About three years ago, I was on the hunt for an upright riding position bicycle. My 1984 Raleigh Elkhorn that I modified was not cutting it for me. I never did fall in love with it. Next I found myself looking at Soma Buena Vista mixtes. From being a RBWOB group member for a number of years, I was offered a used 59cm lime olive Clem bicycle by a group member, who at the time told me that it would fit me without referring to Rivendell's sizing chart. To my shame later, I found out that the frame was too large for me. This was my first Rivendell bicycle.
I sold the 59cm Clem locally. I was now on the hunt for a 52cm RBW blue Clem. I had a conversation with Will Keating over the phone about bicycle frame painting in early November 2023. He asked me what I was looking for. I told him that I was looking for a 52cm RBW blue Clem. He quickly replied that he had one out on the floor as a demo. I became extremely excited, like a small boy on Christmas morning with a new toy. After he took pictures, I told him to ship it ! I bought it with a discount with the money I had from the sale of the 59cm Clem. My RBW blue Clem arrived three days later. After assembly, personal upgrades and tinkering over time, I have arrived with a bicycle that I am truly happy with, a bicycle that suits all of my senior cycling needs. She is a keeper by far and large. I am a big fan of step-through bicycles. No other bicycles in my stable. I sold my old very much loved road bike last year. A periwinkle Platypus bicycle ? No, not now, maybe in the future. I never thought I would own a Rivendell bicycle. I am very glad that I do now. Kim Hetzel. As we grow older, the handlebars get higher and the gears get lower. On Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 7:19:58 AM UTC-7 [email protected] wrote: > In 2023, I pulled the trigger on a Platypus, even though I had never seen > a Rivendell in person. I subscribed to the mailing list back in 2017 and > always wanted one, but they seemed out of my price range. At the time, I > also didn’t have much space for more bikes. That all changed when my main > bike bit the dust and it felt like a now-or-never moment. I originally had > my eye on a Clem, since it was more affordable and something I wouldn’t > mind locking up around NYC. But after reading so many Bikesnob articles > praising the Platypus, I was convinced. I talked myself into it and I > ordered a Sergio Green Platypus. > > My previous daily-rider was a singlespeed, so the Platypus was a bit more > bike than I needed for my commute. Its long frame also made it awkward to > shoulder and haul up and down 3 flights of stairs every day. I briefly > considered converting it to a singlespeed, but by some stroke of luck > Rivendell released the Roaduno the following summer. Buying another one > seemed nuts, but the Roaduno felt like *the* bike I always wanted. I > loved how the Platypus felt and the Roaduno was everything my old ride > never managed to be: lugged steel, room for big tires, all the rack mounts, > sidepull brakes, and best of all—track ends. I've said it before, but I'm > fully convinced the Roaduno is my ideal bicycle! > > -tio 'riv-pilled' ryan > On Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 8:46:19 AM UTC-4 [email protected] wrote: > >> I like this thread Joseph, as the Goldilocks Riv has been a tough catch >> for me, and the folks on this forum have been ever so gracious with >> advice/help. My timeline goes like this: >> >> 55cm Holdsworth Special(high school/college bike) Donated >> Lg Velo Orange Piolet(first "gravel bike"... fun, but overkill) Sold >> 53cm Atlantis from 2019(too small) Sold >> 56cm DTT Sam Hillborne(too tall with max'd tires) Sold >> 54cm Appaloosa(too small) For Sale >> 59cm Clem Smith Jr from 2024(Grocery getter/Camper) Keeper >> 60cm Platypus (recently acquired, in the stand now) >> >> I'm ashamed to admit that when I'd realized the Atlantis was too small I >> reached out to Riv and Roman told me with my dimensions that a 54 Sam or >> Appa would work, but that he thought then a 60cm Plat would be even >> better... I think I had it in my mind that I needed a diamond frame bike, >> but the Clem really opened my eyes to how wrong I was going about my "fit". >> Turns out I'm Riv's target audience with the step thru style, being 6 ft >> tall with a shorter PBH and I'm glad they've got options! >> >> For what it's worth, Bill Lindsay of this parish referenced in another >> thread that he looks at Reach more than listed CM sizing, and since >> upsizing I'm using that rule of thumb moving forward. >> >> >> On Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 8:17:02 AM UTC-4 Ryan wrote: >> >>> So @Ken, you're not a fan of the new "general use" green, either, I take >>> it? I have to say, I like it better than the lime-olive...and I don't think >>> color is a trivial consideration so in building my own collection of 3 Rivs >>> I picked colors I found appealing and I wouldn't get tired of....one of >>> which was Sherwood Green, a metallic dark green offered in the late 90s for >>> my allrounder. >>> >>> On Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 3:52:19 PM UTC-5 Ken Yokanovich wrote: >>> >>>> It has taken nearly 20 years to build a collection of Rivendell >>>> frames. Each one is a little different and better in one way, not as great >>>> in another. I have tried numerous times to put something together that >>>> satisfies all of the desires, but each attempt has resulted in a mess of >>>> compromise. >>>> >>>> If you forced me, I could maybe narrow it down to two: Appaloosa for >>>> duty and CG01 Curt Goodrich built Rivendell Custom road for fun. >>>> >>>> As I think about replacing my stolen Atlantis, it represents an example >>>> of compromise. It fulfilled the need for a loaded touring bike, and with >>>> the S&S couplers I could travel with it. However, the changeover was a >>>> PITA. I’m thinking another Appaloosa for touring (if offered in something >>>> other than &$+#% green) and ordering elsewhere for a travel bike. >>>> >>>> On Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 5:53:25 AM UTC-5 Steven Sweedler wrote: >>>> >>>>> I’ve owned 4 Rivendells, all used, a Road custom, Hunquapillar, >>>>> Atlantis, and a 700 c AR. What I couldn’t find was a 26” All Rounder. My >>>>> 4 >>>>> bike fleet now is 26”. >>>>> >>>>> Steven Sweedler >>>>> Plymouth, New Hampshire >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Sat, Jul 26, 2025 at 9:17 PM Joe Bernard <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I cheated and had a custom built for me but I've owned one each of >>>>>> just about every Rivbike at some point. It's hard to find a "grail" Riv >>>>>> because they're all very good. >>>>>> >>>>>> Joe "my Clem L is suspiciously dang near as good as my custom" >>>>>> Bernard >>>>>> >>>>>> On Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 11:01:40 AM UTC-7 Joseph Burge wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I know I am looking for a unicorn: a Hunq or Bomba in the 56-58cm >>>>>>> range, so it seems to be taking a long time which is fine. The search >>>>>>> has >>>>>>> become a bit of a fun hobby in itself and I have no shortage of other >>>>>>> bikes >>>>>>> to ride so I'm ok there too... >>>>>>> >>>>>>> But I am curious, for others who have looked for and eventually >>>>>>> found their "grail" Riv. What was your experience like? How long did it >>>>>>> take? Did you get lucky and find something quick? Or did it take weeks, >>>>>>> months, years or searching? Did anyone give up and go with a different >>>>>>> model? Or something slightly too big or small that they regret buying? >>>>>>> Anyone end up getting a completely different bike all together? Share >>>>>>> your >>>>>>> quest for your dream bike! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -Joe >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> >>>>> 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/6afaa993-613f-4f94-b9a4-b929e7fe2e22n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/6afaa993-613f-4f94-b9a4-b929e7fe2e22n%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/f194d2a7-80e2-4609-87f3-8f5d900a22e4n%40googlegroups.com.
