Front rack for Romulus?

[Rick Urbanowski]

Is there any way to mount a front rack on my Romulus along with vendors?

[Joe Bernard]

Yes to both, although it can be a bit of a bodge (I did it, a Romulus was my first Riv). Fenders are an easy fit over the stock 700 x 28 Ruffy Tuffys, you have single eyelets front and rear for them. My Rom brochure claims you can do it with tires as big as 35mm, but I suspect this is 2003 information when 700 x 35 Paselas were really more like 32. 

The front rack is where things get sticky. I used a Mark's Rack with the center-mount tongue behind the caliper brake* and clamps at mid-fork for the struts. Nobody likes using those fiddly clamps but they work fine. Alternatively you can try a long bolt and spacer at the fender eyelet on the dropout for longer rack struts. The eyelet is behind the fork blade so you'll need to set it up so the strut is spaced away from the blade. It's doable! 

*If you have a canti-Rom you have options for racks that mount at the brake bolts. 

Joe "wishes he'd taken pictures of this in 2003" Bernard

[Rick Urbanowski]

Great info, thank you!

I will be attempting to put the fenders on 38's...so fingers crossed on that one for sure!

No canti here. I like the idea of the fender eyelet. I'll explore that option. Thanks again!

[Joe Bernard]

Good luck!

[Joe Bernard]

Oh, I missed that you said 38. I don't think there's any chance of that working; it's the listed max size without fenders, and I remember the clearance under the fork and brake being uhhhh not a lot. Which is definitely not where you want your space dropping down to zero and a stick or rock stopping there. Yikes! 

[Rick Urbanowski]

Dang! I'm glad you replied with that info so quick! I was just about to attempt the install. 

My long term plan is to convert this to 650B's. I think they would clear with that, so maybe I shouldn't return these just yet. Thoughts?

[Joe Bernard]

Indeed, a fendered 650B conversion should work fine on that bike. Two caveats: 1. Rivs already have a low BB so the smaller wheel size could be a pedal-strike issue if you tend to pedal through turns. 2. Long-reach calipers like the Tektro R559 Riv sells won't work because that frame was already designed for mid-reach. You'll probably need a center-pull like Paul Racers or Dia-Compes. The added fun for this plan is you'll need brake hangers at the headset and seat lug (Riv sells them). 

In summary: Romulus is a great lightish-loads road bike that can take decently cushy tires, fenders and a small front rack, but you can go to a lot of time and trouble trying to make it something it really wasn't meant to be. There's other Rivs that might work better for what you're looking for. In my opinion!*

*others may completely disagree with me

[Rick Urbanowski]

Wow! Great advice, and a mind reader! I was just thinking the same thing. 

This is my first Riv and i love it! I just stumbled on it at a bike shop on consignment. Perhaps it won't be my last, as you suggest. I'm already rigging this bike up more than i probably should. (see photo) I really do need fenders though, and the pedal strike does concern me. Max 35's for the fenders? Or less?

[Johnny Alien]

That's the same as a Rambouillet right? I ran Kojaks on my Rambouillet and if I remember that was a true 35 width.  There was for sure some room for fenders with them. If I thought that a 38 was going to run just a touch small I would take the chance with fenders.  I probably would try it even if it measured a true 38.  But I often try dumb things.

PS - That is a beautiful bike. I stick by the Rambouillet/Romulus being the best Riv bike made.  Close second to the Sauki

[Rick Urbanowski]

LOL, I'm the same way.I basically do what I'm not supposed to! LOL. Yeah the is just like a Ram but with a few minor details that were left out of the production. Contrasting paint on the some of the mounts, possibly down scaled components, but basically the same specs.  I'll measure what i have and see. Thanks man

[brendonoid]

Nothing to add of use here except that that photo is like a still-life, with the jug in the window and the peeling paint. Just perfect. Bike is gorgeous too!

To be helpful to the question, just because you can squeeze a fender in a space and the tyres dont rub doesnt meen its safe. Been there, ruined nice bikes.

[Joe Bernard]

That is a fine bicycle. Toyo made and came stock with pretty much the same parts as Rambouillet, it was a screaming deal back then and impossible for Grant to replicate for that kind of money now. Mine was a smidge too big cuz 55cm was the smallest size, but I sure miss it. 

Joe Bernard

[John Rinker]

For what it's worth, Blue Lug in Japan sells these handy little gadgets:

https://store.bluelug.com/gamoh-rack-adapter.html

Cheers

[Rick Urbanowski]

Thanks! SHe's my muse...lol

[Rick Urbanowski]

great resource, thanks!

[lconley]

You can always cut the fenders to make them discontinuous at the brakes, fork, or whatever is in the way. You have to be clever with mounting them, but it can be done if you want to maximize the tire size. You can mount the fenders to the racks sometimes. There was something about this in a Riv email sometime in the last year or so. Riv would even do it as an extra cost item if you purchased a build from them. VO sells a lot of fender mounting hardware that can be helpful.

Laing

Delray Beach FL

On Friday, August 13, 2021 at 7:15:56 PM UTC-4 Johnny Alien wrote:

[Rick Urbanowski]

I like what you're laying down here....

I might just get bold and start tinkering here. Thanks for the motivation!