Lovely bikes! Thank you for sharing. Cal, what front bag is on your Ram?
--Joyce On Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 12:02:41 PM UTC-7 Ben Miller wrote: > Bryan, thanks for the kind words and sharing a photo of your Ram. That's a > finely curated build right there. Agree that the Steilacoom's look great! > > Yeah, that style light mount can be tricky with certain headsets. I think > the Tange caged BB headset that came with the frame has just enough > clearance to play nice with the mount. But I know other headsets that are a > bit bulkier that I had issues. I think I used a spacer washer on one to get > the mount to clear the headset. > > On Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 1:04:55 PM UTC-7 [email protected] > wrote: > >> Those Steilacooms look good, Bryan! >> On Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 1:22:53 PM UTC-7 Bryan Dalik wrote: >> >>> Ben what a perfect build that is - i'll attach a photo of mine as well >>> as it's been very very fun to make this frame into a true "country bike". >>> Quick question for you - I have the same light mount on the fork crown and >>> it's a matter of millimeters to get the light mount into that position >>> without rubbing the tire or the bottom of the headset. Do you have the same >>> extremely tight clearance? Trying to see if I can get that to be a little >>> more easy of a fit. Seeing your deeper setback seatpost was a lightbulb for >>> me too as I feel I'm a bit tight in terms of reach on mine. Hoping 30mm >>> setback will do the trick. >>> >>> Bryan >>> >>> On Friday, October 17, 2025 at 4:03:46 PM UTC-4 Ben Miller wrote: >>> >>>> Cal, >>>> >>>> Thank you for sharing such a gorgeous Ram build! Ritchey Logic cranks, >>>> centerpull brakes, front and rear dynamo lights, plump Ultradynamico >>>> tyres, >>>> and a big handlebar bag! Build after my own heart. Do you have some >>>> support >>>> to keep the bag off the front brake cable? I hacked together something >>>> from >>>> a Gilles Berthoud decaleur, but it's not perfect and still my bag >>>> interfers >>>> with the front light a bit. >>>> >>>> Below is how my Ram looks currently. The drivetrain changed almost >>>> completely. I rode it yesterday after seeing your post. It is such a great >>>> ride. And I believe I saw a fellow Rabouiletter out on the new SF Sunset >>>> Dune's park. Almost as cool as that Rivendell St sign ;) >>>> >>>> [image: PXL_20240713_012533835~2.jpg] >>>> >>>> On Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 1:35:32 PM UTC-7 Cal Patterson wrote: >>>> >>>>> I see that this is an old thread but I wanted to contribute my Ram >>>>> which is also a 64 and also green. I've got 650b wheels on it and 48 >>>>> tires >>>>> that barely fit (crimped the chainstay a smidge). 2x8 shifting, 44/28 in >>>>> the front and an 8 speed XT in the back, 12-28 maybe? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 8:57:25 PM UTC-8 Ben Miller wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> A couple folks commented on my workbench, thanks! I got it partially >>>>>> restored from a friend, but now it's mostly used as a table. Attached is >>>>>> a >>>>>> photo of it in front of the workbench I built and use as such. A modern >>>>>> take on the french Roubo workbench. Makes for a more cluttered photo, >>>>>> but >>>>>> oh well. >>>>>> >>>>>> As far as the bike, I wrapped the handlebars in leather sewn wraps I >>>>>> got from Walnut Studiolo. I also put on some MKS/Simworks Bubbly Bronze >>>>>> pedals. Both the wrap and the pedals look super nice to me, really >>>>>> completes the look. The pedals are amazing, so smooth and love the wide >>>>>> platform. The wraps seem good so far, though I normally like a thicker >>>>>> one. >>>>>> I also shortened the brake cables, per Mark's suggestion. And I was >>>>>> having >>>>>> some shifter issues if the Silver DT's (as noted on another recent >>>>>> thread). >>>>>> I removed them and packed them with teflon grease which seems to be a >>>>>> big >>>>>> improvement. Overall I am really loving this build! This bike just >>>>>> disappears under you in the best possible way. >>>>>> >>>>>> Also including a photo at sunset on Twin Peaks in SF tonight, you >>>>>> can't really see the Ram all that much, but that is okay cause it is a >>>>>> beautiful photo. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 6:11:13 PM UTC-8 Jay LePree wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks very much for the information. I started researching >>>>>>> painters in my area, and was surprised to find how many autobody shops >>>>>>> will >>>>>>> paint bicycles on the side. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Best to you, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Jay LePree >>>>>>> Demarest, NJ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Monday, February 15, 2021 at 7:23:17 PM UTC-5 Fullylugged wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Jay: I had mine painted in Pelham AL by Nathan Barnes ( >>>>>>>> https://www.instagram.com/nate_barnes81/). He paints cars and >>>>>>>> motorcycles during the week, bicycles (and sometimes plane parts) on >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> weekend. I think he does great work and he is very reasonable in >>>>>>>> cost. I >>>>>>>> have a PDF of the decals and had them made by a decal shop in MS. It >>>>>>>> was >>>>>>>> pretty reasonable and there are two clear coats over them on my bike. >>>>>>>> My >>>>>>>> color is actually a past Ford Mustang color called Autumn Gold. I >>>>>>>> didn't >>>>>>>> like it on the cars but I think it's very nice on the bicycle. The >>>>>>>> cream is >>>>>>>> standard RBW same as came on the bike. Msg me if you want more info on >>>>>>>> decals. I've helped someone else here on the list as well, but am >>>>>>>> getting >>>>>>>> old and forgetful so I couldn't say who. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> the Old Slow Guy >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Monday, February 15, 2021 at 8:17:23 AM UTC-6 Jay LePree wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Ben: That is beautiful. I have one of the last orange white 54 >>>>>>>>> cm that we sold. (I purchased it in 2003). I have been looking for >>>>>>>>> a >>>>>>>>> painter. Where did you have your bike painted? How did you get the >>>>>>>>> new >>>>>>>>> decals? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Jay >>>>>>>>> Demarest, NJ >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Friday, February 12, 2021 at 5:31:58 PM UTC-5 Ben Miller wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Hello Fellow RBW Owners, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Wanted to do a little update on my Rambouillet build in progress, >>>>>>>>>> now that it is actually taking form. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> First, a little bit of background. I've been lucky enough to have >>>>>>>>>> built up four (4!) Riv bikes already, but this is really shaping up >>>>>>>>>> to be a >>>>>>>>>> truly unique one for me. This Ram’s story started (for me) way back >>>>>>>>>> in late >>>>>>>>>> 2017 with me purchasing it off fellow list member Keith as a F/F/HS. >>>>>>>>>> Unfortunately a number of not so great life events happened shortly >>>>>>>>>> after >>>>>>>>>> that, including fracturing my leg, taking me off the bike for nearly >>>>>>>>>> 6 >>>>>>>>>> months. The frame moved with me down a new path in life, but mostly >>>>>>>>>> collected dust in my garage. Not forgotten or abandoned, but >>>>>>>>>> definitely a >>>>>>>>>> bit lonely while I worked on 2 more bikes that were more recently >>>>>>>>>> acquired. >>>>>>>>>> During this time I quietly acquired used parts and ideas that >>>>>>>>>> eventually >>>>>>>>>> coalesced into a build for the Rambouillet. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> The Ram frame itself is 64 cm painted with a beautiful sage green >>>>>>>>>> with a bit of pearl iridescent to it. It has a couple of small paint >>>>>>>>>> chips >>>>>>>>>> on the non-drive side seatstay, but otherwise in pristine condition. >>>>>>>>>> It was >>>>>>>>>> included with a Tange headset. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Previous Rivendell builds had mostly involved me purchasing brand >>>>>>>>>> new components (not having a large parts bin to work off of), I >>>>>>>>>> think these >>>>>>>>>> builds were still fun and interesting, but really been driven by new >>>>>>>>>> or >>>>>>>>>> recent bike component technology. My vision for the Ram build is >>>>>>>>>> really to >>>>>>>>>> focus on used/vintage/NOS stock parts as much as possible, but also >>>>>>>>>> fun and >>>>>>>>>> practical to me. I know, not a revolutionary design principle, but >>>>>>>>>> this is >>>>>>>>>> my first time executing it. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> The heart of this began around the idea of setting it up as a DT >>>>>>>>>> friction shifting using a vintage Huret Duopar Eco I got off eBay. >>>>>>>>>> The >>>>>>>>>> Duopar was originally introduced in 1975 with the Eco being released >>>>>>>>>> in >>>>>>>>>> 1981. These 40 year old derailleurs were originally intended for 6 >>>>>>>>>> speed >>>>>>>>>> freewheel, but through the magic of friction shifting and a little >>>>>>>>>> finessing, seem to work just fine with a 9 speed cassette. The big >>>>>>>>>> thing >>>>>>>>>> about the Duopar is it was one of first (perhaps the first?) >>>>>>>>>> derailluer to >>>>>>>>>> handle up to a 36t cog and 40 teeth of chainwrap. My understanding >>>>>>>>>> is that >>>>>>>>>> these RD’s are slightly controversial in terms of either loving or >>>>>>>>>> hating >>>>>>>>>> them (lots is said about their maintenance issues), but part of this >>>>>>>>>> was >>>>>>>>>> trying to find out for myself. As I am just starting to learn about >>>>>>>>>> these >>>>>>>>>> derailleurs, it’d be nice to hear from others about their experience! >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Over the last couple of days I’ve been able to get the Duopar >>>>>>>>>> dialed in and shift through a Shimano HG 11-36 cassette using Silver >>>>>>>>>> DT >>>>>>>>>> shifters and paired with a Sugino triple that I converted to 44/30. >>>>>>>>>> Today I >>>>>>>>>> finished mounting a pair of Paul Racer centerpulls that I got off a >>>>>>>>>> list >>>>>>>>>> member and got strung together to the NOS Mafac levers I got off >>>>>>>>>> eBay. >>>>>>>>>> These are mounted on the Crust Shaka bars (my new favorite bars), >>>>>>>>>> which is >>>>>>>>>> so far the only brand new part on this build besides the Velo Orange >>>>>>>>>> seatpost (I did have a vintage seatpost I had been planning on >>>>>>>>>> using, but >>>>>>>>>> the mounting plates have a lot of corrosion that is preventing them >>>>>>>>>> from >>>>>>>>>> providing a tight hold). With brakes on and functional, I was able >>>>>>>>>> to take >>>>>>>>>> it out and test the shifting in real conditions. And I have to say, >>>>>>>>>> it >>>>>>>>>> feels really nice, couldn’t be happier at this point. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> The eventual plan is to swap the 700c wheels for 650b (but the >>>>>>>>>> 650b wheels that I had planned to go on here ended up on my >>>>>>>>>> girlfriends >>>>>>>>>> Rambouillet!) and put on 42mm BSP’s. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I know this is a long write-up, but it’s been a long road to this >>>>>>>>>> build. But it is finally nearing culmination. I have to say, what a >>>>>>>>>> time to >>>>>>>>>> be alive and into bikes, with so many different options and ways to >>>>>>>>>> approach a bike build. I feel pretty lucky and excited for how this >>>>>>>>>> is >>>>>>>>>> gonna turn out! >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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