Apparently, this is all subjective, because I felt just the opposite! 🙂 The Clem was so long, much longer than what I’d been used to mountain biking for 30+ years. The trails here are fairly chunky, and maneuvering around rocks and/or high-centering became issues. I thought I’d adapt, but never could. The Romeo (with flat bars) handled razor sharp and I could weave around and over all obstacles without the fear of pedal strikes or getting hung up. We’ve got some steep climbs here and I never had a problem with the front end wandering. I just felt “at home” with it in just about every aspect.
One thing the Clem absolutely destroys the Romeo and other bikes is straight line descents. I could bomb steep gravel roads like Bode Miller soaring down a run. Both good bikes. Just depends on what you prefer and are used to. I personally gave the long wheelbase a couple of tries but couldn’t ever come to grips with it. You might. 🙂 On Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 5:16:39 PM UTC-7 Mackenzy Albright wrote: > RE those comparing Romanceurs and Rivs > > I loved my (XL disc) Romanceur - but have a bad shoulder / neck. I > couldn't run drops. It didn't handle that well with upright bars IMO. The > short wheelbase makes it hop and wheelie a lot climbing. I love climbing. > It rode amazing with a shortish stem and towel racks, but was a real neck > destroyer. Looked great though. Hauled front basket cargo like nobody's > business. I loved it - but not for me. > > I traded it for a Clementine 59 and (also bought a) Clem Smith JR 64. OG > clementine feels a tad like the Romanceur a bit with a bit more room in the > front for swept backs and appropriate chain stays to keep it on the ground. > Climbs wonderfully. Clem JR just cruises like nobody's business. One of the > most fun and cruisey bikes ive ever ridden. The more slack head tube makes > it a bit floppier than the Clementine with a high front load (ie basket or > porteur bag) Im likely going to keep the Clementine and part with the JR > only because of slight overlap and lack of space. > > Now that I took the RIV plunge, having a high maintenance body that gets > pissed off easily, I can't imagine not owning a rivendell for my main ride > anymore. I dont think you can make a wrong decision. I think it comes down > to more or less tire size, aesthetics, and availability. Each has their > slight niche variations, but overall no matter what be amazing. > > On Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 3:47:06 PM UTC-8 Luke Hendrickson wrote: > >> Triples are my fave. >> >> On Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 3:14:06 PM UTC-8 jacob...@gmail.com >> wrote: >> >>> It’s the Mermaid color. They only had one in stock so the decision was >>> pretty easy. >>> >>> Right now I’ll be going 3x9. I bought a NOS Ritchey triple recently to >>> put on my Long Haul Trucker but it’ll be going on the Gus. I could see >>> going 2x9 or 2x10 at some point. White Industries makes some really nice >>> stuff. >>> >>> It’s funny because I just bought some Paul Motolite brakes for the >>> Trucker and now they’ll be pulled for the Gus. Back to the mismatched >>> v-brakes. >>> >>> I still need wheels but I found a cheap set on eBay. They’ll do for now. >>> >>> The shipping notification just came through. Hopefully I’ll have it >>> early next week. >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> On Nov 15, 2022, at 5:45 PM, Luke Hendrickson <phendr...@paulpath.net> >>> wrote: >>> >>> Awesome!!! Which color is your Gus, Jacob? Very much looking forward to >>> seeing it built up. What sorta gearing you have in mind? >>> >>> >>> >>> On Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 2:41:13 PM UTC-8 jacob...@gmail.com >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Thanks for all the replies. I ended up going with a Gus. C&L Cycles out >>>> of Montreal had a frame in stock. I've been eyeing parts for the build all >>>> day. My parts stash is pretty full so hopefully things will come together >>>> quickly on the build. Thanks again for the help! >>>> >>>> >>>> On Monday, November 14, 2022 at 11:30:00 AM UTC-5 Mark Schneider wrote: >>>> >>>>> Country roads, sounds like the Platypus would be perfect. The >>>>> Gus/Susie really is nice for washboard, and rough off-road rides, but >>>>> rides >>>>> great on the roads too. I have a large Susie, and I'm running Rene Herse >>>>> tires, and I'm impressed with the responsiveness. It's very plush! Kind >>>>> of >>>>> wish I'd gotten the Gus, just because I've packed on some weight and >>>>> there's a small drop-off I occasionally find myself going over. >>>>> >>>>> On Monday, November 14, 2022 at 7:44:14 AM UTC-8 saxt...@gmail.com >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks I’ll stop hijacking this thread and ask for more advice on a >>>>>> separate one. >>>>>> On Monday, November 14, 2022 at 8:38:48 AM UTC-5 Hoch in ut wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I’m running Albatross currently it works well but I am looking for >>>>>>> something with a little less rise and sweep. I may have to just bend my >>>>>>> Albatross out a little and call it good. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The bike itself is awesome. Coming from a Clem, which was too heavy >>>>>>> duty for me, this bike feels more springy and lively. Rides fast on the >>>>>>> road and tackles dirt roads and singletrack with ease. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> One knock I have is the fork feels a little stiff. I guess for >>>>>>> heavier front loads. But I wish it were a little more compliant. Other >>>>>>> than >>>>>>> that, it’s a great bike. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 3:19:22 PM UTC-7 saxt...@gmail.com >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> What bars are you running on the Romanceur? I was about to start a >>>>>>>> similar thread looking for advice and one of my shortlist choices was >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> Romanceur..so curious about your set up. >>>>>>>> On Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 8:32:37 PM UTC-5 Hoch in ut wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I’d agree Gus is not the right bike. Neither is a Clem. Riv rates >>>>>>>>> them the same, as far as durability. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> There’s been some good suggestions already. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I’d offer a non-Riv option: Crust Romanceur. Light, lugged frame. >>>>>>>>> 853 steel. 650b x 2.4” clearance. In my opinion, perfect for the ride >>>>>>>>> that >>>>>>>>> you describe. Mine rides light and springy (mine is the canti >>>>>>>>> version). >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 6:55:02 AM UTC-7 >>>>>>>>> jacob...@gmail.com wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I've got the new bike itch and have shortlisted a Gus or possibly >>>>>>>>>> a Platypus. The Gus has called to me for a couple of years but >>>>>>>>>> something or >>>>>>>>>> other always came up. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> The purpose of the new bike would be mostly to ride 25-35 miles >>>>>>>>>> on paved country roads. I live in central Pennsylvania and most of >>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>> unpaved stuff is rougher than I care to ride. There's trails that I >>>>>>>>>> do ride >>>>>>>>>> but any bike with 45mm tires can handle that. Once a month I'll do a >>>>>>>>>> 50-60 >>>>>>>>>> mile ride. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I do C level group rides but nothing over 12-13 mph. Frequent in >>>>>>>>>> town rides to get food/ coffee. Maybe some overnight camping. My >>>>>>>>>> solo >>>>>>>>>> riding usually sits around 11 mph unless I'm in a hurry. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> My torso and arms are long so reach has always been an issue. I >>>>>>>>>> know the Gus has a long toptube and I think the fit would be a bit >>>>>>>>>> better. >>>>>>>>>> I'm not a fan of super upright positioning. My hand/ wrist got broke >>>>>>>>>> in a >>>>>>>>>> fall last year so I like bars with lots of sweep (Jones Loop is >>>>>>>>>> wonderful). >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Gearing and tires being equal would the Gus perform as well on >>>>>>>>>> the road as the Platypus? >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Thanks for the help! >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Cheers, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Jacob >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>> >>> 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 view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/7cdd6e80-3f38-44aa-b13d-40fefe73be08n%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/7cdd6e80-3f38-44aa-b13d-40fefe73be08n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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