Sorry for cross posting -- wait, actually I'm not because I have a good reason: intelligent comment and advice from different readers on each list.
Anyway: I rode it 21 miles today, rolling and one big, long (for me, 1 1/4 mile -- Meadowlark between Corrales and Rio Rancho) hill. I'm gradually fine tuning the fit; as Steve P said, saddle height may well have to be adjusted for pedal type, shoe type and saddle type, and I've done so already for each of these parts. I may put a Flite on it, since the Turbo seems hard to get tilted just right. Will put more miles on it first, though. I could probably have used an 8 cm stem instead of the 9 for which I swapped out the 10, but again, we'll see. I rode in the hooks for at least 16 of the 21 miles, so the position itsn't too bad (I realize that I won't be doing that while touring for longer distances). The Noodles are nice, in a way: I like the hooks and that bump on the ramp; I don't like the hoods position or the bend as much as I like that of the 185 -- strange as that may seem. But the ramp serves as a substitue for the hoods -- *if* I can get the tilt right so that it neither gooses me nor tips me forward. I think I am noticing the longer reach compared to my 185s and the Bell Laps. Here is one thing I *do not* like about the bike, something I do not often experience because on steep hills I am usually standing and grinding. When I am sitting upright and soft pedaling in a low gear on a steepish incline, even without any rear load except the Logo and 2 almost empty Packers, the bike is very hard to keep in a straight line. I almost pulled out inadvertently at 6 mph in front of a passing car today. Otherwise, with weight not installed in a foolish fashion, it handles quite well; in particular, in curves. It does seem light on straights compared to my other Rivs and the Monocog, but there are so many differences that I can't begin to pin the difference onto one thing in particular. At any rate, as this will be largely a tourer, I am hoping that the new lowriders and small Ortliebs will make a difference. (Local builder, Dave Porter, said he'd braze on LR eyelets and prime them for $25 plus tax.) Less than 200 miles on it since I bought it in March, so I'd best get pedaling on it. More when I can ride it fully loaded front and rear. -- Patrick Moore Albuquerque, NM For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW at [email protected] -- 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.
