Looking at the new Homer vs. new (canti/V) Sam, the question popped up in my mind, why bother with side pull and center pull brakes any longer? Aesthetics? And if so, are the aesthetics of canti/V *that *offensive to some? Is there some technical reason? I'm asking because I'm truly interested what others think, and don't know why *I* would choose a bike with side/center pulls over canti/V's, all else the same.
If Riv, in an effort to reduce redundancy, and *if* it allowed them to offer more different models (I don't know that it would, just guessing), determined that all future bikes will be offered only with canti/V posts, is there anyone that would be significantly miffed? The new catalog almost seems hard pressed to justify *significant* differences in Homer/Sam, Atlantis/Joe. It seems that most on this forum at least, and Riv, are in the bigger tire with fender camp. I've never read a post about someone wishing for less room for tires and fenders. The majority tend not to be weight weenies, or at least keep 1 featherweight in their stable for racing, but like their other frames for other reasons. I don't know if we on this forum are in the majority of all Riv owners, but by looking at the more-decked-out-than-my-Riv "New Bike Saturday" pictures on Riv's instagram, I'm guessing weight is their last concern.... In general, I would prefer Riv offer either a Homer or a Sam, and either an Atlantis or a Joe. I'm making a big assumption that doing so would be financially better, but for some reason it might not be. Anyway, pick the best of each and introduce Homer Hillborne and Joe Atlantis (kidding, but you know what I mean) Each would offer 650b options in the mid sizes and only canti/V brakes. And, after ridding itself of those 2 redundancies, inject 1 or 2 new bikes into the mix that are not loaded tourers or country bikes. I'm no business major, but seems to me that redundant models of bikes isn't far off from the GM failed strategy of offering basically the same car but calling one a Buick X vs. a Pontiac Y vs. a Olds Z, and we know where that ended up. I just want Riv to succeed in a big way. I so love their bikes. So, I started thinking, in a curious way, if it were me, what would I do differently? Starting with only canti/V brakes and some 650b options in all/most models might be a place to start. Curious about others thoughts. Tom -- 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
