Thanks for all of the input (and thanks to Jim for not pushing the QB too hard). I recognize that I do in fact have a high-class problem, which isn't really a problem at all. The question is effectively unanswerable, which is a testament to the Rivendell design approach. I'm going to dedicate the Saluki to brevets, leave the Hilsen as-is for most everything else, and keep the Romulus as a fast ride-with-the- neighbors-race-team-on-Sunday bike. As an aside, someone noted that the AHH and the Saluki are "the same bike", which while factually correct, doesn't dovetail to my experience. I have a 62cm Saluki and a 63cm Hilsen, and they feel quite different, though the set-ups and 'portant measurements are nearly identical. I like them both, and have ridden each on a one-day double century at least twice. Perhaps it's as simple as 650B / Hetre vs. 700c / Jack Brown, but they do present subtle yet distinct differences. My kids have already claimed them for college, the 6 year old opting for the Saluki, and the 9 year old for Homer (another benefit of steel - they should still be in fine shape by 2019). Now I need to figure out lights.
Thanks again. On Aug 30, 8:14 pm, CycloFiend <[email protected]> wrote: > on 8/30/09 8:31 AM, Frank at [email protected] wrote: > > > As a prospective randonneur but one with little experience with rides > > over 400k, I am planning to dedicate one bike to next year¹s series. > > Recognizing the breadth of on-the-road experience on this list, I am > > interested in opinions about the ³better² choice between the Saluki, > > AHH, and the Romulus. Is comfort the driving factor, or are there > > other, more subtle criteria that also warrant consideration? I > > believe that any of the three will perform just fine, but I will be > > setting just one up for brevets and would like to get it as right as > > possible. I own all three, all are comfortable, but each is set up a > > little differently. Thanks for any input. > > This is what my father would call "a high class problem"... > > As others have said, they'd all work, and as with any GP-designed bike, work > pretty darned well. When I was prepping for my first 200K, I realized that > my Quickbeam made the most sense as it was my most comfortable frame. (At > that time it was my only Rivendell.) > > One of the reasons that I purchased my Hilsen was to use it for brevets. > Around the SF Bay Area, the brevet series starts in late January, which > typically involves rain and wet roads. Running a bike with no fenders is > (IMO) foolhardy, not to mention disrespectful of those who have to ride > behind you under such conditions. The Hilsen, as I'm sure you've noticed, > can handle any fender and tire combo you are likely to come up with. > > The Hilsen also struck me as ideal for use with the Mark's Rack. Currently, > I have one set up aft, as a stabilizer for the Country Bag. I've played > around with my Zugster (Front) Rando Bag on the Quickbeam, and could easily > set it up on the Hilsen, either swapping the Mark's to the front or by > adding another one for longer rides. > > On a 400K, you'll have to consider lighting as well. I'd like to > whole-heartedly plug the Gino Light Mount by Paul Components as a good way > to set up a mid-fork light. > > Because you're potentially hanging fenders and racks and lights on the bike, > I'd lean towards the frame that allows you to do that in an elegant manner - > i.e. the Saluki or Hilsen. > > The thing about the Riv models is that they lend themselves to a lot of > tinkering and refinement to come up with a bike that perfectly suits any > number of applications. Another "high class problem"... > > - J > > -- > Jim Edgar > [email protected] > > "That which is overdesigned, too highly specific, anticipates outcome; the > anticipation of outcome guarantees, if not failure, the absence of grace." > > William Gibson - "All Tomorrow's Parties" --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
