Gus ride shaming

[Richard Rose]

Not really shamed but while having a really good ride at one of my favorite trails I passed a couple of riders on their traditional mountain bikes. They caught up to me in the parking lot when my bike was already loaded into the car. They asked " was that you that passed us on a cruiser bike?" And, "what kind of bike was that, a Breezer? I answered it was a Rivendell. I do not think they had heard of that name. It was all good fun and I took it as a compliment. I am in love with my new cockpit on this bike.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VMbmV6jYNpQvtkNKA

[Kim H.]

Hi Richard,

That is quite an experience you had interacting with those traditional mountain bikers thinking that your bike was a cruiser. It proves that not everyone has heard of Rivendell Bicycle Works. Life happens.

I am very happy for you that you are in love with your new modified cockpit of your Gus. It looks great with all the assorted colors.

I sat in my new cockpit of my blue 52cm Clem earlier today for the first time after assembling it. Believe me it was quite a change compared to my 59cm Clem.

Kim Hetzel.

[Richard Rose]

Kim, I hope you love that 52 Clem as I do mine. I once rode my Clem on the very same trail that I rode yesterday, complete with front rack, basket & basket bag. Riders passing me asked if I was going to have a picnic.:)

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On Nov 11, 2023, at 12:36 AM, Kim H. <krhe...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Kim H.]

Richard,

I thank-you for your best wishes for me to love my 52cm Clem as much as you. At this point in time, it looks and feels very promising despite that I have no even ridden it yet. I will tell you this much. When I picked up my 52cm Clem and moved it after assembling it yesterday, I could not believe how light it is compared to my 59cm Clem. My 59cm Clem feels like a damn tank. I could not believe the comparison. I will not miss the weight at all.

So silly of those riders asking you if you were on your way to have a picnic. I have not had any silly remarks yet being out and about, less even given recognition of my bike being a Rivendell.

I post pictures later in the coming days ahead.

Kim Hetzel.

[Greg Lamont]

As a fellow Gus rider, I've had this experience many times on my local trails. Usually folks are very encouraging and supportive with comments like, "I can't believe you're riding these trails on that bike," or something along those lines. "Cruiser" is used a lot too. I guess those comments could be interpreted as pejorative, but I tend to just assume the bike is so outside of their normal experience that they automatically assume I'm new to riding a bike or riding trails. My favorite personal experience with this sort of thing was riding to the top of a highly regarded trail, which is only accessible via ~3,500 feet of single track climbing over ~12 miles. Gus was all dressed up with racks, a Wald basket in front, and a basket bag. Just before the downhill section began there were some full suspension riders taking a break and wearing full face helmets and head-to-toe body armor. They jokingly asked if I was Uber Eats bringing them food. It was all good natured fun, and they certainly made their way down the trail in a very different way than I did! I like to think we all had fun, and I'm sure glad I had a basket full of snacks to fuel me up and keep me out there all day. 

[Richard Rose]

That sounds like a very impressive ride no matter what kind of bike you are on. :)

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On Nov 11, 2023, at 5:31 PM, Greg Lamont <greg.m...@gmail.com> wrote:

As a fellow Gus rider, I've had this experience many times on my local trails. Usually folks are very encouraging and supportive with comments like, "I can't believe you're riding these trails on that bike," or something along those lines. "Cruiser" is used a lot too. I guess those comments could be interpreted as pejorative, but I tend to just assume the bike is so outside of their normal experience that they automatically assume I'm new to riding a bike or riding trails. My favorite personal experience with this sort of thing was riding to the top of a highly regarded trail, which is only accessible via ~3,500 feet of single track climbing over ~12 miles. Gus was all dressed up with racks, a Wald basket in front, and a basket bag. Just before the downhill section began there were some full suspension riders taking a break and wearing full face helmets and head-to-toe body armor. They jokingly asked if I was Uber Eats bringing them food. It was all good natured fun, and they certainly made their way down the trail in a very different way than I did! I like to think we all had fun, and I'm sure glad I had a basket full of snacks to fuel me up and keep me out there all day. 

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[Davey Two Shoes]

I had a similar situation with traditional mtbr while riding my karate monkey set up with Rons ortho Bars and a b17 flyer. "what made you go with the beach bars?"

I dont take offense, truly we're the odd ones out there.

[Edwin W]

Richard,

Great overhead shot of the bars. Can you post some more of the bike? I'd love to see how the cockpit works with the rest of the bike...

Learning from others,

Edwin

[Richard Rose]

I will try.

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On Nov 13, 2023, at 3:19 PM, Edwin W <dween...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Richard,

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[Richard Rose]

Another.

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On Nov 13, 2023, at 3:19 PM, Edwin W <dween...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Richard,

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[Kim H.]

Wonderful pictures, Richard !

The first one is my favorite.

Kim Hetzel.

[Ryan Frahm]

Looks great! Those bars look like the perfect mix of comfort while still being more aggressive than the Bosco. Very nice!

[Ted Durant]

On Friday, November 10, 2023 at 8:17:49 PM UTC-6 rmro...@gmail.com wrote:

They asked " was that you that passed us on a cruiser bike?" 

Hah. Reminds me of the time I passed somebody on the trail, riding my Riv ATB, and they said "nice cyclocross bike". Yeah, except 26x2" tires aren't legal in cyclocross...

Ted Durant

Milwaukee, WI USA 

[Mackenzy Albright]

Rivendell hillibikes are incredible trail bikes. It's funny because I cannot stand suspension "squish". The long wheelbase and large tire clearance makes Riv's a formidable off roader. Especially in slow steep climbs and fast loose (non bumpy) descents. 

I'll say it once and I'll say it again - I am sure we'll see long wheelbase offroad/adventure bikes hit mainstream in the 5 as a new fad from bigger companies. salsa/specialized etc. 

[Richard Rose]

Ryan, it’s working out great so far. I’ve ridden singletrack 6 of the last 9 days for roughly 125 miles. In comfort & control. No significant hand issues and very much more responsive than with the Bosco. The bike is an absolute blast.

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On Nov 13, 2023, at 8:31 PM, Ryan Frahm <fra...@gmail.com> wrote:

Looks great! Those bars look like the perfect mix of comfort while still being more aggressive than the Bosco. Very nice!

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[Dorothy C]

I was riding my Albastached Roadini with TRP levers on the Simi Valley greenway in SoCal one time when I was greeted with “Nice Klunker bars”, so I can relate to the misreading of bike components and styles by others. 

[Ryan Frahm]

That is great to hear Richard! Very happy that it has worked out so well for you. It looks awesome too! 

[Nick Shoemaker]

Wait a sec....aren't we the 'traditional' mountain bikers?! They're the ones who need motorcycle parts to ride on a trail through the woods....

But yeah, I've rarely ridden my Clem on the local trails without some sort of passerby amazement/amusement.

[Richard Rose]

You are not wrong! To be fair I’ve ridden most of the “modern” bikes & still own a full squish bike. But the Gus is more fun.:)

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On Nov 15, 2023, at 10:49 AM, Nick Shoemaker <fiddl...@gmail.com> wrote:

Wait a sec....aren't we the 'traditional' mountain bikers?! They're the ones who need motorcycle parts to ride on a trail through the woods....

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[Ryan Frahm]

Funny enough, I seem to get more odd looks on my Tanglefoot Hardtack than I did on my old Susie. Something about high drop bars and a basket rack really seems to confuse people. I did have a few “cruiser bike” comments with the Susie though. Doesn’t phase me at all. I get a lot of questions about the Hardtack, with the Susie people just thought it was cool looking.