The build quality looks identical in both frames, however the paint job on the San Marcos is not as good as on the Hillborne. All of the lugs appear to be identical with the exception of the lower headtube lug on the SM---more windows and more decorative.
On Wednesday, December 5, 2012 9:21:06 AM UTC-8, redsydude wrote: > > I think those bikes are built by the same manufacturer in Taiwan so is the > quality control on the Sam Hillborne much better than on the SOMA? > On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 7:06:58 PM UTC-8, Tony Lockhart wrote: >> >> Thanks Aaron! I agree, the front brake caliper in the photo is out of >> tolerance--this is my primary gripe about the San Marcos. My 54cm SM uses a >> standard (47-57) reach caliper up front and a long reach (55-73) caliper at >> the back. I'm not sure if this is a design flaw or an operator error. For >> what it's worth, these little issues are not heinous enough to deter me >> from liking the bike because it has excellent handling characteristics and >> is fun to ride. >> >> Incidentally, I am currently running the proper reach caliper up front >> because I had this nagging feeling that the long reach caliper would fail. >> >> >> >> >> >> On Monday, December 3, 2012 10:29:33 PM UTC-8, Aaron Thomas wrote: >>> >>> Tony, >>> >>> Quick head's up on your brake reach issue. Looks like you're using the >>> wrong brake up front — and that's why the brake pads are high in the slots. >>> Only the 650B sizes of the San Marcos (i.e. 47, 51) use the long reach >>> Tektro 559 (55-73mm). The 700c sizes use standard reach brakes (47-57 mm). >>> That'd be the Tektro R539 <http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/brsbm59.htm>. >>> Did you try putting a standard reach brake on the front? >>> >>> Aaron >>> >>> On Sunday, December 2, 2012 11:42:46 AM UTC-8, Tony Lockhart wrote: >>>> >>>> Ryan, >>>> I actually have both bikes and have some thoughts to share with you >>>> regarding both. Perhaps some of my experiences can help with your decision >>>> on which frame to purchase. >>>> >>>> I bought a Sam Hillborne a couple of years back and went through a >>>> number of drivetrain and accessory changes. It's been my go fast, >>>> commuting, townie, and cyclocross bike so I feel qualified in comparing >>>> both bikes. My Sam has had a number of "personalities" in regards to set >>>> up >>>> and ride characteristics. I currently have it set up as a townie with >>>> fenders, 32mm tires, drop bars, and a basket (*contemplating a dirt >>>> drop stem and flat bars with cork grips*). I also have a San Marcos >>>> set up as a commuter, club ride bike, and cyclocross bike. My San Marcos >>>> has a mix of Shimano parts, 32mm tires, a Velo Orange rack, and drop bars. >>>> *To answer your original question, the San Marcos is an excellent >>>> choice for a go fast bike.* >>>> >>>> <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8n1WhS2qYyg/ULulwQWTKsI/AAAAAAAAAuA/ifpWp81Ra2w/s1600/DSC00207.JPG> >>>> >>>> *San Marcos Criticism #1* >>>> >>>> I'm not sure if this is true for different sizes, but you'll need >>>> standard reach brake calipers up front and long reach calipers in the rear >>>> if you purchase a 54cm San Marcos. I am not sure if this is true of the >>>> other sizes or with any other 54cm San Marcos frames. I am running Tektro >>>> R559 brakes on this bike--the fit of the rear calipers is spot on however >>>> long reach calipers up front don't seem to fit properly. Have a look at >>>> the >>>> attached photo and you'll see that the fork was not designed for long >>>> reach >>>> brakes. Conjecture says that this bike should use standard reach brakes >>>> and >>>> that the rear brake bridge on my bike was welded too far upwards, >>>> necessitating longer reach brakes. >>>> >>>> >>>> <https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hPpChC7_z00/ULul4qOoEJI/AAAAAAAAAuI/nMYrtVGrYoc/s1600/DSC00209.JPG> >>>> >>>> *San Marcos Criticism #2* >>>> >>>> The dropouts on this bike suck compared to the ones on my Sam. As you >>>> can see from the photos, the front dropouts originally come with lawyer >>>> tabs--I quickly filed those off after acquiring the bike. The rear dropout >>>> eyelets are welded too closely to the frame and cause interference when >>>> trying to mount a rack or fenders. The welds get in the way and prevent >>>> you >>>> from mounting accessories in a flush manner. The second photo shows a >>>> slight gap between the rack tab and the eyelets because the welds get in >>>> the way. Moreover, the decorative part of the Soma dropouts interfere with >>>> the quick-release hub skewer--this is not the case with my Sam. >>>> >>>> >>>> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U7UDrv1Nts0/ULul_MczA-I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/gNXYgLA5_9E/s1600/DSC00210.JPG> >>>> >>>> >>>> <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OiPJ0hY_jvk/ULumDgoGmRI/AAAAAAAAAuY/pDBz7q0BIEU/s1600/DSC00212.JPG> >>>> >>>> >>>> With all of that said, the San Marcos is an excellent bike and I am >>>> very pleased with it. I have no trouble maintaining an average speed of >>>> 23mph while on club rides. It is quite comfortable however feels very >>>> sporty and agile when compared to the Sam Hillborne. Since you already >>>> have >>>> a Sam, try to imagine your bike with easier maneuverability, a lighter >>>> feel >>>> when climbing, and less squirrel*liness*. If you go with mainly Nitto >>>> parts, more spokes than less, and wide tires, you'll have no worries about >>>> durability if you end up with a San Marcos. >>>> >>>> I haven't had the chance to test ride a Roadeo, but I imagine that >>>> model to be much more suitable for fast riding than the San Marcos. The >>>> Roadeo is a gorgeous frame, and would probably be the ONE frame I would >>>> have if I could only own one bike. But since I'm fortunate enough to have >>>> two, I feel the San Marcos can easily be differentiated from the Sam >>>> Hillboarne while retaining those absolute must characteristics (comfort, >>>> durability, versatility). In your shoes, I would try to get past the >>>> eccentricities of the San Marco because it's so much cheaper than the >>>> Roadeo...then I'd use the left over money to purchase an awesome wheel set >>>> and an SRAM Apex group. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sunday, December 2, 2012 10:42:45 AM UTC-8, RJM wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Thanks for all the replies, >>>>> >>>>> One the go fast bike, I was planning on using brifters, probably >>>>> something from Sram as I prefer their hood shape. I am not exactly light, >>>>> about 200 and still a short dude so I do have some weight to get off me. >>>>> Light weight really isn't a huge consideration on the new bike, but >>>>> having >>>>> quick tires/wheels/the abilty to quickly shift would be important to the >>>>> riding I have planned for it. I am also planning on sticking look >>>>> clipless on whatever frame I get (I know, don't shoot me). I do want the >>>>> bike to be durable too, my last trek wasn't exactly durable, the rear hub >>>>> had issues fairly quickly and the shifters junked up and lasted about a >>>>> year. I'm not too happy with what you get at the local bike shop, those >>>>> bikes aren't really comfortable and for the money I think the Riv/Soma >>>>> are >>>>> better deals (and I don't want a carbon fork). The local bike shop owner >>>>> put me on a Trek Domane for a test ride. It was a decent ride, but my Sam >>>>> Hillborne is a better bike in my mind. (cheaper too.) >>>>> >>>>> Is the San Marcos rear 130 or 135 spaced? >>>>> >>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/Jo-kli2QBdEJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. 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