seeking Rivendell Saluki reviews...and maybe a lead

[Matt Beecher]

I cannot get a Rivendell Saluki out of my mind.  I've been watching craigslist nationwide and Ebay, but have never seen any come up for sale since I missed out on that purple one last year.  Were very few made, or are they so cherished that they never go up for sale?  

I've got an Atlantis and feel like I should be perfectly happy with that, as they seem very similar in intentions.  For those that have had both, can you give me any feedback on comparisons?  Am I nuts for wanting both?  (I already have far more bikes than I should.)

While on the topic, does anyone know of a 60cm cantilever Saluki that is for sale?

Thanks,

Matt Beecher

Oswego, IL

[DB]

I have one and it is pretty awesome.  I use it for brevets and dirt riding and it handles both really well.  I believe you can order a 650b Homer Hilsen which is essentially the same bike except that it is readily available.  

[Eric Daume]

You could also look for a Bleriot. It's essentially a Taiwan made Saluki, and goes up to a 60cm size.

Eric

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[James Warren]

61 even!

Salukis went to 62. Likely the biggest 650B Riv, outside of customs.

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[Christopher Murray]

The AHH is the same bike- they rolled the two models together. Have you talked to Riv to see if they'd build you a new one? If they have the decals and badge I can't see why they'd say no.

Cheers!
Chris

[Tony DeFilippo]

I've got a 60cm canti Saluki and briefly had a (to large by alot) 64cm Atlantis... The size disparity makes my ride impressions of the two pretty much useless but from a frame perspective I'd say that the Atlantis is probably the best looking bike I've ever seen with the best head badge to boot.

That said at least till the new 650b model was released I felt the 26"/56cm was to small and my experience with the 2"+ 700c tires on the 64cm we're way to big... So I explored the 650b path leading my to the 60 Saluki which his just about perfect size wise, maybe a touch long in the top tube with drops.

The Saluki does seem to sit very nicely in the spectrum of Riv bikes though, has a cool name, headbadge and is sufficiently rare that I understand the draw... The lugs are great, braze on's plentiful but ridiculously so, classic level top tube, and the canti version can easily be reimagined; a stripped down roadie (with plush tires), a mid trail randonneur (a classy one), a reasonably fully loaded mixed surface tourer, a CX/singletrack rig with attitude (BG RnR's eh!?!), just about any bar combo can be done.

The Saluki's only limitations in my mind come with whatever you are comfortable doing on 42mm tires/fenders or slightly larger w/out and maybe super heavy loads - but I did a C&O trip with close to 280# Rider plus luggage with no ill effects.

All that can be done with an Atlantis though... A bit heavier tube spec but you gain extra tire width capacity. Good luck with your bike musings!

Tony

[Doug Williams]

I have a 58cm 650b Hilsen. My kids call it "Homer" when I ride slow and "Saluki" when I ride fast. Because we all know that the most important factor in the speed of a bike is the name. 😀

Doug

[C.J. Filip]

Had a 56cm Atlantis.  Traded for a 59cm AHH which was traded for a 60cm canti Saluki.  Very happy with the Saluki although it was nice to run "monstercross"-sized tires on the Atlantis.  It's my happy medium bike, combining construction ideas of GP and rando/brevet ideas of JH/BQ.  I load it up with a Jannd low-rider (thanks ample braze-ons) and Nitto R-14 for long weekend semi credit card tours up in the British Columbia/Alberta Rockies.  It will go with me to this years BQ Un-meting.  

You are right for wanting one!  I hope you can find one.

On Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 4:10:53 PM UTC-7, Matt Beecher wrote:

[KenP]

Hi Matt,

   I have a 53 Rivendell All Rounder with 26inch wheels, which is like an Atlantis, and a 54 650B Saluki. I like both.  The Saluki feels taller and steadier and lighter.  The All Rounder feels more sluggish but quick in the turns, and stronger and takes wider tires with fenders.  Lately I have been commuting with the All Rounder because there is a steep road with lots of potholes, patches, and speed bumps.  I have taken the Saluki on long trips on the GAP trail and the C&O Canal; It has racks and lots of bottle cages and it is perfect for those trips. One thing: get the right size, because I bought one of the first Salukies in a size 50 and even though I rode it comfortably for two years, I eventually traded for the 54 which fit me much better.  Hope you find your size.

Ken

[Kellie]

I have both and LOVE both. Both cantis. I've set up the Saluki with drops and ride it the longer distances on road (though it's great on fire roads with Fatty Rumpkins), and use it on the indoor trainer. The Atlantis get's ridden most the time, road and commuting, and all the off-road adventures (has 2.1 tires). It has a large Sackville Saddleback, dynamo head and rear.  I have a small Sackville saddlesack on the Saluki with a dynamo headlight.  The Saluki is 650b and the Atlantis 26'. I love the 650b platform but opted for 26" when I had the Atlantis built last Sept. I don't want to part with either and feel I have the best 2 bikes for whatever I want to do. But, if I had to get rid of one, it'd be the Saluki.

On Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 4:10:53 PM UTC-7, Matt Beecher wrote:

[Michael Hechmer]

Matt,  I have often wanted an Atlantis but have regrettably never gotten one.  I do have a 62cm cantied Saluki and a 62 cm Ram.  I love them both.  As someone else mentioned, the AHH was brought to market as a revised Saluki.  The Saluki is not as fast or agile as the Ram, but is not slow either.  I love the wider 650B tires on the Saluki and prefer it for the many dirt ( and lousy chip & seal roads) in Vermont. I run 38s but 41s will fit under VO fenders.  The Saluki does just fine on grocery runs, and I would not hesitate to take it touring, although the tandem does all of that work.  It's a great bike, but if you already own an Atlantis it's hard to see what more you will get.  Probably the Saluki is a bit quicker unloaded, but if it's more speed you are looking for there are other, better choices.  On the other hand you could continue to search for one and then decide which one you wanted to keep. If I were headed to Tierra del Fuego, I would choose the Atlantis; for the rest of my rides, the Saluki is great.

Michael

On Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 7:10:53 PM UTC-4, Matt Beecher wrote:

[Dick Denning]

Matt:

I have a 61 Bleriot (sidepulls, not canti's) I would consider selling.  Email me at denning at bright.net if interested in talking.  I am in Ohio.  

Thanks,

Dick  

[Rob]

62cm, and centerpulls, but I'm selling mine. :) 

https://flic.kr/s/aHskoeejxJ

Rob

Seattle

On Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 4:10:53 PM UTC-7, Matt Beecher wrote:

...

[Matt Beecher]

I apologize for bringing up an old thread, but just want to follow up with the group to thank everyone who responded.  As you can see in the photos, I didn't just get a Saluki, I got the very one that I had been thinking of.  Special thanks to Bill. 

Cheers,

Matt

[René Sterental]

Nice!

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[Bob Lovejoy]

Wow!  Perfect!!

Great bike to find and an excellent build to add to that.

Congrats!

Bob

[Matt Beecher]

I could not have gotten luckier.  The bike is great.  The seller was fantastic to work with...in that he actually delivered the bike to me.  It is mostly his build, minus the saddle and pedals.  I don't plan to change anything, except maybe adding a pump to the 3rd set of bottle braze-ons. 

Most importantly...the color will be staying, as it is just what I want.  

Ever onward,

Matt

[WETH]

Congratulations! Beautiful bike,too!

[Chris Lampe 2]

That is a gorgeous bike!  Congrats!!

On Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 2:57:34 PM UTC-5, Matt Beecher wrote:

[Patrick Moore]

Very nice.

Champion Flyer? Do the springs work for you with drop bars? I tried one and I thought it didn't "give" enough to make it worthwhile, but this was on a drop barred mountain bike. Perhaps its time to try one again?

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Alburquerque, Nouvelle Mexique,  Vereinigte Staaten

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[Matt Beecher]

It is indeed a Flyer and it takes just a bit out of the bumps.  I probably don't need it with those tires, but that was really my only spare saddle.  

It does not give much, but I started using those over a standard B17 when I was riding trails shared with horses. Riding over the hoof prints could be unpleasant over time, especially if I didn't see them coming.  I typically use the flyer on a bike that takes 32mm or smaller tires.    

On Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 8:07:55 PM UTC-5, Patrick Moore wrote:

Very nice.

Champion Flyer? Do the springs work for you with drop bars? I tried one and I thought it didn't "give" enough to make it worthwhile, but this was on a drop barred mountain bike. Perhaps its time to try one again?

On Sat, May 6, 2017 at 1:57 PM, Matt Beecher <beec...@gmail.com> wrote:

I apologize for bringing up an old thread, but just want to follow up with the group to thank everyone who responded.  As you can see in the photos, I didn't just get a Saluki, I got the very one that I had been thinking of.  Special thanks to Bill. 

Cheers,

Matt

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[Patrick Moore]

Horses -- I understand. Fortunately, around here, the soil is sandy and usually dry, so that while we have plenty of horses, their hoofmarks are annoying only after rains (and the soil dries very quickly here) when the surfaces are for a brief while very choppy.

[Tony DeFilippo]

Congrats Matt! I believe I'm very familiar with that particular Purple-Luki and it's a fine bike. You'll have to report back after a couple rides and do in your own impressions of the Saluki!

Tony

[Matt Beecher]

I've gotten out for a few rides already, but hope to go on a longer one today.  So far, I am shocked at how much lighter the Saluki is over my Atlantis.  While weight isn't a terribly significant factor for me, I expected them to be the same.  It is nice to have lighter bikes when I have to carry them up and out of my basement.  

In terms of comfort, I would say the Saluki has been a bit more comfortable, but it also has better quality tires, which likely contributes significantly.  

Overall, I am very happy with the Saluki and would gladly recommend them.  

Cheers,

Matt

[Deacon Patrick]

Ha! Isn't it amazing how different the bikes feel? I was also surprised by the difference between my Hunqapiller and Quickbeam, both unloaded. I've settled into a pattern of always leaving my panniers on the Hunqapillar, so the difference "unloaded" is even greater. Yet the difference in time to a destination in negligible in any real world terms. If I meet someone at the trail head 10 miles away, I know it takes me 90 minutes on either bike, so I allow 1:45 for a bit of a cushion. The primary difference isn't actual speed, it's the ride feel and experience.  

Love the color! We will have lilacs blooming here in about 3 weeks, so you'd fit right in! Ride with wild abandon!

With abandon,

Patrick

[Mark in Beacon]

Super good-looking bike--that syringa vulgaris paint job is quite wynsum!

[RichS]

Matt, gorgeous bike! Congratulations on getting exactly what you wanted.

Happy riding,

Richard