or 64.

So - they have experience and opinions on bike fit (more of one and
less of the other, compared to the list*), and they take your
experience and opinions into account.

*I would bet.
Philip

Philip Williamson
www.biketinker.com

[reynoldslugs]

Khalid:

Welcome to the group. Bottom line: set your mind at ease, call the
Rivendell, and follow their advice.

I have a lot of bikes, maybe six customs and maybe six or seven
Rivendell models. Like a lot of riders, sometimes I become silly-
obsessed with a centimeter or two, here and there, on the frame size
or top tube. Before buying a frame, I always talk to the fellows at
Rivendell HQ and follow their advice about frame size. They have
NEVER steered me wrong.

Each Rivendell model I have - - including an Atlantis - - fits really
well, and rides like a pleasant dream. Yesterday was St Paddy's day,
so I rode an Emerald Green Road Custom - - so fun...

RL

[doug peterson]

Khalid:

What size(s) are you considering? The 58 & 61 have some overlap in
PBH & seat height. Riv suggested a 61 for me but I'd never ridden
anything larger than a 58. I went with 58 with a 10 cm stem & it's
been perfect. FWIW, I'd never even seen a Rivendell live before I
unpacked mine. I just put the h'bars & seat at the height of my old
bike, hopped on & took off. Within a mile I knew I'd gotten the right
size. I've only got an inch or so of clearance with both feet on the
ground, with 35 mm tires. A bit of clearance when you hop off is
comforting.

I don't recall my PBH but it must be in the high 80s. I'm 5'11", 32"
inseam. Initially I was talking to Riv about a custom (I thought I
wanted couplings) but after all the measurin'n'figurin', they
suggested just buying a stock Atlantis. Best bicycle advice I've ever
gotten.

Have you taken all your bike's measurements? In addition to you,
measure your current bike's relation of seat to h'bars, seat height,
etc. As others have suggested, talk to Riv live about this. Knowing
what you're comfortable with now helps clarify the size question.

dougP

[Seth Vidal]

On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 12:42 PM, doug peterson <doug...@cox.net> wrote:
> Khalid:
>
> What size(s) are you considering?  The 58 & 61 have some overlap in
> PBH & seat height.  Riv suggested a 61 for me but I'd never ridden
> anything larger than a 58.  I went with 58 with a 10 cm stem & it's
> been perfect.  FWIW, I'd never even seen a Rivendell live before I
> unpacked mine.  I just put the h'bars & seat at the height of my old
> bike, hopped on & took off.  Within a mile I knew I'd gotten the right
> size.  I've only got an inch or so of clearance with both feet on the
> ground, with 35 mm tires.  A bit of clearance when you hop off is
> comforting.

I'm the other way. They recommended a 61, I went with a 58, probably
shoulda gone with the 61. But I've made it work and I still think I'll
rip the fenders I have on it off sometime soon and put fat franks on
there and see how much clearance I end up with, then :)

I have a 61 rom and it feels like it fits better to me.

Khalid,
I'm in durham, NC and if you want to try out something around a 58cm
atlantis you're welcome to come borrow mine.

-sv

[Khalid Mateen]

I am actually in NJ.

 

[Bob Baxter]

Khalid,

I don't know where on the east coast you are but Harris Cyclery, in
the Boston area, is a Rivendell dealer.
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/rivendell/rivendellpageNEW.html

[Khalid Mateen]

I am going to call them.  I just needed to feel assured somewhat on buying a bicycle that I have not tested.  The last time I bought a bicycle was 19 years ago.  I save up 400 dollars to purchase my own bike.  Still ride it today but I want to get into bicycle touring/camping and I need a strong bicycle for the weight I am going to carry. 

 

Thanks

 

K.

[Khalid Mateen]

I do not know what sizes will fit me on a Rivendell.  They do not have the sizing on the frame based on a PBH anymore.  I am about the same height as you.  I am 5'-10/2" with an inseam of 32 inches (at least that is what I buy in pant sizes).  Maybe I need a 58.  My PBH is around 88cm.

On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 12:42 PM, doug peterson <doug...@cox.net> wrote:

[CycloFiend]

on 3/18/11 9:01 AM, Khalid Mateen at krm...@gmail.com wrote:
> I do not know what sizes will fit me on a Rivendell.  They do not have the
> sizing on the frame based on a PBH anymore. 

Yonder:
http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/choosing_a_frame_size

http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/pbh_and_how_to_measure_it

--
Jim Edgar
Cyclo...@earthlink.net

Cyclofiend Bicycle Photo Galleries - http://www.cyclofiend.com
Current Classics - Cross Bikes
Singlespeed - Working Bikes

Gallery updates now appear here - http://cyclofiend.blogspot.com

"'You both ride your bike?' He held his hands out and grabbed imaginary
handlebars, grinning indulgently, eyeing Tom's helmet. Double disbeleif:
not one, but two grown Americans riding bicycles."
-- Neal Stephenson, "Zodiac"

[Norman]

I'm in New Jersey as well but I'm shorter (pbh of 80) and have a Sam
H. (52) so that won't help you. Here is a pdf of specs. for Atlantis
and other bikes.

http://www.rivbike.com/images/static/upload/RBW-GeometryCharts.pdf
Norman

> >http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Robert F. Harrison]

I'd been reading about Riv's for some time before I bought my 66cm Quickbeam. I did have the luxury of being able to test a Bombadil while I was on trip in the Bay Area but I hadn't ridden a QB. As I live in Hawaii getting the size right was important as shipping is on the high side. :-)

In any case I discussed the matter and ended up getting the 66cm QB. When I took the bike out the box and got it ready to ride I was sure I'd made a mistake and that it was too big for me (and I'm a big guy). 

One ride cured me of that. The bike is the best fitting bike I've ever owned and while I can imagine another fitting as well I can't imagine one fitting better. 

I'd trust with another purchase without a test ride in a heartbeat if I had the money (and hopefully that'll be later this year). 

Aloha!

--

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

--
Robert Harrison
rfhar...@gmail.com
statrix.com

[cyclot...@gmail.com]

So you are here! There goes all my credibility...

[newenglandbike]

On Mar 18, 1:01 pm, Khalid Mateen <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I am 5'-10/2".... Maybe I need a 58.  My PBH is around 88cm.
>


I would bet Rivendell recommends a 61. But do call them and let us
know what you ended up with.

And anyway, I think people fret a little too much about 1-2 cm
difference in ST measurement-- just my opinion, but once you're in
the ball park of 3-4cm, you're good. Also, 'standover' clearance is
overrated... Again, just MHO.


Matt

[MichaelH]

You have gotten lots of good advice. I would add one thought; Riv
measures their bikes CTC, which actually makes them about 1 CM smaller
than most other bike companies, which measure CTT. It also depends on
where you want the handlebars in relation to the saddle. I think
Grant assumes even to 2 cm above. If you ride 2 or more cm below (as
I do), then one size smaller will be fine.

When I bought my Rambouillet, Grant recommended a 64, but I went with
62, because it was in stock, and 64 "sounded" large. I thought the 62
was CTT, Although I'm perfectly happy with 62, I now realize that 63
CTC or 64 CTT would actually be a perfect fit.

You wont go wrong trusting the Riv recommendation.

michael

[Philip Williamson]

On Mar 18, 3:35 pm, MichaelH <mhech...@gmail.com> wrote:
> You have gotten lots of good advice.  I would add one thought; Riv
> measures their bikes CTC, which actually makes them about 1 CM smaller
> than most other bike companies, which measure CTT.

No they don't. I don't mean to be abrupt (I just am), but I'm afraid
you are in error.

Rivendell measures seat tubes Center-To-Top like most people, and top
tubes Center-To-Center like everyone.

From their site (http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/
choosing_a_frame_size):
Our bikes, and most non-Italian bikes, are measured from the center of
the crank (or bottom bracket) to the top of the seat tube. In the old
days this was called the English Method, to distinguish it from the
Italian Method, which measures to the center line intersection of the
seat and top tube (think, "center of the seat lug".

Philip

Philip Williamson
www.biketinker.com

[doug peterson]

Khalid:

Have a look at this link to an old Atlantis sizing chart:

http://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw/atlantis/atlflyer/04.html

I have two Atlantis catalogues with sizing charts. They are not dated
so don't know which is more current but neither is less than 8-9 years
old. One lists the 58 for PBH from 84 cm to 89, and seat height from
74 cm to 79. The 61 is for 87 cm to 93 PBH and 77 to 82 seat height.
The other catalogue has tightened up the range on measurements so
there is only 1-2 mm overlap between sizes.

Others have mentioned that once you're in the ballpark, a cm here &
there is within the range of adjustment. According to Riv's charts,
at 88 cm PBH you could ride either a 58 or a 61. IIRC they are quite
close in the top tube dimension.

dougP

[doug peterson]

Khalid:

Just in case you need any more encouragement, here's the link to
cyclofiend's site on all things Atlantis:

http://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw/atlantis/

Take a look at some of the set-ups shown. It's an incredibly
versatile bike.

dougP

On Mar 17, 6:55 pm, Khalid Mateen <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote:

[James Warren]

My 64 cm frame from 2001 has a 62 cm toptube, not 60!

I've often wondered when and why the switch occured on later models.

>> > dougP
>>
>> > On Mar 17, 6:55 pm, Khalid Mateen <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >  > Hello everyone:
>>
>> > > I am new to this forum and I have a question to ask about ordering an
>> > > Atlantis.  I have taken my PBH but I am no where near Walnut Creek
>> > > California.  I am on the east coast of the US and no where near a
>> > Rivendell
>> > > Dealer.  Can you tell me, your experience of bicycle fit when ordering
>> > over
>> > > the phone a bicycle that you have never tried?  Did the bicycle feel to
>> > big
>> > > or too small?  I have always heard good things about the people who work
>> > for
>> > > Rivendell Bicycle works but wanted to ask people who actually purchase
>> > their
>> > > bicycles.
>>
>> > > THanks
>>
>> > > Khalid
>>

[doug peterson]

Talk to Mathew in VA - see his posting here about his 61 cm for sale
("hisnhers...").

dougP

On Mar 18, 5:11 am, Khalid Mateen <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I am actually in NJ.
>
>
>

> On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 1:22 AM, Seth Vidal <skvi...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Roger]

I seem to remember in the early 00's that Sheldon Brown was lobbying
hard for Rivendell to shorten top tubes, and that people on forums
would chorus in on that. That may or may not be germane, though.

> >> >http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.-Hide quoted text -

[Allingham II, Thomas J]

This thread has probably run its course, but Khaleed, if you'd like to ride a 61cm Atlantis, I've got one in Wilmington, DE. I'll be out of the country till later this month, but you're welcome to ride it (or my 60cm Quickbeam, or 61cm Homer) whenever you like once I get back.

-sv

--

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

[hugfly247]

I

On Mar 18, 2011, at 11:36 AM, Philip Williamson wrote:

+1 on "call them." I bought my Quickbeam over the phone, and I love
it. John asked me how big a tire I planned to use, and how I intended
to ride it (biggest tires, + trail-riding), and suggested the 60cm,
even though my 85cm saddle height indicated I would want a road-only
Riv in a 62 or 64.

So - they have experience and opinions on bike fit (more of one and
less of the other, compared to the list*), and they take your
experience and opinions into account.

I remember, back when Riv sold the Heron Road, going against the RIv sizing recommendation and buying a 56cm frame instead of the 58 that was recommended to me over the phone. 

I also remember buying a 58cm Heron road from them a year later when I realized the 56cm frame was too small. 

Hugh Flynn

Newburyport, MA

[Khalid Mateen]

Thanks for the chart.  It seems that if I subtract 2 inch from my PBH, a 58 cenimeter bicycle is about right in terms of standover since it gives me close to 2 inches of clearance from the neather region but subtracting 10 to 11 cm from the PBH is about 4 inches.  So maybe I need a 56 inch frame with the 26 inch wheels.  I wont know until I call them. 

[Khalid Mateen]

I check it.  I am either getting a 58cm frame or a 61 cm frame.  I wont know until I talk to them.

 

K.

--

[William]

Khalid

I'm certain that both of those sizes (58 and 61) will work for you.
Riv in general will not tell you that you need 2 inches of clearance.
It's more likely that they'll tell you that 2 inches of clearance
liberates you to go bigger. It also depends somewhat on who you talk
to. I'm considering an Atlantis this year or next, and I could ride a
58 or a 61 (PBH 87). When I visited Riv HQ and stood over the 61, it
was right there. I could lift the front wheel off the ground, but
barely. Harry looked and said "That looks like your size". They
didn't have a 58 on hand at the time. On a different day, I was
talking with Mark, who knows my bikes, although he's never done any
fitting with me. I told him I was thinking about a 58 Atlantis, and
he said "Are you sure you are tall enough for a 58?" So it's not
completely rigid, their approach.

My point is that both the 58 and the 61 can work for a person your
size. It will come down to your decision, which will be based
somewhat on your riding style and attitude. If your riding style and
attitude towards cycling changes a lot over the next year or two, then
it is possible that you might grow to love a bike that seemed too big
at the beginning, or might grow to regret that you got something that
is one size off. That's probably the biggest piece, the guesswork on
where your opinions will lie a few thousand miles down the road. I
guarantee you could find several Atlantis owners that are exactly your
size who love their 58, and others exactly your size who love their
61. There's probably a few who ride a 56, and are similarly convinced
they got "their size". I'm leaning towards the 58 because I intend to
have the bars close to level with the saddle. If I wanted the bars
3-4 cm higher than the saddle, I'd go with the 61.

On Mar 18, 10:41 am, Khalid Mateen <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I check it.  I am either getting a 58cm frame or a 61 cm frame.  I wont know
> until I talk to them.
>
> K.
>

> On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 2:26 PM, CycloFiend <cyclofi...@earthlink.net>wrote:

>
> > on 3/18/11 9:01 AM, Khalid Mateen at krm2...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > I do not know what sizes will fit me on a Rivendell.  They do not have
> > the
> > > sizing on the frame based on a PBH anymore.
>
> > Yonder:
> >http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/choosing_a_frame_size
>
> >http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/pbh_and_how_to_measure_it
>
> > --
> > Jim Edgar

> > Cyclofi...@earthlink.net
>
> > Cyclofiend Bicycle Photo Galleries -http://www.cyclofiend.com

> > Current Classics - Cross Bikes
> > Singlespeed - Working Bikes
>

> > Gallery updates now appear here -http://cyclofiend.blogspot.com

[doug peterson]

Also think about what tires you plan to use. The Atlantis is intended
for 35 mm to 52 mm widths. With most tires, the diameter increases
along with the width. Actual width can vary from nominal. I have
always used 35 mm width and Pasela, T-serv and Schwalbe have all
measured different, even though labeled "35 mm".

dougP

On Mar 18, 10:41 am, Khalid Mateen <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I check it.  I am either getting a 58cm frame or a 61 cm frame.  I wont know
> until I talk to them.
>
> K.
>

> On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 2:26 PM, CycloFiend <cyclofi...@earthlink.net>wrote:

>
>
>
> > on 3/18/11 9:01 AM, Khalid Mateen at krm2...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > I do not know what sizes will fit me on a Rivendell.  They do not have
> > the
> > > sizing on the frame based on a PBH anymore.
>
> > Yonder:
> >http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/choosing_a_frame_size
>
> >http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/pbh_and_how_to_measure_it
>
> > --
> > Jim Edgar

> > Cyclofi...@earthlink.net
>
> > Cyclofiend Bicycle Photo Galleries -http://www.cyclofiend.com

> > Current Classics - Cross Bikes
> > Singlespeed - Working Bikes
>

> > Gallery updates now appear here -http://cyclofiend.blogspot.com

>
> > "'You both ride your bike?' He held his hands out and grabbed imaginary
> > handlebars, grinning indulgently, eyeing Tom's helmet.  Double disbeleif:
> > not one, but two grown Americans riding bicycles."
> > -- Neal Stephenson, "Zodiac"
>
> > --
> >  You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> > 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

[naw...@comcast.net]

Doug makes an excellent point.  When I rode my 61 Atlantis (pbh87) with ruffy tuffy's it felt like a good size, but when I put on the pasela 37's for dirt it made the bike feel to big, and wishing I had a 58.

Dave Nawrocki
Fort Collins, CO

----- Original Message -----
From: "doug peterson" <doug...@cox.net>
To: "RBW Owners Bunch" <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2011 2:04:15 PM
Subject: [RBW] Re: Rivendell Atlantis

[Rene Sterental]

Based on my personal experience, the choice between the 58 and 61 frames will really come down to the desired effective distance to your handlebars for your own personal fit. I'm 5'11" and my saddle height is 79cm, which means id be at the top recommend range for the 58 or in the middle for the 61. Riv put me on a 61 which is perfect vertically, but based on where I need the brake hoods to be so in order to minimize/avoid shoulder and neck pain, I've ended up with a 7cm stem and my bars exactly 1" higher than my saddle.

If I wanted to ride with a longer stem which could have a different effect on the handling of the bike, the I would need the 58 but also a taller stem and would show more seat post and stem post to preserve the saddle height and bars relationship. If I didn't have the left shoulder pain, then I'd probably be riding an 8-9 cm stem.

This is applicable to Noodle bars which have a long reach. With other drop bars or bar types such as Albatross or Moustache bars, the stem length would have to be adjusted accordingly.

So, the fine points to consider when talking with Riv to choose a size should be your preferred position in terms of how upright or bent forwards you want to be, the type of bars you'll want to use and the height of the bars in relation to your saddle. Even if you have trouble measuring your PBH (I couldn't do it right until they did it), measure the distance between the top of the saddle and the center of the crank arms along the seat post on your current bike where i assume you are properly fit and use that as a guide.

Last, trust their advice and if needed, send them a photo of you on your current bike so they can asses your riding position and make additional recommendations. Forget about your current preconceptions about stand-over height and trust them. They'll stand by you and giver you good advise.

I have both a 61cm Atlantis and a Homer, but the 60cm Bombadil they recommended turned out to be too long for me with its longer top tube. And I'm running 50mm Marathon Supremes on the Atlantis, which make it taller than thinner tires. Vertically, however, it fits perfectly. With the 7 cm stem I have the best fit I've ever had on a road bike in my entire life. More importantly, I'm starting to ride completely pain free on most of my rides now. And of course, working on the causes of the pain with a good chiropractor. It's amazing how unbalanced we get physically over the years as we get older and hit the 5th floor!

Congratulations on choosing to get an Atlantis. You can check mine here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/orthie251/sets/72157625129486363/

René

Sent from my iPad

[Khalid Mateen]

I want to thank everyone for their help on this.  I am going nuts now about finding my PBH.  I got my step father to read another one again and got 86.5 cm. Ugh.  I have to ask my brother if he will do it for me again which he got 85cm.  I just want a little consistency. LOL.  I got my tax refunds now so I am ready now to start talking to them about what I plan to do with the bicycle, what size I need and what components I want. 

 

THanks again for everyone help

 

K.

[Khalid Mateen]

Just want to reply that I like how your bicycle is set up Rene even the saddle.  I have read that the new Berthoud Gilles Saddles are comfortable although some people think it is kind of cheap that they have that plastic under there.  Even though that is the case, there hasnt been any reports that the plastic has cracked during the riding and in fact, people have said that this plastic material is strong.  It also looks like they put alot of thought in designing that saddle to compete with the Brooks since it has thicker leather and parts can be easily replace versus hammered copper nails of the Brooks.  ALso, it is alot more expensive than the Brooks ($225 at PeterWhite Cycles).  It may be worth it if you get alot of wear and tear out of the saddle and parts can be easily replaced.

 

Thanks

 

Khalid Mateen

On Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 3:12 AM, Rene Sterental <orth...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Rene Sterental]

Hi Khalid,

I think the Berthoud saddle is worth it's cost. It's certainly more comfortable and there are absolutely no issues with the plastic bottom. In fact, it's almost invisible with a saddlebag. I've also heard a lot of complaints regarding durability with the newer Brooks saddles. Anyway, for me the saddle width is perfect and I love its flatter top. My Brooks had to have the nose so high so I wouldn't slide forward so much. 

Enjoy your Atlantis!

René

Sent from my iPhone 4

[cyclotourist]

FWIW, Wallingford has a FANTASTIC return/exchange policy on saddles,
might want to look them up if you're not sure on the saddle:
http://wallbike.com/catalog/saddles/berthoud-leatherline-saddles

--
Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA

*...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would
probably benefit more from
improving their taste than from improving their performance.* - RTMS

[Khalid Mateen]

I just spoke to John about the size for the Atlantis.   I told him that I have a PBH of 86.5cm and said a 58 would fit me.  Now I am trying to figure out does if I want it another color beside bluesh green. It is Kelly Sleeper fault for showing me that red Atlantis.  Now I am trying to figure what color would be nice on a touring bicycle.

 

K. 

On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 12:21 PM, Khalid Mateen <krm...@gmail.com> wrote:

I am going to call them.  I just needed to feel assured somewhat on buying a bicycle that I have not tested.  The last time I bought a bicycle was 19 years ago.  I save up 400 dollars to purchase my own bike.  Still ride it today but I want to get into bicycle touring/camping and I need a strong bicycle for the weight I am going to carry. 

 

Thanks

 

K.

On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 11:45 AM, reynoldslugs <be...@perrylaw.net> wrote:

Khalid:

Welcome to the group.  Bottom line: set your mind at ease, call the
Rivendell, and follow their advice.

I have a lot of bikes, maybe six customs and maybe six or seven
Rivendell models.  Like a lot of riders, sometimes I become silly-
obsessed with a centimeter or two, here and there, on the frame size
or top tube.  Before buying a frame, I always talk to the fellows at
Rivendell HQ and follow their advice about frame size.  They have
NEVER steered me wrong.

Each Rivendell model I have - - including an Atlantis - - fits really
well, and rides like a pleasant dream.  Yesterday was St Paddy's day,
so I rode an Emerald Green Road Custom - - so fun...

RL

[Kelly Sleeper]

Hey number one rule .. Always blame the woman.. In this case my wife Dawn.  

Note: she reads this forum but hasn't registered and can't post.. So I can spew my male chauvinist pigdom freely. 

Kelly 

Sent from my iPhone

[Lee Chae]

I know that every person must make up their own minds about such things, but I have to throw in here that I've seen several standard-colored Atlantises/Atlanti(?) in the wild in full touring mode, and they are spectacular looking. I have a great stable of bikes right now, which fit my current needs. However, there are two bikes that keep calling my name. One of them is a 26-inch wheeled Atlantis in the sea-foamy blueish green, outfitted as a camper. I love the notion of riding up the West Coast on such a set-up, or, crawling up some pass into the Sierras.

Sizing is easy compared to color selection--good luck with it! :)

Best,
Lee
SF, CA

[Khalid Mateen]

She has a nice Atlantis bicycle. Looking at the red bicycle made me rethink about getting another color besides the blues green.  I like the blue green color but I figure every atlantis as that color out and I wanted to get something a little different from the pack.  I am leaning toward the blue on the  A Homer Hilson.

[Benedikt]

Your favorite color!! I never liked that green either.

On Mar 21, 2:22 pm, Khalid Mateen <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I just spoke to John about the size for the Atlantis.   I told him that I
> have a PBH of 86.5cm and said a 58 would fit me.  Now I am trying to figure
> out does if I want it another color beside bluesh green. It is Kelly Sleeper
> fault for showing me that red Atlantis.  Now I am trying to figure
> what color would be nice on a touring bicycle.
>

[Minh]

Just to point out, while the standard atlantis color, you are not
likely to run into very many atlantis while out and about.

[doug peterson]

Khalid:

It's unlikely you'll run into many other Atlantises. I'm coming up on
8 years with mine & I can recall only once crossing paths with another
one accidently. We had one other guy in our SoCal Riv group with one
but he moved. We've got a couple of other guys who say they have
them :) but they keep bringing other Rivs to our rides. It's a fairly
small pack, all things considered.

OTH, the blue you reference would look great on an Atlantis. By its
nature, a touring bike should be bit understated, IMHO. For instance,
I love the Hillborne orange as a color but I would be a bit nervous
leaving it locked up outside the market if I was touring far from
home.

Consider the extra time & expense for custom paint as well. Plus if
you go with the standard color you don't have to agonize over paint
chips (Kelly: how much effort did your wife expend finding the "right
red?")

dougP

On Mar 22, 7:48 am, Khalid Mateen <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote:
> She has a nice Atlantis bicycle. Looking at the red bicycle made me rethink
> about getting another color besides the blues green.  I like the blue green
> color but I figure every atlantis as that color out and I wanted to get
> something a little different from the pack.  I am leaning toward the blue on
> the  A Homer Hilson.
>
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 22, 2011 at 9:41 AM, Kelly Sleeper <tkslee...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >  Hey number one rule .. Always blame the woman.. In this case my wife
> > Dawn.
>
> > Note: she reads this forum but hasn't registered and can't post.. So I can
> > spew my male chauvinist pigdom freely.
>
> > Kelly
>
> > Sent from my iPhone
>

> > On Mar 21, 2011, at 4:22 PM, Khalid Mateen <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >    I just spoke to John about the size for the Atlantis.   I told him that
> > I have a PBH of 86.5cm and said a 58 would fit me.  Now I am trying to
> > figure out does if I want it another color beside bluesh green. It is Kelly
> > Sleeper fault for showing me that red Atlantis.  Now I am trying to figure
> > what color would be nice on a touring bicycle.
>
> > K.

[Ray Shine]

Doug is right, Khalid. I came upon just one other Atlantis while riding the Western Express in '09.  That said, few people knew of it or of Rivendell. Lots of Surly LHTs out there. With front and rear panniers, front rack bag, and rear rack holding gear, the glam bits of the Atlantis didn't readily catch one's eye, either. 

---

From: doug peterson <doug...@cox.net>
To: RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 12:57 PM

Subject: [RBW] Re: Rivendell Atlantis

> >>> rbw-owners-bunch+unsub...@googlegroups.com.

> >>> For more options, visit this group at
> >>>http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
>
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> > rbw-owners-bunch+unsub...@googlegroups.com.

> > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
>
> > --
> >  You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> > rbw-owners-bunch+unsub...@googlegroups.com.

> > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsub...@googlegroups.com.

[William]

If Khalid is considering the frameset that I'm thinking about, then
there is ZERO extra expense and little extra time. Riv has an
unpainted 58 in stock right now. The price includes whatever color
you want and it takes about a month to get it done. If they need to
order your frame from Waterford, it's still the same price and it's
still any color you want (within Riv parameters of course). That
takes about 3 months. It's only an upcharge if they only had a
painted one and you wanted that bike to be a different color and
wanted it comparatively fast, then they'd charge you cost for the
repaint.

On Mar 22, 1:12 pm, Ray Shine <r.sh...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Doug is right, Khalid. I came upon just one other Atlantis while riding the Western Express in '09.  That said, few people knew of it or of Rivendell. Lots of Surly LHTs out there. With front and rear panniers, front rack bag, and rear rack holding gear, the glam bits of the Atlantis didn't readily catch one's eye, either. 
>
> ________________________________

> From: doug peterson <dougpn...@cox.net>

> > >>> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.

> > >>> For more options, visit this group at
> > >>>http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
>
> > > --
> > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > > "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> > > 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.
>
> > > --
> > >  You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > > "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> > > 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.-Hide quoted text -

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

[Thomas Nezovich]

Doug, you have the wrong friends. http://www.flickr.com/photos/32919632@N04/4269441605/#/photos/32919632@N04/4269441605/lightbox/
That's mine in the middle. Right to left are a 53cm, my 56 cm, list member John Philip's (his picture too) which is a bit larger.

[doug peterson]

Thomas:

And nicely loaded up, too. The caption could be "Atlantises at
work". Maybe I'm hanging with the wrong crowd? They do tend to
agonize about tires...

dougP

On Mar 22, 2:25 pm, Thomas Nezovich <t...@cox.net> wrote:
> Doug, you have the wrong friends.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/32919632@N04/4269441605/#/photos/3291963...

> >>>http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.-Hide quoted text -

>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> > 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 athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.- Hide quoted text -

[James Warren]

Guilty as charged.

[Rene Sterental]

Khalid,

 

I remember how much I struggled to choose the color of my Atlantis, but here is my story... :-)

 

When I went to Walnut Creek the very first time to see for myself what the Rivendell concept was all about, they had me test ride a Homer, an Atlantis and a Sam. I hated the Atlantis color on the spot and wasn't too hot about the Homer color but loved the Sam green. Still, I chose to get the Homer and had the choice between the Waterford or Toyo frames. I liked the Waterford blue a lot more than the Toyo blue which is darker and not as "lively", and brought the frame home. During those first two weeks, I realized that I was loving that Waterford blue more and more every day, that there was something incredibly special about it that I couldn't quite figure out.

 

A few months later I decided I also wanted the new Bombadil, and having the choice of color, after a lot of struggling I ordered it in the darkest green I could find on the catalog. My idea was to have a bike that almost looked black, but when the light shone on it would let you catch the glimpse of the green. I didn't want a black bike. I selected my color from the chart and after I received the frame realized that while dark green, it wasn't the exact match from the catalog and that the painter finds a match from whatever is available at the time and/or the perception from the catalog is just never going to match the perception of the actual frame color. I still loved it and rode it for about 6 months when it became patently obvious that it was too large (read long top tube and minimal vertical clearance) for me and not wanting to go to the next smaller size which would have required 650B wheels (I had already purchased two sets of Dyad wheels from Rick) I decided that the Homer fit was what I wanted and since the Atlantis had the exact same geometry as the Homer, I decided to order one.

 

Now, in the meantime, I had come to realize that in contrast to the effect the blue Homer color had on me, over time I was growing less satisfied with the dark green Bombadil color. What to do? I really didn't like that Atlantis color... but then I realized, after looking at some and going to RBW a couple of times, that I would have never chosen the blue Homer color upfront, but that Grant's knoweldge on bike colors (or whoever chose those colors) had matured over time to a point where those colors were having that effect on me in a subtle yet very powerful way. I hadn't had a choice on the Homer, and decided to just go with the default Atlantis color as well.

 

I can tell you that it has had the same effect on me as the original blue Homer had. The more I see it, the more I love it! And again, the Waterford hue has that special "vibrance" that the Toyo paint seems to lack IMHO. Very subjective but very clear to me.

 

I've seen other frames with colors that I love when I see the photo, but none that I can say I feel would have the same effect of slowly gaining it and increasing it over time. Then again, I have to say that I still "hate" the gray color that was chosen for the Hunqa but really like both Sam colors, green and orange.

 

My advice to be discarded is to choose the original color as it is as unique as the bike itself! And I want someone that knows what an Atlantis or a Homer is to be able to recognize it by its color as well.

 

No go crazy trying to choose a color!!!

 

René

 

PS.- The new owner of my Bombadil absolutely loves its color and I actually sold him the matching green B-17 saddle as well. I was approached by another guy who also fell in love with that color from looking at my photos and wanted to get my permission to request it from RBW (very nice of him!). I contacted Keven to get the actual code for the color I had selected and gave it to him and as far as I know, he did order it in that exact same color. It just goes to show that only you have to love the color you choose and everyone else's preferences are theirs...

[Leslie]

Ok, I think Khalid is steered on the right track, and I don't want to
distract from that, but, whilst I've been reading through several of
the comments in this thread, I kept remembering 'em, too, and wanted
to go re-read 'em. So...

Back in August of '09, was this: http://www.rivbike.com/blogs/news_post/148
earliest I found regarding the end of Toyo Atlanti... (and I like the
mention where, because of limited At-sizes at the time, G said, if you
needed bigger, order a Bombadil and they'd paint it in At colors and
sticker it, 'because that is what it is'. (Which, is part of my
justification of ordering a Bombadil when I feel like I should own an
Atlantis, just-because, but don't...)

December of '09, this http://www.rivbike.com/blogs/news_post/172
mentioned calling if you wanted a Toyo Atlantis.

But the one I really wanted to find was from January of '10,
http://www.rivbike.com/blogs/news_post/181 which talks about the
'Samurai-like details". Now, I feel I should mention, it does say
that future ones are Wford... but, it was just after this timeframe
that there started to be a bit of confusion, wondering if the Atlantis
was going away, not just being 'source-relocated'. Right after that,
methinks, is when G posted up to clarify that the Atlantis wasn't
going away, it *is* permanent, but, was just coming from Wford
instead.

FWIW....

[Khalid Mateen]

I asked John about what you are talking about.  Not necessarily that the colors of Toyo were not as impressive than the Waterford but I did notice in looking at the site that when you look at the last photos on Atlantis, the colors appear more vibrant versus the older photos.  Even when when you look at the A Homer Hilson, the second and third photos, the color looks more vibrant than the others.  John told me it was because they took the original pictures using a 200 dollar camera and the newer ones were done professionally using a 48000 dollar camera.   If you check it out, blue does not look as dark and on the Atlantis, it looks lighter and not as dull than the first couple of ones.  It could be just the camera.

[Khalid Mateen]

I do not hate the color at all. The greenish blue is nice but I guess I do not want to be the norm and get a bicycle that has the same color as every other Atlantis.

K.

[Steve D.]

Yeah, agreed. I'm in Seattle, and have only seen one, maybe two other
Atlantis', in my area. The second of the two might have been the same
bike :) It's a taller, 700c version of my '03 51 cm Atlantis. I've
seen this bike (or these bikes) parked outside an office off the B-G
on Gasworks, and at the View Ridge PCC on 40th and 65th. My mechanic
at Counterbalance mentioned that he has worked on one other Atlantis a
few months back.

As for color, I've been perusing cyclofiend's pages looking at
different color schemes. I saw a beautiful yellow Riv custom, and have
been considering something like that if I ever get the money and the
sign-off from my CFO to do a repaint. We'll see. I just had all my
chainrings (the middle one was pretty worn out), chain, and cassette
replaced last week. The bike rides really, really nice. So nice, in
fact, that I overshot my turnoff to the office in Belltown the day
after I got it out of the shop; I guess I was enjoying the ride too
much! It's really nice when everything's dialed in. But kind of sad
when you can't think of anything else you "need" to add to the bike
for your immediate pleasure. But I guess that makes my wife happy!

-Steve D

> > >http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.-Hide quoted text -

[Philip Williamson]

I saw a black Atlantis frame at Rivendell a few years ago, and
pictures of it built up after. Super-sharp!

Philip

Philip Williamson
www.biketinker.com

On Mar 22, 11:53 am, Khalid Mateen <krm2...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I do not hate the color at all. The greenish blue is nice but I guess I do
> not want to be the norm and get a bicycle that has the same color as every
> other Atlantis.
> K.

[nathan spindel]

Agreed. Here's a nice black one I spotted in SF: http://flic.kr/p/77MSSb

-nathan

[Kelly Sleeper]

She didn't spend anytime at all.. Red is her favorite color and Keven
or Grant one at Rivendell said the legolas red would be perfect for
her.. we said OK.. and it was perfect. :)

Kelly