Tough call, based on your stated criteria and preferences. I don't think you could go wrong, but I don't have the direct experience for a comparison. I have a Susie and a bunch of other Rivs, but my All Rounder is the closest analog to the Appaloosa. (If you cosider Appaloosa evolved from the Atlatis, which evolved from the All Rounder.... but it's pretty far removed at this point.)
I'll say that both are among the few bikes I'll never ever part with. But ESPECIALLY the AR, because it is just so classic looking and also so versatile. I suspect the Appaloosa will still feel more like a sprightly road bike than the Susie, with it's new thicker tubing - not the more "over-built" load carrier you're anticipating On the other hand, I'll note that my one, big complaint about the Susie - a too-high-for-my-liking bottom bracket - is being remedied in the new, lugged batch. So that's a huge improvement that should make it feel more like a Rivendell and be more comfortable for the riding you describe. I'll also say that you're probably correct that you won't want or need all of the tire clearance that the susie has. I got B65 fenders to work with 2.8 tires, with mods. (More on that later.) But it's way too much. It's overkill and doesn't ride or steer well. (But the high BB compounds that, Im sure, by making the center of gravity too high.) Then again, it's nice to finally have MORE room than you need or want for a change. I think 2.5ish tires are probably the sweet spot - at least at my weight and terrain and for the type of riding you describe. (What I have on my clem) And, unfortunately, the Appaloosa caps out at 2.25 (going from memory... so check that.) Making your decision even more muddied, I'm sure... On Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 3:30:07 PM UTC-7 Tim Bantham wrote: > I would recommend the Appaloosa. If you're primary use is commuting and > grocery getting there isn't a better bicycle then the Joe A. You could put > a decent size knobbie tire on there is you wanted. I had Schwalbe Thunder > Burts on mine which made it great for road and great for the occasional off > road excursion. It certainly can be a "have fun" bike if you build it up > right. If you are looking to add fenders under a reasonably sized tire then > the Appaloosa also gets the nod. I've never owned a Susie/Gus but I've > owned an Appaloosa which was one of my favorites Riv bikes I had ever > owned. I regret selling it all the time. > > On Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 5:16:03 PM UTC-5 [email protected] > wrote: > >> Others here can no doubt offer more experienced opinions but, I would get >> the Susie and an extra set of wheels. One with 2.5”-2.6” knobbies (Honcho, >> Ehline) for singletrack or other off road stuff (backpacking), and the >> other with 2.0” - 2.25 smoothish tires for more roadish use. Susie is such >> a versatile platform. This of course is my perspective only & reflects my >> preference for off road excursions. >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On Feb 7, 2024, at 4:23 PM, Brian Thomas <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> >> Hey Everyone. I'm seriously torn between a lugged Susie and an Appaloosa >> later this year. Help me commit! >> >> I commute and run errands (no question that's most of my mileage), but >> fun rides are always in seek of trails with pavement as needed: day rides >> plus occasional camping. I think each bike is overkill in a different way. >> The Appaloosa is capable of longer distances and heavier loads, which would >> be pretty rare for me. The bigger tires on the Susie would open up more >> technical singletrack, which would be similarly rare. >> >> What to do? I like the idea of the Appaloosa's more traditional look, but >> I like the Susie's higher handlebars and increased crotch clearance. I'm >> likely to want fenders, so I may end up not using the Susie's tire >> clearance to full advantage (sidebar: what's the biggest tire that will >> really fit under a B65? B69? Anyone know of another decent-looking jumbo >> fender?). >> >> All opinions welcome, with special thanks to anyone who's ridden or owned >> both. >> >> -- >> 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 [email protected]. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/1e47cf36-31e0-4a3c-8e64-39bd3cf86693n%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/1e47cf36-31e0-4a3c-8e64-39bd3cf86693n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- 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 [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/889635d8-90a1-4e66-988b-718f20c4f2dan%40googlegroups.com.
