I too have the widest Toscos (with the 38.1 clamp dia) on my Gus. They’re super comfortable and give you lots of control for rough terrain. I feel like these bars were tailor made for Gus / Susie. Oh, and just a note on bars, I swapped the Bosco for a 60cm Tosco and what a great swap it was. The front position didn’t work for me and the Bosco was just too high. Highly recommend the Tosco if you try some swept back bars! My first ride with them was 30 miles of pure comfort. On Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 7:57:08 AM UTC-8 Ryan Frahm wrote:
I have also seen (on here) that you can have the seat tube reamed to fit 27.2. I’d probably be okay with it on the Gus but wouldn’t likely chance it on my Susie with thinner tubes.
Scott, I have an extra Jones loop on hand. Thanks for the offer though! I put a Simworks Fun bar (I think that’s the name) on for the moment. I plan to try out a few different bars.
Ryan,
I’ve got a really nice Simworks Nitto 27.2 post that I don’t have bike for. I think once I get the 26.8 post in and sized up I’ll sand a bit off the Nitto and use it. It’s got a cool finish so I don’t want to remove too much.
Paul levers and Motolites are going on tonight. I pulled them off my Trucker. I’m using a Ritchey triple but a White Industry double would be nice. Gotta get some cash save up.
Cheers! Sent from my iPhone Jacob - If you are interested I have a really clean Jones Loop I pulled off an Analog build that I'm interested in selling.
Best, Scott
Exciting, I can’t wait to see it built up! I definitely double and probably triple checked on seatpost sizing. A 27.2 would have been really cool but I don’t find any need for my old titanium post on the Susie, it rides smoother than anything.
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the Gus! I have been feeling like I should have gone that way so I could load it up and never feel worried but I just love my quill stem! Will has assured me I don’t need to be worried at all with my 175lbs and a 30 or so camp load. I’m getting more comfortable feeling like she’s not fragile but…
Just a note, AVT bike is having a site wide sale up to 25% off. Tough to beat on Paul or White industries parts! The frame safely arrived yesterday. It’s huge. The color is beautiful. I would have picked orange had the choice been available but now I’m happy with mermaid.
The fork is on and the bottom bracket is in. I had forgotten how easy 9 speed cassettes install. 12 speed is such a pain.
Tonight I want to get on the brakes and size up the chain. I’m still waiting on both derailleurs, tires, valve stems and a seatpost. I mistakenly bought a 28.6mm post instead of a 26.8mm.
Hopefully everything shows up soon or I’ll start pulling parts from other bikes to get this on the road.
I can not believe how big it is. That steerer tube was so long but then the head tube swallowed it up. I can’t wait to ride it.
-Jacob Sent from my iPhone I wish I had tried flat bars (or nitto wavies) on the romanceur before I sold it. I did appreciate it's slow speed maneuverability, especially while climbing. it may have been a good compromise to drop bars vs swept backs! Maybe it would have mitigated some of the front wheel lifting off bumps in really low gearing climbs. That being said I ran my romancer with 26" wheels and racing ralph 2.1's and felt like I was constantly getting pedal strike. 650 was better, but I felt it lost some of the spryness I loved so much. I am going to get a custom made based off the romancer with a few tweaks. It was a memorable bike and very much enjoyed my time with it. But agreed bikes are so much subjective! haha
the clem does love a decent! I also feel like the clementine was quite a bit shorter than the JR. It's really a shame they didn't keep the original clementine on the roster, I think it's a really swell feeling bike.
On Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 8:20:18 PM UTC-8 Hoch in ut wrote:
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.
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 Awesome!!! Which color is your Gus, Jacob? Very much looking forward to seeing it built up. What sorta gearing you have in mind?
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.
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.
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).
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
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