Roadini vs Homer

[Nicolas H]

Hi All,

Anyone here owned both a Roadini and a Homer? I have a Roadini and wondering if I would notice a meaningful difference between the ride of a Homer (by meaningful I mean a big enough difference to justify purchasing a Homer)?

Thanks!

[Stephen Durfee]

Oh, good question!  I'm curious to hear what others have to say...I've owned both, but the Roadini was a size too small, so not a fair comparison. It was pretty nimble, though! Meanwhile, my Homer is an older, flat-top-tube (Waterford built) model, and I've wondered how it would compare to a current issue Roadini...

[Bones]

I own both: a 61 Roadini from 2019 and a 58 Homer from 2023. They are set up very similarly and I love them both. The Homer feels lighter but they ride essentially the same. I don’t notice the difference in chainstay length. My Roadini has the older clearances and I run 38’s on it, 42’s on the Homer. Since the newer lugged Roadini can fit essentially the same sized tires, I’d pick whichever is available, or whichever has the color you prefer.

Bones

[Melvin Hughes]

I own both.  I have a 2011 Homer I bought from Rivendell and a first generation Roadini I bought second-hand from Analog Cycles (one of their demos.)  There is very little difference in mine similarly equipped.  The Homer has the older, straight top tube (it too was a Waterford frame,) and as mentioned before, greater tire clearance.  Without fenders, I am running 44mm Ultradynamicos with excellent clearance.  I have 38mm Gravel Kings on the Roadini and it is maxed out.  If I had to choose one bike, it would be the Homer.  Even 14 years old, it is the best riding bike I've ever had and I've been riding since the late 1950's...  I would be perfectly happy and satisfied with the Homer.  To me, it has a certain ride quality that my Roadini lacks.  But that's not to say that the Roadini is inferior, just (for me) a little less plush in the ride.

I do like the slight drop in the top tube on my Roadini.  The Seat Stays attachment is a very interesting design that I see is currently carried over into the Hillborne, the newer Homer,  the Roaduno, the Appaloosa (and I'm guessing the Atlantis as well.)  The current photos of the Roadeo show the same type of attachments of the seat stays as my old Homer.  

I don't really want to part with either...  But if I had to choose one, it would be my Homer.

Mel Hughes

Sparta, TN