[RBW] Re: Lycra-clad naysayers
This: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34955...@n00/2614414796/ is the problem that full suspension solves For the terrain pictured, and if I had a choice, I'd pick my suspension bike; going up and coming down. Like Jim said, the suspension definitely helps going up rooty slick stuff like that and for coming down it's definitely faster (if that's your goal). It's all good thoughI've never ridden any of my bikes (Rivendell or full-sus mtn bike) and said "this sucks"it's always fun! peace, Tony On Jan 1, 10:39 pm, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery wrote: > Suspension bikes are not really my thing, but they do represent a > legitimate improvement in some respects. Climbing is often improved by > suspension, because the shocks keep the tires from bouncing over bumps > and losing traction And for lots of folks, suspension reduces fatigue > and soreness after a long day of riding. And one more thing: as > suspension has become more prevalent, many of the MTB loops have been > engineered to make use of suspension... > > On Jan 1, 9:12 pm, doug peterson wrote: > > > > > I agree - not sure what problem suspension solves but it's apparently > > pretty marketable. Hmmm, if they're only going downhill, do they > > still get 30 gears? > > As to any comments about double top tubes, they're quite common in > > central America, where bikes are used like donkeys. In your area, I > > would imagine you'd see similar bike usage. Especially with the low- > > tech tubing in third world countries, a double top tube is a simple, > > effective way to strengthen a frame. > > > dougP > > > On Jan 1, 2:40 pm, Kip Otteson wrote: > > > > Hey, Doug. They were shuttled to the top and the Bomba did climb like > > > a goat compared to the suspension bikes. I had a lot of time to check > > > out the others bikes and the pogoing action of a rear suspension bike > > > is something to behold. I know that there are claims that they are > > > just as efficient as a rigid bike but I don't buy it. > > > > On Jan 2, 12:59 am, doug peterson wrote: > > > > > Kip: > > > > > Now you've done it - sent out a blanket invitation to a group that has > > > > a high possibility of taking you up on it. Great report. The Bomba > > > > probably climbed a whole lot better than the tourists double > > > > suspension rides. Come to think of it, maybe they were shuttled to > > > > the top, so they could ride down? Hah! > > > > > dougP > > > > > On Jan 1, 7:26 am, newenglandbike wrote: > > > > > > On Jan 1, 9:50 am, MichaelH wrote: > > > > > At the risk of sounding like a tourist here, what is it > > > > > > > with the double top tube anyway? > > > > > > If you really are asking, it makes the frames stronger. The lower > > > > > tube makes more of a triangle with the rest of the frame: > > > > > >http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/bombadil/50-640 > > > > > > Plus it looks cool.- Hide quoted text - > > > > - Show quoted text - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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: Lycra-clad naysayers
Suspension bikes are not really my thing, but they do represent a legitimate improvement in some respects. Climbing is often improved by suspension, because the shocks keep the tires from bouncing over bumps and losing traction And for lots of folks, suspension reduces fatigue and soreness after a long day of riding. And one more thing: as suspension has become more prevalent, many of the MTB loops have been engineered to make use of suspension... On Jan 1, 9:12 pm, doug peterson wrote: > I agree - not sure what problem suspension solves but it's apparently > pretty marketable. Hmmm, if they're only going downhill, do they > still get 30 gears? > As to any comments about double top tubes, they're quite common in > central America, where bikes are used like donkeys. In your area, I > would imagine you'd see similar bike usage. Especially with the low- > tech tubing in third world countries, a double top tube is a simple, > effective way to strengthen a frame. > > dougP > > On Jan 1, 2:40 pm, Kip Otteson wrote: > > > > > Hey, Doug. They were shuttled to the top and the Bomba did climb like > > a goat compared to the suspension bikes. I had a lot of time to check > > out the others bikes and the pogoing action of a rear suspension bike > > is something to behold. I know that there are claims that they are > > just as efficient as a rigid bike but I don't buy it. > > > On Jan 2, 12:59 am, doug peterson wrote: > > > > Kip: > > > > Now you've done it - sent out a blanket invitation to a group that has > > > a high possibility of taking you up on it. Great report. The Bomba > > > probably climbed a whole lot better than the tourists double > > > suspension rides. Come to think of it, maybe they were shuttled to > > > the top, so they could ride down? Hah! > > > > dougP > > > > On Jan 1, 7:26 am, newenglandbike wrote: > > > > > On Jan 1, 9:50 am, MichaelH wrote: > > > > At the risk of sounding like a tourist here, what is it > > > > > > with the double top tube anyway? > > > > > If you really are asking, it makes the frames stronger. The lower > > > > tube makes more of a triangle with the rest of the frame: > > > > >http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/bombadil/50-640 > > > > > Plus it looks cool.- Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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: Lycra-clad naysayers
I agree - not sure what problem suspension solves but it's apparently pretty marketable. Hmmm, if they're only going downhill, do they still get 30 gears? As to any comments about double top tubes, they're quite common in central America, where bikes are used like donkeys. In your area, I would imagine you'd see similar bike usage. Especially with the low- tech tubing in third world countries, a double top tube is a simple, effective way to strengthen a frame. dougP On Jan 1, 2:40 pm, Kip Otteson wrote: > Hey, Doug. They were shuttled to the top and the Bomba did climb like > a goat compared to the suspension bikes. I had a lot of time to check > out the others bikes and the pogoing action of a rear suspension bike > is something to behold. I know that there are claims that they are > just as efficient as a rigid bike but I don't buy it. > > On Jan 2, 12:59 am, doug peterson wrote: > > > > > Kip: > > > Now you've done it - sent out a blanket invitation to a group that has > > a high possibility of taking you up on it. Great report. The Bomba > > probably climbed a whole lot better than the tourists double > > suspension rides. Come to think of it, maybe they were shuttled to > > the top, so they could ride down? Hah! > > > dougP > > > On Jan 1, 7:26 am, newenglandbike wrote: > > > > On Jan 1, 9:50 am, MichaelH wrote: > > > At the risk of sounding like a tourist here, what is it > > > > > with the double top tube anyway? > > > > If you really are asking, it makes the frames stronger. The lower > > > tube makes more of a triangle with the rest of the frame: > > > >http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/bombadil/50-640 > > > > Plus it looks cool.- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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: Lycra-clad naysayers
Hey, Doug. They were shuttled to the top and the Bomba did climb like a goat compared to the suspension bikes. I had a lot of time to check out the others bikes and the pogoing action of a rear suspension bike is something to behold. I know that there are claims that they are just as efficient as a rigid bike but I don't buy it. On Jan 2, 12:59 am, doug peterson wrote: > Kip: > > Now you've done it - sent out a blanket invitation to a group that has > a high possibility of taking you up on it. Great report. The Bomba > probably climbed a whole lot better than the tourists double > suspension rides. Come to think of it, maybe they were shuttled to > the top, so they could ride down? Hah! > > dougP > > On Jan 1, 7:26 am, newenglandbike wrote: > > > > > On Jan 1, 9:50 am, MichaelH wrote: > > At the risk of sounding like a tourist here, what is it > > > > with the double top tube anyway? > > > If you really are asking, it makes the frames stronger. The lower > > tube makes more of a triangle with the rest of the frame: > > >http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/bombadil/50-640 > > > Plus it looks cool. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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: Lycra-clad naysayers
I've found that flat pedals really throw the mainstreamers for a loop. They sort of understand that "retro" steel bikes are cool for some unknown reason, but why anyone would use flat pedals is a total mystery. I'm pretty sure that I lose credibility with potential customers who walk into my shop and notice (and usually mention) that my personal bikes don't have clip-in pedals. No matter how intelligently I explain my reasons, flat pedals just don't square with ingrained notions of "serious cycling", and are a dead-giveaway that the person who uses them is either a total novice or at least a weirdo. (in my case, both are true, to varying degrees...) On Jan 1, 1:16 pm, Rene Sterental wrote: > This story reminds me of the day when I took my Bombadil to check its > fit at RBW. I had it on the roof rack and was about to leave work when > a younger co-worker walked by, suddenly stopped and staring at the > bike uttered, almost to himself but loud enough so I could hear... > > "There is something wrong with that bike... It has one top tube too > many and the handlebars are backwards..." > > Then, turning to me said, what is that...? You're not even riding clipless... > > As the engineer geek that he is, I told him to first go read the > Rivendell website and then we'd talk some more. He is a dual > suspension freerider and the Bombadil didn't quite fit in any of his > paradigms. > > We should keep track of what people say when confronted with a concept > like the Bombadil that completely blows their pre-conceived notions. > > René > > On 1/1/10, doug peterson wrote: > > > > > Kip: > > > Now you've done it - sent out a blanket invitation to a group that has > > a high possibility of taking you up on it. Great report. The Bomba > > probably climbed a whole lot better than the tourists double > > suspension rides. Come to think of it, maybe they were shuttled to > > the top, so they could ride down? Hah! > > > dougP > > > On Jan 1, 7:26 am, newenglandbike wrote: > >> On Jan 1, 9:50 am, MichaelH wrote: > >> At the risk of sounding like a tourist here, what is it > > >> > with the double top tube anyway? > > >> If you really are asking, it makes the frames stronger. The lower > >> tube makes more of a triangle with the rest of the frame: > > >>http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/bombadil/50-640 > > >> Plus it looks cool. > > > -- > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > > 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. > > -- > Sent from my mobile device -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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: Lycra-clad naysayers
Kip: Now you've done it - sent out a blanket invitation to a group that has a high possibility of taking you up on it. Great report. The Bomba probably climbed a whole lot better than the tourists double suspension rides. Come to think of it, maybe they were shuttled to the top, so they could ride down? Hah! dougP On Jan 1, 7:26 am, newenglandbike wrote: > On Jan 1, 9:50 am, MichaelH wrote: > At the risk of sounding like a tourist here, what is it > > > with the double top tube anyway? > > If you really are asking, it makes the frames stronger. The lower > tube makes more of a triangle with the rest of the frame: > > http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/bombadil/50-640 > > Plus it looks cool. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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: Lycra-clad naysayers
On Jan 1, 9:50 am, MichaelH wrote: At the risk of sounding like a tourist here, what is it > with the double top tube anyway? > If you really are asking, it makes the frames stronger. The lower tube makes more of a triangle with the rest of the frame: http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/bombadil/50-640 Plus it looks cool. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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: Lycra-clad naysayers
That ride sounds excellent for sure- your description of the climb and the vistas makes me want to go to Thailand and see it for myself. Here's to coffee, man-purses, and riding bikes over the fun stuff in sneakers and a pair of levis like it was nuthin'. On Jan 1, 12:23 am, Kip Otteson wrote: > Went on an epic (for me) off-road ride on the Bomba yesterday. It was > in the hills behind Chiang Mai. I started the day with a donut at > Dunkin Donuts and saw some lycra-clad men with bikes having a bite > inside. I pulled up and they started asking about the bike. Why the > double top tube? What's up with the moustache bars? Why don't you > ride clipless? What's in the huge bag on the back? Isn't that > position too upright? Etc. You could tell they were doubting the > bike's abilities...not to mention mine when I didn't have one piece of > lycra on. I told them where I was riding and they rolled their eyes > at my lack of suspension and chuckled a "Good luck!" as I left the > eatery. > > I rode with another group of teachers and we climbed I don't know how > many vertical feet of unbelievable dirt road. We wound past endless > jungle where at any moment I thought Indiana Jones would appear. We > hit one fork and a teacher not acquainted with Rivendell said that the > choices looked to him to be between "Mordor and Isengard." It was > that surreal in this area. > > We climbed and climbed and came to a Hmong village where we noticed > lots of activity taking place. We pulled in and quickly realized what > we were witnessing. It was a Japanese Cherry Blossom bloom season. > About 100 people were crawling out of cars and taking photos. It was > like a scene out of a Kung Fu movie. It was very satisfying having > rode there. > > We left the village and topped out the ride a wonderful coffee house > overlooking the blossom spectacle. Once again I felt a little out of > place. About 20 foreigners were having coffee wearing full downhill > body armor. I thought WTF and wondered where they were riding. They > were going down the road we just rode up. Well, they understood the > Bombadil even less than the dudes at the donut shop. > > Needless to say we rode the same extreme downhill ride promised to the > tourists. I didn't go down once. My cantis worked just fine. My > saddlebag didn't throw my balance over the roots.My 2.0 tires > (narrow for these riders) were superb. > > Summation, I loved the ride. The Bombadil is so versatile and > beautiful I am excited to ride anywhere on it. > > When I woke up for the ride I had to take off my basket and front rack > and take off the large Sackville bag that I had on for a two day tour > with the wife that took place earlier in the week. I carried most of > the gear and the bike rode beautifully then, as well. This bike > really undercuts expectations and I dig that. > > Anyone that wants to ride in Chiang Mai or stay at my house and travel > from here is welcome. You won't be disappointed. > > Kip Otteson > Chiang Mai, Thailand -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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: Lycra-clad naysayers
Great story, thanks for sharing it. I've never owned a mountain bike, and don't have any real motivation to get one, even though I live two miles down a dirt road in a town that doesn't have paved roads, except for the state highway. I've never found a need for anything bigger than 38mm. At the risk of sounding like a tourist here, what is it with the double top tube anyway? On Jan 1, 12:23 am, Kip Otteson wrote: > Went on an epic (for me) off-road ride on the Bomba yesterday. It was > in the hills behind Chiang Mai. I started the day with a donut at > Dunkin Donuts and saw some lycra-clad men with bikes having a bite > inside. I pulled up and they started asking about the bike. Why the > double top tube? What's up with the moustache bars? Why don't you > ride clipless? What's in the huge bag on the back? Isn't that > position too upright? Etc. You could tell they were doubting the > bike's abilities...not to mention mine when I didn't have one piece of > lycra on. I told them where I was riding and they rolled their eyes > at my lack of suspension and chuckled a "Good luck!" as I left the > eatery. > > I rode with another group of teachers and we climbed I don't know how > many vertical feet of unbelievable dirt road. We wound past endless > jungle where at any moment I thought Indiana Jones would appear. We > hit one fork and a teacher not acquainted with Rivendell said that the > choices looked to him to be between "Mordor and Isengard." It was > that surreal in this area. > > We climbed and climbed and came to a Hmong village where we noticed > lots of activity taking place. We pulled in and quickly realized what > we were witnessing. It was a Japanese Cherry Blossom bloom season. > About 100 people were crawling out of cars and taking photos. It was > like a scene out of a Kung Fu movie. It was very satisfying having > rode there. > > We left the village and topped out the ride a wonderful coffee house > overlooking the blossom spectacle. Once again I felt a little out of > place. About 20 foreigners were having coffee wearing full downhill > body armor. I thought WTF and wondered where they were riding. They > were going down the road we just rode up. Well, they understood the > Bombadil even less than the dudes at the donut shop. > > Needless to say we rode the same extreme downhill ride promised to the > tourists. I didn't go down once. My cantis worked just fine. My > saddlebag didn't throw my balance over the roots. My 2.0 tires > (narrow for these riders) were superb. > > Summation, I loved the ride. The Bombadil is so versatile and > beautiful I am excited to ride anywhere on it. > > When I woke up for the ride I had to take off my basket and front rack > and take off the large Sackville bag that I had on for a two day tour > with the wife that took place earlier in the week. I carried most of > the gear and the bike rode beautifully then, as well. This bike > really undercuts expectations and I dig that. > > Anyone that wants to ride in Chiang Mai or stay at my house and travel > from here is welcome. You won't be disappointed. > > Kip Otteson > Chiang Mai, Thailand -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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: Lycra-clad naysayers
Thank you Kip. sounds like a great ride. Too bad a bout the doubters. People have been riding diamond frame bikes for more than 100 years now, full suspension about 10. While full suspension arguably gives one an advantage in certain race conditions, a well thought out Bombadil can go anywhere a suspended bike with no problem. Really wish I were visiting with you at present. 6 whole degrees (fahrenheit, -14 Celsius) here in Chicago. On Dec 31 2009, 11:23 pm, Kip Otteson wrote: > Went on an epic (for me) off-road ride on the Bomba yesterday. It was > in the hills behind Chiang Mai. I started the day with a donut at > Dunkin Donuts and saw some lycra-clad men with bikes having a bite > inside. I pulled up and they started asking about the bike. Why the > double top tube? What's up with the moustache bars? Why don't you > ride clipless? What's in the huge bag on the back? Isn't that > position too upright? Etc. You could tell they were doubting the > bike's abilities...not to mention mine when I didn't have one piece of > lycra on. I told them where I was riding and they rolled their eyes > at my lack of suspension and chuckled a "Good luck!" as I left the > eatery. > > I rode with another group of teachers and we climbed I don't know how > many vertical feet of unbelievable dirt road. We wound past endless > jungle where at any moment I thought Indiana Jones would appear. We > hit one fork and a teacher not acquainted with Rivendell said that the > choices looked to him to be between "Mordor and Isengard." It was > that surreal in this area. > > We climbed and climbed and came to a Hmong village where we noticed > lots of activity taking place. We pulled in and quickly realized what > we were witnessing. It was a Japanese Cherry Blossom bloom season. > About 100 people were crawling out of cars and taking photos. It was > like a scene out of a Kung Fu movie. It was very satisfying having > rode there. > > We left the village and topped out the ride a wonderful coffee house > overlooking the blossom spectacle. Once again I felt a little out of > place. About 20 foreigners were having coffee wearing full downhill > body armor. I thought WTF and wondered where they were riding. They > were going down the road we just rode up. Well, they understood the > Bombadil even less than the dudes at the donut shop. > > Needless to say we rode the same extreme downhill ride promised to the > tourists. I didn't go down once. My cantis worked just fine. My > saddlebag didn't throw my balance over the roots. My 2.0 tires > (narrow for these riders) were superb. > > Summation, I loved the ride. The Bombadil is so versatile and > beautiful I am excited to ride anywhere on it. > > When I woke up for the ride I had to take off my basket and front rack > and take off the large Sackville bag that I had on for a two day tour > with the wife that took place earlier in the week. I carried most of > the gear and the bike rode beautifully then, as well. This bike > really undercuts expectations and I dig that. > > Anyone that wants to ride in Chiang Mai or stay at my house and travel > from here is welcome. You won't be disappointed. > > Kip Otteson > Chiang Mai, Thailand -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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.
