This thread has been so informative. Thank you all for your comments and stories. Having lots of data points certainly is helpful in determining what course of action to take - to buy or not to buy a Cheviot.
I've read through the comments a few times and the consensus seems to be that those who have purchased a Cheviot (or a Betty or any other Riv mixtie). The biggest drawback seems to be the lack of a second (or third) bottle mount. I certainly see that as a concern if the bike would be used regularly on longer rides. After all, as Garth and others have noted, it kind of sucks to spend $1,500 + on a frame only to add a cheesy bottle holder if you want to carry two bottles. However, given my intended usage, as a bike that would mainly be ridden around town (farmers market, grocery store, post office, etc) the number of bottles is not really a concern. I likely would also use this bike to ride on a few local bike paths (mostly paved) where the lack of multiple bottle mounts would not be a huge concern. My guess is that a Clem Smith Jr. would serve my intended purpose just as well as a Cheviot. However, after riding both (a much more extended ride on the Clem) I had a much bigger smile after riding the Chev - it simply seemed to have a bit more life to it than the Clem. I don't know if this was due to the tubing used on the bikes, the angles, the wheels or some other factor - the simple reality was that I had more fun riding the Cheviot than the Clem. The more I ponder the Chev the less the "girl bike" thing seems like an issue. One other silly question that is kind of related to the girl bike thing is the color choice. I rode a green Cheviot at Rivendell. I really liked the color. The new frames have cream headtubes, which the older frames do not. One more reason to go for a new frame. Initially I thought that the orange was the best color. However, the more I think about it the more attracted I am to the grey. Perhaps this color will make the Chev a bit more manly, as it will look more like a mountain bike. The description on the website says that the grey is "old Clem grey." Anyone with a bike in that color care to comment on how they like the color? Pictures perhaps? Finally, I have an olive colored saddlesack and a green front bag that I would use with this bike - is orange or grey likely to be my best bet with those colors? Thanks again for your comments. Sean EA, NY On Sat, Aug 13, 2016 at 7:22 AM, 'Mark in Beacon' via RBW Owners Bunch < [email protected]> wrote: > > <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Fdy-ulRwI0/V68A0yOEJ0I/AAAAAAAAHeE/yRiBAtBD0-wAAWN-4X2_YZ7WVzuY6B90gCLcB/s1600/dutch%2Bcity%2Bbike.jpg> > > Hi Caroline. Welcome. Would be great to see a pic of your City Betty with > the racy Albatross bars! Regarding the comparison of the Clementine to the > Dutch city bikes, while they share the drooped top tube feature, the Dutch > bikes have a significantly different geometry, practically heading into > recumbent territory. As for the Clementine and loads, I carry 15-40 pounds, > distributed between rear panniers and front basket, with regularity on my > 52cm Clementine. It carries these burdens without complaint, and no flex > issues for me at 170ish, though I may be a few pounds lighter this week due > to water loss! (The Dutch bike pictured above is from Lovely Bicycle > <http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-upright-is-upright.html>.) > This message is a public service of the Knights of Clementine Society, > dedicated to defending the honor of Clementines everywhere. > > > > On Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 1:54:53 AM UTC-4, Caroline Golum wrote: > > >> As for the Clementine - just from experience working in different shops, >> I find that traditional Dutch step-through style to be a little lacking for >> longer rides and heavier loads, but if that's what you're trying to do it >> seems perfect! >> >> > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the > Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/ > topic/rbw-owners-bunch/3n9Lw_6W4Sk/unsubscribe. > To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to > [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
