Hi Mike, I've owned both. I currently own an Appaloosa (2023 production run), I sold my Hillborne (2017) to make the switch. There is more of a Cadillac-esque ride to the Appaloosa. The first time I rode it my brother-in-law and I took it out and kept commenting on how we'd never ridden a bike that felt so smooth and stable. The longer chain stays and geometry do give it that unique riding experience that so many people talk about.
I made the switch for a variety of reasons (fit bigger tires, longer wheelbase ride, be able to carry more weight comfortably). All that being said, there are things I miss about the Sam and I think it might make more sense for the riding you're describing. The Sam is lighter and accelerates faster, it's also more responsive and 'springy'. For context, I used the Sam as a daily commuter in Seattle, grocery hauler, light trail shredder, and loaded multi-day tourer/bikecamper. It held up to all of those uses very well. The Sam is a very fun bike and I think it's as close to an all around bike as Rivendell makes. Hopefully I didn't make you more confused. Like others have said they are both great bikes. Al Grand Rapids On Monday, November 3, 2025 at 3:44:33 PM UTC-5 Mike in BK wrote: > Thanks all. Just the kind of insight I needed. Not having the opportunity > to test either out makes it tough to decide. > > On Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 6:19:46 PM UTC-4 [email protected] wrote: > >> Mike, >> >> I had the same thoughts as you on the Appaloosa. I started with a Sam >> before they were cantilever braked. At the time, I was able to test ride >> both the Sam and the Joe since I'm local to East Bay. They were similar, >> but the Sam definitely felt more road like and more responsive in that way. >> Being more of a road rider then, I decided to get the Sam. It was a great >> bike but then my riding changed and I wanted something that could handle >> more rough trails and heavier touring but still feel good on the road. So >> I went back to the Joe and I couldn't be happier. I'm doing equal parts >> road, dirt, and touring and it's the perfect bike for all that. I do think >> it's the closest to the bike for everything if you're willing to compromise >> some on the outside edges of the spectrum. For example, Joe feels great >> on the road if I use drop bars and stay on flat or light hills and >> descending. It's not a great climbing bike though. On the other end, it's >> good on most trails except for super technical, downhill type stuff which >> is fine for me because I have no business on those trails. And touring it >> is a dream, no complaints. >> >> So I'd suggest you just really look carefully at the type of riding >> you'll do and then make the decision based on that. They are both great >> bikes. >> >> Ryan, super happy Appaloosa rider >> >> On Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 6:54:14 AM UTC-7 Mike in BK wrote: >> >>> Excellent insight. Would be great to see a pic of the Sam. Maybe the >>> Appaloosa will be your go-to and you can sell it to me, lol! Half kidding, >>> but always like to see a well loved Sam if you have pics to post. Thanks! >>> >>> On Friday, October 31, 2025 at 10:56:29 AM UTC-4 [email protected] >>> wrote: >>> >>>> FWIW, I'm in a similar position and own a Sam and it's an amazing bike: >>>> I live in Chicago, most of my miles are commuting, limestone paths, >>>> streets >>>> and roads. I have a Hillborne and it is dreamy for all that, plus loaded >>>> rides on paved/good condition gravel roads. I'd describe the ride as super >>>> comfortable, stable, agile, responsive but not at all twitchy. From what >>>> you describe you do and aspire to do, it seems pretty ideal. It's really a >>>> wonderful bike that's so versatile. >>>> >>>> Having converted a vintage Rockhopper to be rivish in the past, there >>>> is just no comparison to the Sam. The Sam is so much livelier, more >>>> comfortable, beautiful, stable, and fun. That Rockhopper was a lot of fun >>>> and inexpensive, but to me, they are totally different rides. >>>> >>>> Re chainstays: They're long by standards of most contemporary bikes, >>>> just not quite as long as an Atlantis or some other Rivs. Some folks on >>>> the >>>> list find that relative shortness to be an advantage, as it makes the bike >>>> more maneuverable both on an off trail. If you find yourself lifting your >>>> bike up stairs, onto trains, into elevators, you might appreciate the >>>> shorter wheelbase, too. I know I've been in some situations where I >>>> thought: good gravy this is a big bike (57 Sam from 2021); thank goodness >>>> I >>>> don't have one of the longer models! >>>> >>>> All that said, I'm lusty for an Appaloosa, because I'm planning on some >>>> long distance dirt touring where I want big chunky tires, and a different >>>> setup than my Sam. But if that wasn't in the works, I wouldn't feel the >>>> need for any other bike. >>>> >>>> On Friday, October 31, 2025 at 9:24:37 AM UTC-5 Mike in BK wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi gang. I'm itching for my first Riv and decision time is upon me. In >>>>> Brooklyn I'm rather relegated to paved rides, usually laps in the park. I >>>>> was never fast, but now I'm rather slow. I don't have a computer on my >>>>> bike >>>>> and can't remember the last time I did. I'm tired of clipless pedals and >>>>> lycra shorts. I want to indulge in "the art of taking it slow" and have a >>>>> bike that expands on that magic sensation I feel when I ride my 1981 Trek >>>>> 710 with 531 tubing and longer chainstays. Bigger tires for starters and >>>>> Grant's progressive designs. I built a '93 Rockhopper with Toscos, a B17, >>>>> and 2.2 tires for riding upstate and it's fun! That frame's position >>>>> doesn't really work for longer rides and getting distance covered at a >>>>> reasonable rate. I had the idea that I would go down to just one bike and >>>>> pick my perfect do-it-all Riv. I don't think that's very realistic, so >>>>> maybe the Trek will always have a use for strictly road rides. That >>>>> leaves >>>>> commuting, leisurely rides, and some gravel and trail riding when I can >>>>> get >>>>> to it. Hillborne you say? Not a bad idea, but I don't hear the same >>>>> glowing >>>>> reviews of "Cadillac" type ride, and supreme comfort like I do when folks >>>>> write about Appaloosas, Platypi, and Charlie Gallops. Slack headtube; >>>>> long >>>>> chainstays; I'm buying in. The geo for the 61cm Charlie resembles the >>>>> 57cm >>>>> Appaloosa more than anything else. (I noticed the headtube of the Joe >>>>> went >>>>> from 72 degrees to 70 degrees not too long ago, maybe that started with >>>>> the >>>>> Sergio green run). I don't think the Charlie would be ideal for trails >>>>> under my 200 lbs, so I'm getting interested in the Joe. Antonio at RBW >>>>> advised me that the Joe might be too long and heavy for my needs and >>>>> recommended the Sam. I'm not sure if I'm jazzed about the Sam the same >>>>> way, >>>>> and no less important for such an investment, the lime olive Joe coming >>>>> up >>>>> is a way preferable color to the offerings of the Hillbornes pre-selling >>>>> next week. I'd buy a used olive Hillborne (57cm) but no one ever sells >>>>> their Riv! Any feedback from folks riding recent issue Appaloosas and >>>>> Hillbornes would be very welcome. Thanks! >>>> >>>> -- 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/b61c6f06-cba2-4b5f-9255-e2eda3a7d166n%40googlegroups.com.
