Gallopini

[Andrew Joseph]

Any Charlie H. Gallop parents here that have owned or currently own a Roadini?

I am hoping someone might be willing to share impressions of both bikes. Have I missed a previous thread addressing this?

I am strongly considering buying a new Charlie frameset, hunting for a used 57 frameset out there for sale, and finally considering selling my 54 Sergio frameset (or include it in a trade plus cash) to make this happen.

I’ve seen a few comparisons of the Charlie to the Homer of course. But I must have missed anything specific about the Roadini vs Charlie.

Still smitten with the geometry and setup of my Joe. So, I don’t mind attempting to make marginal gains with this project.

R,

Drew

[Johnny Alien]

I owned both although my Gallop was a. prototype with a swoopy top tube. I believe the geometry is essentially the same though. I think it really comes down to what type of bars you want to run. If you want to run drops I would get the Roadini. You could do drops on a gallop but you would need a real short stem and even then I bet it wouldn't be the best experience. A roadini will do sweptback as well as drops BUT if I absolutely knew I wanted sweptback bars I would go with the Gallop. 

[Andrew Joseph]

Johnny!  

Thanks for the response. Whelp, I definitely want to run swept back/flat bars. I think I remember your bike photos!  I kinda wish they would have kept the swoopy TT honestly.  

But beyond the aesthetics and lugs…What I’m really wondering is whether or not I gain anything by moving to the Charlie?  Assuming the same flat bar cockpit, is the Gallop more efficient, smoother (long stays), or a better climber than a Roadini? 

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 12, 2025, at 10:39 AM, Johnny Alien <johnny....@gmail.com> wrote:

I owned both although my Gallop was a. prototype with a swoopy top tube. I believe the geometry is essentially the same though. I think it really comes down to what type of bars you want to run. If you want to run drops I would get the Roadini. You could do drops on a gallop but you would need a real short stem and even then I bet it wouldn't be the best experience. A roadini will do sweptback as well as drops BUT if I absolutely knew I wanted sweptback bars I would go with the Gallop. 

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[Jason Fuller]

I agree - to me, they are flat bar and drop bar versions of otherwise the same bike. While you could run drops on a Charlie and you could run swept bars on a Roadini, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me - better to get the frame that's optimized for the setup you want to run.  

And it would be easy to think 'well, the Roadini has a much shorter rear end than the Charlie so they're not really the same bike', but I would challenge this by saying that the longer rear end of the Charlie is simply maintaining the correct weight distribution between wheels when going from drops to upright bars. We're conditioned to think the longer chainstays are not sporty, but having ridden the Charlie vs. "sporty" bikes set up with upright bars, the long chainstays just make this rider position work better all around. Climbing is noticeably better - each pedal stroke feels like its going towards forward momentum more than with the shorter wheelbase bike.  More control in low-traction situations thanks to more weight on the front wheel. And yes, also more comfort too (ie you're in the middle of the bus vs the back of the bus!) 

[Joseph Kolker]

I got a Roadini with Albatross bars (in a standard Riv build package, with a long stem) rather than a Charlie both for aesthetics but also after reading this language on Riv's website:

"If you weigh over 207 pounds, get a Roadini, Sam, or Homer. They’re plenty zippy, too. It’s doubtful that a 240 pounder would break the Charlie, but it’s just not the right bike."

I don't weigh over 200 pounds, but was close enough that this made me wary, especially since this was a bike I hope to have a long time. That said I'm not actually sure why Charlie would have a lower weight limit since as I understand it the tubing is pretty similar to Roadini and Homer.

I keep thinking about switching the Roadini to drop bars on the theory that it's maybe better suited to that, but it feels so good as it is currently set up that I'm hesitant to mess with it.

[Bill Lindsay]

"I'm not actually sure why Charlie would have a lower weight limit"

The caution probably centers on where the dropped top tube of the Gallop wants to bend the seat tube in the middle. In your imagination, stack 100 pound bags of concrete on the saddle.  When something gives at some truly massive weight, it'll be the seat tube that bends in half at that intersection.  The more triangulated diamond of the Roadini would fail at a higher weight and would probably be the fork or the head tube joints failing.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Joseph Kolker]

That makes sense, thanks Bill.

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[Mike in BK]

Drew, I'm curious about you having an Appaloosa and wanting to add a Charlie. I'm torn between these two models myself and getting both isn't an option for me, unfortunately. I'm actually trying to get down to one do-it-all bike if I can. I want a long wheelbase Riv with a 70 degree head tube, which sorta casts off the Roadini and Sam. The Homer won't be offered in 2026 and I'm not feeling the upcoming Platypus colors. I'm sold on the theoretical benefits of long chain stays and long front center and I want to run sweptback bars. The Joe would do everything including big tire off road riding. The Charlie sounds like a dream to ride and Grant is pretty jazzed about it. I will ride whatever I get mostly on paved roads, but for the times I will be on gravel and mellow trails I wonder if the Charlie could handle that. I'm 200 lbs and I'd be on a 61cm Charlie or a 57cm Joe. My hesitation with the Joe is the overkill factor. I won't be able to bike-pack anytime soon and the stoutness and copious rack mounts might be lost on me, unless they're not someday. It's been a tough decision. The prevailing advice has been to decide based on my type of riding, but what Rivs offer is the versatility to do multiple types of riding. I want ALL my rides to be on my first Riv. 

[Andrew Joseph]

Mike!

Great question…unfortunately, I cannot provide any legitimate feedback on the Charlie at the moment. I can’t ride for a bit longer. I did ride the bike enough (once) to know I needed a much shorter stem.  So the bike sits as pictured, still in beta. 

I’ve been quietly attempting to grow in other areas, and enjoying everyone’s posts/videos of course.  I will have to settle now for some very frigid and windy test rides in the near future.  I will be able to report back if you are still searching at that time. There are many members here more qualified than myself to answer your question. But since you’ve asked me.  I will offer my opinion. 

Both bikes are absolutely capable of the pavement riding you’ve described even with a dash of gravel.  I think any Riv can easily do well on nice gravel for a stretch. 

On trails, even mellow trails.  I would prefer the Joe. Throw some bags on the bike?  Definitely the Joe.  The Appaloosa can do everything you describe really, really well depending on choices like bars/tires.  And the Joe is amazing on pavement. 

Mostly pavement and no bags? The Charlie could definitely be the one.  

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 1, 2025, at 3:10 PM, Mike in BK <michae...@gmail.com> wrote:

Drew, I'm curious about you having an Appaloosa and wanting to add a Charlie. I'm torn between these two models myself and getting both isn't an option for me, unfortunately. I'm actually trying to get down to one do-it-all bike if I can. I want a long wheelbase Riv with a 70 degree head tube, which sorta casts off the Roadini and Sam. The Homer won't be offered in 2026 and I'm not feeling the upcoming Platypus colors. I'm sold on the theoretical benefits of long chain stays and long front center and I want to run sweptback bars. The Joe would do everything including big tire off road riding. The Charlie sounds like a dream to ride and Grant is pretty jazzed about it. I will ride whatever I get mostly on paved roads, but for the times I will be on gravel and mellow trails I wonder if the Charlie could handle that. I'm 200 lbs and I'd be on a 61cm Charlie or a 57cm Joe. My hesitation with the Joe is the overkill factor. I won't be able to bike-pack anytime soon and the stoutness and copious rack mounts might be lost on me, unless they're not someday. It's been a tough decision. The prevailing advice has been to decide based on my type of riding, but what Rivs offer is the versatility to do multiple types of riding. I want ALL my rides to be on my first Riv. 

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[Jason Fuller]

Drew's breakdown is spot on, because the main difference between the Charlie and the Appaloosa isn't the few ounces of frame weight, tire clearance, or brake type - it's the frame stiffness that really differentiates them.  I'd base your decision on how much load you want the bike to be optimally set up for.  Both are fully capable of going where you want to go otherwise 

[Mike in BK]

Oh, wow! You got the Charlie. Great build. Those tires have some teeth. With the Quills it must be lightish.

That's a great take on the two bikes. I like hearing that Joe is amazing on pavement. I look forward to further reviews of the Rivs. Thanks!!