Re: [RBW] Digest for rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com - 15 updates in 6 topics

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Bruce Herbitter

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Aug 15, 2026, 2:21:26 PM (5 days ago) Aug 15
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Romulus was for smaller frame sizes and came in Light English Blue.  The taller sizes were called "Redwood" and were in a very nice green, the name of which escapes me,

On Sat, Aug 15, 2026 at 6:49 AM <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Eric Marth <eric...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 04:48PM -0700

Liam — I'll confirm what others say, Riv sizing has changed a lot since the
days of the Ram due to their embrace of the sloping top tubes. Going by
your height, it makes sense you'd fit either a 58 or 60cm Rambouillet
frame. Keep an eye out for the Romulus, too, as @thwart mentions those
frames are functionally identical. I believe they were introduced as a
slightly-less-expensive alternate to the Ram.
 
I'd hold out for a Ram!
 
The trouble is going to be finding *either* a 58cm or 60cm frame that's
built up for you to try! Finding both, and comparing how they fit and feel?
That's going to be especially tricky. The chances their either bike is set
up the way that's just right for you, providing the right platform for your
assessment? Slim to none!
 
When I test rode my Hillborne it was the right size but the bars and stem
were totally *wack*, the brakes didn't work, the tires were practically
flat and the shifters and brake levers were set up in a totally insane
configuration. Hard to get a feel if the bike was right for me. But it was
so cheap that it was a no-brainer.
 
Conventionally I should ride something like a 58cm frame but over the years
I've found I prefer larger ones. My Raleigh International is in the
ballpark of a Ram. Light tubing, level top tube, fits a 38mm tire, center
pull brakes. It's the type of sport-touring frame that Grant drew
inspiration from in the early years of Rivendell. The frame's a 24.5" in
Raleigh's catalog, that's about a 62cm frame. I really like the way it
fits. That might not be right for you, but I'd say keep an open mind until
you've at least tried a larger frame.
 
I rode a 62cm Surly LHT for about a year and really liked that, too. The
fit on the LHT was verrrry French – hardly any standover and that seatpost
was slammed. Wouldn't go that big again with that frame and I don't think
I'll ever buy another Surly. But I was always comfy on that bike.
 
Good luck with your search and share updates when you find some bikes!
 
Kim H. <krhe...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 05:18PM -0700

@Liam,
 
I have a friend who selling his 59cm? blue Rambouillet bicycle.
 
Send me a private email for further information, if you are interested.
 
Kim Hetzel
Washington state.
 
Jay <jason....@gmail.com>: Aug 14 03:03PM -0700

John - getting it down to 10 will be a challenge. Also, some are a series
on someone's channel with multiple videos. I'll sprinkle some of my favs
as I remember them.
 
Years ago, when I had a skinny tire road bike and whatever aluminum cx bike
at the time (had many, can't recall what was in the stable at the time), I
came across the channel "*Henrywildeberry*". Have watched all the videos,
the ones in the first five years at least a handful of times each. I
really liked his initial bike build series:
https://youtu.be/Ll24o94lnzA?si=UC5F-e7k57VXREPk. Those videos go back 8
or more years, and his channels was one of the earliest I got glued to.
Hopefully this link worked, I have a really old mac computer and I don't
often post links.
 
Another older one is "*DKlein" / "Everything's Been Done*". I really liked
the ride videos with friends, and the OMTM rides. I couldn't find the
exact video that had my burst out laughing, but in one video a guy opens a
pouch of tubeless darts, and the comment was about him bringing
"calligraphy nibs", which they looked like lol. Here is one video I
enjoyed https://youtu.be/SmXuCkE3Ofw?si=-0Ode_U1ujZbZ8rH
 
More to come!
 
 
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 6:56:16 PM UTC-4 Pete P wrote:
 
Dorothy C <doroth...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 04:23PM -0700

Andy Quandt aka Bikefarmer is great fun to watch. He also owns two
Rivendells an earlier 26” All Rounder and a Roaduno
On Friday, August 14, 2026 at 3:03:28 PM UTC-7 Jay wrote:
 
Brent Knepper <in...@brentknepper.com>: Aug 14 03:30PM -0700

oh whoops, yes everyone this has sold to a pardner named Ben. Ben's a gem!
 
On Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 10:24:08 PM UTC-4 phil k wrote:
 
Cormac O'Keeffe <okeeffe...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 08:06AM -0700

Hi,
 
I have a bit of a technical question.
 
I'd like to put a double 8 speed Campagnolo crankset on a Sam Hillbourne
(2024 model). I've done some research and apparently I need a 102mm ISO
bottom bracket for this kind of crank. This seems a bit narrow though. I'm
pretty sure that the frame came with a 110mm spindle. Has anyone done
something similar?
 
Thanks in advance,
 
Cormac
Jim M. <math...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 10:03AM -0700

Sam has 135mm rear spacing, so a 102mm is probably too narrow. Anyone
recommending 102 is probably assuming rear spacing is 130.
 
jim m
walnut creek
 
Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 11:58AM -0700

My memory is mid-level double Campys of that era used a 111mm spindle. A
quick search of Campagnolo Centaur square taper BB shows a bunch of them
out there, I think it's worth a try.
 
Joe Bernard
Clearlake CA
 
Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 12:02PM -0700

Adding to my weak-menmory data, the 111 may have been spec'd for Campy
Racing T (triple) cranks on 130 bcd frames. Might work on your double with
135 spacing.
 
On Friday, August 14, 2026 at 11:58:32 AM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote:
 
Ron Mc <bulld...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 01:32PM -0700

I have Centaur crank on '98 Moser Forma, 2x8 - 130-mm OLD is only 2.5-mm
narrower on each side than 135.
 
Also sure I'm running 110-mm-spindle SKF bottom bracket. I have perfect
chainline, and this is by far the smoothest bike I own.
 
[image: SVFkMwv.jpg]
 
Daytona FD, Chorus brakes, RD and DT friction shifters.
 
 
 
On Friday, August 14, 2026 at 2:02:40 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote:
 
Suntour Jim <dr...@drjimbailey.com>: Aug 14 02:43PM -0700

Cormac,
Just to add to what Joe and Ron said, Campy cranks in the 9-10 speed square
taper BB era (2000-2014-ish) were tiered with Record and Chorus requiring
102mm spindles for doubles and 111mm for triples but Centaur (Daytona),
Athena, Veloce, Xenon, and Mirage had 111mm spindles and 114mm spindles for
the triple cranks. And, IF you're running one of the compact CT cranksets
with 50/34 or 48/34 chainrings you may be fine with the standard width
spindles.
 
Also, if you run JIS bottom brackets (Shimano, Tange, IRD, etc.) these will
automatically place your cranks 4mm wider than the ISO standard used by
Campy. As long as you don't over-torque your crank bolts (which you
shouldn't do, regardless) this works fine, as the late Sheldon Brown
espoused and many I-bob listers have done.
 
For decades I've played around with spindle lengths and standards (ISO/JIS)
on many cranks to get a workable pairing and lower q-factor on my
Rivendells and similar bikes. Right now I'm running a TA Carmina on my Sam
with a shorter-than-recommended Shimano BB to get the chainline and
Q-factor I wanted. Most often you don't even have to tighten the crank
bolts to see if it's going to work - that inner chainring starts creeping
toward the chainstay and an alarm goes off in your head that your paint is
in danger.
 
I hope this helps.
 
Jim Bailey, Knoxville, TN
 
RichS <rshann...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 09:57AM -0700

Now that's the way to begin a workday! Your bar wrap looks fine to me, as
does your Roadini. Shellacing is easy. Just be careful of drips when
applying.
 
Best,
Rich in ATL
 
On Friday, August 14, 2026 at 5:08:29 AM UTC-4 Dan wrote:
 
Brian Ferry <brian...@newcitycincy.org>: Aug 14 12:02PM -0700

[image: OhioRiverClem - 1.jpeg]
Along the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky (looking back across at Ohio/Eden
Park).
On Friday, August 14, 2026 at 12:57:14 PM UTC-4 RichS wrote:
 
jc808 <rate...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 11:28AM -0700

If you take the Marvin Braude trail south from West LA Bike, that's pretty
classic LA riding. Goes through Marina Del Rey, Hermosa, Manhattan,
Redondo. You can then climb up to Palos Verdes if you're feeling ambitious.
 
North goes through Venice and Santa Monica which is fun, but it gets stupid
crowded. You're constantly dodging pedestrians.
 
Stephen Merelman <smer...@gmail.com>: Aug 14 12:00PM -0700

Ah, terrific. They hooked me up with a Long Haul Trucker and I will either
head south or bushwack north into Topanga State Park. Looks lovely either
way.
 
smm
 
On Friday, August 14, 2026 at 2:28:05 PM UTC-4 jc808 wrote:
 
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