New Bike Day—Retirement Bike

[Roberta]

What’s old is new:  circa 2010 Betty Foy!

Let me explain why this and not a custom I was hoping for.

For the past nearly three years, I’ve been “next up” on Rivendell’s list for a custom retirement bike, something I’ve wanted since I found Rivendell in 2017.  I wanted something 1) like my 55cm Platypus, but shorter (I didn’t say short, just short-er) specifically so I could take it on the city bus bike rack and Amtrak, that 2) fits and rides like my 2019 54.5 Homer.    

During one of our many conversations, the ever so patient Vince suggested a Betty Foy.  When I saw one posted on RBW’s Craigslist thread, I drove to Brooklyn, test rode and brought it home, and thanked the RBW poster.  I think this bike is from the first batch of Betty’s because only one heart lug was (notice the past tense) filled in and the seat tube is 58cm.  The color is not robin’s egg blue, but more of a sage/teal, which I like more.

It’s about as close to a custom as I think Grant would have built for me—650b wheels, just under the Amtrak length limit by ½”, fits on our city bus bike racks, rides great and no toe overlap.  Perhaps not a cushy as my Platypus with its extra-long wheelbase, but if I’m on my Betty, I have more options for mass transportation.  The only thing I wish it had was an additional water bottle mount, but I remedied that with a water bottle bag on the handlebar, big enough to hold a 40 oz Kleen Kanteen.

1X9 Drive train (38T Wolf Tooth in front with Microshift Aventex in back), Albatross handlebar, brakes (Tektro R553)  and Gravel King Slick tires are as I purchased the bike.

I added “extras”—SKS fenders with custom mud flaps (made by a little girl whose Dad is on the iBob board https://groups.google.com/g/internet-bob/c/M_iDE82EhkI/m/FZG8bZzMAQAJ ), red Ergon grips and Newbaum’s tape for pop of color, German mirrors, Greenfield kickstand, 32 spoke Velocity A23 rims with tubeless setup, and Dyno lighting SP hub with Edulux light on front and B&M Topline Plus light in the back.  Bitex hub in the rear. Axiom rack.  Brooks B68 saddle in honey, but I might try the newly re-issued B72 albeit in brown.

Keystone Bike https://keystone.bike/ did amazing work with the extras, and featured the bike on their IG page a few weeks ago. https://www.instagram.com/p/C0WqS6_OzqA/?img_index=1 .   If you’re ever in Philadelphia, I highly recommend a stop at their shop.  They understand Rivendells (and even own a few).

I did do one way-over-the-top (for me, at least) item—I had all the hearts paint matched and filled by a meticulous and true professional—Lek, https://www.instagram.com/lekerleks/ , who also builds Albacore handlebars available at https://hopecyclery.com/ .  My favorite heart is the one on the back side of the seat tube—an “Easter egg” that I see every time I use my basket, which is every ride.  I asked him to fill in the hearts and he returned the bike saying “I just did every open lug window I saw—hearts, circles and dots.”  WOW!

[Roberta]

I just realized I had mistyped the name of the gentleman who painted the hearts, circles and dots--his name is Leks.

[Richard Rose]

Gorgeous bicycle, cool story.:)

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 25, 2023, at 9:05 PM, Roberta <rcha...@gmail.com> wrote:

I just realized I had mistyped the name of the gentleman who painted the hearts, circles and dots--his name is Leks.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/36e43601-c17d-478a-ab25-17671697e649n%40googlegroups.com.

[Sarah Carlson]

Really gorgeous bike Roberta! I can look at those heart lugs all day, and those mud flaps. I love how you have combined function with all those little touches that bring day to day joy. And it fits on Amtrak and public transportation!

Sarah

[Johnny Alien]

I love it! My Clem is 1x9 and probably my favorite all around setup.

[thalasin]

That mudflap is spectacular! Beautiful bike and thanks for sharing the story.

[JohnS]

Hello Roberta,

I love the painted hearts, hearts on the mud flags and the other red accents you've added to your Betty. They all add a bit of whimsy to the bike that made me smile. Should be a great bike to ride. I find that my Crust Lightning Bolt canti with 650b x 42 tires is my favorite for it's versatility and comfort.

Happy Holidays,

JohnS

[Sally Bidleman]

Absolutely wonderful! You are inspired...and inspiring...have fun:)

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/1875a912-4979-4029-bb26-d01931e81f51n%40googlegroups.com.

[Tony Lockhart]

Fantastic bike, Roberta. What a great way to kick off your retirement. The whole setup is just smart; so much utility. Great choice in components and accessories!

Tony

[RichS]

Good score Roberta! Bettys are one of my favorite Rivendells.

Best,

Rich in ATL

On Monday, December 25, 2023 at 8:40:01 PM UTC-5 Roberta wrote:

[aeroperf]

Excellent, excellent choice.
When I retired I also bought a Rivendell.  I’ve never regretted it.  Neither will you.
Love the mud flaps! Great choice! Enjoy!

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

It just turned out so well! Where will you go? What will you see? Maybe you will keep a ride journal with places and miles you go on your Betty in retirement. All the happy miles to you, and I hope to look upon this little blue-green wonder in March at the Philly Bike Expo!

Leah

[Ahmed Elgasseir]

Congrats Roberta! I bought my first riv for my 40th birthday and then I bought a Jitensha Studio Ebisu for my 50th birthday. But I’ve had my eyes open for a Betty Foy for my oldest daughter. She’s not old/tall enough yet, but I’m jealous of the gem you found! I’m also jealous of your retirement. 😊 Happy riding! 

Best

Ahmed in Redwood Shores

Ahmed Elgasseir

Department Chair, Visual and Performing Arts

Castilleja School

1310 Bryant Street

Palo Alto, CA 94301

P (415) 654-7977

E aelga...@castilleja.org

www.castilleja.org   

Follow us on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Women Learning. Women Leading.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/a3721c52-39c3-4d1c-8ee0-96352dd7af02n%40googlegroups.com.

[Roberta]

Well, I certainly am in good company with similar tastes and components.  Thank you for all your well wishing.  And, good wishes to you, too!

This group has always been so helpful, so supportive.  It also got me into colors (Leah, especially, dragged me into the brightness.)!  My first Riv, which I loved riding wasn't too much to look at.  Butterscotch Appaloosa with a black saddle, cork grips, black luggage.  Rode wonderfully, but I think it would look more "fun" if I owned it today.

Now, all I have to do is actually retire...  I think that will be in 2024.  Where shall I go?  Not sure yet, but I have family in NC, so I might go on another Pam Likes to Bike Ride.  Or, perhaps I'll end up in MI on a Bicycle Belle Ding Ding Riv ride!  In the meantime, Betty is my daily commuter bike and my main weekend ride. 

Roberta

Philadelphia, PA

[Patrick Moore]

Best wishes for your prospective retirement. I hope your retirement is early, well financed, long-lasting, and happy. 

[John Hawrylak, Woodstown NJ]

Roberta

Beautiful Betty and great report.  One suggestion, check the distance from the ground to the front mudflap is 4 cm or greater.   4cm is generally considered to the minimum distance.  Any lower increases air resistance and tends to pick up much more debris from the road.  The SKS safety tabs will protect you if the flap picks up a tree branch.

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ 

[Joe Bernard]

Roberta, this is stunning. As you know I'm kinda crazy about red hearts and this is the red heartest bike ever! You did an amazing job making your bicycle exactly as you wanted it, it's literally perfect ❤️❤️❤️

Joe Bernard 

On Monday, December 25, 2023 at 5:40:01 PM UTC-8 Roberta wrote:

[ascpgh]

Fantastic Roberta!

A bike is the sum of its parts. More accurately, a sum of the stories of all the parts that they represent to you. It validates all of your past riding by developing preferences and aesthetics of parts you may not have been keenly aware of before 2017. Most production (boxed) bikes are specified for price point by choosing lower level parts for the bits most riders aren't familiar with or don't notice. Building a bike like yours is deeply rewarding and culminates all of your efforts, experiences and gained knowledge.

It's not a "retirement bike", it's a bike to provide for your "not working 8 hours of each day anymore bike". In that role your Betty Foy appears ready for all uses, your pictures even show a wet ground, validating fenders and flaps before you've even posted an initial ride report.

Makes me think of the Dr. Seuss classic, Oh, the Places You'll Go.

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

On Monday, December 25, 2023 at 8:40:01 PM UTC-5 Roberta wrote:

[Leah Peterson]

Yes, all of what Andy said. I have never said these words but I FEEL them after reading his post. What a lovely thought, that your bike is the culmination of all of your riding experiences. I’m going to think about this for awhile…

And, I also concur that the bike deserves a better moniker. I’ll also think on THAT.

L

On Dec 27, 2023, at 6:32 AM, ascpgh <asc...@gmail.com> wrote:

Fantastic Roberta!

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/ttsW-PtJ-hg/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/7cacaf95-fac3-4228-a75f-2d48c92cb697n%40googlegroups.com.

[Doug H.]

Fantastic bike Roberta! I love the personal touches you put on it to make it your custom Rivendell. Don't you love it when a plan comes together.

Doug

[Roberta]

John, I will measure when I get home tonight. 

What an interesting thought, Andy.   In fact, pre-Riv I didn’t even know you could change a stem or any other component, except for tires.

I took the pics after my ride on Sunday, which I started once the rain had stopped.  I've been on several short rides—less than 10 miles each so I’m still getting to know the bike.  Platypus wants to surge forward.  Betty seems more subdued.  What I'm really looking forward to longer rides and more adventures.  Great Dr. Seuss story.  I hadn't read that one before last night.

[Pam Bikes]

LOVE all the pictures!  I can't wait to see it in person in Philly at the Philly Bike Expo.  I hope you do come ride w/me again.  And we should go ride in MI w/Leah.  She makes it sound delightful.