Riv asks: One bike forever, which one?

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

If you follow Rivendell on Instagram, they asked their followers a fun question yesterday: 

You get one bike for the rest of your life - what frame material, and what style - mixte or normal? 

Attached is a screenshot of Grant’s quote and Betsy Streeter’s art. 

What a question! The frame material and style is easy - I love a Rivendell steel mixte, but only one? In the end, my #1 is my raspberry Platypus, but I’d cry real tears if parted from my Clem L or my shopping Platypus. Up until 2020 I was a one bike gal, but I am really savoring having a trio of bikes set up for different enjoyments. I chose the raspberry mixte as my One Bike Forever because it’s the most beautiful, does whatever I want it to, and has heaps of sentimental value. 

What would be your One Bike Forever? Do you have that bike or is it a dream bike? Do you have a photo?

Leah

[Philip Barrett]

Probably has to be the Atlantis?

[George Schick]

Curious that he uses the term "normal" for other than mixte.  What's "normal"?  A diamond shaped road frame?  A step-through (which is different than mixte)?  

On Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 8:22:50 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

[Leah Peterson]

I think Grant, in his casual manner of speaking, means “typical.” And I take that to refer to diamond frame.

I might say that no one has worked harder to make mixtes/step-through frames acceptable to men than Rivendell. Erasing the Clem H and only offering that model in the L version was huge. And now I see men of all ages riding Clem Ls and the connotation to “girl bike” is fading. 

Leah

On Apr 2, 2022, at 10:00 AM, George Schick <bhi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Curious that he uses the term "normal" for other than mixte.  What's "normal"?  A diamond shaped road frame?  A step-through (which is different than mixte)?  

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[George Schick]

Given that qualifier, I'd have to say after doing a fingers and toes count of every bike I've ever owned, starting with a 24" Schwinn cantilever framed bike back in the mid-50's, that the diamond framed steel Rambouillet is not only the bike I'd like to have for the rest of my life (and plan to), but the bike I wish I would have had all along during the past 50 or so years of "serious" cycling.  'Course, I've never owned any other frame styles that fall into the mixte or step-through categories and it may well happen that I'll eventually become too old and decrepit to be able to throw my leg over the top tube of a diamond frame and will need to get a mixte or step-through of some kind, something with which I will have no problem.  Maybe I'll just ride my wife's Breezer Uptown.

[Christine Rose]

Mine would be a custom Clem. Painted a sparkly light pink with that pearlescent look, built up with all Silver components. And it would have custom decals with her proper Clementine name, no more Smith Jr! Oh and definitely a different head badge, something colourful and pretty, the Clem badge is just kinda boring. At this point, it's not really a Clem anymore I guess 🤷🏼‍♀️

Christine

[Sofie C]

Christine, sign me up for your custom! I've already got my beloved clem in RWB blue but my dream custom was a pale pearly pink platypus made to fit me (the 50 cm is just a hair to big for me!) 

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

RivSisters, YES. I so agree. A custom Clem with the name Clementine in pale, sparkly/pearlescent pink would be a DREAMY thing. Rivendell - are you listening? Can we do a special run of these? And yes, Sofia, since the Platypus has been so popular, I hope Riv can make one size smaller and one size bigger so anyone can ride that model. It’s such a splendid bike. 

[Leah Peterson]

PS I would not want to be guilty of getting someone’s name wrong. I know Sofie (Sofiya) from our conversations on IG and I wrote her name the way she spells it there. Sorry if I confused anyone!

On Apr 2, 2022, at 12:32 PM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:

RivSisters, YES. I so agree. A custom Clem with the name Clementine in pale, sparkly/pearlescent pink would be a DREAMY thing. Rivendell - are you listening? Can we do a special run of these? And yes, Sofia, since the Platypus has been so popular, I hope Riv can make one size smaller and one size bigger so anyone can ride that model. It’s such a splendid bike. 

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[Jason Fuller]

The expected answer from me, of the bikes I own, would be the Bombadil - but I'm not so sure I can say that confidently. It has the versatility and tire clearance to be a one-bike, even for my high varied riding (from brevets to mountain bike trails), but I like how the Hillborne rides more!  The Hillborne also has a little more TT clearance for me, which may become a bigger deal over time, and it's still stout enough for me to carry a full camping load. Only downside is the tire size limitation... Ideally I'd get a custom that is basically a Hillborne that fits 48's with fenders, but that would be hard to justify ... mind you, think of all the money I'd save selling four of my five bikes haha! 

[JAS]

This is such a tough choice! I love both Clem and Platypus, but if I could have only one, it would be my mermaid Platy because it is elegant, agile and tough enough.  

Speaking of Clems, I was disappointed mine didn’t come with the Clementine name sticker.  When I called to see if I could get me, no luck.  I think we should start a campaign to make them available so we can properly name our Clementines.  Mine is dark green so the pink name sticker would look great on it though I’d much prefer a beautiful sky blue.

Joyce

[Sofie C]

Count me in for the clementine decal campaign, Joyce!

[Joe Bernard]

Steel, mixte, this one! I'll own this bicycle as long as I can pedal it and maybe even after that cuz it's so fun to look at. 

Btw as this is a Leah thread I should give her a shoutout for the design of my Rivendell Custom. It has the mixte-ish dropped tube because she believes in them and I decided she's right! 

#toptubeswhoneedsem

Joe Bernard

[Tim Baldwin]

Swoop tube is where it’s at. I’d pick my Susie for my one and only. Pretty much all I’ve been riding since I got it. 

[John Hawrylak]

AHH

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ

[Ahmed Elgasseir]

MUSA Atlantis 

Ahmed in San Mateo CA

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[Matt Beecher]

This would be a tough call, but as I get older, the Saluki gets more comfortable.   I imagine the Atlantis would hold up better to wear and tear.  I imagine the Saluki would win amongst the two, since it can do all that I ask of the Atlantis and it weighs a fair bit less.  If I were a younger man, I might opt for the Atlantis. 

Thankfully, I don't have to choose to keep only one.  

Best regards,

Matt in Oswego, IL

[Leah Peterson]

Jason - I knew you’d choose the Hillborne. I know it’s your #1 but most would guess the Bombadil because I think it gets most of your miles! 

Joyce - I would love Clementine decals. 

Joe - Oh, you flatter me. I think you came up with a dropped tube aside from my input but I do stand by mixtes as #1 best bike ever. You just can’t regret a mixte. #toptubeswhoneedsem

I love the photos you all are sending. Thanks for contributing! And keep ‘em coming.

L

On Apr 2, 2022, at 1:28 PM, Jason Fuller <jtf.f...@gmail.com> wrote:

The expected answer from me, of the bikes I own, would be the Bombadil - but I'm not so sure I can say that confidently. It has the versatility and tire clearance to be a one-bike, even for my high varied riding (from brevets to mountain bike trails), but I like how the Hillborne rides more!  The Hillborne also has a little more TT clearance for me, which may become a bigger deal over time, and it's still stout enough for me to carry a full camping load. Only downside is the tire size limitation... Ideally I'd get a custom that is basically a Hillborne that fits 48's with fenders, but that would be hard to justify ... mind you, think of all the money I'd save selling four of my five bikes haha! 

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[David Person]

I've enjoyed my Sam Hillborne since i built it up in 2015.  It has been my one bike.  However, this past August I built up a Surly Disc Trucker that is set up very much like the Hillborne and I have to say that it would be the one bike if I could chose only one.  The two bike ride very similarly, but the Surly handles RH Snoqualmie Pass tire with fenders, whereas the Hillborne won't fit fenders with those tires.  To my surprise, I've also become a big fan of disc brakes.

The wide angle lens is distorting the size difference of the two bikes.  Both are 700c.  The saddles and handlebars are set to same height.  Standover height is 1cm less on the Surly.

[Patrick Moore]

No question whatsoever for me: my oldest Rivendell, the Grand-designed, Joe-built, Chauncey-modified, Damien (Velasquez. I think) Ford-Blue-powdercoated 1999 26" wheel gofast fixed gear. 

I ride for fun and though I am very fortunate to have 3 other very nice bikes that fill their respective niches wonderfully, this one is just more fun to ride. It just feels faster and smoother and fits like coming home.

So, if you held a gun to my head and said, "One only. Choose." I'd choose this one. I'd rather carry groceries on this (I have, up to 30 lb in a Sackville Med) and even ride on firm dirt (I have on 28 mm Elk Pass extralights) on this than lose this for one of the others. Of course, if the sole bike, I'd have a Naches Pass wheelset built for this (I think they'd fit).

Wearing the cold-weather Carradice Junior for clothing discarded mid-ride. In warm weather, a Ruthworks saddle wedge for repair kit and sundries.

You've seen it many times before, but this is a current photo.

[Patrick Moore]

I mean, in addition to, as a second, occasional wheelset. The divinely perfect Elk Passes would be the primary tires.

On Sat, Apr 2, 2022 at 3:25 PM Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:

... . Of course, if the sole bike, I'd have a Naches Pass wheelset built for this (I think they'd fit).

 

On Sat, Apr 2, 2022 at 7:22 AM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:

If you follow Rivendell on Instagram, they asked their followers a fun question yesterday: 

You get one bike for the rest of your life - what frame material, and what style - mixte or normal? 

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

[Leah Peterson]

David - how unexpected that the Surly edges out the Rivendell! They do look remarkably similar. I love the black and cream bikes. Really sophisticated. 

Patrick, I don’t recall seeing many photos of that Rivendell. It’s good to know you still love it after so many years with it. I hope to be the same way with my bikes. Just keep them and love them for the upcoming decades. BUT, if Rivendell did do a pink step through or mixte, it would be hard to keep me away…

On Apr 2, 2022, at 4:16 PM, David Person <cycli...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've enjoyed my Sam Hillborne since i built it up in 2015.  It has been my one bike.  However, this past August I built up a Surly Disc Trucker that is set up very much like the Hillborne and I have to say that it would be the one bike if I could chose only one.  The two bike ride very similarly, but the Surly handles RH Snoqualmie Pass tire with fenders, whereas the Hillborne won't fit fenders with those tires.  To my surprise, I've also become a big fan of disc brakes.

The wide angle lens is distorting the size difference of the two bikes.  Both are 700c.  The saddles and handlebars are set to same height.  Standover height is 1cm less on the Surly.

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[Roberta]

My all time favorite Riv of the three I've owned is my A Homer Hilsen, by a narrow margin. It’s nearly perfect in every way —fit,size,ride quality—except for one thing:  It is not a step though frame.   

As I’m getting tired of throwing my leg over the saddle and I’m now commuting to work, I will choose the Platypus if I could only have one bike. I love the ride of the Platy, but my only issue with it is that it is too long to put on city bus bike rack or Amtrak.   Like many others here, I dream of a custom which slightly improves on a favorite ride to make it the perfect ride. 

Roberta

City of Philadlelphia, PA

[Leah Peterson]

I so understand. A HomerPlat would be just the thing for you. I wonder if that would be descriptive enough to say to Grant on your order form! There’s a one-year pause on custom orders for now, but you can still get in the queue. I know I’m a terrible influence. I really want everyone to have the bike they truly want.. 

L

On Apr 2, 2022, at 8:23 PM, Roberta <rcha...@gmail.com> wrote:

My all time favorite Riv of the three I've owned is my A Homer Hilsen, by a narrow margin. It’s nearly perfect in every way —fit,size,ride quality—except for one thing:  It is not a step though frame.   

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[Johnny Alien]

Honestly a smaller wheelbase Platy kind of describes the Cheviot. I would bet that the Cheviot would be very close to a step through AHH.

[Johnny Alien]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1111812079662293/

[Victor Hanson]

Unfortunately, this was sold 20 years ago........

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VIctor R. Hanson

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Schmier Industrial Properties

o:  510-652-0800

c:  510-207-8593

[Drew Saunders]

If you're looking for One Bike to Rule Them All, clearly it has to be the 2004 Rivendell Sauron:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/nanodrive/

(Should have posted this last Friday...)

[Pam Bikes]

My Betty Foy.  My one and only. 

[Leah Peterson]

The most loved Betty on the planet. There’s magic infused in the Riv mixtes, I think.

On Apr 5, 2022, at 12:32 AM, Pam Bikes <pamlike...@gmail.com> wrote:

My Betty Foy.  My one and only. 

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[Addison Wilhite]

I would have a hard time choosing between these two options but as this is a Riv list I guess I have to say the Allrounder.  :)  

Addison Wilhite, M.A. 

Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology 

“Blazing the Trail to College and Career Success”

Portfolio and Blog

On Tue, Apr 5, 2022 at 5:25 AM Addison Wilhite <addison...@gmail.com> wrote:

I would have a hard time choosing between these two options but as this is a Riv list I guess I have to say the Allrounder.  :)  

Addison Wilhite, M.A. 

Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology 

“Blazing the Trail to College and Career Success”

Portfolio and Blog

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[Kevin Reinking]

Well, I've got my Nearly perfect One bike!

Titanium Crust Evasion with Blacksheep Ti Fork

An amazing go anywhere do anything bike!

AND the runner up!!

My Blacksheep Klunker; great for casual rides with no goals or direction.

Just head out the door and see where your nose takes you!

Google won't let me attach photo's :-(

But, they're on my Insta @theoriginalmasmojo

My Clementine was my original "Old Man" bike, but I fear I am going to need to cut it loose! Too many bikes!

[Bill Lindsay]

I think the point of Grant's question is missed by most responders in two very important ways.  

1. It doesn't ask you to specify exactly the bike, just what material is it, and what general frame shape is it?

2. For the rest of your life in this hypothetical means: when it breaks you've got no bike, and when you can no longer get on it, you've got no bike

From Grant's perspective, he's thinking a steel mixte is the logical answer.

If you say carbon, there's a risk it will stop being a bike before you stop being a cyclist
If you say it's a diamond frame with drop bars, there's a risk you'll stop being able to ride it before you stop wanting to ride

Remember Grant is approaching 70, and wants to live past 90 and wants to go on a bike ride the day before he expires.  He genuinely thinks about this.  He's proud that there will be thousands of Rivendells still being used long after he's expired, but he also wants to see as many of us riding well into our 90s as possible.  He's a sincere (length of life)X(quality of life) guy also.  The fact is that there's a huge swath of people who aren't fit or healthy, and another huge swath who think health and fitness are something for people under 40, and when you age you surrender to falling apart.  There's another huge swath who think health and fitness are competitions.  I believe there are lots of cyclists who will drop cycling altogether when they can no longer ride a drop-bar diamond frame bike.  There are a few that will keep riding in their 90s.  That's the thought experiment this hypothetical is aimed at.  You are riding in your 90s, what bike are you riding?  For me, if I had to wager on what kind of bike I'll be riding into my 90s, a steel mixte is the obvious smart bet.  I don't own a steel mixte today, but I'm sure I will someday.  I'll buy your 58cm Yves Gomez.  

I believe strongly that Titanium can have the longevity of steel, so a Titanium Mixte would probably be pretty sweet, but those are hard to come by.   

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[George Schick]

Bill - yes, exactly.  There is another somewhat overlooked category that I'm seeing in use more and more frequently by elderly around my area - recumbents and trikes (and for the moment I'm ignoring those big, heavy three-wheelers like the kind that are in common use in places like South Florida).  I used to see a late middled age couple riding through the park behind my house on a pair of identical 'bents for many years.  Then, most recently, I saw the same couple on a pair of trikes - CatTrikes maybe, not sure.  When they came down the part of the path closest to my back yard I flagged 'em down and asked what happened to the 'bents.  The answer that I was afraid I was going to hear was that he'd had a stroke and could no longer trust himself to balance and ride a 'bent (not to mention a "normal" bike).  I hope this never happens to anyone frequenting this blog, but some things seem to be inevitable and at least there are other options out there.

[aeroperf]

As Bill and George said.
My forever bike is a steel, double diamond frame with upright (non-drop) bars.  Since 1985 all my bikes have been of that design.
Specifically right now that need is filled by a 2014 Sam, but there have been others before, and may be others after.
When I can’t balance on two wheels any more, and if I still can ride, I’ll go to a recumbent trike.

[J S]

To reply to Bill who clarified what he believed Grant was saying I will update my reply.

Even though I replied already, if a member would have sold me their Yves Gomez that would have been the one. Steel mixte as steel is all I ride and a step through probably will be needed in the near future as I am now over 70. But he did not like me and would not sell me his bike. Oh well. 

[John Phillips]

It's funny, but that question didn't have me thinking one bike to last through old age, but one bike to deal with whatever apocalypses the future might bring. I definitely need to ride & chill out more.

For me it would be a steel frame mixte, that can fit 55mm tires, minimum 50mm tires, but without the longer chain stays Riv now prefers.

I'm an urban dweller / rider and I need my bikes to fit in smaller rooms, easy to carry up & down stairwells, through narrower hallways, elevators, etc. If I lived in a house with a garage, chain stay length probably wouldn't be a problem. My MUSA Hunqapillar & MUSA AHH have smooth, stable rides, and while for me the longer chain stay lengths do make for a great, gliding ride, the longer chain stays are overkill, too long and a deal breaker.

And no, a Brompton is NOT a substitute for a Rivendell, although I guess it qualifies as a steel mixte?

John

[Jay Lonner]

Kinda late to this one, but if the point of the question is to call attention to the virtues of step-through frames for the aging cyclist I agree with the sentiment that a tadpole-style trike is a better choice for those with a whole host of musculoskeletal ailments and/or balance issues. Back to the wall, if I could only have one bike for the rest of my life it’d be an aluminum e-assist trike, which is about as anti-Riv as you can get.

Jay Lonner

Bellingham, WA

Sent from my Atari 400

On Apr 7, 2022, at 1:11 PM, 'John Phillips' via RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[Patrick Moore]

The apocalypse/age angle came later; the original question was, if one only, which one?

Me, tho' I'm quite clear which "one and only" I'd choose, I'd like to propose a followup thread: Gunman holds gun to (your) temple, sez: "It's your life; I don't care. Which second bike would you keep, after relegating #s 3 sq to the abyss?" (Eloquent gunman, that.) I think another responder already broached this thread extension.

I'll lead: My 2020 Chauncey Matthews clone of 2003 Curt Goodrich 26" wheel Road custom, but tweaked with Grant-forbiddent things like hub gear and very weird braze-on embellishments (details upon request). The 2003 was a near clone of the 1999, and the Matthews replicates it in thinner wall, thinner gauge tubing, for -- Yes! -- that true planing experience. That the '03 was too stout I realized after 15 years.

Patrick Moore, grimly bottom-trimming for the common good, in ABQ, NM.

[Joe Bernard]

I would propose no violent references to what bike you would keep. 

[Leah Peterson]

Oh come now, friends, let’s not be that sensitive. 

2nd bike: keeping my Clem. It’s a step thru, it’s dear, but it pains me that I can’t also keep my mermaid Platy.

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 8, 2022, at 7:22 PM, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote:

I would propose no violent references to what bike you would keep. 

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[Ian A]

Patrick,

I don't know if I have mentioned this before,  but your green custom Matthews with SA hub is a thing of beauty.

Ian A Alberta Canada

[Corwin]

I readily admit that mixte and step-through frames serve a valuable purpose for those with trouble throwing a leg over the rear wheel, saddle, top tube, etc. But I reject the notion that one must slow down just because they have achieved a certain age. I have been on numerous club rides in the hills of the East Bay where guys as much as thirty years older than me simply rode away from me on the hills. I'm a decent climber - and not only have they ridden away from me going uphill - they have ridden away going down as well!

I think there is a great deal of value in maintaining the flexibility required to throw a leg over. I see no reason to stop now or ever. Like Grant, I plan to ride (and surf, scuba dive, etc.) right up to the end. We need not be stopped by the aging process.

My one bike would be a close contest between my original custom and my Bianchi Cross Project. My original custom was stolen a little more than a year ago. A new one is in the works. I hope to be on it by the end of the year.

Namaste,

Corwin

[Joe Bernard]

I don't actually use the mixte feature much for mount/dismount, I still lean the bike towards me and swing my leg over the back of the saddle cuz it's what I've always done. I like the low toptube for hopping off the saddle at stops and standing over the frame..there isn't all this BIKE in the way. 

[Patrick Moore]

Thank you for the kind word.

BTW: You were interested in the TC hub, the one that I had rechromed. Wheels with it and the TF are even as we speak jetting their way home, and I'll post you a photo.

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[Bill Lindsay]

Jay Lonner indicated they'd select an aluminum e-assist trike to be their "forever ride"  

That's super interesting.  Why would aluminum be your ultimate frame material?  I could see choosing Titanium if you wanted to be contrary to the RBW-echo-chamber of Steel.  I can't think of any reason that Aluminum would be preferable to Ti.  Is it on environmental grounds?  

If I had to give up all my bikes and only use a trike, I'd regretfully but probably quickly become much less of a cyclist.  I'd be scared to ride in traffic.  It would be a very difficult extraction from my garage.  My randonneuring career would be immediately over with.  I couldn't handle sacrificing the relatively fit 53-70 years of my cycling career in exchange for the insurance of having a trike on hand in my 90s.  Too high a price.  

I think I'm more in the Corwin camp.  I would choose a bicycle and endeavor to remain as fit as possible for as long as possible.  When age makes it impossible for me to use a bicycle I'll content myself with walking or other activities.  I'd choose a custom steel mixte, (an actual mixte with two skinny top tubes).  I could spec a custom mixte with the frame numbers that allow me to run drop bars with a very short stem so my custom mixte would serve as my sporting machine for the remainder of my Rando 50s and beyond.  When the time comes, converting it to a more upright with a longer stem would be straightforward.  

I wonder if e-bike motors have a useful service life of 40 years?  I know automobile electric motors have sensational longevity.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Ryan]

Yikes,Corwin...sorry to hear about the theft of your 1st custom given that customs are hardly a spur-of-the-moment purchase...also true for any non-customs on this list

So...that being said, hypothetically being forced to pick one is like picking just one of your kids, if you have children

If I get so inflexible I can't swing a leg over; guess it's my 2016 custom Riv mixte

But I'm not going gently into that good night

[Jay Lonner]

So I don’t actually know anything about metallurgy, aluminum just seems to be what most trikes are made of, and it’s a common enough frame material that I presume it’s possible to repair it — after all, aluminum airframes from the 40s are still flying. I also suspect that it’s possible to build a good, durable frame out of any number of different materials, so I’m happy to think outside the Riv paradigm. I grant that “forever bike” fantasies invite exotic builds, but for purposes of this thought experiment I’m happy to limit myself to bikes that I can buy off the rack.

Obviously it’s possible to be fit at any age, and I plan to stay physically active as long as I am able. But while getting older isn’t inherently pathologic, aging is a risk factor for pretty much every illness. Some diseases largely are avoidable through lifestyle choices, and others come down to genetics and happenstance. If you’re unlucky enough to to have a fused spine because you were T-boned by a drunk driver then that’s going impose some physical limitations. So when I think about One Bike To Rule Them All I can’t help but consider contingencies that are out of my control.

Jay Lonner

Bellingham, WA

Sent from my Atari 400

On Apr 9, 2022, at 9:18 AM, Bill Lindsay <tape...@gmail.com> wrote:

Jay Lonner indicated they'd select an aluminum e-assist trike to be their "forever ride"  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/94f577a7-c54e-4e48-bfe6-e4206a4dea23n%40googlegroups.com.

[Patrick Moore]

On Sat, Apr 9, 2022 at 10:18 AM Bill Lindsay <tape...@gmail.com> wrote:

.. If I had to give up all my bikes and only use a trike, I'd regretfully but probably quickly become much less of a cyclist.  I'd be scared to ride in traffic.  It would be a very difficult extraction from my garage.  My randonneuring career would be immediately over with.  I couldn't handle sacrificing the relatively fit 53-70 years of my cycling career in exchange for the insurance of having a trike on hand in my 90s.  Too high a price. 

Bill: This could be you at 90 (well, you'd have to dye your hair):

Or, more age-appropriate. These guys must be pushing 90:

Patrick "the funnest part of riding a trike is cornering" Moore, who sort of misses his 2.

 

[Joe Bernard]

Yes, most production trikes are aluminum, it's cheaper than ti and you can actually buy one. I haven't seen a titanium trike in ages. 

[Leah Peterson]

Yes, Corwin, I agree with Ryan. Hearing that your custom was stolen made my stomach turn. I’m so sorry. 

I also embrace the idea of keeping as fit as one can as one ages. I think about this more than I like to admit (I’m 41 now, and while 40 didn’t scare me, 50 sure does). I really changed how I cook about 7 or 8 years ago (organic produce, pasture-raised meats, and I make nearly everything from scratch) in hopes of avoiding the diseases that plague so many Americans. I have added a a lot of different workouts to my routine, too, the best of which are weights and core. I take photos so I can see progress.

I know what you mean, Corwin, about the guys older than you being incredibly fit. I have met these people! I attended a talk with a trio who mountain biked the Great Divide. Three retirement-age, white-haired men stood up to give the talk. Incredible! I think of the man on this List who rides his orange Appaloosa - he’s in his 80s and has done crazy mileage. He says people ask him how he does it and he says, “I can do it because I do it.” I hope my trio of bikes can be my companions, riding with me through the upcoming decades and growing old with me. 

And to that end, please enjoy this nonagenarian on her steel mixte. Don’t you love her?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2s0aGCVet0

Leah

On Apr 9, 2022, at 12:22 PM, Ryan <ryte...@mts.net> wrote:

Yikes,Corwin...sorry to hear about the theft of your 1st custom given that customs are hardly a spur-of-the-moment purchase...also true for any non-customs on this list

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[MoVelo]

I'm still loving my Rambouillet and would probably be it if I had to pick just one. Currently set up with 650Bx42's it makes a very comfy and beautiful gravel bike. :-)

JP in Goatville

[Bill Lindsay]

LOL!   Good joke!  

Patrick Moore himself picked a steel diamond frame to be his only bike. 

If Patrick Moore won't pick a trike as his forever bike, there is no way in hell I'm going to!  

Seriously though, to repeat, if I could only ride a trike I would rarely ride at all in the Bay Area.  If I could only ride a trike, the logistics of getting the thing into and out of my garage would be a major discouragement.  Even a racing trike which I probably could do a brevet on (and which is steel, let's acknowledge), I wouldn't want to be that wide on a San Francisco Randonneurs event.  If I had to just ride a trike, I would either quit cycling altogether -OR- I would have to build a different life for myself, in a different location.  I'm sure those places exist, but I don't live in one of those places.  

BL in EC

[Joe Bernard]

I did the tadpole trike thing for a couple years, I saw one in Berkeley and thought it was cool! But it was too low around cars, too wide for bike lanes and too hard to transport and store..as you say they need a specific environment to operate in that we don't live in. Also they attract too much attention, I would be a terrible famous person! 

So. Mixte. Steel. 

Joe Bernard 

[Chris Halasz]

I'm about the same age as Grant, and the Platypus fits the bill (get it?) now, and with some good fortune, for a long time to follow. 

Cheers, 

Chris 

[John Phillips]

My apologies, I didn't mean to suggest my first thoughts were bike choices for a violent apocalypse vs old age, as much as  a "No one's fixing the darn roads any longer!" apocalypse vs old age.

It wasn't my intention to bring up bike choices for doomsday preppers or ask which bike Mel Gibson's Mad Max would choose to ride across the Aussie outback.

For riding in my 90's-plus 🤞, I'm still going to go with the choice of 29+ steel mixte cruiser, and add bamboo handlebars plus maybe a sprung seat post.👍

John

[Garth]

Riv asks: One bike forever, which one?

Freedom from choice altogether . From dual-ism ... duel-ing .... di-vision .... etc. 

THAT's genuine peace .... serenity ... joy ..... harmony .... wholiness .... fun .... laughter .... play !  

What a duel/dual could never offer ..... freedom from the duel/dual.

That which cannot be divided, split, multi-plied added to or subtracted from in the first place ! 

ISn-ess ... ALL-ness ... AMn-ess ..... 

This very .... Ride ... LIFE ! 

Yippee !    

[Patrick Moore]

Always a pleasure to start the day with Garthian enthusiasm.

Yipee, Garth!

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[Corwin]

Thanks very much for all the sentiments about my original custom. The worst part about having a bike stolen is not being able to use the same components building a replacement because they are no longer available. The best part is being able to try new stuff like Onyx hubs with the Spraag clutch.

I readily admit there are lots of people who love step-thru and mixte frames and prefer them. For whatever reason. I have no problem there. I ride several times every week with two of them. I am married to one of them. My wife would not ride if it were not for our Hubbuhubbuh. She bugs me several times every week to take her out for a ride. She is disabled and cannot ride without me. But even before she was disabled, she was not interested in exercise in any form. The step-thru stoker position makes it easy for her to enjoy a bike ride.

Another fan of the Hubbuhubbuh step-thru stoker position is Charlie Cunningham. We usually ride once each week. Charlie is no slouch (got tenth at NORBA). You cannot make him sore or short of breath. An all day bike ride with lots of hills (such as climbing Mt Tam, or Fairfax to Petaluma and back) will tire him out. But Charlie has pistons for legs. He is a powerful stoker. But he prefers riding upright in a step-thru frame.

I care not for step-thru or upright. My Hubbuhubbuh and the Cunningham-Phelan Hubbuhubbuh provide me with a stark contrast. Mine is set up with Albastache and a Fizik Aliante saddle. When I take my wife out, it just feels natural. As if the bike was molded beneath me as I got on. I think there is a lot to muscle memory. I spent many years in an aerodynamic crouch (but not the aerodynamic crouch of today with arm rests, elbows tucked, etc), churning up the hills of southern California. When I'm on the Phelan-Cunningham Hubbuhubbuh, I feel as though I have to work much harder to climb a given hill or maintain a given pace. I am sure Grant and Mark are much faster than me - even riding upright. Speed is not the point for me. Riding in drops/mustache/alabstche/etc. just feels right.

Thanks,

Corwin

On Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:10:51 AM UTC-7 Bill Lindsay wrote:

[lconley]

So here is a Rived out upright tadpole trike that I have been working on for someone who has been having balance problems, Shiny Rear Rack, Huge Wald with Captain Hook Basket Net, MKS RMX Sneaker pedals, Shimano Altus M310 rear derailleur (the ultimate derailleur for 20" wheel cycles lots of chain wrap with a short pulley cage), fatter Schwalbe tires (20x2 Big apples on front, 20x2.15 Big Ben on the rear). Need to trim the tie-wraps.

Laing

Delray Beach FL

[Jared Wilson]

Corwin,

Very glad you've shared, it's always a joy to hear about Charlie, and as someone who is currently piecing together a Hubbuhubbuh I can't help but hope for some visuals of the aforementioned Hubbuh's to accompany the stories.

I'd love to see photos of both rigs next time the opportunity presents itself, not a lot of info on them out there so it would be nice to have some documentation of the two.

Best

Jared

[Drew Saunders]

I've been mulling over this question for a while, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm really happy that I don't have to have just one bike forever. 

I currently have a 1998 Ibis Mojo as my "Mountain Bike" (but much more like modern "gravel" bikes in its setup, with original WTB Offroad Drop bars, unsuspended fork, and new RH 55-559 Humptulips Ridge knobbies that really go a lot faster on pavement than any previous knobby tire on that bike); a 1999 match-built Rivendell Road sort-of-custom as my "mostly paved" riding bike; and a 2005 orange Quickbeam as my commuter.

I guess I got "serious" about riding when I received a Bianchi Volpe in 1989 as a college graduation/22nd birthday present. That'll be 33 years, so, assuming I can ride for 33 more years (to age 88!), I'd be about halfway through my "more than just riding to class" riding years. Of course, having had metastatic cancer, I realize that there's a good chance I won't make it to 88, but I can always hope.  With my 2nd surgery in late 2020, I get my "very likely cancer free" silver star sticker at the end of 2025, and "really very very likely cancer free" gold star sticker at the end of 2030.

One bike would have to replace all 3. Honestly, even if I only had space for one full sized bike, I'd find space for a Brompton and use it for commuting, while keeping the full sized bike for "go far" (no longer "go fast") rides.

Material: I've never had a titanium bike. I've broken a few steel frames, but I'm no longer over 100kg, so I doubt I'll break any more, but I'd go for brushed titanium. It's just pretty!

Style: I'm OK with a sloping top tube, but I like a straight top tube. It's just a nice place to put my frame fit "adult sized" pump, plus there's room for two full sized water bottles. 

Handlebar: All my bikes have drop bars, but the WTB's cause the most wrist and hand pain after a long ride, so either a less flared "off road" drop bar, or something different like a Jones H bar. I'd like to test the bar for a week or three first.

Wheels/Tires: I'd build this bike around 48-584 Rene Herse Juniper Ridge or 55-584 Umtanum Ridge "fast knobbies." Front would absolutely have to have a dynamo hub. I've never had one, but might get a dynamo setup someday "soon."

Gearing: This will cause some consternation: Pinion P-18 with Gates belt drive. I ride 28-622 tires on the Rivendell, 24-36-46 with an 11-23 9-speed. That's 113 gear inches for the highest gear and 103" for the 46x12. 103 gear inches or thereabouts is fine, I could live without my very highest gear. On the Ibis, it's 24-35-46 with 12-36 9-speed, and that works out to be a 17.5" bottom gear and 19.7" next-to-bottom gear. Do I absolutely have to have that whole range? No, that's why I have the two bikes, but the thought experiment is about one bike, and the P-18 would do that. Playing with http://www.gear-calculator.com (which is a fun toy!), there's no pull-down for 48-584, so picking 50-584, with the P-18 and a 32t chainring and 30t cog (the standard gearing for a Pinion is about 1:1, with 30/30 being a good starting point), that gives me a 101" top gear and 16" bottom gear. I'm not getting any younger, so a lower top and bottom gear seem reasonable. It seems that the Gates drive chainrings/sprockets are in even teeth only, so 32/30 it is (but 33/30 would be better, oh well).

Pedals: This is where the "1 bike only" requirement is a problem. I love my Grip King pedals on the Quickbeam, but I also love Ritchey XC ("mountain bike" style or "walk like a normal human being when off the bike" style) step-in pedals on the Ibis and Rivendell. I guess I could get the Grip Monarch and appropriate shoes.

Racks and Bags: Yes, but the question wasn't about what racks/bags to have forever, so I may change those over time. 

Fenders: Probably, I like them on the Quickbeam, but tend to avoid riding in the rain on the "go far" Ibis or Rivendell.

Anyway, barring a lottery win, I doubt I'll be buying something like this any time soon, but it's been an interesting thought experiment.

Drew

[Conway Bennett]

56cm 650b Hunqapillar.  These were a small and final run, and it fits me perfectly.

[David Person]

From Leah,  "David - how unexpected that the Surly edges out the Rivendell! They do look remarkably similar."

Leah, I was quite surprised myself since all I had ever read reading the LHT/Disc Trucker was that it was a tank and rode much better fully loaded than unloaded.  However, I enjoy the ride of both bikes configured as in the picture attached earlier.  Maybe the 62cm Hillborne, with it's double top tubes is part of the reason it is similar feeling to the Surly.  The top tubes on the Hillborne are 28.6mm each, while the TT on the Surly is 31.8mm, but based on the sound each make when tapped with a fingernail, the tubing on the Surly is thinner gauge.  The down tubes on each bike are 31.8mm.  So, definitely oversized compared to a standard road bike tube set.  Both bike weigh approx the same at 32 lbs.

David

[Pam Bikes]

Once you have a mixe-ish dropped tube, you won't go back to a horizontal top tube.  Just like dyno lights.  Great looking bike.  What size is it?  I bet it's fun to ride.

On Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 2:30:02 PM UTC-4 Joe Bernard wrote:

Steel, mixte, this one! I'll own this bicycle as long as I can pedal it and maybe even after that cuz it's so fun to look at. 

Btw as this is a Leah thread I should give her a shoutout for the design of my Rivendell Custom. It has the mixte-ish dropped tube because she believes in them and I decided she's right! 

#toptubeswhoneedsem

Joe Bernard

On Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 10:28:38 AM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote:

The expected answer from me, of the bikes I own, would be the Bombadil - but I'm not so sure I can say that confidently. It has the versatility and tire clearance to be a one-bike, even for my high varied riding (from brevets to mountain bike trails), but I like how the Hillborne rides more!  The Hillborne also has a little more TT clearance for me, which may become a bigger deal over time, and it's still stout enough for me to carry a full camping load. Only downside is the tire size limitation... Ideally I'd get a custom that is basically a Hillborne that fits 48's with fenders, but that would be hard to justify ... mind you, think of all the money I'd save selling four of my five bikes haha! 

[Joe Bernard]

Hi Pam! 

54.3cm ST x 63cm ETT. Which sounds wacky for me at 5'-7" but Grant designed it for my arthritic wrists to have a really high bar reaching way back. I cheated a bit by eventually replacing the Bosco it was supposed to run for a tall-and-stubby DirtDrop stem and Leah Bars. Oops, sorry, I mean Billie Bars! (It's Leah's favorite bar, she's talked a lot of us into them 🙂)

It's a mostly-roads design not intended to carry heavy loads or tackle crazy trails. Zippy and fun! 

[Christine Rose]

Ooh Drew, your "one bike" sounds dreamy! Have you seen Nua Bikes? They make bikes just as you describe. I've been lusting after one of those for so long. They will even do a titanium fork if that's what you want. But like you, waiting on the lottery before I can import one.

Christine

[Drew Saunders]

Christine,

No, I hadn't heard of Nua Bikes before, but they look very nice! Time to buy a lottery ticket, I guess. I did a quick look at the Roure and Terra, those look nice, but $7000 and up nice! 

Drew

[George Cline]

When the time comes, I want to be like this guy, and switch to trikes ;-)

George in NoCal

[John Hawrylak]

wow, right out of Central Casting.

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ

[Ron Cramer]

What bars are those? Choco or Chocomoose?

On Sat, Apr 2, 2022, 9:03 AM George Schick <bhi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Given that qualifier, I'd have to say after doing a fingers and toes count of every bike I've ever owned, starting with a 24" Schwinn cantilever framed bike back in the mid-50's, that the diamond framed steel Rambouillet is not only the bike I'd like to have for the rest of my life (and plan to), but the bike I wish I would have had all along during the past 50 or so years of "serious" cycling.  'Course, I've never owned any other frame styles that fall into the mixte or step-through categories and it may well happen that I'll eventually become too old and decrepit to be able to throw my leg over the top tube of a diamond frame and will need to get a mixte or step-through of some kind, something with which I will have no problem.  Maybe I'll just ride my wife's Breezer Uptown.

On Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 9:35:24 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

I think Grant, in his casual manner of speaking, means “typical.” And I take that to refer to diamond frame.

I might say that no one has worked harder to make mixtes/step-through frames acceptable to men than Rivendell. Erasing the Clem H and only offering that model in the L version was huge. And now I see men of all ages riding Clem Ls and the connotation to “girl bike” is fading. 

Leah

On Apr 2, 2022, at 10:00 AM, George Schick <bhi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Curious that he uses the term "normal" for other than mixte.  What's "normal"?  A diamond shaped road frame?  A step-through (which is different than mixte)?  

On Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 8:22:50 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

If you follow Rivendell on Instagram, they asked their followers a fun question yesterday: 

You get one bike for the rest of your life - what frame material, and what style - mixte or normal? 

Attached is a screenshot of Grant’s quote and Betsy Streeter’s art. 

What a question! The frame material and style is easy - I love a Rivendell steel mixte, but only one? In the end, my #1 is my raspberry Platypus, but I’d cry real tears if parted from my Clem L or my shopping Platypus. Up until 2020 I was a one bike gal, but I am really savoring having a trio of bikes set up for different enjoyments. I chose the raspberry mixte as my One Bike Forever because it’s the most beautiful, does whatever I want it to, and has heaps of sentimental value. 

What would be your One Bike Forever? Do you have that bike or is it a dream bike? Do you have a photo?

Leah

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[TP H]

Hoping it’ll be the orange Gus I’ve got coming in!

On Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 2:28:10 PM UTC-7 Patrick Moore wrote:

I mean, in addition to, as a second, occasional wheelset. The divinely perfect Elk Passes would be the primary tires.

On Sat, Apr 2, 2022 at 3:25 PM Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:

... . Of course, if the sole bike, I'd have a Naches Pass wheelset built for this (I think they'd fit).

 

On Sat, Apr 2, 2022 at 7:22 AM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:

If you follow Rivendell on Instagram, they asked their followers a fun question yesterday: 

You get one bike for the rest of your life - what frame material, and what style - mixte or normal? 

[Spencer Robinson]

Ahmed, good choice!

On Sat, Apr 2, 2022 at 3:20 PM Ahmed Elgasseir <aelga...@castilleja.org> wrote:

MUSA Atlantis 

Ahmed in San Mateo CA

On Sat, Apr 2, 2022 at 12:07 PM 'John Hawrylak' via RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

AHH

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ

On Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 9:22:50 AM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

If you follow Rivendell on Instagram, they asked their followers a fun question yesterday: 

You get one bike for the rest of your life - what frame material, and what style - mixte or normal? 

Attached is a screenshot of Grant’s quote and Betsy Streeter’s art. 

What a question! The frame material and style is easy - I love a Rivendell steel mixte, but only one? In the end, my #1 is my raspberry Platypus, but I’d cry real tears if parted from my Clem L or my shopping Platypus. Up until 2020 I was a one bike gal, but I am really savoring having a trio of bikes set up for different enjoyments. I chose the raspberry mixte as my One Bike Forever because it’s the most beautiful, does whatever I want it to, and has heaps of sentimental value. 

What would be your One Bike Forever? Do you have that bike or is it a dream bike? Do you have a photo?

Leah

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[Jason Fuller]

Hmmm. I have already responded but now I'm thinking.. Gus Boots would be a great pick. I could go literally anywhere, just not especially fast, and carry anything I could want to. Probably run 50ish mm tires and fenders most of the time, but swap on some 2.6" knobbies for trail rides. Hmmm. Yes, that would do nicely.  

And has the low TT! 

Let's be honest though my answer will change every day which is why I have five bikes. 

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[Eric Marth]

I noticed this in the Sheldon Brown / Grant Petersen interview Will posted on the site this week. The interview is undated but it must be from around 1996 because Grant mentions Reader No. 7 and my copy has a postmark date of May 1996. I'd wager Grant's answer in 2022 would be much different! 

bikesite: If you could have any - but only one - bike to ride for the rest of your life, which would it be?

Grant Petersen: "One bike" wouldn't be a hardship, and the answer comes easy. It would be a Rivendell All-Rounder, with a Brooks B.17 saddle, Ritchey Crossbite 1.1 tires, a Ritchey double with 48 x36 rings and a 13 x 28 6-speed cluster, SunTour bar end shifters, any derailleurs (I don't care), a Phil bb---it's pretty much a bike we sell, and that's why we sell it.

[larson....@gmail.com]

Jason,

Interesting thought regarding choosing Gus. I was thinking along those same lines. Somewhere I read a description of the  Gus as a cross between an Atlantis and a Jones LWB, which gets me thinking about the possibilities! Keep posting your ride reports!

Randy in Wisconsin

[upyou...@yahoo.com]

Heavens, I'm Mermaid Platy Mixte forever but....did someone mention custom Clem with pearlescent pink paint like the Mermaid?  I would just get my own custom headbadge and rename the bike and that would be pretty cool.

Kate

[Ben Mihovk]

Atlantis for me. So to answer the question in the image, a "normal" shaped steel frame that can do basically anything. 

Ben