Thinking of getting A Homer- does it feel quick?

[Graham McCall]

I'm coming from a really short and qucik handling bike- Surly Pack Rat. I'm curious in starting over and getting a Home for longer rides that would benefit from some less-nervous handling. 

58cm is what I'm after, any ride review or insights would be great!

Thanks, 

[Mathieu Brown]

I've ridden a Waterford model that was a little small for me (which is why I didn't buy it) but man - talk about a bike that wants to get out and run....

My Platypus is so so nice but I still think about that Homer...

MATHIEU BROWN

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[Matthew Williams]

Here's a 59:

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/bik/d/los-angeles-rivendell-bicycle-works/7455804710.html

[Patrick Moore]

I've never ridden a Homer, but I do have questions about the Pack Rat. I was particularly struck by Surly's description as not-low-trail (JimG's trail calculator gives a trail in the 50s?) and the fact that their blind-test riders preferred this geometry over low-trail, even with large front loads.

Also: 

• The Pack Rat is a rim brake-only bike. Why rim brakes? Rim brakes avoid the physical and legal compliance constraints that revolve around disc brakes. Designing the Pack Rat around rim brakes allowed us to make the lightest, supplest riding, and most affordable bike we could:

Does anyone know what "legal compliance constraints" they refer to?

They describe the frame as "supple" which is interesting because -- is this right? -- Surly's frames have a reputation of being overbuilt. Perhaps this is only certain models?

At any rate, what I want to know -- here are the questions -- is (a) does the bike handle agile-ly with a 25 lb front load? (b) Does the "really quick" handling happen only with the front unloaded? (c) Does it feel supple? -- IOW, not jarring and stiff compared to lighter-tubed bikes? And of course (d): How heavy a load does it carry without making handling annoying?

Thanks.

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

[Roberta]

I know you're also considering other Rivs. 

I LOVE my Homer.  I live in the city, where there are poorly paved streets--trolley tracks and potholes.  For 3 or 4 years, I rode my Joe A. and was wonderfully happy.  Got a Homer to ride at a second location.  Talk about sprightly, lively, wonderful!!!!  When they both lived at my house because of Covid, I switched between bikes every ride and when I decided to get a Platy one of the originals had to leave.  It took a long time to decide, but I let Joe A go because I'm almost strictly a pavement rider of about 20 miles +/- each ride.  No single tracks or dirt tracks at all, no long touring trips, or I would have kept the Joe A.  They are both wonderful bikes and shine in their respective sweet spot.

I really like my Platy, but for light and sprightly riding, the Homer is it for me!  Platy has a smooth and wonderful ride and it's a step thru!  It's my daily commuting bike through the city and trades off weekend rides with Homer.

The good news is they are all wonderful riding bikes (testing an Atlantis is what got me hooked, BTW).

Roberta

[Jason Glenn]

Graham,

I believe you said elsewhere that you're looking for one of the older Homers.  I got a 2011 Homer about 6 months ago.  My first Riv.  It's fantastic.  I put 38 mm Soma Shikoro tires on it -- may try 44s when they wear out -- and use it for my commute (with a rear rack and panniers) in Los Angeles.  Take it longer (30-40 mile) rides several times a week.  Have done spend a few full days in the saddle with long climbs and descents.  I literally couldn't be happier or imagine anything I'd want to do that I can't.  

I've had a few short spins on a friend's Hunq, double TT Sam, older Atlantis, and a zippy custom.  All really wonderful.  Find myself fantasizing about getting another Riv (Joe App or Atlantis) to complement the homer, maybe with fatter tires, front basket, swept back bars, etc., but every time I do so, I ask myself why, as it would mean that I would have less time on my Homer that is so comfortable and smooth.  It's such a joy to ride and a true all-rounder, just as a quick as my old Raleigh Reynolds 753 road bike, when I want it to be, but far more versatile and handles better, for sure.  

Good luck with our search, but if you can find one at a reasonable price, I can't imagine you'd be disappointed.  Mine is all that I'd hoped it would be and more.

jason

[Mark Schneider]

I don't know about the new design, but I've had a Waterford Homer since 2011 or there about. I love the smooth, comfy ride, and it's plenty quick enough. Not fast like my old Masi or my custom Terraferma, but plenty fast enough, especially with Rene Herse Tires. The Homer is more comfortable and rides similar width tires as the Terraferma, but I have ridden some pretty gnarly single track on that Homer I would not try on my other "fast" framsets. If I had to have only one bike, I always thought I'd pick the Homer. I do wish it had canti-brake mounts I'd run my favorite brake ever,  the Paul Mini-Moto's!

I also have an Atlantis, and it's more of a mountain bike, setup with upright bars, the Homer is faster than the Atlantis, but I love riding them both.

I've seen plenty of Brevet riders on Homers, great long distance bikes are both fast and comfortable, I'm sure the new ones ride beautifully, are even more comfortable and probably faster downhill.

Mark

[J. W.]

Graham, I just got my hands on my brand new Homer *today*, and while it will stay in the shop for a day or two longer for the last couple of things/adjustments, I got to ride it briefly and it felt absolutely incredible. Mine is also the 58cm model (I'm 5'11"), I have it set up with Noodle bars and Soma Shikoro tires (38mm), and it feels very fast, very smooth and very stable right off the bat. It also looks stunning, the paint job when you see it in person is a thing of beauty. I will post pictures to the group one day soon. It is a very big day, my first Riv. Best -- Jon in Montreal

[Bob]

I had a 2014 MUSA Homer, a 61, rolling on Compass (as RH were then) Barlow Pass tires. "Quick" is not the word I'd use; "eager" would be better. That is, I felt that it rewarded effort, when power and speed were required. When steady cruising was in order, it was in no way "nervous" or twitchy, but smooth. I miss that bike.

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Bob