Good luck with finding a Hunq, Joseph. I'd love one too! Yeah, I think I was looking at minimum PBH/standover only when I got my hands on the Atlantis. The Sam was me trying to size up, but a perfect example of the reach feeling good but my standover clearance being too close for comfort. The Appaloosa I'd hoped would land in the middle of the two but I found it much closer in feel to the Atlantis in terms of sizing.
I originally got the Clem trying out Roman's suggestion for upsizing with a step thru frame, and he was totally right. I've got a lower than average PBH for my height and a really long torso and arms, so the only way of riding something sized properly is either having no standover(like the Sam), or a step thru. I also think there's something to riding as big of a frame as you can fit that appeals to some folks(myself included). Upon realizing this was the case I sold my Appaloosa frame and the hunt for a a bigger Platypus began. I think if you already know what the majority of the riding you do entails, it might be easier to identify what one Riv would fit best. That being said, a "horses for courses" approach can also be totally rational. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 8:06:09 PM UTC-4 Joseph Burge wrote: > Thanks Drew! I am new to the group so trying to build a little "karma" by > starting a discussion... but also a pretty relevant question I was curious > about as I'm on the hunt for my first Riv in a specific model/size. > > It is interesting that you've owned a pretty wide range of sizes, were you > just unaware of what size would fit you? Or did you realize you preferred > larger sizes for Rivs? It also appeared that you developed a preference for > the mixte frames over time, how did that happen? > > I gotta say, the sizing for Rivs is the most confusing part of buying an > older used bike. PBH is something I have been familiar with as a Rivendell > lurker for years, but I am a bit skeptical when it is said that my PBH of > 92cm could also fit a wide range of sizes depending on how it's built up. > Seems to be a bit of variation between the standover of a 58cm frame of one > model vs a 58cm of another model. This could be the topic of a whole other > thread. > On Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 7:46:19 AM UTC-5 Drew Fitchette wrote: > >> I like this thread Joseph, as the Goldilocks Riv has been a tough catch >> for me, and the folks on this forum have been ever so gracious with >> advice/help. My timeline goes like this: >> >> 55cm Holdsworth Special(high school/college bike) Donated >> Lg Velo Orange Piolet(first "gravel bike"... fun, but overkill) Sold >> 53cm Atlantis from 2019(too small) Sold >> 56cm DTT Sam Hillborne(too tall with max'd tires) Sold >> 54cm Appaloosa(too small) For Sale >> 59cm Clem Smith Jr from 2024(Grocery getter/Camper) Keeper >> 60cm Platypus (recently acquired, in the stand now) >> >> I'm ashamed to admit that when I'd realized the Atlantis was too small I >> reached out to Riv and Roman told me with my dimensions that a 54 Sam or >> Appa would work, but that he thought then a 60cm Plat would be even >> better... I think I had it in my mind that I needed a diamond frame bike, >> but the Clem really opened my eyes to how wrong I was going about my "fit". >> Turns out I'm Riv's target audience with the step thru style, being 6 ft >> tall with a shorter PBH and I'm glad they've got options! >> >> For what it's worth, Bill Lindsay of this parish referenced in another >> thread that he looks at Reach more than listed CM sizing, and since >> upsizing I'm using that rule of thumb moving forward. >> >> >> On Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 8:17:02 AM UTC-4 Ryan wrote: >> >>> So @Ken, you're not a fan of the new "general use" green, either, I take >>> it? I have to say, I like it better than the lime-olive...and I don't think >>> color is a trivial consideration so in building my own collection of 3 Rivs >>> I picked colors I found appealing and I wouldn't get tired of....one of >>> which was Sherwood Green, a metallic dark green offered in the late 90s for >>> my allrounder. >>> >>> On Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 3:52:19 PM UTC-5 Ken Yokanovich wrote: >>> >>>> It has taken nearly 20 years to build a collection of Rivendell >>>> frames. Each one is a little different and better in one way, not as great >>>> in another. I have tried numerous times to put something together that >>>> satisfies all of the desires, but each attempt has resulted in a mess of >>>> compromise. >>>> >>>> If you forced me, I could maybe narrow it down to two: Appaloosa for >>>> duty and CG01 Curt Goodrich built Rivendell Custom road for fun. >>>> >>>> As I think about replacing my stolen Atlantis, it represents an example >>>> of compromise. It fulfilled the need for a loaded touring bike, and with >>>> the S&S couplers I could travel with it. However, the changeover was a >>>> PITA. I’m thinking another Appaloosa for touring (if offered in something >>>> other than &$+#% green) and ordering elsewhere for a travel bike. >>>> >>>> On Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 5:53:25 AM UTC-5 Steven Sweedler wrote: >>>> >>>>> I’ve owned 4 Rivendells, all used, a Road custom, Hunquapillar, >>>>> Atlantis, and a 700 c AR. What I couldn’t find was a 26” All Rounder. My >>>>> 4 >>>>> bike fleet now is 26”. >>>>> >>>>> Steven Sweedler >>>>> Plymouth, New Hampshire >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Sat, Jul 26, 2025 at 9:17 PM Joe Bernard <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I cheated and had a custom built for me but I've owned one each of >>>>>> just about every Rivbike at some point. It's hard to find a "grail" Riv >>>>>> because they're all very good. >>>>>> >>>>>> Joe "my Clem L is suspiciously dang near as good as my custom" >>>>>> Bernard >>>>>> >>>>>> On Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 11:01:40 AM UTC-7 Joseph Burge wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I know I am looking for a unicorn: a Hunq or Bomba in the 56-58cm >>>>>>> range, so it seems to be taking a long time which is fine. The search >>>>>>> has >>>>>>> become a bit of a fun hobby in itself and I have no shortage of other >>>>>>> bikes >>>>>>> to ride so I'm ok there too... >>>>>>> >>>>>>> But I am curious, for others who have looked for and eventually >>>>>>> found their "grail" Riv. What was your experience like? How long did it >>>>>>> take? Did you get lucky and find something quick? Or did it take weeks, >>>>>>> months, years or searching? Did anyone give up and go with a different >>>>>>> model? Or something slightly too big or small that they regret buying? >>>>>>> Anyone end up getting a completely different bike all together? Share >>>>>>> your >>>>>>> quest for your dream bike! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -Joe >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> >>>>> 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 visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/6afaa993-613f-4f94-b9a4-b929e7fe2e22n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/6afaa993-613f-4f94-b9a4-b929e7fe2e22n%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 visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/a7e366ca-336f-44c1-b58b-4ef16d9300d7n%40googlegroups.com.
