Re: [RBW] Re: Beausage and Beaunction
Quoting Eric Norris campyonly...@me.com: I often hear comments about how clean my bikes are, usually given in a tone that suggests that I need serious therapy to deal with whatever issues I have ... That being said, I agree with Mojo that it's not really that hard to keep a bike clean. I wash my bikes with hot soapy water if they get really dirty, a process that takes 15-20 minutes. And once it's clean, /that/ is the time to take pictures. Not before you clean it up. Not when it's dirty. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Sam Hill, again
Quoting Earl Grey earlg...@gmail.com: No, no such luck. The widest Grand Bois for 700C are the Cypres at about 31mm. I too am still waiting for wider tires from BQ/Grand Bois for my 56cm Sam. Jan, bitte, bitte, bitte? For the smaller Sams you can get fab Hetres or PariMotos, but us big folk are stuck with Mr. J. Brown or a non TourGuard Pasela in 35 or 37. Yes, exactly. There isn't a 700C tire that is comparable to a Pari Moto or a Grand Bois Hetre. I do not understand the rationale behind Riv's retreat from 650B in any size bike that I could ride (in riv sizing, I take a 60 cm). -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Time to replace the Quickbeam Chain Again; Did I make a $16 mistake?
Quoting MichaelH mhech...@gmail.com: I don't run a single speed, so maybe my thoughts are not relevant. I am also aware of Grant's point of view - a chain is just a chain. But, my experience is different. I have tried Shimano, SRAM and Connex chains and have found that the connex are worth the $35 I pay for them. I get the stainless steel ones(908??) and found they have three big advantages. First, they seem to last a long time. I measure the chain once a month or so and have found I can push these chains out to 2500 miles before they need to be replaced. Second, they hold up very well in wet conditions. I ride in a lot rain, especially while commuting, and don't want a chain that will rust and freeze after one good rain, even if I'm not through enough drying them right away. Third, the Connex quick links work much better than SRAM, which I find very difficult to open, and way better than Shimano's replacement link. I prefer silver chains because it's easier to look at them and know right away when they need to be cleaned, which I do about once a week. I have to admit I've never thought about the weight of a chain but know they make hollow pin chains for the super weight conscious racing crowd, but I've never felt a need to be that silly. I have no issue with silver chains -- I like them, too, although I've never had a stainless steel one -- and I like Connex links, although in my experience there's no difference in ease of opening compared with SRAM, they both work fine in my book. But I do have to wonder: 2500 miles isn't much mileage. How do you arrive at the conclusion that the chains need replacement? Is it based on measured wear? And what is your maintenance regimen? I ask because I just replaced a couple of chains, a 9 speed and a 7/88. Both had over 6,000 miles of wear and neither showed any elongation, either by ruler measurement or by the Park gauge. They'd both gotten extremely flexible from side to side, I'd lost a roller from the end of each, and on both bikes shifting (index on the 9, friction on the 7) had become sloppy. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Tail Light Query
Quoting George Strickler chobur...@gmail.com: I want to put a battery tail light on my Rambouillet. I want one that will attach to the rear fender but not look too garish/Electra. I have stainless Berthouds. Suggestions? http://www.flickr.com/photos/97916...@n00/2668211449/in/set-72157606169015639/ That's the Spanninga SPXb. Here's what it looked like when it was on my Rambouillet: http://www.flickr.com/photos/97916...@n00/1526903200/sizes/l/in/set-72157602336534002/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: large size touring bike?
Quoting happyriding happyrid...@yahoo.com: Hi, Does anyone know where I can get a 68cm Atlantis or another similarly large sized touring bike by the end of July? (Note: Rivendell isn't making 66cm or 68cm Atlantis frames anymore.) I'll bet Bruce Gordon would be able to fix you up with a Rock 'n Road Tour in that amount of time. The sizing on this bike is a fooler: the size you want is usually around 10cm smaller than what you'd take on a traditional level top tube frame. What could it hurt to ask? http://bgcycles.com/ --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: More Problems with Gravel
Quoting JimD rasterd...@comcast.net: Steve, What fenders are those on your Saluki with the Hetres? thanks, JimD 58mm Honjo fluted. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: More Problems with Gravel
Quoting GeorgeS chobur...@gmail.com: Last week I posted a question about tires for gravel. Thanks for the response. I've gone with the consensus and ordered a pair of Pasela's w/o TG. Since then, I've had two kind of scary falls, both in exactly the same situation - fast descent on dirt/gravel road with sweeping right turn at the bottom. In both cases there was loose stuff in the turn and my rear wheel just slid out and I was down. Got some road burn but no real damage other than to my dignity. Is it possible this is the result of having the wrong tires, or (what seems more likely) I just don't know how to handle this situation. I don't like the idea of just riding the brake every time I start going down - takes some of the fun out of it. You mean, the part where you slide out on the loose gravel, crash, and then get to debride your wounds? Yes, slowing down will take that fun out of it, but most of us would prefer to skip that part. No tires are going to help you in the situation you describe. What will help is not going too fast to be able to make the turn, and learning how to turn without a lot of lean angle. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: More Problems with Gravel
Quoting Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery thill@gmail.com: You have the wrong tires. The protocol is to vociferously denounce those tires in every discussion of any relevance to bicycling, especially on the internet. Then try a series of progressively more expensive tires until you have honed your gravel-riding skill to the point where you no longer crash. At that point, you have found The Correct Tire. Just trying to add a diversity of opinion for you to consider. (all joking and good-natured ribbing aside, I agree that learning to turn with minimal leaning is a useful technique in these situations). There is a technological fix for the problem originally presented, but it's not tires. It's Tegaderm. It'll help with the road rash (but not the debridement). --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: 650B -Grand Bois Cypres tire
Quoting clevewheel clevewh...@gmail.com: I highly recommend the Hetre, although I have to admit to complete lack of experience regarding the narrower tire. The Hetre has changed the way I ride in that it gives so much more stability. Descent is no longer a white knuckle affair, but a joy. It is a very fast tire, depending only on the engine. I don't know what the trail is on the Bleriot, but putting a wider tire on it will change the steering - I think for the better - but you should ask Jan Heine, who has far more experience and understanding of the matter than I. The Bleriot is the same setup as the Saluki. I recently put Hetres on my saluki and I'm thrilled with the result. Handling is the same as it was, only the ride is far more plush. This is particularly noticeable as the pavement quality deteriorates or the pavement disappears. Also, the tire feels noticeably faster than the Col de la Vie or the Ourson. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: 650B -Grand Bois Cypres tire
Quoting Rick richardholc...@yahoo.com: I've had the fatty rumpkins on for a couple of weeks now and have been enjoying them through some mixed trail/road business and my regular commute. Had to remove the fenders, mine were cut to accomodate the CdlVs, and were a smidgen too small for the fatty's. So for right now, the bleriot is in its top-down summer mode, unless I do something rash and snag some new fenders that would take fatty's/hetres. On that front, I'm guessing my options include VO zeppelins and the larger Honjos Jitensha carries? Yes. Also BQ carries the 58mm Honjos, including a hammered version that Jitensha doesn't have. Here http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=sets are some photos of my Saluki with the 58mm Honjos from Jitensha (these are the fluted ones) including detail of the mods I had to make to get the fenders to fit at the chainstays. You'd have to do something similar with the Bleriot. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: 650B -Grand Bois Cypres tire
Quoting palin...@his.com: Quoting Rick richardholc...@yahoo.com: I've had the fatty rumpkins on for a couple of weeks now and have been enjoying them through some mixed trail/road business and my regular commute. Had to remove the fenders, mine were cut to accomodate the CdlVs, and were a smidgen too small for the fatty's. So for right now, the bleriot is in its top-down summer mode, unless I do something rash and snag some new fenders that would take fatty's/hetres. On that front, I'm guessing my options include VO zeppelins and the larger Honjos Jitensha carries? Yes. Also BQ carries the 58mm Honjos, including a hammered version that Jitensha doesn't have. Here http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=sets are some photos of my Saluki with the 58mm Honjos from Jitensha (these are the fluted ones) including detail of the mods I had to make to get the fenders to fit at the chainstays. You'd have to do something similar with the Bleriot. I was afraid of that. Copied the wrong flickr URL. You'll find this will work a lot better: http://www.flickr.com/photos/97916...@n00/sets/72157617915097787/ My apologies. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: 650B -Grand Bois Cypres tire
Quoting Patrick in VT psh...@drm.com: On Jun 11, 11:18 am, Rocky.Bondad fundamental.bicyc...@gmail.com wrote: Gosh I'm still undecided if I should get the Cypres or the Hetres for my wife's Bleriot. She mainly rides on the weekends and I want to get her nice comfy fast tires. I hear so many great reviews for both Grand Bois tires. If she weighs around 150 lbs or less, I'd say get the cypres. I'm a hair under 160 and switch between the hetre and cypres fairly often - at my weight, both tires feel decadent. in other words, saying that the hetre is more comfortable than the cypres ain't saying much, esp. if the majority of riding is being done on paved roads. On my rando bike, I save the cypres for brevets and ride the hetre for everything else (although i did do a 350k and 400k on the hetre this year - it performed better than I thought, but the cypres is still my favorite when speed is a factor). Something else to consider - the hetre has a much longer life than the cypres. If she starts riding more than just mostly weekends, you might want to go with the hetre. Also, the Hetre is a better tire for dirt road riding. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: VO bell mount
Quoting David Estes cyclotour...@gmail.com: looks like a good design. I've stripped two of the older styles so far... I got one of the first VO bell mounts. It's got over 6,000 miles on it now, never autodinged and never stripped out. I did have to locktite it -- maybe that's what made the difference. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Cirque du Cyclisme
Quoting Rick richardholc...@yahoo.com: Anybody heading to bucolic Leesburg, VA for the Cirque du Cyclisme this weekend? http://www.cirqueducyclisme.com/ I'll be there on Sunday afternoon. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: change of tires makes a difference
Quoting JoelMatthews joelmatth...@mac.com: I would say almost certainly more supple sidewalls. Marathons are designed for the long distance tourer who needs maximum flat resistance and overall durability. Schwalbe does a good job making the tire pleasant, but the puncture resistance stuff incorprated in the tire tends to be more rigid and has less rolling resistance. If anything a wider tire with supple rubber will be more comfortable with minimal impact on speed and acceleration. And in the 700C world, what is that tire with the great width and the supple sidewalls? I think there are many of the Marathon ilk, designed for maximum flat resistance and overall durability. There are also many urban tires that tilt the balance way over towards durability and flat resistance. I'm not aware of anything that's a real counterpart to the Hetre. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Weird sound
Quoting zrainryder zdree...@gmail.com: Upon the last 10 miles of a 3 day excursion with quite a bit of climbing, my bike emitted a loud sound that sounded like an elephant mating call. At first I thought it was the front wheel. The bike makes the sound when going 15 mph+ and when coasting or when pedaling backwards at that speed. Otherwise it sounds serendipitously. I now suspect that the cause is in the bottom bracket. I can't see how the bottom bracket could make any sounds when you are coasting provided the pedals are not moved. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Weird sound
Quoting Frederick, Steve frede...@mail.lib.msu.edu: Is it kind of a breathie moan? My Heron does that when the wind/speed's just right. It's the wind blowing across the bottom of the steerer tube like a hillbilly playing the jug. Wouldn't an elephant's mating call sound more like trumpeting than heavy breathing? For heavy breathing to be involved, I'd think the mating would already have to be in progress. About the only thing I've ever heard on any of my bicycles that sounds like elephants trumpeting has come from cantilever brakes. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Pricing Rambouillet frame?
Quoting Seth Vidal skvi...@gmail.com: On Wed, May 20, 2009 at 10:57 AM, GeorgeS chobur...@gmail.com wrote: This is slightly off point but what do you guys mean by custom paint? I bought a Rambouillet in 2005 and it is blue. I wanted an orange one but those had sold out and I was told that if I didn't want blue, I could buy a Trek. Other colors were available? There's an upcharge for custom colors. but you can get whatever color you want. There may be now, but back in 2002 when the orange Rambouillets came out, there was no program for custom colors for an upcharge. That was introduced with the Saluki's in 2005: the standard colors were pewter and olive, but for around $50 more I was able to get mine painted Fairway Green. In the case of the bike we're discussing, it was retrofitted with SS couplers. You have to cut the frame to do that, and in doing so you damage the paint. It's often very difficult to match paint (impossible in the case of orange Rambouillets) so I imagine the original owner had the bike repainted in a color of his or her choice. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Now: 30mm tire availability was: Ruffy Tuffy tire problems
Quoting David Estes cyclotour...@gmail.com: Bruce, are those miles on/off road or road only? I'm looking for 30mm tire that is good for both and doesn't disintegrate in my garage or puncture every 10 miles. Probably should stick w/ Paselas, but I want just a bit more volume than 28mm, and 32/33mm tires are just too close... 30mm is the sweet spot! Then you will love the 32mm wire bead non-TG Pasela. It is exactly the same size as the Grand Bois 700x30mm. I had them on my VO all winter, took them off and reinstalled the GB's on Tuesday. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: toptube length on saluki?
Quoting Frederick, Steve frede...@mail.lib.msu.edu: Not Grant, but I was concerned about this when I ordered a Saluki, too. (I also have a Rambouillet) The slacker seat angle on the Saluki The seat angles on the Saluki and Rambouillet are the same. 72.5 in the smaller sizes, 72 in the larger sizes. http://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw/geometry.html --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Ruffy Tuffy tire problems
Quoting JimD rasterd...@comcast.net: In regards to Grand Bois 700c's My Mileage Has Varied (MMHV). I've given GB's several tries but don't find the ride with them significantly better than what I get with the Jack Brown Greens. I've found the GB's to be a bit fragile and get ~1000 miles (or less) on the rear using them.The JB's have been far more durable and give me more like 2500 miles on the the rear I replaced one Grand Bois 700x30 back tire at around 1800-1900 miles, when I got two flats in less than 40 miles and felt how thin the center tread area had gotten. At that mileage, the front still looked unworn. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Convert 10 speed to 9 speed? (Silver Bar End Shifter Content)
Quoting jonat...@jonfipro.com: I had never heard that, but it definitely confirms my opinion that I should switch from an 9 to an 8 in the back with a low gear at 11. Maybe 11-28? Or will those jumps feel to big after my 9-27? I feel like not since I ten to shift through two or three gears at once rather than work my way up. More like I'm just looking for the right gear for the situation: busy city streets, down hill part of a loop etc. There's no need whatever to speculate. Plot your existing gearing on Sheldon's gear calculator, then select a proposed new cassette, and plot that. Compare the two. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Things you love about RBW and things that make you groan
Quoting John at Rivendell j...@rivbike.com: The good news is we don't have a philosophy, and we don't espouse a lifestyle. Membership gets you a 5% rebate, and free shipping on orders over $150, while requiring no allegiance. There is no secret handshake. No blood oath. And, you don't actually have to drink the Kool-Aid... --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Grand Bois Tires on My Romulus
Quoting Doug Peterson dougpn...@cox.net: Steve: Are the Paselas you mention the TG or the non-TG version? Non-TG. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: things I like about Rivendell (ride report hijack)
Quoting Pete Ruckelshaus pruckelsh...@gmail.com: As far as Things I like about Rivendell, just about everything. I don't dig the rising prices, but shopping online is a buyers market. I'd LOVE to see a tigged steel frame from Riv in the $700 range. I'd love to be able to buy a new frame for my wife (who rides a 52cm) without having to go to 650b wheels...sorry, I'm just not sold on 650b's, and I have a few sets of 700c wheels that I like. I'd also love to see the Rambouillet brought back. I don't think you will ever see a TIG welded frame from Rivendell. That's where they've drawn their line in the sand. As far as wheels for a bike for your wife are concerned, I ride 59-60 cm bikes and for my money 32mm is as wide as I ever want to go on 700C. For wider tires, even in my large sizes, 650B is for me a much better way to go. In a size as small as a 52cm, I'm not sure you can even get a 32mm in there without evil compromises. It's a pity you're so dead set on this. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Things you love about RBW and things that make you groan
Quoting PATRICK MOORE bertin...@gmail.com: Oh lighten up, alla youse! Patrick damn well gonna groan when I want to groan Moore It's my party and I'll Groan if I want to Moan if I want to And you'd groan too If it happened to you : ___ : / . . \ :I I : OOO---| |---OOO : (___) --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Rear wheel installation on Homer
Quoting Seth Vidal skvi...@gmail.com: On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 11:49 AM, Joe Bartoe jbar...@hotmail.com wrote: Hi Mike- Make sure you shift into the smallest cog in the rear before you remove the wheel. This makes it easier to take out and re-install since you know that the chain goes back on the small cog for re-install. For the AHH, you need to rotate the front derailleur forward and slightly downward as you take out and re-install the wheel. It makes it tons easier. You mean rear derailler, right? Not front derailler? B/c I would think that rotating the front derailler would be a bad idea. :) I find I generally need to move the rear derailleur downward, which moves the pulleys backwards. Joe, are you describing it from the perspective of having turned the bike upside down? --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: A quandry (or, If I'd known then what I know now)
Quoting b hamon periwinkle...@yahoo.com: Has anyone else tried this approach? How has it worked? Have you noticed a serious braking deficit when switching from dual-pivot to center-pull? Comments, please. I had a Rambouillet with Shimano long-reach dual pivot sidepulls. I have a Velo Orange Randonneur (that replaced the Rambouillet) with Paul Racer centerpulls which are mounted on brazed-on studs. Braking on the VO is much better than braking was on the Rambouillet. More power, more modulation too. How that would be different with the Paul Racers if they were bolt-on rather than brazed-on I don't know. I have bolt-on Mafac RAID centerpulls on my Kogswell P/R, and they're great too. Certainly the centerpulls don't crowd a fender the same way dual pivot sidepulls do. If that's where you're running out of space, the switch might very well give you one size bigger. Also, you probably can get more room with a fender like a Honjo that bolts up to a daruma bolt coming through the fork than something like an SKS with a bracket. I'm a wee bit curious about the need for fatter tires. For one of your size and weight, a 32 would be a pretty cushy tire, I'd have thought. At well over 0.1 tons (and until I swore off ice cream a couple of weeks ago, at 100kg) I'm filling my 700x32 Paselas at around 68psi front, 75 psi rear. For you, I'd guess 50 rear? That ought to put those 32mm tires at just about the same level of plushness I have with my size-that-dares-not-speak-its-name x 38 Col de la Vie's. And regardless of 32 or 35mm, I think given your stated concerns about money, the Pasela would be the tire of choice. At $14 ea on sale they're a screaming bargain, but in no sense are they a cheap tire. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: EEK!!! Say it ain't so (Shimano Electronic Shiftng System)
Quoting David Estes cyclotour...@gmail.com: On Tue, Feb 17, 2009 at 11:04 AM, Chris fourf...@gmail.com wrote: On Feb 17, 7:52 am, Mike mjawn...@gmail.com wrote: On Feb 17, 6:29 am, clyde canter clyde.can...@gmail.com wrote: Anyone following the Tour of California? It's been amazing to hear about how many mechanicals riders are having due to the weather (I guess). These are bikes that are maintained by professional mechanics and they're crapping out in the neutral zone of a race? Yeah, go for it, I'm sure electronic shifting will work much better. Are most of these mechanicals not flat tires? --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ LOADS of flats in the race so far. Hincappie had one (in the Prologue??), and I both believe Armstrong and Landis had them as well. I wonder if specing slightly tougher tires would have helped things? A slight loss of efficiency vs. not having to change a wheel??? Ruffy Tuffies for all! Make them change their own flats! That would make racing far more interesting, I think. It would be interesting to see how they decided between low rolling resistance and greater flat resistance. It'd also be fun to watch them pumping up their own tires. Who says that's not a valid cycling skill? And it's very much something ordinary cyclists must be proficient in. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Sam Hillborne geometry is up at RBW site!
Quoting PATRICK MOORE bertin...@gmail.com: http://flickr.com/photos/t2architect/3128394163/in/set-72157610331529941/ Gawd, that's even *pretty! It certainly is. And, like every other attractive threadless stem I've ever seen, it lacks the one major advantage commonly associated with threadless stems, the open front faceplate. I wonder if that's not an accident. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Stems, steer tubes, threads and lack thereof
Quoting Atlantean softlysoftlycatcheemon...@gmail.com: Steve, I explained the limitations in my previous post. Possibly not very clearly. The Atlantis has an extra tall steer tube, accommodated by some spacers. I am glad I did not cut the fork, because I found handlebar bliss on my Atlantis with an old Bridgestone Moustache bar that takes V brake levers (rare item that should not be), and a Periscopa stem. That extra tall steer tube helps keep the flex to a tolerable level, at least on my comfort bike. So the solution to you can't get the handlebars low enough is to use an upwards sloping stem with an extra long quill? My point was that it would have been very easy to try the lowest position afforded by a 17 degree stem without cutting anything. Almost as easy as pushing a quill stem down all the way. That takes two turns of a 5mm allen key. I'm so confused my head hurts. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Stems, steer tubes, threads and lack thereof
Quoting Atlantean softlysoftlycatcheemon...@gmail.com: As stated, I *did* push the Cinelli stem all the way down, but the Albatross was still too high. Cutting the fork *might* have gotten the bar low enough, but there were other issues and if it did not work, then I would still have a shortened steer tube. They are quite difficult to lengthen. :) No kidding. That's one of the big issues many of us have with threadless. I didn't see that msg until after I'd replied. In the end, I used a different bar, a rare old Bridgestone bar that has about 2 of drop (I just measured). This is the opposite of the Albatross, which has rise unless you turn it over. The Bridgestone bar also requires far less stem extension Yes, different handlebars require different stem extensions. It's a challenge figuring out what you need ahead of time. That's one reason there's so much stem exchanging going on on the lists. It's a good thing you can use an albatross bar - it's one of the most controversial designs ever. I've seen the Albatross mounted upside-down. I think it looks great, very much like the sporting bikes pre-WWI. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Stems, steer tubes, threads and lack thereof
Quoting Atlantean softlysoftlycatcheemon...@gmail.com: One advantage of threadless forks, from a manufacturing and commercial point of view, is the fact that you only need to make one fork to fit a whole size run of frames. This makes things much easier and significantly less expensive. It would be pretty easy for Grant to order some threadless forks for, say, AHH owners who might want to buy one. I am not saying I think he should, and I do understand why he does not, but it's not like it would be a big deal to do it. It is also not likely to be a big money maker for someone like Rivendell. I do not expect it to happen, and it makes no difference in my opinion of Riv. The only manufacturer I can think of off the top of my head who actually has done something like this is Kogswell, with its Konversion Forks. The way these things go, I expect that at some point there will be some decent chromoly forks with 1 threadless steer tubes readily available for a good price. There are millions of frames out there that they could be used on. Kogswell. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Bronx cheer for the postal service
Quoting rob markwardt robmar...@hotmail.com: The whole discount thing was a little unclear. I read it several times and still kind of thought it was a discount for all members who had been affected by the poor economy. Too many ifs, ands, and ors... (apostrophe or not?). Here's what they said: quote 1. You or your spouse has lost a job because of the economy, so you've lost a huge chunk of income because of the economy. 2. You are retired AND living off your stocks, which have crashed, and you've lost enough of your retirement income that without the discount, you couldn't afford anything. /quote Dramatically narrowed scope than originally proposed, and as I said, clearly enough to disqualify me (and any other retired government employee, or retiree with a part-time job). I'd have been a lot happier if the discount were smaller, so they weren't actually making zero profit, but were more widely available. It felt a lot like put-and-take. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Sam Hillborne geometry is up at RBW site!
Quoting JoelMatthews joelmatth...@mac.com: Actually, it may be simpler to order an appropriate threadless fork at the same time. The steerer tube is just set into the fork crown, and it could be just a matter of getting an unthreaded tube put in. That way, you have the dimension of fork blades that the bicycle was designed for. Emminently more sensible than my advice. Even more sensible, IMO, would be to decide to get along with the fork that came with the bike, or if a threaded fork is a show-stopper, to get a different frame, one with a threadless fork. There are plenty enough of them. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Sam Hillborne geometry is up at RBW site!
Quoting George Schick bhim...@gmail.com: Now, this is not to imply that a similar thing couldn't happen to a threaded set up, but they're usually things you have to look for ahead of time anyway - are the top and bottom edges of head tube straight and parallel, is the crown race evenly seated, is the crown surface onto which it gets seated even and perpendicular to the steering tube, etc. But beyond that, I would agree that the threadless set up is more convenient from a tourist's stand point inasmuch as the only tool really needed to remove the stem (or the bars from the stem, for that matter) is a hex key wrench. The only tool you need to remove a threaded stem is a hex wrench. Not true, of course for removing the bars from the stem. But, unless you're packing the bike for air travel, how often do you do that? And that advantage is primarily for the open faceplate design, which only coincidentally is a threadless advantage. You could just as easily make an open faceplate threaded stem as a threadless. (Not that it matters that much to me: between punitive surcharges for transporting bicycles and the ever-increasing hassles associated with air travel imposed in the name of security, I highly doubt I'll ever want to fly again.) And, for that matter, unless (like my companion on the Black Hills trip) you insist on screwing around with the headset adjustment and forget to get it taken care of before you set out on your trip, just how often does any road rider need to adjust headsets on the road? Maybe mountain bikers are more likely to need to do headset adjustments in the field. They do a lot of things while riding that a road rider would never do, and experience impacts and shocks you'd never get on the road. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Sam Hillborne geometry is up at RBW site!
Quoting jim g yoj...@gmail.com: This one's certainly not ugly... http://flickr.com/photos/t2architect/3128394163/in/set-72157610331529941/ No, not hardly! What is that luscious thing, anyway? --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Rom/Ram tire suggestions with 35mm hammered Honjos
Quoting franklyn frankly...@gmail.com: Hi, It seems your choice of brake will affect the the width of tire the bike can accept. If you get tektro R538 brakes (or the big mouth at Riv), the bike might be able to take up to 32mm. I run SKS P45s (the box section of the P35s can be a limiting factor) and can run up to pasela 32mm pretty tightly. Too tightly, if you ask me. According to SKS, that fender fits a 28mm tire. That corresponds with what I saw when I was using them on a Rambouillet. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Best easy to find tube size as substitute for 650B?
Quoting PATRICK MOORE bertin...@gmail.com: On Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 1:14 AM, CycloFiend cyclofi...@earthlink.netwrote: 559 tubes are no problem. As a reference, I once found myself way out of town on my 700C-shod cross bike, and realized upon pinch-flatting that I had swapped gear in my pack for an earlier ride, leaving my patch kit and 700C tubes at home while bringing 26 x 2.2 tubes along. They worked (though I was pretty careful to seat the tires carefully) for about 5 miles of trail and 15 of road to get home. I've used 559X2 tubes in 29er tires; the biggest problem was getting the little tubes over the big 622 rims. (I've also used 559X1 tubes in regular 2 26 inch mountain bike tires; no problems.) The problem comes when the tube is a bit on the large side. I found the Specialized 559 x 1.5-1.75 tube to be rather on the fat side for a 650B Col de la Vie tire. Mounting the tire without pinching part of the tube under the bead was difficult because there was just so much of the tube. The next size down, Specialized 559 x 1.25-1.5, was just right. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: threaded headsets
Quoting Doug Peterson dougpn...@cox.net: During the recent discussion on this subject, someone mentioned they'd found some Stronglight A-9 in silver. Can you re-post that source? http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_infoproducts_id=3315currency=USD --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Single Chainring Poll
Quoting EricP [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Three of my four bikes have single chainrings up front. (Two of them are internal gears.) In fact, the only one that doesn't is the Atlantis. No problems with mine. Works out well for all the riding I'm doing at present. One has a 38t up front and 11-32 in back. The gearing works for everything I've asked the bike to do so far. Not sure I'd be able to handle a fully loaded tour with that setup. But that is an issue of the engine, not the bike. Did have to work a bit to get the chainline where I wanted. But otherwise no trouble with shifting or anything else. One or two things puzzle me about this. Why do you all want to do this? Is it a matter of having a single chain ring crank in stock and wanting to find a use for it? A perception that a double crank is somehow fussier or more difficult or more complicated? I can certainly understand in the case of a single-speed, fixed gear or internal gear. I can even understand buying such a crank specially for one of those applications. But why a 1x8 or 1x9? I don't think you save anything on the cost of the crank, and if what I read is correct, in many cases - obviously not all - you end up needing to put a front derailleur on it just to stop chain throw. You certainly don't win anything in terms of chain line, if such things matter to you. And even employing super wide range cassettes, there's no way to match the range or spacing of a double. You do get to use some very pretty chain guards that you couldn't use if a derailleur were in the way. Is that it? --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Pasela Actual Sizing
Quoting [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Hank writes: Wire-bead Paselas are famous for blowing off the rim. Avoid them. Get the folders. The folders are fantastic tires. The wire-bead ones are not. I started using wire-bead Paselas last year on my 26-wheeled roadie. I DID get a snakebite flat when I rolled too hard off my driveway at a right angle; but I've never had a tire blow off my rim. (Of course, I never inflate my tires to full pressure anyway. My non- scientific method: inflate the tire until you can just barely indent the sidewall when you squeeze between your thumb and finger. For very rough conditions I let a little more air out. Jan Heine would shudder, but in thirty years of serious riding I have almost never used a gauge. It's all done by feel and so far it works.) All tires, not just wire bead Paselas, are famous for blowing off rims when they are installed with a big of tube caught under the bead. And that's just about the ONLY way you're going to see a tire blow off the rim, at least in my experience. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Pasela Actual Sizing
Quoting james black [EMAIL PROTECTED]: On Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 12:06 AM, Hank Wirtz [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Three of the four wire-bead ones I've bought (two in 700x28, one in 26x1.75) have blown off their rims. with the 700s, it happened on two different rims, a Torelli Master and an Ambrosio Evolution. As a data point, I mention that I have been using wire bead 700c x 32mm (actual 27mm) Paselas on my Torelli Master rims for thousands of miles, and everything works perfectly. The Paselas are a little less difficult to mount on these largish rims than my previous tires, Avocet Fasgrips. I don't know what is causing Hank's problem - I would be inclined to support the QC theory - maybe your tires are from a bad batch? Two more likely bets, IMO, would be either poor mounting technique or the use of tubes that are a bit too large. The result in either case would be a bit of tube caught under the bead, which eventually will lever the tire off the rim. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Pasela Actual Sizing
Quoting 42MuskhamSt [EMAIL PROTECTED]: I should mention that the 700 x 28 wire bead that blew off the rim was on an Alex rim, if memory serves. I have 700 x 28 wire beads tires on Campy rims with no problems (so far anyway). When the tire blew off the rim it was a few minutes after mounting the tire in the living room, and not while riding. Also, I don not believe that it was sloppy mounting technique that caused the tire to unseat. I've found that there are some tubes that, although labeled correctly, are just large enough that it becomes extremely difficult to stuff the tube in and not get part of it caught under the bead. Ordinary not sloppy practice just doesn't suffice. My solution to this has been to move down to the next smaller size tube. I notably had the problem with Specialized 559 x 1.5-1.75 tubes used in 650B Col de la Vie tires. The official Schwalbe 650B tube says it also fits 559 x 1.5-1.75, and other brands of 559 x 1.75 tubes fit just fine, no mounting issues, in the CdlVs. But the Specialized branded tubes are much larger than the Schwalbes or other brands of tubes I've used. The next size down, marked 559 x 1.25 - 1.5 are a perfect fit: puff them up with a few pumps so they hold their shape, stuff them into the tire, and you couldn't catch them under the bead if you were trying to. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: cassettes vs freewheels
We're not really in disagreement. I agree that there are bargains to be had with used freewheels, and what I said about limited gearing choices is supported by the examples you cite. Whether those limitations are significant or not is up to you. As you say, less-than-optimum is often perfectly fine for certain kinds of riding, perhaps less so for other kinds. Quoting [EMAIL PROTECTED]: On Dec 1, 2:53 pm, Steve Palincsar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Piling on here, for a moment: Even if you discount concerns regarding future availability of freewheels, the current range of available gearing in 7 spd freewheels is limited compared to the range available with cassettes. My personal favorites, the 13-30, 13-34 and the 14-32 have no freewheel counterparts. That partly depends on what numbers you like in between. Some freewheels won't give you certain combinations, it's true, but other less-than-optimum combinations are perfectly fine for city riding. My two regular bikes both use freewheel hubs. Okay, Phil Wood freewheel hubs. With hubs that durable, why not stick with freewheels? And if they still have life left in them, why not go with slightly used ones, especially if you run your bikes in friction? Here's a helpful tip: Used-but-decent freewheels are popping up all over ebay and craigslist and many can be had for less than ten bucks. Combined with a new KMC Z-50 chain and run in pure friction I've never, ever had a problem with them. No skipping, no chain-dropping, nothing'. Admittedly, I can usually find seemingly dead' freewheels in the metal recycling that a co-worker put there because they were rusty or too filthy to spend time cleaning or whatever. In far too many cases, those 5- and 6-speed freewheels -- mostly older Suntour friction -- came back beautifully with some elbow grease and solvent on my part. They had lots of life left in them, and shouldn't have been tossed into the recycling bin just yet. The 5-speed 14-32 on my All-Rounder and the 6-speed 14-30 on my LongLow/city bike were both resurrected from our shop's metal recycling bin. I have a box of perhaps seven or eight more of these, all scavenged from various shops' recycling bins (I get around), scrubbed clean and re-lubed with my trusty freewheel lubing tool (I had fun explaining to a 24-year-old dealer rep the other day what the tool was and what it was for. He grew up riding full-suspension ATB's with cassettes. Last week it was a lesson on Helicomatic hubs; whoo- whee!). After cleaning and lubing, each freewheel is wrapped carefully and stored away. I expect I have enough to get me through the next seven to ten years at the rate I ride. Call me a cheapskate. It's okay. I probably am. (Meanwhile, I have asked my co-workers to please show me their dead freewheels before chucking them into the recycling. The last one I fished out was -- get this! -- a Shimano 600, 6-speed 14-32 with some rust on it. I scrubbed off most of the rust, cleaned out the gunk from the bearings, and re-lubed it. Clearly labelled used: cleaned re- lubed, it sold last week for 25 bucks to a collector. So there's still lots of love out there for freewheels. IMHO, IRD and SunRace are very smart to keep on making them.) --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: cassettes vs freewheels
Quoting Garth [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Do I regret going with freewheels? Sometimes I was worried, like when they were becoming very scarce. But, it was just fear and there are thousands of people like me that have no desire or need for 8,9 or 10 speed sprockets. I also think about if I would have gone with an 8 speed cassette at the time I made my decision, I would be no better off. Look at the selection of 8 speed ones now. they are becoming less available, and the ones that are available are lower end ones. Then, look at the gear selections . fewer and fewer choices. I have no use for 11 or 12 tooth sprockets so try to find any cassette without one of those. Sure, Harris Cycles makes some custom ones, but they can be over a hundred dollars for the better ones. So, when I chose my wheels. it was a 50/50 deal on what to do. It's no different today as I have no desire for the 9 and 10 speed spockets. If I need some more wheels I'd still likely get another 135mm 7speed Phil hub. Leaving custom cassettes aside for the moment, pretty much what they did when they went from 7 to 8 was space the sprockets closer together and add an 11 or 12 tooth sprocket. Many of the standard 7s had 13T as the smallest sprocket, and all but one of the standard 8s had either an 11 or a 12T as the smallest. This can easily produce a situation where less (i.e., fewer sprockets) is clearly more. With a 7spd cassette mounted on a 135mm cassette hub (7spd cassettes now seem to come with the spacer you need to put behind the cassette to make this work) I find I'm able to use all 7 sprockets on the big ring without suffering chain line problems. Add an outer 11 or 12 to the mix, and now you can't get to the innermost big sprocket without running into chain line issues; in return for this, you get a high gear that's usually too high to use. Bottom line: add 1, lose the use of 2! --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter Observation for all of you Techies
Quoting Ray Shine [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Not to mention no traffic! I hear you. Maybe someday… --- On Mon, 12/1/08, Steve Palincsar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dirt roads can be enormous fun. Great scenery, and you definitely won't be bored. We dp see traffic on the dirt roads we ride: motor vehicles, horses and riders, we've even seen a horse-drawn wagon and a pack of hounds. You always yield -- even dismount -- for the horses and the hounds, and often get off the road entirely for the motor vehicles, although equally often the cars will stop to let you by. It's very different than paved roads, very much more personal. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
