FWIW, I don't think the Bomba turned out quite all that heavy. As long as the wheelsize or double top tube aesthetic doesn't scare you off, it should be a GREAT bike!
There are cheaper options, but none of them will be as beautiful or special (custom builders excluded). It'll probably run you $1000 more than mass-produced brands, but if it part of a life-style change, then that's money well spent. Call Rivendell and ask for Grant. I think his passion for cycling and wanting everyone to be a part of it will win you over (Trust him on the sizing methodology). Cheers, David On Sat, May 16, 2009 at 2:37 PM, Bill M. <[email protected]> wrote: > > I don't own a Bomba, but for many years I owned one of it's ancestors, > an early Riv Mountain/Expedition. That bike was, like the Bomba, > built hell-for-stout, but I enjoyed riding it as a wide-tired touring > bike that took occasional excursions onto fire roads. It never felt > exactly fast (though I even rode it in bike club pacelines a couple of > times), but it had lovely, gentle road manners when ridden at a more > moderate pace. I'd expect the Bomba to be similar in that respect. > > You don't mention your height or bike size. The smaller Bombadils are > built for 650b wheels. There's nothing wrong with that, I currently > own two 650b bikes myself, but there are only so many choices of tire > and rim in that size. Before making the leap, make sure that the > current selection of tires contains at least a couple that would meet > your current and future needs, and that rims are available with the > spoke count you need. If you're tall enough to fit a 700c Bomba or > Atlantis, then there are LOTS of choices, from the skinniest racing > tires to gnarly fat knobbies to various widths of sturdy touring > tires, and any number of rims from which to choose. Smaller > Atlantises (Atlanti?) use 26" wheels, which again offer myriad choices > of rims and tires. I think the choice of rim and tire should be a > major factor in your final decision - choose the wheels you need, and > pick the frame that fits them.. > > Depending on where you ride, how hard you are on equipment and what > you anticipate your weight may be this time next year, maybe a Sam > Hillborne might also be an option? I've test ridden Sams in two > sizes, and they are a pleasant ride. Half the price of a Bombadil or > Atlantis, which is nice. The difference could go towards some extra > strong wheels, say Phil hubs and 36 spoke rims (maybe 40 in back?). > The Bomba or Atlantis will take fatter tires and should handle bad > roads, dirt roads or touring loads better, but Sam should be a little > more responsive as a road bike. > > Good luck! > > Bill > > On May 15, 10:11 am, Delano <[email protected]> wrote: > > I've posted this on a bike forum, and someone directed me here. I > > didn't know this group existed, and I am very much happy that I've > > found it. > > > > I need some help from owners of the Bombadil. I am considering > > purchasing one, but I haven't been able to find people's reactions to > > the bike. How do they like the bike? Would they purchase one again? > > What are the downsides (other than weight)? > > > > I am 289 lbs, once athletic but broke my back once and have not > > exercised in about a decade. At 41, it's crunch time to get back in > > shape. I pondered the Bombadil because of its construction, but have > > absolutely no interest in mountain biking. Like most people, I like > > speed and a good energy expenditure-return ratio. That is, I don't > > want to work very hard :) > > > > When I mentioned in a forum about the construction of the bike being > > my reason for looking at the Bombadil, someone mentioned that the > > Atlantis was rated to 300 lbs. I think I remember that correctly, but > > I can't find it on rivbike.com. One of the sales people in an email > > suggested the Atlantis might wobble a bit considering the weight, and > > steered me toward the Bombadil again. > > > > What are your thoughts? I've been through the "a bike is just a bike" > > and "Rivendells are special" and "there are cheaper options" > > conversations with people, and I can't make an informed decision > > without anyone's feedback on the Bombadil itself. I live too far to > > test ride one, and its a big (expensive) leap of faith with any bike > > as far as I'm concerned. > > > > Any help? > > > -- Cheers, David Redlands, CA --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
