This is exactly my advice - fatten up the tires, go back to Midges, use the Riv. For what you describe, I've had good results with smooth tires in 700C. For the price of a fixer-upper old MTB, you can get some pretty nice tires for the bike you already have. I would definitely keep the dynamo, and I might keep the fenders, depending on the weather and the desired aesthetic. If you want that "expedition" feel, strip the fenders and get some chunky knobbies. Maybe a second light for the dynamo... :^)
Philip www.biketinker.com On Wednesday, February 19, 2014 2:14:41 PM UTC-8, Tim Gavin wrote: > > For the trails you're describing, your Riv should be fine with minor > changes. I ride my Riv on hard dirt, crushed lime rail trails, and rough > pavement, and 584x38 Lierre's (under fenders) have been fantastic. > > However, on loose dirt or anything technical, then you'd want a bike with > 2" or bigger tires. > > It looks like you could go a little wider tire and keep the fenders (maybe > 33.33mm Maxy Fasty, maybe a bit bigger). > Or, you could fit much wider without the fenders (38-42mm Xpress, Fatty > Rumpkin, Marathon, Lierre, or Hetre) > > For rough pavement and packed dirt, a light tread is all that is needed. > Knobbies are best for loose surfaces or mud. > > For handlebars, I'd go back to midges, or try a moustache. More hand > positions are good for longer rides, but it's nice to have a wide grip > position for rougher stuff. > > > On Wed, Feb 19, 2014 at 4:01 PM, Deacon Patrick <[email protected]<javascript:> > > wrote: > >> Sounds like a great idea! Underbiking is a great way to learn a LOT. >> >> Why remove fenders? I rode fenders on far more rugged trails that that >> and they were just fine. I won't run them with knobbies, but the only >> reason I could see for not running them is to fit a wider tire at lower >> pressure. >> >> With abandon, >> Patrick >> >> >> On Wednesday, February 19, 2014 2:54:54 PM UTC-7, Lesli Larson wrote: >>> >>> A few weeks ago I wrote in seeking info on ideas for a classic, riv >>> style MTB bikes for trail riding. I still have my eye on a Bomdadil but >>> now I'm eyeballing my Riv custom rando bike as a possible makeshift trail >>> rig. I use a different bike now for brevets so the Riv is currently set up >>> as more of a commuter with porteur bars, inverse levers, Pauls centerpulls, >>> and basic 650x1" tires. >>> >>> If I remove the fenders I'm wondering what more I would need to do to >>> retrofit the bike for rails to trails riding - typically rough pavement and >>> some hard packed dirt? >>> >>> I'll be on a three day tour and might require a few more hand >>> positions. I anticipate riding on roads for a fair portion of the ride. >>> >>> I already have pretty low, 1x1 gearing from rando riding. Shifting is >>> via downtube shifters and a vintage, long cage Campy derailleur. >>> >>> Wondering what I might want to do about tires (go wider?) and the bars >>> (go back to drops or midge bars)? >>> >>> Front wheel has a generator hub but that seems like a good thing for >>> trail riding. >>> >>> As much as I love to buy new bicycles, I'm trying to "shop from myself" >>> more for project bikes or seasonal adventuring. >>> >>> The question here is whether I'm forcing the Riv into a bike it is not >>> instead of sourcing a low budget MTB via craigslist for this kind of >>> specific use case. >>> >>> Here's what the bike looks like in its rando state: >>> >>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/61672163@N00/3588549190/in/ >>> photolist-6t7fDL-awbwTw-6178Wa-3ohQqg-zAM2h-6XcaCG- >>> 6cP5CM-6rgUtY-53fvrM-51J8Pp-35XvEa-4Pn81k-4Rh75s-4SW9xS- >>> 9WosMi-5pRHuP-4Y5aoJ-6gq2Gi-4Pn9tk-4Y5aqw >>> >>> LL >>> >>> >>> -- >> 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] <javascript:>. >> To post to this group, send email to >> [email protected]<javascript:> >> . >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >> > > -- 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 post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
