Wild speculation on Hodges B. Gallop

[Matt D]

From the most recent Blahg:

"Hodges B. Gallop didn't get back to me about the bike name thing, and I've since discovered that he died in 2017. This HBG thing is about a name for a new bike that'll happen in about a year."

So what do you think it'll be - or, more accurately, what do you selfishly hope it'll be? I'm both hoping and tentatively suspecting that it'll be a sort of Roadini Plus, a sort of successor to the Legolas and Hillborne at the $900-1000 less-lugged pricepoint. My one complaint with this Roadini is that I feel like the gravel doubletrack (the Baton Rouge-New Orleans section of the Mississippi River Trail) I like to ride is on the outer edge of its intended use case. No durability concerns but a little more clearance for a fender with 32s wouldn't hurt. Something that's perceived as a nicer alternative to the Surly Crosscheck would do great things for the company too, I think. I know a lot of people who love the idea of Rivendell but they just don't have $1500 to drop on an AHH to get road-like geometry and country-bike clearance at the same time.

Your thoughts?

[Joe Bernard]

My guess is it's the 25th Anniversary bike that Grant hinted might just be a regular model, the swoopy double-toptube mixte thing.

[ascpgh]

Sounds like the Rambouillet. Road-ly, clearance for 32s under fender, three cage mounts and capable of a light traveler's load, all without getting wiggly. I feel like one of a few who've suggested this retired model is the template of what you describe.

Mine last weekend:

 My Rambouillet with the 700x32 Stampede Pass EL under fender. This was a trip down the Great Allegheny Passage trail the other weekend. Lightly packed and heavily watered for 150 miles of what you see here. Just out of the Big Savage Mountain tunnel, near the Maryland state line.

Rambouillet good for two riding days of this. GAP trail, along the Youghiogheny River. 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh