I was a pretty early adopter of tubeless but have gone back to tubes on my more roadish bikes. I think there's more advantage to it with fat tires. I've been messing with using the cheaper TPU tubes mostly with success.
I really like my Varia too. It's about the only reason that I keep using a computer on my bikes. Back when I first heard about them, I was skeptical but after riding with someone who had one and seeing how it works, I was sold. The new one has a lot going for it but it's not in my budget right now. On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 4:33:21 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > Hi Drew! > > Yes, James has helped me a lot. And I owe him and Candice (that is the > correct spelling of her name) a LOT of credit for opening up my eyes to > what one can do with color on a bike build. Analog Cycles has a certain > artistry; you can see it on their product pages. > > Huh. I had not considered asking my 2nd son what HE might actually like > for a bike. I figure he doesn’t know. He has only given me one opinion, and > it was last summer. I had taken both sons to the wild Wed Night Ride in > Grand Rapids (home of Velocity Wheels!) and let him borrow my Platy because > it has dyno lighting. A few days later my family rode Chicago’s Lakefront > trail and he had his usual Clem H. He complained about it. “That other bike > I rode was better.” > > “What was better about it?” I inquired. > > “I don’t know, but just about everything on the bike was better than this > one.” > > And it was. That bike had much nicer parts and wheels and he could tell, > novice though he was. Plus, the 1st gen Clem H was way bulky and overbuilt. > I know they lightened the tubes in subsequent runs. > > I think there are only 2 logical choices for him. The Clem L or the > Platypus. I think he really needs a dropped tube for ease of riding around > a crowded city and jumping on/off with loads. We already know he likes a > Platypus; I just don’t know if I want to spend that much on him. I know he > will be religious about locking it up; I just don’t know if he will really > enjoy riding it outside of utilitarian college riding. The Clem is better > to be knocked around and abused. It’s sturdy and less expensive if stolen. > But if I knew that boy was going to fall in love with biking and want to > have adventures with it, I’d get him that Platy he already likes. And no, > he is absolutely NOT getting any of my Platys. Because I need alllll of > them. > > Also, we don’t know his final height. My boys are late bloomers; my older > boy came home another 2 inches taller his freshman year of college… > > RE: Garmin and cables and junk….I am about to go through every room and > every drawer in my house and purge it all. I cannot stand being encumbered > with stuff. Winter has been long and I believe in WINTER CLEANING not > spring cleaning - come springtime, I’m going to be outside in it. > > I hope you try tubeless! If you follow James’ advice, I think you’ll find > a winning formula! > L > > On Feb 5, 2026, at 11:11 AM, Drew Fitchette <[email protected]> wrote: > > Leah, I've not dipped into the tubeless realm but have emailed with James > from Analog about other things and trust him implicitly. In fact their > endorsement of Bitex touring hubs is why I bought a set of them for my new > wheel project! > > > Does your younger son have an eye for any bike from the Riv catalog in > particular? Or do you have a inkling which he might dig? As a younger > brother myself I never wanted the same thing my older brother had. If he > had been riding a Clem I'd probably say I wanted a drop bar Sam or Roadini > just to be different. Maybe it can be a fun project for you two, figuring > out what style of bike he's drawn toward. > > And on the Garmin note, My wife and I have a whole drawer of charge cables > for various things and I resent it deeply. I'm really glad that proprietary > plugs are becoming a thing of the past as we're migrating over to a > universal system, but definitely feel like companies should offer a rebate > or a trade-in within a certain amount of time when they know they're > launching a "new and improved" version of something. But then again, I > suppose the fact that I feel this way is precisely why I'm attracted to Riv > in the first place. Fully endorse grabbing a new one when it's something > you use so much though! > > On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 10:49:43 AM UTC-5 Ryan Fleming wrote: > >> Hear you...and I totally get your reason for upgrading >> >> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 7:25:05 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding >> Ding! wrote: >> >>> Yes, Ryan, I’ll sell it for sure. But it’s still a loss. It’s also a >>> worthy upgrade for the amount of road miles I get. But $300! Ugh. >>> >>> The next terrible thing they will do to me is make a way nicer Garmin >>> that I will insist I need. 😒 >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> On Feb 5, 2026, at 8:20 AM, Ryan Fleming <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Can't you just sell the Varia you have to recover some of the costs of >>> the new one if it's a significant improvement? >>> >>> >>> Don't love the planned obsolescence of tech's business model :( But in >>> your case upgrading does make a lot of sense. >>> >>> On Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 4:52:40 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding >>> Ding! wrote: >>> >>>> I stand in admiration of all of the mechanical prowess on this thread. >>>> >>>> I can do precious little, but on Sunday I DID bring two of my Platys >>>> into the mud room and do their sealant refresh. I’m kind of proud of >>>> myself >>>> because I’ve got this process down to an absolute science so that I don’t >>>> make a mess or unseat the tire. I love tubeless; I know lots of people say >>>> it’s too much trouble, but it hasn’t been for me. I use Orange Seal >>>> Endurance; James at Analog told me this is the way, and he has been right. >>>> Every 5 months I add 4oz per tire and it has kept me on the road. >>>> Naysayers >>>> will say 2 oz per tire and every couple of months, but James’ formula >>>> works. >>>> >>>> This week it was announced that the new Garmin Varia has arrived. >>>> Available tomorrow. I am so mad because I bought a Varia late last season >>>> and had I known, I’d have waited for the current one. It is an improvement >>>> in every way. USB-C port instead of that other dumb kind, way better >>>> battery, range and much brighter light. I have mounts on 3 of my bikes for >>>> that old Varia; if I want to get the new one it will be $$$ to swap all >>>> that out. But I just might do it; the battery life and not having to bring >>>> an extra cable would be so worth it on camping/touring trips. >>>> >>>> Also, I’m thinking about my second son’s college bike. My older son has >>>> his Clem at college and absolutely loves it. He has ridden every day, even >>>> through this heinous winter. We have a Clem H in the basement for my son, >>>> but he dislikes it. I’m going to start planning for his bike as he will be >>>> a senior next year. I might give him my dyno wheelset from my raspberry >>>> Platy and get a wild ano wheelset for my Platy from Velocity. That bike >>>> deserves more bling. You’ll think I’m crazy for giving him an expensive >>>> dyno wheelset but I tried sending the other one with battery lights and he >>>> lost some of them and charged NONE of them. “Mom, it’s fine, I can see >>>> perfectly.” Why should he worry that others cannot see HIM? 🙄 >>>> >>>> On Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 12:23:21 PM UTC-5 [email protected] >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Thanks drew! Did a quick rip the other week and it feels so great. >>>>> Drive is all recommended per James as he has just about the same set up >>>>> on >>>>> his platty and he ain’t lying. It feels great. Feels good to not give up >>>>> too much grip on the bars shifting while going down the bumpy stuff. Plus >>>>> having more accurate shifting is kinda nice vs playing th3 leavers a >>>>> bit! >>>>> Also I think having a clutch > rapid rise feels better. >>>>> Forgot to list the specs incase anyone is curious >>>>> RD - XT-M786 >>>>> FD - XT-M786 >>>>> Shifters right and left - XTR SL-M980 >>>>> >>>>> Ben R >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Feb 4, 2026 at 6:40 AM Drew Fitchette <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Ben, The Susie drive train looks awesome! I'd be lying if I said I >>>>>> wasn't tempted to snap up your old XTR RR derailleur but I'm trying not >>>>>> to >>>>>> buy things just to hoard them! >>>>>> >>>>>> Kesler, excuse my mistaking the tires for purple! I'm a little color >>>>>> blind... love the gravel king limited colors. super fun! >>>>>> >>>>>> Mackenzy, the Bike Friday looks great! I've always been BF/Brompton >>>>>> curious and love seeing all the builds. That things looks terribly >>>>>> convenient! Hope the swept back cockpit is all you were hoping for! >>>>>> >>>>>> - Drew >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 7:56:57 PM UTC-5 Mackenzy Albright >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I've been slowly working on a bike friday pocket rocket. I just >>>>>>> switched from drops and bar end shifters to soma oxford bars and >>>>>>> thumbie(s). We will see how it goes. [image: >>>>>>> PXL_20260204_005402310.jpg] >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Monday, February 2, 2026 at 9:29:12 AM UTC-8 [email protected] >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Ha! The tires are "cranberry" gravel kings. I just call them >>>>>>>> pink. The fact that they are largely covered by fenders makes them >>>>>>>> almost >>>>>>>> work, but that bike is pushing the limit of how many colors can be in >>>>>>>> one >>>>>>>> place. I also have the "matcha" gravel kings on another bike, but on >>>>>>>> that >>>>>>>> one everything is black. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Monday, February 2, 2026 at 12:01:40 PM UTC-5 Drew Fitchette >>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Eric, love to hear that WIll built you a wheel. Let's see the Sam >>>>>>>>> when you've got it all wired/set up! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> That Motobecane looks really nice James. Hope the Brifter project >>>>>>>>> makes stoked to get out on it more. Though, a Hunq is a worthy >>>>>>>>> everyday >>>>>>>>> rider. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Kesler, I like the wrap! Those purple tires are far out though! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Dave the Appa looks great. Hope the weather lets up some so it can >>>>>>>>> get out for some mileage. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Bill, that sounds like quite the project to get the Legolas some >>>>>>>>> new shoes and some extra gears. Looks great from the photos! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I just finished building a rear wheel yesterday for my next >>>>>>>>> project to realize that my front hub has thru axle end caps. A call >>>>>>>>> to Bike >>>>>>>>> Hub Store and they've got the right parts headed my way, but now I'm >>>>>>>>> shifting focus to a big overhaul of my Atlantis set up. Wanting to >>>>>>>>> lose my >>>>>>>>> Moth bars and Motolites for something less burly and a neo >>>>>>>>> retro/touring >>>>>>>>> canti set up. The Saluki just got a NOS Nexave RR derailleur and some >>>>>>>>> Suntour bar end ratcheting shifters and has been begging to get out >>>>>>>>> for a >>>>>>>>> ride since. Hoping the balmy 50 degree afternoon will give me a >>>>>>>>> chance to >>>>>>>>> put some miles on it today. >>>>>>>>> On Monday, February 2, 2026 at 2:41:14 AM UTC-5 Bill Lindsay wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> My winter project was to convert my 1x10 Legolas into a 1x12, >>>>>>>>>> mainly enabled by the magic of Ratio Technologies. They sell a >>>>>>>>>> replacement >>>>>>>>>> 12sp ratchet for my SRAM brifter, converting it from 10 clicks to >>>>>>>>>> 12, -AND- >>>>>>>>>> they make a replacement cage that converts my SRAM Force road rear >>>>>>>>>> derailleur into a unit that will accept a 50 tooth big cog, -AND- >>>>>>>>>> had a >>>>>>>>>> great sale on chainrings. I had a pair of 28 hole white industries >>>>>>>>>> hubs, >>>>>>>>>> and a stack of 28 hole Open pro rims, and a White Industries SRAM XD >>>>>>>>>> driver >>>>>>>>>> all in stock so I built up some wheels to replace my tubular >>>>>>>>>> wheelset, and >>>>>>>>>> bought a Garbaruk cassette in 10-48. I finally managed to take it >>>>>>>>>> on its >>>>>>>>>> first long ride today, and posted photos in the February Photos >>>>>>>>>> thread. >>>>>>>>>> The new drivetrain worked great. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Bill Lindsay >>>>>>>>>> El Cerrito, CA >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 7:10:05 AM UTC-8 Drew Fitchette >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Hey y’all, >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Reading through Leah’s thread about winter being long and >>>>>>>>>>> missing our bikes, I was curious to hear what y’all have in your >>>>>>>>>>> queues for >>>>>>>>>>> builds/projects/part swaps? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I think I’m going to try my hand at building some wheels for the >>>>>>>>>>> first time. I ordered some Bitex Hubs and some Simworks standalone >>>>>>>>>>> rims and >>>>>>>>>>> have a friend at my local bike shop who’s agreed to help me with >>>>>>>>>>> this >>>>>>>>>>> foolish venture. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Would love to hear what the rest of you are getting up to in >>>>>>>>>>> your shops/basements/garages while we wait out the bad weather! >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> - Drew in Atlanta >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>> 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/MKKgGZ7gAdo/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/e63ee7e6-e042-4ed9-ada0-4ae8a10bec90n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e63ee7e6-e042-4ed9-ada0-4ae8a10bec90n%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/MKKgGZ7gAdo/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/c2a78b6c-0664-4883-8ee4-21e465ce2a7an%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c2a78b6c-0664-4883-8ee4-21e465ce2a7an%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/MKKgGZ7gAdo/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/6138f26e-95c1-4e6e-a8d3-828cec60f567n%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/6138f26e-95c1-4e6e-a8d3-828cec60f567n%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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