You're fine, Johnny. I'm having a weird day and shouldn't have posted at all. Apologies to you, apologies to Leah for screwing up her thread.
On Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 10:57:56 AM UTC-8 Johnny Alien wrote: > I felt bad calling Joe "Mr. Negative" and meant no ill will with the title > so deleted the post only to have you grab it before I did. lol > > Apologies Joe > > On Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 12:05:14 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! > wrote: > >> Johnny, I’m proactively deciding to like the bars! Because I spent money >> anodizing them, lol. So I knew next to nothing about Choco bars when I >> ordered them, but I met a man who had them on his new purple RoadUno and I >> thought they were beautiful. I guess I can’t imagine most sweepy bars being >> unusable. I do love the Billie and proabably like the Albatross a smidge >> better, but I wanted to do something different because I tend to choose one >> thing I like and repeat it to death. >> >> On Feb 9, 2025, at 11:53 AM, Johnny Alien <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Joe can feel free to be Mr. Negative. I personally think you will love >> the bars and hope thats the case. >> >> >> >> On Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 9:03:16 AM UTC-5 Drew Fitchette wrote: >> >>> Very stoked about seeing the Charlie, Leah! >>> >>> You can always list the mermaid Plat at double its value and just say “I >>> don’t know why it’s not selling?” When your husband asks. >>> >>> - Drew(who would never dream of doing something that nefarious to his >>> wife 😬) >>> >>> On Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 8:54:57 AM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote: >>> >>>> Unless she doesn't like Chocos. Bars are a very personal choice, >>>> there's no way to know until they're on a bike and being ridden.* >>>> >>>> * I love the look and angle of Billies but learned I couldn't get them >>>> high enough for my arthritic wrists. I went back to Boscos on my custom >>>> and >>>> Clem. >>>> >>>> Joe Bernard >>>> >>>> On Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 5:15:45 AM UTC-8 Johnny Alien wrote: >>>> >>>>> For road focused sweptback bars the losco and choco bars are absolute >>>>> top of the heap. Don't stress about going all in on them you won't >>>>> dislike >>>>> them >>>>> >>>>> On Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 7:45:24 AM UTC-5 Marty Gierke, >>>>> Stewartstown PA wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Catch and release Leah...catch and release >>>>>> >>>>>> [image: Screenshot 2025-02-09 at 7.36.06 AM.png] >>>>>> >>>>>> Seriously though: >>>>>> >>>>>> * Every bank you break, every ride you take, we'll be watching you.* >>>>>> >>>>>> Marty (who is taking delivery of his own bank-breaker tomorrow...) >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 7:21:03 AM UTC-5 Ryan wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I feel like you do enough road riding that the raspberry still >>>>>>> deserves that slot in the stable...4 bikes is not excessive to me :) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> So...more garage hooks like Eric says >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 5:12:51 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Ray! You are a FOE! A brilliant one. This is so dang funny, I >>>>>>>> almost spit my coffee at my keyboard! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> My actual current plan is to placate him by saying I’m selling my >>>>>>>> mermaid bike, but keeping it to be sure I like the Charlie first, then >>>>>>>> he >>>>>>>> will forget and I’ll just keep all four! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Feb 8, 2025, at 11:24 PM, Ray Varella <[email protected]> >>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Leah, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Your husband’s comment about having too many bikes illustrates that >>>>>>>> he doesn’t understand. >>>>>>>> You can take the alcoholic justification route and point out a >>>>>>>> recent thread about how many bikes other list members have. >>>>>>>> You could also give in just a little, not much and explain that you >>>>>>>> had noticed a slight overlap on a couple bikes but recouping the full >>>>>>>> amount would never happen. >>>>>>>> That would allow you to consider selling the mermaid frame but >>>>>>>> keeping all the carefully chosen components. >>>>>>>> It’s prudent to save the wheels because those could serve as backup >>>>>>>> for the Raspberry bike, either to run different tires or just have >>>>>>>> spare >>>>>>>> wheels because every serious cyclist has spare wheels. >>>>>>>> The rest of the parts will fit in a crate or box that’s easy to >>>>>>>> stash. >>>>>>>> Now he’s either walked away or he sees the reasoning. >>>>>>>> Now you have an entire build kit ready for the next frame. >>>>>>>> That should be easy to justify because you have everything but the >>>>>>>> frame. It’s practically free and it would almost be criminal to just >>>>>>>> let >>>>>>>> all those parts languish. >>>>>>>> You’ll be able to butter him up for the frame after Charlie, just >>>>>>>> give him some time so he feels like he had a win. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Ray >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 3:08:54 PM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle >>>>>>>> Ding Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Thanks, Jason! Garish - I take it as a high compliment. My >>>>>>>>> Pizzazopus always gets friendly remarks and I love to look down at it >>>>>>>>> when >>>>>>>>> I’m riding. I really thought I went all the way on that bike but then >>>>>>>>> I got >>>>>>>>> the Charlie and Ashley said, “Wanna anodize the handlebars?” And I >>>>>>>>> was >>>>>>>>> committed. Have you seen anyone do that? And once I knew it COULD be >>>>>>>>> done, >>>>>>>>> it had to be done. Regardless of garishness. I won’t get to admire >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> cranks and rims, but I’ll get to see those bars, won’t I? I’ll just >>>>>>>>> be >>>>>>>>> going in a flash of whirring aurora borealis on the club rides. So >>>>>>>>> much for >>>>>>>>> fitting in. I really hope I like Choco bars - never tried them but >>>>>>>>> now I’m >>>>>>>>> committed. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I remember the days when I joined the List and only silver parts >>>>>>>>> were allowed. Never black. Color was not even a thought. Look at us >>>>>>>>> now! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 1:30:34 PM UTC-5 Jason Fuller >>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Leah, you already know I'm fully on board with this, and I'm >>>>>>>>>> really excited to see it come together. Your husband's use of the >>>>>>>>>> word >>>>>>>>>> 'garish' for these builds doesn't strike me as factually incorrect, >>>>>>>>>> but >>>>>>>>>> being over the top is what makes them so much fun. But if garish >>>>>>>>>> implies >>>>>>>>>> that there's something haphazard or tasteless about it, then it's >>>>>>>>>> not the >>>>>>>>>> right word actually. It's exaggerated, excessive, but it WORKS and >>>>>>>>>> is very >>>>>>>>>> well calculated. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I am also excited to hear your first experiences riding it .. >>>>>>>>>> hopefully Michigan weather cooperates so you don't have to wait too >>>>>>>>>> long. >>>>>>>>>> While the Roadini would have been a more traditional pick for a club >>>>>>>>>> ride >>>>>>>>>> bike, it would feel so small versus your Platys - the Charlie should >>>>>>>>>> feel >>>>>>>>>> familiar in stance while being much quicker in stride. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Saturday, 8 February 2025 at 09:57:33 UTC-8 Tom Goodmann wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> As for selling a Rivendell, search "regret" in these >>>>>>>>>>> conversations! As each Riv design rides distinctively, and all ride >>>>>>>>>>> well, >>>>>>>>>>> it is easy to empathize, acknowledging all the same your particular >>>>>>>>>>> puzzle >>>>>>>>>>> over plural Platypuses. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Tom >>>>>>>>>>> Atlanta >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 12:00:51 PM UTC-5 lconley wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> The only solution to selling excess Rivendells is a larger >>>>>>>>>>>> garage. The only Rivendells that I have managed to sell were bare >>>>>>>>>>>> Rivendell >>>>>>>>>>>> frames which is why I not only have too many bikes, I have way, >>>>>>>>>>>> way too >>>>>>>>>>>> many extra components and wheels and tires. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Laing >>>>>>>>>>>> Delray Beach FL >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On Sat, Feb 8, 2025 at 11:07 AM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! < >>>>>>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> I had uses for all my Platypuses but with the Charlie taking >>>>>>>>>>>>> over road bike duty, my raspberry bike will be the get-around >>>>>>>>>>>>> bike. I >>>>>>>>>>>>> already put the Nitto Big Back Rack on it and will put locking >>>>>>>>>>>>> skewers on >>>>>>>>>>>>> it next. The purple bike is still gravel and travel. The mermaid >>>>>>>>>>>>> bike is >>>>>>>>>>>>> now superfluous. I would like to keep it, but it is truly >>>>>>>>>>>>> redundant, though >>>>>>>>>>>>> it would make a nice guest bike. My husband made the comment last >>>>>>>>>>>>> night >>>>>>>>>>>>> that we have too many bikes in the garage and I will be hard >>>>>>>>>>>>> pressed to >>>>>>>>>>>>> justify the space the mermaid bike takes up when the Charlie gets >>>>>>>>>>>>> built. >>>>>>>>>>>>> The parts on the mermaid Platypus are so expensive that I am not >>>>>>>>>>>>> sure >>>>>>>>>>>>> anyone would want to buy it at a price I can live with. I hope >>>>>>>>>>>>> this Charlie >>>>>>>>>>>>> really is as good as I think it will be… >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Sorry, just thinking out loud here! I’d love to hear other >>>>>>>>>>>>> Charlie owners’ impressions! >>>>>>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> On Friday, February 7, 2025 at 6:31:54 PM UTC-5 Roberta wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> What a great story from inception to near completion. The >>>>>>>>>>>>>> colors are awesome and really look like northern lights. I >>>>>>>>>>>>>> cannot wait to >>>>>>>>>>>>>> see the full bike reveal. Roberta >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 2:01:33 PM UTC-5 Bicycle >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Belle Ding Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My taste for bikes trends to the colorful side. My purple >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Platypus was the first bike I chose every single part for, and >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I’m proud of >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> how that little Platypus came out. I did it up in oil slick and >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> rainbow, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and after that, I decided that henceforth, all Leah Bikes will >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> be modeled >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> after natural wonders. I have the rainbow, and up next would be >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> northern lights. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I spent a decent amount of time trying to catch the northern >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> lights this summer, which is how the idea came to me. I decided >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to involve >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> two anodizers, the Mountain West’s celebrated woman anodizer, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ashley >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anodized It, and Velocity USA’s anodizer, David, whom I’d met >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and ridden >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> with on the Wednesday Evening Rides. Involving 2 anodizers and >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> hoping their >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pieces agree is a huge risk, but I couldn’t see a way around >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it. Here is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the inspiration photo I sent them: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [image: image0.jpeg] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If it was aluminum, I sent it to Ashley. I learned that >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> aluminum has differing qualities that make some types better >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> for taking >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> color than others. I think my Silver 3 cranks came out the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> best. The Silver >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> shifters were a nightmare. They had a plastic-y coating that >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> came apart in >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the liquid and they took color poorly. Ashley had not done a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pattern like >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Northern Lights before, so we had to invent it. She tried >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> several things, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> but she felt she was losing the NL theme and would strip the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> color and >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> start again. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> In the end, she got it exactly right. She made me the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> moodiest, swirliest night sky parts imaginable. Here are some >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of them: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg][image: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> image3.jpeg][image: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> image4.jpeg][image: image5.jpeg] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Meanwhile, David was at his post at Velocity, experimenting >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> with pattern and color. When you mix colors, you fight them >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> being “muddy.” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> He had to lift color with acid and apply different color, and >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> he got a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> similar effect on my Quill rims: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [image: image6.jpeg][image: image7.jpeg] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I’ve chosen my own colorful pieces to add to the build: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [image: image10.jpeg] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Everything is done now. My rims arrived and Ashley is about >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the send her things. I do need a Faceplater stem but would >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> otherwise be >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ready to build this bike. Probably in the next 2 weeks! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks for reading, if you got this far. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Feb 6, 2025, at 1:39 PM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! < >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I was happy. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I had my trio of Platypuses, each different from the next, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> so that anything I wanted to do was possible. I had been >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> casting glances >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> toward road bikes, but there were no 50cm Roadinis to be had, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> so I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> continued on my group rides astride my Racing Platypus. And >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> then I forgot >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about road bikes. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hype began to come out of Rivendell HQ about a new model, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> releasing soon. I love to read the copy on Riv’s website, and I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> always do, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> even if I’m not buying the bike. When I read that product >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> description, I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> thought, “Wait. It’s like they went and made a bike exactly for >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *me*.” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It was a road bike. It had a sloped top tube, came in >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> lighter tubing in my size, and was painted in a color I loved. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I ride a few >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> thousand miles a year, and most of them are road miles on club >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> rides. I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> could really do something with this bike. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> With 2 hours to the presale I decided I’d put one in my cart >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and see if I could make it mine. The New Yorker article had >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> come out and >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the Platypuses were decimated as soon as Rivendell released >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> them, so I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> wasn’t hopeful. I was shocked when my order went through. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I got…a golden Charlie. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> To be continued in the next post so I can embed some photos. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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/7Myd6HCEuQ0/unsubscribe >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> email to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/f4c2cedb-3f85-4140-98ed-19b880503bcfn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/f4c2cedb-3f85-4140-98ed-19b880503bcfn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> 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 view this discussion visit >>>>>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/cc4be8a0-20dc-41d1-95ac-e3b97605bf91n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/cc4be8a0-20dc-41d1-95ac-e3b97605bf91n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> 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/7Myd6HCEuQ0/unsubscribe >>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>>>> [email protected]. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/386c82da-6ebd-4413-a11d-2dea4ec7450cn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/386c82da-6ebd-4413-a11d-2dea4ec7450cn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >> 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/7Myd6HCEuQ0/unsubscribe >> . >> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >> [email protected]. >> >> To view this discussion visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/642ef0b1-d3a1-4f71-b553-90defd785eean%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/642ef0b1-d3a1-4f71-b553-90defd785eean%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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