Hi Max, My knowledge of the Atlantis comes from drooling over it around the time I first discovered Rivendell -- early aughts maybe? I don't remember -- plus one ride of a few miles when I swapped bikes with a friend while on an organized multi-day tour. Luggage was transported by truck, so this was not a touring situation.
As it happened, I was riding a stiff steel touring bike myself (2010 Bruce Gordon BLT), and we both had 46 cm Noodles on our bikes. I was disappointed in that I didn't feel anything "special" when riding the Atlantis. It felt just like my own touring bike, never mind pedigree or lugs. And how could it be different? Same head tube angle (72 degrees, like 98% of the tourers and sport tourers out there), same medium fork rake, same 45 cm chain stays... there is no magic, geometry is geometry, and we touch our bikes in five places, or four while climbing. Put a light set of wheels with 30 mm tires on it, and it'll feel quite a bit different, but it'll still be a stiff-as-heck touring bike. A little give in the frame is nice but not really necessary, and you want your touring bike to be strong. Horses for courses. Meanwhile, I use my Gordon a lot for commuting, and while it's overkill for that, so what? It is a fine-handling bicycle with no vices, the "weight" is a water bottle's worth of extra steel vs. a sporty road bike from the 80s. In fact, the bike IS somewhat heavy, but that's because of how I've set it up with a dyno hub, fenders, racks, strong wheels.... it's ready to go touring as quick as I can mount the low riders. It's hard to build a bad bicycle, and on top of that, humans are adaptable. A few years ago, I'd alternate between a criterium road bike and a tourer, and by the time I got to the end of my street, I'd stopped noticing the difference in handling. "Just ride," as a wise man once said. Here's what's important: >> For years I have casually dreamed of owning an Atlantis. What price love? If you want one, and you can afford it, go get one. My friend from above loves his and wouldn't think of riding anything else on a long ride. Before that, he rode a Bridgestone RB-1, so he knows from road bikes. Me, I'd ride the RB-1 on a supported tour. I think. But I wouldn't worry about it. You might give the Sam a thought, since it's more middle-of-the road a fine bike in its own right. But it's you, and if you love the Atlantis, go for it. cheers -m On Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 12:28:44 PM UTC-4 Matt Beecher wrote: > If this is just meant for a 4 mile commute, I would look for a different > bike. I have an Atlantis and it weighs a ton. It is great for real > touring, but it doesn't sound like you plan to do that. I imagine that you > would likely be better off with a Homer, or maybe some sort of high-end > 1970's bicycle, when they still came with fender eyelets. > > -- 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/f8880302-8a55-4018-891e-920df07c516cn%40googlegroups.com.
