Reorganizing Betty

[LeahFoy]

When I purchased my Foy in 2012, I set her up according to what my family needs. I needed to pull a bike, so that necessitated leaving space in the rear and putting an ugly hitch on the seat post. My dog, who insists on being included, required the Big Front Rack with large Wald basket for his accomodations.

But now my younger son will be in kindergarten. Within a year, I bet I can sell the tag-along bike! I will have CHOICES!

I don't like the current set-up. The weight in front disagrees with me, I'm afraid. I'm tired of having the dog sit up there as he can really throw us off-kilter at times. I don't like how the bars want to swing to the side and tip over my bike. This has happened so many times, and I've got the paint job to prove it.

I'm thinking rear rack (the cool new one) and small front rack. Undecided about bags and/or baskets. What would look good and be functional? Also, someday I may pay for a new paint job - think that red and cream Glorious some lucky person on the list once showcased - so consider how the new set-up could look with that. Ok, go ahead and spend my money...ready...set....GO!!!!!

[hsmitham]

Leah,

Yes loads up front can be difficult especially the moving weight of a dog. Loads up high are especially troublesome.

I think that if ever we repaint our Betty we'd go with the Cheviot scheme that Riv has done. Orange and blue! Just smashing.

I think it's really important to consider what you want the bikes range of function to be for lack of a better way to say it. When you start purchasing racks and bags it all adds up really fast,  not to leave out the various points of attachment you'll need to consider. Doug P. on another post (mine actually) made a good point that the rear rack is easy compared to a front rack. 

I think the Betty Foy begs to have racks and bags. I'd consider keeping a basket up front with a shop sack or maybe a small trunk sack for a layer and snacks with a small handlebar bag for keys, money and small essentials. In the rear a Nitto big rear rack so you can carry shopping panniers and or large saddle sack for grocery's. The possibilities are endless. Just really think about what you want Betty to be able to do. I Look forward to what you come up with.

~Hugh

[Peter Morgano]

Custom low trail fork?  Then you can really justify that new paint job.  I love Metallics with cream accents, but just my opinion.

--
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Michael]

Leah,

 

What will you be carrying on your bike?

 

If you are only carrying small items, light loads, no dogs/kids/groceries, you maybe can get away with no racks and maybe can use just a big saddlebag (Like a Carradice Pendle or Barley bag )attached directly to your Brooks saddle.

Some saddlebags are just as big as some rack trunks so you don't necessarily need racks if your needs are small enough. Just a thought.

[Deacon Patrick]

The rules I try and follow in figuring out what works when attempting to figure out something (be it footwear, floor living, bedding, clothing, etc.) are:

-- Start with the absolute minimum and live with that for longer than I am comfortable with (my default is 1-3 months)

-- Add things in slowly, with the vast knowledge of having had to figure out how to make things work with less to aid you in what to add first, what is most important.

-- Failure is success. I learn that something doesn't work, can assess why it didn't work, learn, and get even better.

-- Seek leverage additions: things that can be used multiple ways depending on circumstances.

-- All of this cultivates mindfulness, and that always makes life easier.

-- Enjoy the process! It will have bumps, fits, and starts. All of which teach me.

Have a blast!

With abandon,

Patrick

[dougP]

Leah:

How heavy is the dog?  And will the dog continue to be included?  A "live load" such as a dog or a small child (I used to carry my first born in one of those child seats behind me) gets a bit dicey as they wriggle around.  We got a 2 wheeled trailer that proved quite useful, stable, easy to attach / detach from the bike, able to double up as grocery getter, etc.  Even a small dog seems like it could upset things if it suddenly decided to hop from one side of the basket to the other. 

Since you already have the front rack & basket, you might see if panniers work out for shopping.  Carry some re-usable shopping bags into the store, pop them into the panniers when you're done.  Personally I like the way my Atlantis handles with a front load in low riders.  The downside to front low riders is bending over to access them and with my natural clumsiness I tend to bang my head on handelbars. 

For a rear rack, consider one with the second set of pannier bars like the new Nitto that Rivendell keeps teasing us with photos.  They must have some up there in Walnut Creek by now.  Tubus makes several with that feature.  It allows easy use of the top platform even with the panniers on the bike.  Or you can take a bag off the bike without disturbing the top load.

Depending on how much stuff you need to handle, several rear trunk racks (REI, Jannd) make them with built in, zip out panniers but they are fairly smallish.  OK for light shopping but not enough for a tour. 

As others have pointed out, big saddlebags are another way to go.  When the Really Ginormous Big Saddlesack came out, early adopters delighted in posting how many gallons of milk, pounds of food, dozens of eggs, etc, they could carry.  Big saddlebags need a rack for stability & support but almost anything will work.

The whole process of working out racks'n'bags is great good fun.  That's why so many listers have so much extra stuff. 

BTW, re:  the bike falling over problem - try a rear triangle mounted kickstand.  They seem to provide better support for loads than traditional stands.  There is even a little short stand for the front that mounts to a low rider rack.  They are bug ugly though. 

dougP

 

On Sunday, February 16, 2014 1:54:16 PM UTC-8, LeahFoy wrote:

[cyclotourist]

Gotta' agree w/ Peter, a new low-trail fork would go a long ways toward meeting your needs. Let you keep Fido up front where you can eyeball him.

A two-legged stand would be a good options as well.

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

--

[Leah Peterson]

What is a custom low trail fork???

I don't know how much more I'll continue with the dog. Honestly, I'd like to just enjoy my rides and not worry about including him. He runs alongside the bike on the school commute, I just toss him in his Wald on the downhill because in no way can he keep up, and we can't resist flying downhill. Dayton Dogg is very proud that he rides a classy Rivendell Betty Foy to school..ok, let's face it, I ride a Rivendell Betty Foy, he rides a Wald basket.

Patrick, you are very wise! I will do as you advise. In that vein, maybe the best and simplest thing is to just add the medium saddlesack. No rear rack required, and I can keep the front rack that I've already got. I'll get rid of that huge Wald, though. Too unwieldy. Will the bike look strange if I leave that huge rack on it?

Someone asked - the Dayton Dogg is a fluffy 18 pounds.

Sent from my iPhone

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/zKrfQreyG0I/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.

[dougP]

"Dayton Dogg is a fluffy 18 pounds."

While I'm not a dog expert, 18 pounds seems a bit much for up high in a front basket, especially if a lively load.  It is nice to see he's properly attired for cycling.  FWIW, I notice when I have half that much in a front bag. 

"What is a custom low trail fork???"

This is a fork that is custom made in a different geometry than the stock fork.  Changing the geometry can alter the handling in subtle but noticeable ways.  Some people love 'em; some hate 'em, some don't care.  Grant's designs are well thought out and perform admirably.  However, there is a small population of tinkers out here who can't resist messing with success.  This is a subject that arises from time to time, so there are a few threads in the archives, mostly similar :). 

dougP

[Michael]

I want to start a "What do Rivendell riders have for pets?", thread, where we post pics of pur pets, but I am afraid the moderator would not allow it. Would be cool to have pet pics on here, though. 

[Leah Peterson]

Put yours in something Rivendell, then! Make him a 'Rivendalian' and it's all legal, right? See Dayton Dogg wears Riv and rides a Riv Wald Basket, so he's good...

~Leah, who is going to get kicked off for real this time after ALSO not liking the Cheviot color scheme... 
Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 17, 2014, at 2:36 PM, Michael <john1...@gmail.com> wrote:

I want to start a "What do Rivendell riders have for pets?", thread, where we post pics of pur pets, but I am afraid the moderator would not allow it. Would be cool to have pet pics on here, though. 

--

[Bruce Herbitter]

You can submit a bike photo to Cyclofiend with a pet also in the picture . Since our forum moderater is rumored to have once been somehow involved..... ;)

On 2/17/2014 4:36 PM, Michael wrote:

I want to start a "What do Rivendell riders have for pets?", thread, where we post pics of pur pets, but I am afraid the moderator would not allow it. Would be cool to have pet pics on here, though. 

--

[Cecily Walker]

*squeeeeeee* PUPPEH! 

I have nothing of use to add to the conversation except to say I want to scratch him behind the ears.

On Sunday, February 16, 2014 10:51:42 PM UTC-8, LeahFoy wrote:

[Allingham II, Thomas J]

Also, I think it was the ‘fiend who set up a Flickr group called “Rivendogs”, IIRC.  Expansion to “Rivenpets” would serve your purpose?

--

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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************************************************

To ensure compliance with Treasury Department regulations, we advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained in this message was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.
****************************************************
****************************************************

This email (and any attachments thereto) is intended only for use by the addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email (and any attachments thereto) is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error please immediately notify me at (212) 735-3000 and permanently delete the original email (and any copy of any email) and any printout thereof.

Further information about the firm, a list of the Partners and their professional qualifications will be provided upon request.
****************************************************
==============================================================================

[true]

Sunday afternoon I was riding down Dallas' busiest  multi use trail which is only about 4 miles

& due to very nice weather folks were out in droves, mostly walkers, runners, dog walkers, etc , because it is a pain

for cyclists on a busy day to weave in and out of all of the activity but there were a few of us.

It's a great place to people watch.

 

At this point in my longish ride I decided to ride a section of it to get to where I was going.

Every so often I see a small dog in a front basket riding along with the owner.

 

Sunday I saw a cylist coming toward me & thought they had a small dog in their bike basket.

When they got closer I realized it was a chicken.

 

I thought about turning around to give chase & try to snap a pic but nearing the end of my ride

I was getting tired & also figured there was too much traffic to try to catch up.

 

I hear chickens can make decent pets.

 

Safe pedaling,

Paul in Dallas

 

Reorganizing Betty

"Allingham II, Thomas J" <Thomas.A...@skadden.com> Feb 18 02:53PM