What works for me: 1. Grant and Co.'s business ethics. I like that he employs 15 folks honestly and tries to give back to good causes. He tries to educate in areas we all may need some help in (food/exercise), and he doesn't fit in the "maximize efficiency and shareholder value" business model. He runs the kind of business I would be proud to have someday. 2. Common sense stuff like don't wear race kit and clipless shoes when you are not racing. I really like the grippy VP pedals of late, and I am a long-time clipless rider who enjoys the control of being "locked in". I just found I don't need it when I'm commuting in. 3. Steel, lugged goodness. I like the feel of steel. Always will. 4. Pretty bikes. Rivendell bikes just look classy compared to most modern bikes. They always draw comments. 5. Wool. Was already clued into this stuff, but I love wool and will wear it every day at some point. 6. Comfort. If you love being on a bike, at some point you will want to be comfortable doing it. 7. No blinky lights. I think they suck to ride behind, and blinking front lights are beyond me. Please use the blinkies only when you are alone on a deserted country street in the middle of the night. 8. Helmets - I think this is the biggest deterrent to having more folks on bikes. It may be vain, but things that mess up folks hair or make them feel vulnerable will keep them away. Wear them when you need them, but don't make it a law. 9. Use what works - don't get crazy about the components. Campy/DuraAce is cool, but not critical. 10. MUSA - I like USA-made gear. I also like quality from other countries if it's truly good. 11. Limited selection of great, hand-picked gear. Riv really picks some great product to sell. I generally love their taste in goods. 12. Sackville bags. Hands-down, the best looking and built bags I've used. 13. Basket/ShopSack. So useful and simple!
What doesn't work for me: 1. Heavy/big bikes. I appreciate 'em, but would rather have a Roadeo-tubed bike than a Bomba. I like lively. 2. Front load on mid-high-trail. I don't like the wheel flop, but if you use a wide-enough bar (Albastaches are awesome), riding with a front load is not too bad. On a narrow bar, long ride, I would prefer less work to keep the bike going straight. This is something that has taken me a few years to realize I finally have a feel for. 3. Heavy tires. I like 'em light, and cushy. Jack Brown Greens are the business. GB Cypres are even better! Brian Hanson Seattle, WA www.stonehog.com On Tuesday, November 19, 2013 9:05:09 PM UTC-8, Michael wrote: > > Thought hearing from you all would make an interesting thread. > I have been enjoying my Sam for a long time now. > I call these RBW ideas because that is where I first heard about them > (thought I know they have been around for years, just not embraced so much > these days). I was an alu/composite race bike kinda rider until I started > to fear carbon failures and wanted to look into an all metal bike. > > -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
