@Doug H, I posted the Protogallop in this thread https://groups.google.com/g/rbw-owners-bunch/c/j5vUNKjgsUE/m/rD97QHpSCQAJ
On Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 2:48:39 PM UTC-5 Ed Carolipio wrote: > I have a 45cm Clem L (2017 with 26 x 2.1 tires, SunRingle RhynoLite rims) > and a Small Gus (2020 with 27.5 x 2.4, Cliffhanger rims) so caveat my > experiences as a shorter (78cm PBH) and a "stouter" (220 lbs) rider than > you. Also, I think I'm supposed to be on a 52cm Clem so there's a slight > apples-to-oranges effect in the comparison. > > I set up the Gus as a trail bike, with a large handlebar bag and a large > saddle bag supported by a Mark's rack, both which center the load > left/right and keeps the weight between the axles. I run the > super-wide-swept back Tosco Bullmoose-style bars. Set up this way I find it > capable and comfortable on our rocky, loose-over-hardpack trails in SoCal > as long as the trail is not overly technical. I have the Clem set up as a > flat bar urban commuter (I'm using a Jones loop) with fenders, a front > basket, and large Nitto rear rack. The Clem L handles "like a Riv," takes > to loads well, and always feels solid. > > I tried the Gus as a pavement commuter and ... nope. I didn't like how it > steered with a load in a front basket, and too soft a front tire leads self > steering on pavement. I like to run a single heavy pannier when commuting, > and the Gus really didn't like that offset load. (The Clem isn't bothered > by the same load.) The Gus is so much bigger in every dimension than the > Clem L so, as others have pointed out, it's harder to live with in the > city. I haven't tried the Clem L on dirt but I suspect it would perform > competently on groomed dirt paths and maybe some single track when set up > with a swept back Bosco, bag-and-racks, no fenders, and wider tires. > > That said, I've tried a few setups on the Clem L and have always preferred > the way the Gus rides over it (which granted may be due to the sizing > difference.) Forced between the two, I'd keep the Gus and live with its > shortcomings as a city bike and pavement commuter - I just like the "rigid > steel trail bike" ride which the Gus provides. > > --Ed C. > > On Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 1:08:51 PM UTC-8 Kiley Demond wrote: > >> This has probably been hashed over numerous times so at the risk of >> making some of you go "arghhhh!"... >> >> What are the differences of note between Clem L. and Susie W.? >> >> - Handling (stability, nimbleness) >> - Wieldy-ness (overall size, weight, etc.) >> - Suitability for electrifying at a future date >> - Any other thoughts, whether experiential or theoretical >> >> The person asking is 5'10" 140lbs with a pbh of 91. I had a 60cm Cheviot >> which I loved but sold several years ago when financial issues overrode >> having such a fancy ride. I would prefer to buy a frame only and do the >> build myself. I was gutted when I saw that an orange Susie W. frame was >> listed (and sold); I wasn't paying sufficient attention. I "won" the >> right-to-purchase lottery for a Clem but couldn't do it because they were >> sold as complete and I hadn't done my due diligence on Susie Ws. >> >> Thank you for your collective insights and wisdom! >> > -- 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/890489fa-c8e6-4a9e-9533-816042481f15n%40googlegroups.com.
