This one's a beauty! Nice to see a Ram without drop bars. Curious if anyone has tried / seen one with Billie bars? Been considering getting a ram, but do feel a bit obsessed with upright bars, and think it *could* be weird or *could* be cool..
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 11:48:33 AM UTC-8 [email protected] wrote: > Victor - > > Ive comfortably got 38mm RH Knobbies on my Ram. I think the type of brake > you are using is going to decifer how much room you'll have. > I use the TRP R559s and i can comfortably fit 38 knobs. I have even seen > 43mm Rock n Roads on a Ram. Let me attach a photo of a build I saw. > > [image: image0.jpeg] > Bryan > > On Feb 24, 2026, at 2:44 PM, Victor Meng <[email protected]> wrote: > > Thank you all for chiming in. I appreciate the input. > > > Johnny - you raise a fair point. I like the GKs just fine, and wonder if > I should just leave well enough alone. I've read such great things about > RH tires though... > > Ben - thanks for your comment. If I understand it correctly, I think I > have enough clearance from the Racer Ms I've got on the Ram. One follow up > question though: have the Barlow Passes on your two Rams expanded over > time like Patrick mentioned? Not sure if my chainstay will have enough > clearance if the Barlow Pass expand appreciably over time. > > <IMG_0192.jpeg> > > Thanks again, > Victor > > On Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 11:20:06 AM UTC-8 Ben Miller wrote: > >> I believe I have fit RH Barlow Pass 38mm's on 3 different Rams at this >> point (two of which are in my garage currently). The tightest point isn't >> actually the chainstays in the rear tri, but the caliper clearance. This >> can be alleviated by different brakes, but something to consider. Never >> attempted Steilacooms, as I find the slicks more than adequate for the >> (usually, though not currently) dry champagne gravel that I take the Ram on >> occasionally around the Bay. >> >> Ben "who went down twice(!) riding Fleecer Ridge 55 knobbies on Sunday >> trying to ride local single track while it was too wet" in SF >> >> On Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 9:54:09 AM UTC-8 Corwin Zechar wrote: >> >>> I have ridden 38 mm Schwalbe Marathon Supremes on my first generation >>> orange Ram. This is without fenders of course. >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> >>> Corwin >>> San Francisco Bay Area >>> On Monday, February 23, 2026 at 10:06:45 PM UTC-8 Victor Meng wrote: >>> >>>> To my fellow Ram riders, >>>> >>>> I have a question about tire clearance for my '05 blue Ram. I >>>> currently run 35mm GravelKing SK. I live in the SF Bay Area and ride the >>>> Ram around the East Bay and on some gravel on the Bay Trail, which the >>>> GravelKings are great for. When riding trails in Oakland Hills I usually >>>> take my Homer that has 47mm Terra Trails. But Ben's green Ram with Barlow >>>> Pass and Bryan's orange one with Steilacoom from this thread has piqued my >>>> interest in the two Rene Herse 38mm options. I don't have a caliper but >>>> the GravelKings measure around 35mm with a tape measure on rims with 18mm >>>> internal width. As you can see, there isn't much space left to spare; I >>>> have about 4mm of clearance to the chain stay on either side in the rear >>>> (I >>>> can just fit in a 4mm hex wrench). Do you guys think my Ram could safely >>>> fit either RH 38mm tire in the available space? To the extent it's >>>> relevant, I'm light weight at 150lbs. Any thoughts appreciated. >>>> >>>> [image: IMG_0193.jpeg] >>>> [image: IMG_0195.jpeg] >>>> >>>> Best, >>>> Victor >>>> >>>> On Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 8:19:47 PM UTC-7 Cal Patterson wrote: >>>> >>>>> Thanks Ben and Joyce, >>>>> The front bag was made by Jay Ritchey, bagsxbird. Everything I've >>>>> gotten from him has been super well made and lasted a long time for me, >>>>> I'm >>>>> a believer. Top notch stuff. That bag is/was called the Tailgrab, and I* >>>>> think* it's white, or offwhite ecopack fabric. >>>>> I spaced it off the front brake cable/taillight wire/head tube >>>>> interaction like so (attached picture below): >>>>> Just 2 foam spacer blocks and a strap. It's loose enough to not squeak >>>>> or affect steering. >>>>> >>>>> On Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 1:35:35 PM UTC-7 [email protected] >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Ben - never thought about horizontal spacing, only vertical. If I get >>>>>> it out a little further with a washer that should solve the problem. >>>>>> Thanks >>>>>> so much! >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tue, Oct 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM Ben Miller <[email protected]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Bryan, thanks for the kind words and sharing a photo of your Ram. >>>>>>> That's a finely curated build right there. Agree that the Steilacoom's >>>>>>> look >>>>>>> great! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yeah, that style light mount can be tricky with certain headsets. I >>>>>>> think the Tange caged BB headset that came with the frame has just >>>>>>> enough >>>>>>> clearance to play nice with the mount. But I know other headsets that >>>>>>> are a >>>>>>> bit bulkier that I had issues. I think I used a spacer washer on one to >>>>>>> get >>>>>>> the mount to clear the headset. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 1:04:55 PM UTC-7 >>>>>>> [email protected] wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Those Steilacooms look good, Bryan! >>>>>>>> On Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 1:22:53 PM UTC-7 Bryan Dalik wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Ben what a perfect build that is - i'll attach a photo of mine as >>>>>>>>> well as it's been very very fun to make this frame into a true >>>>>>>>> "country >>>>>>>>> bike". Quick question for you - I have the same light mount on the >>>>>>>>> fork >>>>>>>>> crown and it's a matter of millimeters to get the light mount into >>>>>>>>> that >>>>>>>>> position without rubbing the tire or the bottom of the headset. Do >>>>>>>>> you have >>>>>>>>> the same extremely tight clearance? Trying to see if I can get that >>>>>>>>> to be a >>>>>>>>> little more easy of a fit. Seeing your deeper setback seatpost was a >>>>>>>>> lightbulb for me too as I feel I'm a bit tight in terms of reach on >>>>>>>>> mine. >>>>>>>>> Hoping 30mm setback will do the trick. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Bryan >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Friday, October 17, 2025 at 4:03:46 PM UTC-4 Ben Miller wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Cal, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Thank you for sharing such a gorgeous Ram build! Ritchey Logic >>>>>>>>>> cranks, centerpull brakes, front and rear dynamo lights, plump >>>>>>>>>> Ultradynamico tyres, and a big handlebar bag! Build after my own >>>>>>>>>> heart. Do >>>>>>>>>> you have some support to keep the bag off the front brake cable? I >>>>>>>>>> hacked >>>>>>>>>> together something from a Gilles Berthoud decaleur, but it's not >>>>>>>>>> perfect >>>>>>>>>> and still my bag interfers with the front light a bit. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Below is how my Ram looks currently. The drivetrain changed >>>>>>>>>> almost completely. I rode it yesterday after seeing your post. It is >>>>>>>>>> such a >>>>>>>>>> great ride. And I believe I saw a fellow Rabouiletter out on the new >>>>>>>>>> SF >>>>>>>>>> Sunset Dune's park. Almost as cool as that Rivendell St sign ;) >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> [image: PXL_20240713_012533835~2.jpg] >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 1:35:32 PM UTC-7 Cal Patterson >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I see that this is an old thread but I wanted to contribute my >>>>>>>>>>> Ram which is also a 64 and also green. I've got 650b wheels on it >>>>>>>>>>> and 48 >>>>>>>>>>> tires that barely fit (crimped the chainstay a smidge). 2x8 >>>>>>>>>>> shifting, 44/28 >>>>>>>>>>> in the front and an 8 speed XT in the back, 12-28 maybe? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 8:57:25 PM UTC-8 Ben Miller >>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> A couple folks commented on my workbench, thanks! I got it >>>>>>>>>>>> partially restored from a friend, but now it's mostly used as a >>>>>>>>>>>> table. >>>>>>>>>>>> Attached is a photo of it in front of the workbench I built and >>>>>>>>>>>> use as >>>>>>>>>>>> such. A modern take on the french Roubo workbench. Makes for a >>>>>>>>>>>> more >>>>>>>>>>>> cluttered photo, but oh well. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> As far as the bike, I wrapped the handlebars in leather sewn >>>>>>>>>>>> wraps I got from Walnut Studiolo. I also put on some MKS/Simworks >>>>>>>>>>>> Bubbly >>>>>>>>>>>> Bronze pedals. Both the wrap and the pedals look super nice to me, >>>>>>>>>>>> really >>>>>>>>>>>> completes the look. The pedals are amazing, so smooth and love the >>>>>>>>>>>> wide >>>>>>>>>>>> platform. The wraps seem good so far, though I normally like a >>>>>>>>>>>> thicker one. >>>>>>>>>>>> I also shortened the brake cables, per Mark's suggestion. And I >>>>>>>>>>>> was having >>>>>>>>>>>> some shifter issues if the Silver DT's (as noted on another recent >>>>>>>>>>>> thread). >>>>>>>>>>>> I removed them and packed them with teflon grease which seems to >>>>>>>>>>>> be a big >>>>>>>>>>>> improvement. Overall I am really loving this build! This bike just >>>>>>>>>>>> disappears under you in the best possible way. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Also including a photo at sunset on Twin Peaks in SF tonight, >>>>>>>>>>>> you can't really see the Ram all that much, but that is okay cause >>>>>>>>>>>> it is a >>>>>>>>>>>> beautiful photo. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 6:11:13 PM UTC-8 Jay LePree >>>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks very much for the information. I started researching >>>>>>>>>>>>> painters in my area, and was surprised to find how many autobody >>>>>>>>>>>>> shops will >>>>>>>>>>>>> paint bicycles on the side. >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Best to you, >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Jay LePree >>>>>>>>>>>>> Demarest, NJ >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> On Monday, February 15, 2021 at 7:23:17 PM UTC-5 Fullylugged >>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jay: I had mine painted in Pelham AL by Nathan Barnes ( >>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.instagram.com/nate_barnes81/). He paints cars >>>>>>>>>>>>>> and motorcycles during the week, bicycles (and sometimes plane >>>>>>>>>>>>>> parts) on >>>>>>>>>>>>>> the weekend. I think he does great work and he is very >>>>>>>>>>>>>> reasonable in cost. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a PDF of the decals and had them made by a decal shop in >>>>>>>>>>>>>> MS. It was >>>>>>>>>>>>>> pretty reasonable and there are two clear coats over them on my >>>>>>>>>>>>>> bike. My >>>>>>>>>>>>>> color is actually a past Ford Mustang color called Autumn Gold. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> I didn't >>>>>>>>>>>>>> like it on the cars but I think it's very nice on the bicycle. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> The cream is >>>>>>>>>>>>>> standard RBW same as came on the bike. Msg me if you want more >>>>>>>>>>>>>> info on >>>>>>>>>>>>>> decals. I've helped someone else here on the list as well, but >>>>>>>>>>>>>> am getting >>>>>>>>>>>>>> old and forgetful so I couldn't say who. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> the Old Slow Guy >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Monday, February 15, 2021 at 8:17:23 AM UTC-6 Jay LePree >>>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ben: That is beautiful. I have one of the last orange >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> white 54 cm that we sold. (I purchased it in 2003). I have >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> been looking >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> for a painter. Where did you have your bike painted? How did >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you get the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> new decals? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jay >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Demarest, NJ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Friday, February 12, 2021 at 5:31:58 PM UTC-5 Ben Miller >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hello Fellow RBW Owners, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wanted to do a little update on my Rambouillet build in >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> progress, now that it is actually taking form. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> First, a little bit of background. I've been lucky enough >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to have built up four (4!) Riv bikes already, but this is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> really shaping up >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to be a truly unique one for me. This Ram’s story started (for >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> me) way back >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in late 2017 with me purchasing it off fellow list member >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Keith as a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> F/F/HS. Unfortunately a number of not so great life events >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> happened shortly >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> after that, including fracturing my leg, taking me off the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> bike for nearly >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 6 months. The frame moved with me down a new path in life, but >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> mostly >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> collected dust in my garage. Not forgotten or abandoned, but >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> definitely a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> bit lonely while I worked on 2 more bikes that were more >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> recently acquired. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> During this time I quietly acquired used parts and ideas that >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> eventually >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> coalesced into a build for the Rambouillet. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Ram frame itself is 64 cm painted with a beautiful sage >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> green with a bit of pearl iridescent to it. It has a couple of >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> small paint >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> chips on the non-drive side seatstay, but otherwise in >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pristine condition. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It was included with a Tange headset. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Previous Rivendell builds had mostly involved me purchasing >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> brand new components (not having a large parts bin to work off >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of), I think >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> these builds were still fun and interesting, but really been >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> driven by new >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> or recent bike component technology. My vision for the Ram >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> build is really >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to focus on used/vintage/NOS stock parts as much as possible, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> but also fun >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and practical to me. I know, not a revolutionary design >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> principle, but this >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is my first time executing it. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The heart of this began around the idea of setting it up as >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a DT friction shifting using a vintage Huret Duopar Eco I got >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> off eBay. The >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Duopar was originally introduced in 1975 with the Eco being >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> released in >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1981. These 40 year old derailleurs were originally intended >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> for 6 speed >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> freewheel, but through the magic of friction shifting and a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> little >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> finessing, seem to work just fine with a 9 speed cassette. The >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> big thing >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about the Duopar is it was one of first (perhaps the first?) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> derailluer to >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> handle up to a 36t cog and 40 teeth of chainwrap. My >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> understanding is that >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> these RD’s are slightly controversial in terms of either >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> loving or hating >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> them (lots is said about their maintenance issues), but part >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of this was >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> trying to find out for myself. As I am just starting to learn >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about these >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> derailleurs, it’d be nice to hear from others about their >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> experience! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Over the last couple of days I’ve been able to get the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Duopar dialed in and shift through a Shimano HG 11-36 cassette >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> using Silver >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> DT shifters and paired with a Sugino triple that I converted >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to 44/30. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Today I finished mounting a pair of Paul Racer centerpulls >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that I got off a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> list member and got strung together to the NOS Mafac levers I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> got off eBay. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> These are mounted on the Crust Shaka bars (my new favorite >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> bars), which is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> so far the only brand new part on this build besides the Velo >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Orange >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> seatpost (I did have a vintage seatpost I had been planning on >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> using, but >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the mounting plates have a lot of corrosion that is preventing >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> them from >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> providing a tight hold). With brakes on and functional, I was >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> able to take >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it out and test the shifting in real conditions. And I have to >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> say, it >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> feels really nice, couldn’t be happier at this point. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The eventual plan is to swap the 700c wheels for 650b (but >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the 650b wheels that I had planned to go on here ended up on >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> my girlfriends >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Rambouillet!) and put on 42mm BSP’s. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I know this is a long write-up, but it’s been a long road >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to this build. But it is finally nearing culmination. I have >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to say, what a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> time to be alive and into bikes, with so many different >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> options and ways to >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> approach a bike build. I feel pretty lucky and excited for how >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> this is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> gonna turn out! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> 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/wlTJZxk8-Oc/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/7ad6944c-9145-4df1-a64e-5875ec712c6cn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>> >>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/7ad6944c-9145-4df1-a64e-5875ec712c6cn%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/wlTJZxk8-Oc/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/0d814318-5d93-44a1-a1ad-f010acdd1d3cn%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/0d814318-5d93-44a1-a1ad-f010acdd1d3cn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > <IMG_0192.jpeg> > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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