Thanks. I had a Heron Road back in the day, too. It was a wonderful bike and I wish I still had it to complete the collection, but in reality, it is too racy for me. I'm much happier with wider tires and fenders.
I think the cantilever brakes I had last on the Heron Touring were the BR550s. I was on the fence between trying the V-brakes and the Tektro CR720 brakes. I'm glad I went with the V brakes. IMO, cantilevers are really an outdated design (and this is coming from a confirmed retrogrouch). They only still exist for fashion's sake. Chris On Monday, November 7, 2016 at 6:26:20 PM UTC-5, Ryan Fleming wrote: > > glad you found a solution that worked out; that's a very nice bike and you > might've suffered from seller's remorse. > > I'm not in the market for one of the Herons myself at this stage of the > game, but I've always thought they were really nice understated bikes and > I'm glad to see the brand is resurrected > > re: cantilevers; I had a horrid time with the Shimano BR550's which were > nice looking enough...cold-forged, yadda,yadda but did squeal and didn't > brake all that well. I thought the Shimano CX-70's were a vast > improvement...but you got the V-brakes to work, so your Heron sounds like > it's no longer on the chopping block > > On Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 4:45:33 PM UTC-6, Christopher Cote wrote: >> >> This thread motivated me to get out to the garage and install the >> V-brakes. I knew from having them on mountain bikes that they'd work fine, >> but I was hesitant because I've never liked the looks of a road bikes with >> V-brakes. Also, I didn't think I'd like the RL520 levers. I bought a set of >> the big fat Cane Creek aero levers when they first came out, and never >> liked them. I much prefer the old Shimano aero levers. I was pleasantly >> surprised that the brakes don't look too out of place, and I do like the >> feel of the RL520 levers. Of course, they work very well. They're light to >> the touch, powerful, smooth, and quiet. I can do stoppies and lock up the >> rear at will. >> >> I was able to get out for a short ride before it got dark. I didn't have >> time to tape the bars, as we're back in the dark ages, AKA standard time, >> and it gets dark at 4 o'clock in the afternoon here. >> >> <https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5ZrrT8J/0/XL/i-5ZrrT8J-XL.jpg> >> >> >> >> >> On Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 4:37:35 PM UTC-5, Patrick Moore wrote: >>> >>> Christopher: If the Heron can take 38 Compass tires, then, speaking only >>> for myself, I'd not hesitate for a minute to choose the Heron. IIRC (my Sam >>> Hill was an earlier model), the Sam can't fit tires much fatter. >>> >>> And V brakes are (at least judging from my experience in setting them up >>> and riding with them) much easier and better stopping than any canti I've >>> used. >>> >>> I have what may be a similar dilemma with my 1999 Joe Starck custom >>> fixed gear gofast. It's limited -- I asked Grant particularly for no dt >>> bottle cage braze ons, no tt cable housing stops or guides, no derailleur >>> hangar or housing stops (these things slow you down you know). Very many >>> times over the last 17-18 years I've told myself, "Alright, let's get real, >>> let's give this to Chauncey and have him braze on derailleur bits, rear >>> brake bits, bottle cage bits." Most recently, it's been rear brake bits, so >>> that I can use the lovely Sturmey Archer AM hub. But then, I take it out >>> for a climbing ride (it weighs under 18 lb), and I am once again convinced >>> that it would be foolish to alter it. >>> >>> Perhaps your dilemma is like this one. Me, I'd install V brakes and >>> Compass tires before I did anything else. The tires would do well on a Sam >>> Hill should you finally go that route. >>> >>> FWIW, I delight in taking the gofast, with Compass Elk Pass tires that >>> measure just under 28 mm on the skinny rims, on the less neglected of our >>> Rio Grand bosque acequia access trails. I admit to shivers of self >>> importance when, as I did just recently, pulled off the paved trail, >>> carried the bike across the motor vehicle barrier, set it down next to a >>> couple cyclocross riders, got on, and road off in the 76" fixed gear with >>> the single brake and 175 gram tires. I know, sorry. >>> >>> >>> >>> On Sun, Nov 6, 2016 at 10:06 AM, Christopher Cote < >>> christophe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Thanks Patrick! I do have a set of V-brakes and Tektro RL520 levers >>>> that I bought in a last-ditch effort to want to keep the bike. I haven't >>>> gotten around to installing them yet, as I've been enjoying my mountain >>>> bikes more this summer. I've also been eyeing the Compass 700x38mm tires, >>>> whatever they're called. Currently the bike is shod with some 40mm WTB >>>> Nanos that actually measure 37mm wide. I put them on for a "gravel" ride I >>>> did earlier this summer and haven't bothered to take them off since they >>>> ride surprisingly well on the road, too. >>>> >>>> Another bike that's on my radar is the Ocean Air Rambler. It's a little >>>> different in that it's a low-trail all-rounder rather than a touring bike, >>>> but I don't really do any loaded tours. Not sure about the low-trail >>>> thing, >>>> though. One of the many bikes that have passed through my ownership was an >>>> old Sekai that I found at a garage sale. I sold it because it "handled >>>> funny", but later learned that it's a sought-after low trail bike. Oops. I >>>> guess I should have given it a chance. >>>> >>>> Chris >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 9:54:49 AM UTC-5, Patrick Moore wrote: >>>>> >>>>> And, that's a beautiful bike, with plenty of (apparent) room under the >>>>> fenders. Why not try V brakes with the appropriate levers, and, if those >>>>> are Paselas, replace them with the Chinook Pass or perhaps even the >>>>> Stampede Pass -- Compass tires seem to run narrow, so you may find that >>>>> the >>>>> SP is small enough to fit easily under those fenders. >>>>> >>>>> I owned a Sam, and while it made a nice dirt-to-pavement all rounder, >>>>> IMO, it was rather stout in tubing and staid in handling to compete as a >>>>> dedicated road bike with other choices. >>>>> >>>>> On Sun, Nov 6, 2016 at 5:53 AM, Christopher Cote < >>>>> christophe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi all, this is my first post on this board, I've been lurking for a >>>>>> while. I recognize a lot of names from when I was active in the old iBOB >>>>>> mailing list years ago. Anyway, I signed up here because I'm considering >>>>>> a >>>>>> replacement for my Heron Touring. It's featued on Cyclofiend's "current >>>>>> classics" page here: >>>>>> http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2005/cc056-christophercote1105.html. I >>>>>> like the bike, it is comfortable and rides great, but I am in the "I >>>>>> don't >>>>>> like cantilever brakes" camp. I've had a few different brakes on it, >>>>>> each >>>>>> one lauded when it came out as the best canti that solves all the >>>>>> problems >>>>>> with cantis, but they all squeal, shudder, and don't brake as well as >>>>>> the >>>>>> calipers on my other bikes. I was considering the Hillborne. So, this >>>>>> review is a real eye-opener. I'm going to have to give this some >>>>>> consideration. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 4:18:29 AM UTC-4, twowheeledtexan >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hello all, >>>>>>> I'm the new owner of the previously mentioned Heron, and also an >>>>>>> owner of a 58cm 2TT Sam. I thought I'd drop a line and give my initial >>>>>>> impressions after only a couple commutes. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> My attraction to the Heron was mainly the canti brakes. I live in >>>>>>> the PNW and commute on my Sam, my 230lbs plus gear, rain, and hills is >>>>>>> more >>>>>>> than I feel the brakes on the Sam can handle. First were the long reach >>>>>>> Tektros, currently using Paul centerpulls which are only marginally >>>>>>> better. >>>>>>> On braking, the Heron wins easily with cantis. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The frame is certainly livelier. Lighter tubing than the Sam as >>>>>>> previously mentioned and the Sam has a 2TT. Heron rides more like my >>>>>>> Romulus, and the Sam feels more planted and firmer. The geometry of the >>>>>>> Heron I also like better, though that's a personal preference. The >>>>>>> front >>>>>>> end feels like it's a lower trail than the Sam, it has that wheel flop >>>>>>> turn >>>>>>> in that a low trail bike exhibits. The Heron also tracks straighter >>>>>>> while >>>>>>> riding no hands. The Sam had a tendency to wander a bit at high speed. >>>>>>> It >>>>>>> would move a little left, then a little right, almost like being >>>>>>> billowed >>>>>>> by wind. It wasn't a shimmy, but nevertheless it was a sensation that I >>>>>>> didn't like. So far the Heron tracks straight. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'll update as I have more time on the Heron. I did really enjoy my >>>>>>> Sam and if it had cantis I'd still be riding it. FYI, my Sam will be up >>>>>>> for >>>>>>> sale in the coming weeks after I move parts around and get settled into >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> Heron. If you're interested drop me a line. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Aaron >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 10:07:31 AM UTC-7, Jay in Tel Aviv >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I'm thinking about the Heron posted earlier to replace my Sam for c >>>>>>>> daily commuting and other on road bicycle related activities. My only >>>>>>>> other >>>>>>>> bike is a Brompton and that's all I have room for. I wasn't aware of >>>>>>>> Riv or >>>>>>>> GP when the Heron was current. Where does it fit in to the pantheon? >>>>>>>> Thoughts on the pros and cons of each model? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>> 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-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews. >>>>> By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching. >>>>> Other professional writing services. >>>>> http://www.resumespecialties.com/ >>>>> www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmooreresumespec/ >>>>> Patrick Moore >>>>> Alburquerque, Nouvelle Mexique, Vereinigte Staaten >>>>> ************************************* >>>>> *************************************************** >>>>> *The point which is the pivot of the norm is the motionless center of >>>>> a circumference on the contours of which all conditions, distinctions, >>>>> and >>>>> individualities revolve. *Chuang Tzu >>>>> >>>>> *Stat crux dum volvitur orbis.* *(The cross stands motionless while >>>>> the world revolves.) *Carthusian motto >>>>> >>>>> *It is *we *who change; *He* remains the same.* Eckhart >>>>> >>>>> *Kinei hos eromenon.* (*It moves [all things] as the beloved.) * >>>>> Aristotle >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>> 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-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com. >>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews. >>> By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching. >>> Other professional writing services. >>> http://www.resumespecialties.com/ >>> www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmooreresumespec/ >>> Patrick Moore >>> Alburquerque, Nouvelle Mexique, Vereinigte Staaten >>> ************************************* >>> *************************************************** >>> *The point which is the pivot of the norm is the motionless center of a >>> circumference on the contours of which all conditions, distinctions, and >>> individualities revolve. *Chuang Tzu >>> >>> *Stat crux dum volvitur orbis.* *(The cross stands motionless while the >>> world revolves.) *Carthusian motto >>> >>> *It is *we *who change; *He* remains the same.* Eckhart >>> >>> *Kinei hos eromenon.* (*It moves [all things] as the beloved.) * >>> Aristotle >>> >>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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