[RBW] Commuting on a Clem vs. an electric bike
Dear all, I hope you are weathering the many and terrible challenges facing our country at the present time. I am always thankful for bikes but more so now. It is good to have something in one's life, that one loves. Grant's essay on the racial inequities regarding biking hit a nerve. I guess being privileged can mean taking things for granted, like being able to ride a bike and not worrying about being singled out because of how I look. I digress. I have commuted to work for the past 31 years. Several years ago I got tired of changing my clothes when I got to work and when I left, so I bought an electric bike (a Stromer ST2). My ride was faster. I did not sweat. I could wear my work clothes to work (no need to change my clothes). I have logged around 6000 miles on the Stromer. I have no complaints about this bike. It has been reliable and does the job. A while ago, I set my Clem up for commuting or carrying groceries or whatever. When the weather was cold (a relative concept, as I live in Los Angeles), I decided to try commuting on the Clem. My commute is 4 miles each way. I have been riding it ever since and my Stromer has sat largely unused. So here are the pros and cons as I see it, between commuting with these 2 bikes: *Stromer pros:* Fast (up to 28 to 30 mph, if I work hard, usually cruise in the low 20s) No to little sweating Comfortable (seat and front suspension) *Stromer cons:* Doesn't quite feel like a regular bike - there is always a little undefinable something (weight, moment of drag, not sure what it is) Changing a rear flat is a MAJOR hassle as this is a rear hub motor and removing the wheel is more difficult - I use Marthon Plus tires and thankfully have had only one flat in the years I have owned the bike The bike is very heavy (a. 60 lb.) so transporting on a trunk mounted bike rack is more of a challenge *Clem pros:* Comfortable (more than the Stromer, probably because I am going slower and perhaps because of the long wheel base) I get to enjoy the scenery more as I am going slower *Clem cons:* I am back to riding in bike shorts and T-shirt and changing my clothes at work Overall, I enjoy the riding experience of the Clem more. It feels more like a bike, which funny enough, it is. I am enjoying the low tech-ness of the Clem. I look at the Clem (which is parked in my office) and I enjoy the view. I did not do that with the Stromer. I will probably ride the Stomer when it gets very hot. For now, I am on the Clem. However, I am subject to change, like the weather. My best to you all. Andy -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/d893e569-1926-474c-b673-6e603993a7b5o%40googlegroups.com.
Re: [RBW] Re: two rivendells for sale
Is the Cheviot still available? I am interested. If so, could you post some pictures? Thanks, Andy -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/f2bae4ec-cecb-4fa4-8df8-b62afff1a203o%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Is the Clem a Hillibike?
Hi! Glad to meet another member of the Clem family! I have enjoyed riding my Clem H on trails with steep and long climbs (and descents). The Rivendell description was accurate in my experience - you ride with the terrain instead of thru it. For me, this meant paying more attention to the trail in front of me and making quick adjustments in anticipation. This also meant I needed to go slower on the trail. Overall, I enjoy this type of trail riding and did not find myself missing bike suspension. In full disclosure, the type of aggressive riding one can do with full suspension has never appealed to me, so I can't contrast that kind of riding compared to what I do like. Best, Andy PS I also like the more upright position I have on my Clem compared to the more aggressive position I have experienced on the usual mountain bike. On Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 11:01:47 PM UTC-7, theenchantingwizardofrhythm wrote: > > Hi there - first time poster > and coming at you from Tel Aviv, possibly(?) the only Riv owner this side > of Mesopotamia... > > I got myself a 59 Clem H which I love oh so dearly > My friends, equipped with hard-tail mountain-bikey-bikes, are going out > for a couple day off-rode ride that includes some singletrack. > They say I probably can't hang with the Clem. > > So what do you think? > Should I go out confident that the silver steed will hold its own? > or am I setting myself up for a world of pain and a bruised bike? > > Many thanks, > gk > > > -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/3916202f-65ba-435e-83ae-bf53b48dbbe9%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Fs: Rivendell Grabsack V1/original
Joe, sorry to be a pain but I don't see "Desktop" when I look at the bottom of the page - just white empty space. Right clicking with my mouse doesn't give that option either. I would appreciate any other advice you might have for me. I probably am not seeing something obvious. Best, Andy On Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 12:33:54 PM UTC-7, Joe Bernard wrote: > > My semi-regular PSA for replies on a phone: Go to the bottom of this page > and click Desktop. Now on the post you want to reply to there's a Reply > drop-down menu. Click Reply To Author. -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/50239a13-7154-4d39-8e34-97b8b9a94a08%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Fs: Rivendell Grabsack V1/original
On Friday, May 1, 2020 at 7:07:04 AM UTC-7, Gustavo Vasquez wrote: > > Hi all! New to the group. > I have what appears to be a like new (if not new) Rivendell Grabsack, this > one has the “V brand” logo. Never really used it. > > Color is something close to tan/khaki > > $65 shipped within USA (PayPal), or $50 local pickup? > Located in Santa Rosa, CA -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/8d913935-2775-4e14-a842-9f443c1847c4%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Mercian Vincitore
Rich, thanks for your response. The paint givens the impression of a bit more depth and glow. I love the aesthetics of bikes and get pleasure from glancing over at my bike as I work (this includes my Clem H) that I mainly use for commuting. Best, Andy On Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 8:24:46 AM UTC-7, RichS wrote: > > Very nice Andy. What a find! I've always liked Mercians but never owned > one. Grant referenced Mercian's influence in one of his two recent Blahgs. > > I'm curious. How do you like the "stove enamel" finish and how does it > compare to conventional wet paint? Thanks very much for sharing the images. > > Best, > Rich in ATL > > On Friday, May 1, 2020 at 6:47:00 PM UTC-4, ANDREW ALLEN ERMAN wrote: >> >> Hi you all. I thought I would share some pictures of a favorite bike of >> mine. I bought the bike many years ago because I loved the way it looked. >> Please note the tall head tube. I finally got it to ride comfortably with >> a lot of help from Will at RBW (various stems and handlebars) and lots of >> adjustment. This bike taught me that having the handlebars elevated is a >> good thing (for me).I found it in a bike store and was told that a mother >> had ordered the bike from England for her son, who apparently did not want >> it. Anyway, here are the pictures of the bike in my office (I have the >> best parking space at UCLA). Best, Andy >> > -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/eb392fc6-7c0a-4057-921e-1a2c5e7c3749%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Fs: Rivendell Grabsack V1/original
Gustavo, I would like to purchase this. I am sure there is a way to post a private message but I don't know what it is. How would you like to proceed? I can pay via PayPal. Best, Andy On Friday, May 1, 2020 at 7:07:04 AM UTC-7, Gustavo Vasquez wrote: > > Hi all! New to the group. > I have what appears to be a like new (if not new) Rivendell Grabsack, this > one has the “V brand” logo. Never really used it. > > Color is something close to tan/khaki > > $65 shipped within USA (PayPal), or $50 local pickup? > Located in Santa Rosa, CA -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/aed38a72-071b-4fde-94d1-6f8cd59a5fb2%40googlegroups.com.
Re: [RBW] Re: 30 Days of Biking!
Great story. Thanks for the lift! On Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 7:54:50 PM UTC-7, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > > Day 19. > > Like many of you, I am married to someone who does not share my wild > enthusiasm for bikes. Two years ago my husband bought an e-bike as a > compromise: it is like a motorcycle but less dangerous, and this way the > rest of the family can join. You would think the ebike would buy me more > miles and longer rides, but no, JP’s only good for a few miles and then > he’s had enough. > > Tonight, he smoked the best brisket you can possibly ever imagine. I made > honey cornbread muffins and roasted asparagus and a potato and chive dish > and we ate like it was our JOB. I was feeling repentant and had decided to > go for a nice long ride (as if that would make up for it) after the kitchen > was put back in order. JP looked up at me from his chair and said, “Are you > hitting the old dusty trail?” (This is my announcement every time I leave > for a ride.) > > “Yes, I’m heading out,” I said. > > He looked at me imploringly. > > Now, I had plans. I have a favorite 11 mile loop I love to take that > incorporates several miles of MUP black top with wild desert on one side, > and lovely homes backing up on the other. I call it my Top Secret Trail. > The yards are strung with outdoor garden party lights and fairy lights and > come nightfall, it’s a beautiful sight. For that ride, I will put on Apple > Music and when the sun goes down I sail. I will think all my thoughts, sing > all the songs and I will come home when I darn well please. I will be > refreshed and rejuvenated. > > “Oh, did you want to come?” I asked. > > He got up and started looking for all his stuff and my heart sunk a > little. This ride would now be a COMPROMISE. The ride would be much > shorter, the route would be changed, and here’s the worst of it - he would > get to choose the music. I put on a happy face. > > So, we set off. Now, my husband believes that he has to have music on his > bike. He pictures us on an ocean boardwalk, but here we are in the > mountains of a desert. Since riding your bike on the boardwalk by the ocean > always involves music, he got himself a speaker...that he shoves in his > bottle cage and operates via his iPhone. I have long given up arguing > against the speaker. I have also given up hope of ever controlling the > music. > > As we rolled down the mountain I was keenly aware that he had left his > panniers wide open and they were flapping in the wind. Little aqua zippered > pockets emerged from the gray panniers and flapped like flags. He had > chosen an obnoxiously twangy country music channel. The man is a suit, > there is nothing country about him, but the twangier the songs were, the > more he seemed to relate. > > He let me lead us to my Top Secret Trail. I was starting to relax and > believe that maybe I really was going to get my way about our route, but > only 3 miles into our ride he asked, “If we turn here, where does it take > us?” > > “Probably back towards home,” I said, heart sinking. “Do you want to take > it?” > > He did. I chose not to protest because I’d like him to think biking is fun > and we had a great time. Also, he made a killer brisket today. Big points, > people. > > The entire way home is uphill, and with him on an ebike we are poorly > matched. But I really want him to have a good time and not to be bored, so > I try extra hard to keep us at a quick pace on Killer Hill. I am not > kidding when I say I was feeling the burn. My hamstrings. My core. Like, > what do you have to do on your bike rides to make your CORE hurt? I was > sweating and gasping and he was in the lead, blithely enjoying the weather > and crumby music. The whole route only took us 6.2 miles, round trip. > > We’re back at home now. He’s in the living room under a quilt and I’m in > shorts and tank top - still sweating. I think he had a good time. > > I know I could make my case for more miles and my choice of music, but in > the end I’ll lay those down in trade for biking together. > > But you mark my words - tomorrow I’m doing my twilight ride and I’ll do it > all my way. > > > -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/775827f1-9142-475c-becb-3dbb250049d3%40googlegroups.com.
