If that used Centurion is in your general size range, it would be a fantastic starting point for your road bike exploration. Refreshing an old frameset (whether to replace worn out parts with new ones or to improve fit) can be such a fun and satisfying process.
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 9:12:57 AM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote: > Since I haven't chimed in on this yet - which is unlike me - I shall do so > now. Don't buy bikes you don't want, don't put drops on a frame you've > already designed around another purpose. Do pick up a Ram or Roadini if you > stumble on one you love now, you can sell it later. Do grab that Gallup > when it becomes a reality, I think you'll adore it. > > These are my big thoughts couched as commands but they are just my > opinions based on what I know about my friend Leah. > > Joe Bernard > > On Monday, April 22, 2024 at 6:36:01 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! > wrote: > >> My husband just now: Are you getting ANOTHER bike? >> >> Me: Well…not necessarily. I have to weigh out all the pros and cons, you >> see. >> >> Him: I know how this ends. It ends with the Annual Bike Purchase of the >> Last Bike I’ll Ever Need. >> >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On Apr 22, 2024, at 9:26 PM, Leah Peterson <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Tony, I swooned. Actually swooned. Gorgeous, gorgeous. >> >> >> I rode the Mon Night Ride on my Racing Platy tonight. I was so >> apprehensive at the start because the winds were 13 mph with 21 mph gusts >> and it was open road. I should not be doing this, I thought. Where is my >> road bike? >> >> But it was the best ride. Did we have wind? Yes. But somehow it was great >> and energizing and we just killed it. I had done an intense upper body >> lifting session this morning and still it was great and not draining! >> >> Can I prove that to you? >> No. >> My Apple Watch died on the ride. 🤬 >> >> There were men I don’t know on the ride tonight, so of course I got >> comments. One of them said, “I hope you never get a road bike.” >> >> But I just might. >> Leah >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On Apr 22, 2024, at 8:41 PM, Tony Lockhart <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> @Leah--Get one of these....3x8 drivetrain, Nitto and Silver everywhere. >> Add a few bags and spend your weekends putting down mileage....guaranteed >> to give you a million smiles and zero worries. >> <Screenshot 2024-04-22 at 5.38.16 PM.png> >> >> >> On Monday, April 22, 2024 at 5:17:47 PM UTC-7 [email protected] >> wrote: >> >>> Leah, >>> Don't overthink this. It's hard to build an actual "bad" bike, and the >>> big names don't do it. >>> There are bike that are too "special" in some way -- too slow- or >>> fast-handling, or whatever, but these are nuances. I can switch from a >>> crit-geometry racer to a tourer and by the end of the block, I stop >>> noticing it. >>> >>> Check out this ad: >>> >>> https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/bid/d/grand-rapids-bike-sale-40-or-less/7731072255.html >>> >>> and go buy the ~51-52 cm red Centurion in the first picture. >>> For $40, you'll have something to play with and see how the setup might >>> work for you. >>> If it's rideable, it's hard to see how this is not a good idea, and if >>> Centurion built lousy bikes, I haven't heard of it. >>> >>> cheers -mathias >>> >>> On Monday, April 22, 2024 at 7:35:58 PM UTC-4 George Schick wrote: >>> >>>> When you "cut to the chase" many of us old farts on this blog started >>>> riding bikes in a serious way back in the early 70's. And the go-to >>>> manual >>>> for bikers back then was Eugene Sloane's "The Complete Book of Bicycling." >>>> >>>> In that excellent instruction manual, as it were, he went to a great >>>> extent >>>> to appeal to the use of "drop bars" (or simply road bars by most folks >>>> back >>>> then) for road riders. Of course, many different developments in cycling >>>> have taken place since then, especially the introduction of the so-called >>>> "hybrid bikes" with flat bars and the "mountain bikes," both of which >>>> introduced different types of handlebars, tire types, and saddles. It's a >>>> bit of a lament that the regular "road bike" of the previous decades where >>>> "drop bars," saddle types, gearing, tires, etc. of the previous period >>>> more >>>> or less disappeared in the advent of those unique biking configurations. >>>> Almost every time I venture out on a bike path around these parts I mostly >>>> see people riding bikes configured with a "hybrid" set up...unless, of >>>> course they're riding e-bikes, which are becoming way too commonplace >>>> nowadays. I would encourage anyone who has an inclination to pick up and >>>> begin riding regular road bikes to do so. >>>> On Monday, April 22, 2024 at 1:16:35 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> All of these replies are interesting. And when I read one I think, >>>>> “Yes, that’s right” and then read another which conflicts and change my >>>>> mind. This is going to be a journey. I can’t even believe how much there >>>>> is >>>>> to know. >>>>> >>>>> I’m later getting here than the rest of you, I think. It was 2012 when >>>>> I first realized there were better bikes than the Walmart Schwinn I was >>>>> pulling my preschoolers around with. I got a Betty Foy with the biggest >>>>> racks and baskets money could buy and away we went. So happy! Still >>>>> knowing >>>>> nothing! >>>>> >>>>> Now those boys are in high school, and I live in a vibrant bike >>>>> community and suddenly it’s a whole new world for me. Every riding season >>>>> I >>>>> end up learning and being stretched. I’m doing new kinds of rides, >>>>> meeting >>>>> lots of people, volunteering on bike committees, and venturing a lot >>>>> further from home. 5 years ago I would never have believed I’d ride a >>>>> metric century or enjoy club riding. This is all wonderful, but I’m >>>>> hamstrung by my lack of experience. I always thought drop bars would have >>>>> to be uncomfortable. It wasn’t until this thread that I even considered >>>>> trying them. Are they a rite of passage? “Oh, you’ll never use them >>>>> forever >>>>> but just scratch the itch now so you can say you have.” Or are they the >>>>> gold standard “They’ve been used for 100 years for good reason.” I worry >>>>> I’m too late to start using them after all this time on albatross and >>>>> Billies. I have to look up what “on the ramps” means. I don’t know what >>>>> the >>>>> “right” geometry is for a road bike belonging to a devoted Rivendell >>>>> rider >>>>> would be. I dread being uncomfortable. I fear screwing up with the new >>>>> drop >>>>> bars and crashing in a peloton. I have no idea what shifters I’d put on >>>>> drop bars. I thought albastache might be a good compromise but heard they >>>>> aren’t wrist-neutral and then that they are. So.Much.To.Know. But >>>>> everything I do now scares me, so let’s go. >>>>> >>>>> Keep your replies coming! I read every one, even if I don’t respond, I >>>>> am definitely thinking about them and chatting with other RivSisters who >>>>> have similar questions. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks for taking the time! >>>>> Leah >>>>> >>>>> On Monday, April 22, 2024 at 1:31:40 PM UTC-4 [email protected] wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi Leah - >>>>>> >>>>>> I would generally agree with what Ted said. Riding position and fit >>>>>> are very important. But I don't think that's the only criteria I would >>>>>> use. >>>>>> I have ten bikes. Five are Rivs. I have a Custom, Quickbeam, Roadeo, Ram >>>>>> and Hubbuhubbuh. I find that geometry is important in my riding. Some >>>>>> bikes >>>>>> can be more "twitchy" and/or less stable because of their geometry. >>>>>> Things >>>>>> like trail, head and seat tube angles and bottom bracket drop can affect >>>>>> the handling and stability of a bike. I don't get hung up on numbers, >>>>>> and >>>>>> judge the handling and stability based on how a bike rides. >>>>>> >>>>>> All of my Rivs are rock-solid stable and handle exceptionally well. I >>>>>> know that the low center of gravity, trail and angles contribute to >>>>>> this. >>>>>> Stability and handling are very important to me because I ride lots of >>>>>> hills. Going uphill depends on gears, fitness and leg strength. The >>>>>> stability and handling come into play going downhill. Rivs provide a >>>>>> level >>>>>> of confidence I don't get on other bikes. You can be sure the bike will >>>>>> go >>>>>> where you point it. >>>>>> >>>>>> About Albastache and Mustache bars - I have five bikes (some of them >>>>>> Rivs) with Mustache and Albastache bars. I find I can get every bit as >>>>>> low >>>>>> on Mustache and Albastache bars as on drop bars. The rest of my bikes >>>>>> have >>>>>> drop bars. The main thing I like about drop bars is riding the hoods. On >>>>>> drops, I find there are primarily three hand positions: 1) on the hoods, >>>>>> 2) >>>>>> on the ramps (slightly farther back than on the hoods) and 3) on the >>>>>> flats >>>>>> on either side of the stem. I rarely get into the drops. With the >>>>>> Albastache and Mustache, I find I have more riding positions. >>>>>> >>>>>> Have fun on your road bike, whatever you get. >>>>>> >>>>>> Regards, >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Corwin >>>>>> On Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 2:07:47 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I promise not to be offended by a great wave of advice coming my way >>>>>>> here - I have asked for it and you all have kindly delivered. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Ok, ok….I really will consider drop bars. But I do wonder…everyone >>>>>>> says they offer so many hand positions; but I only see people with >>>>>>> their >>>>>>> hands on the hoods. Are riders really utilizing different hand >>>>>>> positions? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Also, I saw a pic of an albastache with brake levers in the middle >>>>>>> of the bar. Would this mimic the freedom of hand position changes a >>>>>>> drop >>>>>>> bar offers? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I practiced tonight on my ride by grabbing the front of my Billie >>>>>>> bars. It felt nice to be stretched out like that, but with no access to >>>>>>> brakes or shifters from there I didn’t like to stay long. Unnerving. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Apr 21, 2024, at 4:54 PM, Patrick Moore <[email protected]> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> This is going to be a fun thread. Please don't take a great volume >>>>>>> of advice as condescending; I think that this thread will elicit a very >>>>>>> large amount of love for road bikes as a distinct genus of bicycle. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I think you very particularly will benefit a great deal from the >>>>>>> right road bike and that once you get things basically sorted you will >>>>>>> find >>>>>>> that you enjoy it immensely for the kind of riding you describe. There >>>>>>> is a >>>>>>> perfection of fit and feel and a real pleasure in riding a well set up >>>>>>> traditional road bike -- I don't mean racing bike -- that you don't >>>>>>> find >>>>>>> with other combinations of frame, saddle, bar, and their relative >>>>>>> positions. Really, this sort of setup on the right sort of frame is >>>>>>> *more* comfortable, *more* natural, *more* pleasant for energetic >>>>>>> riding than other setups; at least, I've always found it so, and >>>>>>> there's a >>>>>>> reason why the traditional road bike was developed so quickly after the >>>>>>> chain-driven safety was invented and why it has remained largely the >>>>>>> same >>>>>>> for going on for 150 years. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Note: I don't say that *everyone* who rides energetically should >>>>>>> have a road bike, but everyone who does so and can try ought at least >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> give one a try. Again, there is an efficiency and comfort -- really, a >>>>>>> "fit" like that of a custom suit or perfect tool -- offered by an >>>>>>> intelligently spec'd and set up road bike that, you don't -- or at >>>>>>> least, *I >>>>>>> don't,* -- get with any other sort of bike. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Me, based on my experience, I'd certainly start by keeping my eye >>>>>>> out for a used Roadeo or Riv Road or LongLow or Ram or Heron. But for >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> final and perfect version, I'd not close my mind a priori to other >>>>>>> makes. I >>>>>>> am guessing, but I would not be surprised if, after your usual rapid >>>>>>> learning cycle, this time with a road bike, you end up with a custom. >>>>>>> My >>>>>>> favorite bike of all time out of several scores is a custom Riv Road, >>>>>>> but >>>>>>> I've owned 2 other Riv Road customs plus a Ram (and the Sam) not to >>>>>>> mention >>>>>>> many other road bikes, and I've sold them all on to finally get what >>>>>>> for me >>>>>>> is belated perfection in the 2 Matthews customs -- tho' these used the >>>>>>> Rivs as general design templates. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I rode the gofast Riv fixie road bike to and from church today with >>>>>>> the usual annoying NE winds while inbound N and E and the usual SW >>>>>>> winds on >>>>>>> return N and W. For the umpteen millionth time I remarked to myself at >>>>>>> how >>>>>>> pleasant it was to be able to drop "intuitively" into the hooks when >>>>>>> turning into a wind, or to grab the long (Maes Parallel) ramps when >>>>>>> pushing, butt-back and elbows bent, up an incline, or sitting up and >>>>>>> holding the flats or the flat/ramp transition and spinning when the >>>>>>> wind >>>>>>> became a tailwind. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I've certainly passed my speed demon days, but there remains a very >>>>>>> distinct pleasure in riding energetically -- for me, particularly on >>>>>>> hills >>>>>>> and against winds -- on the perfectly set up road bike, and I have >>>>>>> enough >>>>>>> experience to know that I would not enjoy this nearly as much on >>>>>>> anything >>>>>>> else. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *Bon chance!* >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sat, Apr 20, 2024 at 1:33 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! < >>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I’m starting to wonder about a roadbike. But it has to be a >>>>>>>> Rivendell roadbike because I’m loyal and all that. Anyway, I don’t >>>>>>>> know >>>>>>>> that the Roadini really offers enough of a change for me. I have no >>>>>>>> idea >>>>>>>> what is going on with the Gallup. Then there’s the Roadeo - that one >>>>>>>> looks >>>>>>>> great but there’s a 2 year wait, unless I can find one used. Which >>>>>>>> would be >>>>>>>> ideal. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Who rides their Rivbike in club rides and what do you ride? Who has >>>>>>>> a Roadeo that never gets ridden and wants to sell it? I don’t even >>>>>>>> know >>>>>>>> what size I’d be but I’m an 81 PBH. Must I ride drop bars? I never >>>>>>>> have >>>>>>>> before. I know nothing about any of this. Clearly. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Note: I still like my raspberry Platypus for club riding but it >>>>>>>> does take a toll on me in wind. I recently got a shorter-height, >>>>>>>> longer-reach stem which marginally helped, but our high spring winds >>>>>>>> are >>>>>>>> taking it out of me. I did a club ride yesterday with my women’s group >>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>> my heart rate was in the 170s the whole 26.3 miles. It was brutal. >>>>>>>> Everyone >>>>>>>> else agreed it was a hard ride, but I felt like it was harder on me >>>>>>>> than >>>>>>>> them, and I’m the youngest and probably the most fit. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> 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/fab5132f-e8ca-4a76-842d-9b994853e099n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/fab5132f-e8ca-4a76-842d-9b994853e099n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Patrick Moore >>>>>>> Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Executive resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, letters, and other >>>>>>> writing services >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *When thou didst not, savage, k**now thine own meaning,* >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *But wouldst gabble like a** thing most brutish,* >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *I endowed thy purposes w**ith words that made them known.* >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>>> the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/uXZ6OSH6T-s/unsubscribe >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>>> [email protected]. >>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CALuTfgt2zr1c-C1mVdfZT7Pmw8beof8ym%2BaKo2ECu1HyNFVFtg%40mail.gmail.com >>>>>>> >>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CALuTfgt2zr1c-C1mVdfZT7Pmw8beof8ym%2BaKo2ECu1HyNFVFtg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/uXZ6OSH6T-s/unsubscribe >> . >> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >> [email protected]. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/7ed22763-f505-4740-8de8-9ad33a8c36c2n%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/7ed22763-f505-4740-8de8-9ad33a8c36c2n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> <Screenshot 2024-04-22 at 5.38.16 PM.png> >> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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