Myself, I'd get it repainted in a scheme unique to my tastes, neither limited to, or by, the common themes used by most everyone. I could get a different seatpost, but to me if the post is serving it's purpose and goes unnoticed, I'm letting it be for the time being.
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 8:19:23 AM UTC-4 [email protected] wrote: > While many folks use bar end shifters on their sweptback bars, personally, > I'm not a fan of that setup. I like them only for drop bars. So, my > suggestion if you were open to it, would be to swap for some Billie bars > and Silver 2 shifters with thumb mounts.The Billies give you more room for > your hands and to fit levers, shifters, bells, etc. Plus, the ergonomics > and action of the Silver thumb shifters is really nice. This is the setup I > have on my Sam. > > Brian > Lex KY > > On Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 7:51:23 AM UTC-4 Ryan Fleming wrote: > >> Others brought up basic accessories like bottle cages(King Iris are >> elegant and reasonably priced), bags of some sort, and lighting. I was >> reminded yesterday of that necessary accessory for civil cycling....a >> bell...which the mushrooming population of e-bike,e- scooter, etc. users on >> Winnipeg roads, MUPs , etc. seldom use. I've almost never had anyone react >> badly when I ring my bell to warn them I'm coming up behind them and I >> really appreciate others who use them. Plus there are some really nice ones >> (Spurcycle) and really fun-looking ones. >> >> Just sayin' because I didn't see one on that nice Sam of yours:) . >> >> On Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 12:04:02 PM UTC-5 greenteadrinkers wrote: >> >>> If you need light, the Paul Gino light mount, mounted to a mid-fork >>> braze-on with a Cygolite Zot 600 USB, works great. >>> >>> On Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 1:12:39 AM UTC-4 John Dewey wrote: >>> >>>> Berthoud bags will definitely add some beauty to an already beautiful >>>> bicycle. >>>> >>>> Gorgeous bar bags, so very nice. >>>> >>>> Jock >>>> >>>> On Mon, Jun 15, 2026 at 6:26 PM David Johnston <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> After seeing the picture I'd say that Hillborne looks great as is. I >>>>> have used most of those parts and they are solid choices. I still stand >>>>> behind the Nitto S83 seatpost though, especially if you are switching to >>>>> a >>>>> Brooks which can require some futzing to get the tilt dialed in. >>>>> >>>>> I think now you need some accessories like: >>>>> >>>>> - A small saddle bag to carry a tube, patch kit, tools, tire levers >>>>> - Bottle cages, oh heck go all out and get Nitto >>>>> - Frame Pump like a Silca to fit that pump peg >>>>> - If you don't want to commit to a full time rear rack, you can >>>>> get a Ortlieb Quick Rack, which has small studs that stay attached to >>>>> the >>>>> eyelets and then pops on and off in a minute. REI sells them. >>>>> >>>>> https://us.ortlieb.com/products/quick-rack?srsltid=AfmBOoqlfeMycBwgy9NB2b5j-V7HLWdjHn2iXwypYsSkqR-uAgNsn8bO&variant=45562361282738 >>>>> - A larger handlebar bag. There are lots of kinds, I'm liking my >>>>> much cheaper Chrome, but maybe a Riv Sackville Rollo. >>>>> https://www.rivbike.com/products/sackville-ezpz?variant=41110260842607 >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, Jun 15, 2026 at 10:35 AM Bill Lindsay <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> That's a great looking bike, and the OP wants to upgrade some of the >>>>>> stock components. I think the important step is to consider one >>>>>> important >>>>>> question: What will these upgrades accomplish? Lots of people endeavor >>>>>> upgrading their bikes, and they have various reasons: >>>>>> >>>>>> A. By upgrading my bike, I'll make it a better bike, and that better >>>>>> bike will be lighter, and/or faster, and/or easier to ride at the same >>>>>> effort >>>>>> B. By upgrading my bike, I will make it a more beautiful bike >>>>>> C. By upgrading my bike, I will show the world that I love my bike, >>>>>> and make my bike more unique and more "mine" >>>>>> D. By upgrading my bike I will change it into a more useful bike >>>>>> E. By upgrading my bike, I will change the bike's "personality" or >>>>>> identity to something closer to what I want it to be >>>>>> F. By upgrading my bike, I will make it into a more reliable, easier >>>>>> to maintain bike >>>>>> >>>>>> I'd wager most upgrade projects fall into that group of six for the >>>>>> most part, in terms of the "why", and the answer(s) would help people >>>>>> make >>>>>> suggestions. A secondary question is more for the person to answer >>>>>> themselves, and I think it can be useful. That's another form of >>>>>> "Why?". >>>>>> The first question above is mostly about the person, and the second >>>>>> "Why?" >>>>>> is entirely about the person and it has to do with motivations. That >>>>>> question is "Why now?". Those answers can include: >>>>>> >>>>>> 1. I'm doing it now because I am preparing for "Big Event X" on the >>>>>> horizon >>>>>> 2. I'm doing it now because I've got the money and I can't take it >>>>>> with me >>>>>> 3. I'm doing it now because I'm restless/bored, and it will be >>>>>> enjoyable to have a project >>>>>> 4. I'm doing it now because my active participation in current >>>>>> "Activity Y" is being held back by the bike >>>>>> >>>>>> I'd recommend to anybody garnering advice on an upgrade project to >>>>>> have a decent handle on both those questions. The only specific >>>>>> recommendation you've gotten was to replace a $30 aluminum seatpost with >>>>>> a >>>>>> $100 Nitto seatpost. That definitely fits into B. and maybe E. >>>>>> >>>>>> My main recommendation(s) if I were to make any would be to focus on >>>>>> C and D. My recommendation would be to make sure your bike allows you >>>>>> to >>>>>> do all the cycling things you want to do with it (D), and then make it >>>>>> yours, and then ride it as much as you can. Like a great new baseball >>>>>> glove, you'll imprint yourself onto your bike. Towards that, the >>>>>> biggest >>>>>> shortcomings of the bike in the photo are: it doesn't look like it's >>>>>> been >>>>>> ridden, and it has no bags. That bike doesn't need much in the way of >>>>>> upgrades. It needs bags and it needs miles. >>>>>> >>>>>> On the frivolous end of things, I love bike bling. An acquaintance >>>>>> gave me a skull bead on a Rivendell overnighter, and it now hangs on my >>>>>> saddle rail with a loop of string. I like hearing it click against my >>>>>> seat >>>>>> post. Today I noticed how it wrapped around itself on my ride: >>>>>> >>>>>> Bike Bling >>>>>> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/55336868470/in/album-72177720334209300> >>>>>> >>>>>> I like little details that individuals put on their bikes to make the >>>>>> bike more theirs. I'm going to make a little photo album for bike >>>>>> bling. >>>>>> >>>>>> Bill Lindsay >>>>>> El Cerrito, CA >>>>>> >>>>>> On Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 5:27:03 PM UTC-7 [email protected] >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Folks, I purchased a used Sam several years back and I absolutely >>>>>>> love it and I am interested in feedback on how to upgrade some of the >>>>>>> stock >>>>>>> components. I am in my 70's and ride primarily on the road and packed >>>>>>> gravel, not mountain biking for sure. I don't drink fine wine or have >>>>>>> expensive cars but I am willing to put some resources into beautiful >>>>>>> components. My current components are Tektro R559 V brakes, Sugino >>>>>>> chain >>>>>>> rings, Shimano deore derailleurs. Shimano bar end shifters and brake >>>>>>> levers. I have upgraded the seat (brooks) and the pedals (oneup). I am >>>>>>> moving from 45mm to 42 mm tires. Thanks so much! >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> 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/hFkNa9na2Ek/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/608a42ac-36b9-4753-bd81-3bba1e465c6cn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/608a42ac-36b9-4753-bd81-3bba1e465c6cn%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/CAN94-v_tdAY92TyzO254%3D%2BotJBEhn73Pkh-9VRHqG1MfrVTPSQ%40mail.gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAN94-v_tdAY92TyzO254%3D%2BotJBEhn73Pkh-9VRHqG1MfrVTPSQ%40mail.gmail.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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