[RBW] Re: Hillborne for the hills?
"Riv HQ isn't too handy to a steep hill" There's a little known climb called Mt Diablo nearby. On May 4, 7:53 am, TSW wrote: > Hi all, > I've searched all over forum archives and can't seem to find much > discussion on this question: how does the Sam climb? > > I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a 52 (ideally I'd ride a 54, > and 56 is just a tad too big), my 26 yr old Trek 560 ready to retire, > and I'm used to a more aggressive geometry for climbing the hills > around here. I'll need to to test ride a Sam again, as Riv HQ isn't > too handy to a steep hill. I took out a Surly LHT (52/26 in) recently > up a fairly steep hill and found it sluggish. > > But in the meantime, I wonder what're folks' thoughts on how the Sam > does on hills. > > TIA, > TS > Berkeley -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Hillborne for the hills?
Hi TS, I just did the Grizzly Peak Century on my Hillborne (roughly 8550 ft. of climbing). Mine is a 60 cm frame, and I enjoy the ride the Hillborne and that size frame give. There is a steep climb in Walnut Creek/Alamo called Castle Crest Road you could try. Tony On May 4, 7:53 am, TSW wrote: > Hi all, > I've searched all over forum archives and can't seem to find much > discussion on this question: how does the Sam climb? > > I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a 52 (ideally I'd ride a 54, > and 56 is just a tad too big), my 26 yr old Trek 560 ready to retire, > and I'm used to a more aggressive geometry for climbing the hills > around here. I'll need to to test ride a Sam again, as Riv HQ isn't > too handy to a steep hill. I took out a Surly LHT (52/26 in) recently > up a fairly steep hill and found it sluggish. > > But in the meantime, I wonder what're folks' thoughts on how the Sam > does on hills. > > TIA, > TS > Berkeley -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Hillborne for the hills?
Well Tia, Ernest Hemingway once said, "Never trust an adjective." Or as Paul Simon put it, "One man's ceiling is another man's floor." So one riders "sluggish" is another riders roadrunner. I find my Rambouillet very zippy and very much like my '88 Marinoni, which carries World Championship stripes. That said, someone with 10% body fat and used to a 16 lb CF frame would probably find them both sluggish. The LHT was never intended to be zippy on hills; it's designed to be stable and comfortable, with or without a load. It is a low cost, tig welded version of the Atlantis. I suspect you will find the SH more zippy than the LHT, but if you are used to a full fledged, unloaded road bike, like a Rambouillet, then you should be prepared for some trade off for the added stability and load carrying capacity. My favorite commuter / touring bike is my Ebisu All Purpose which has geometry and steel similar to the SH. With 35 mm tires it is not too zippy going up hill, but on the other hand it will climb straight up a 10% grade between parked cars and passing traffic without raising my BP two points. Probably if I put lighter, narrower wheels & tires on, it would be more zippy and less stable. I am blessed, so when I want that zip I can go full out and jump on my beloved Ram. Bottom line, no one bike can be best at everything but as GP says, the modern ultra zippy bike has become a one trick pony. Decide what's really important and what isn't. In the end, happiness is wanting what you have not having what you want, because the ego likes wanting more than it likes having and that truly is the endless uphill struggle. michael in rainy, flooded northern Vermont On May 4, 10:53 am, TSW wrote: > Hi all, > I'wayve searched all over forum archives and can't seem to find much > discussion on this question: how does the Sam climb? > > I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a 52 (ideally I'd ride a 54, > and 56 is just a tad too big), my 26 yr old Trek 560 ready to retire, > and I'm used to a more aggressive geometry for climbing the hills > around here. I'll need to to test ride a Sam again, as Riv HQ isn't > too handy to a steep hill. I took out a Surly LHT (52/26 in) recently > up a fairly steep hill and found it sluggish. > > But in the meantime, I wonder what're folks' thoughts on how the Sam > does on hills. > > TIA, > TS > Berkeley -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Hillborne for the hills?
I don't find the Sam Hillborne bad at hill climbing. Although with the longer chainstays, it isn't the quickest thing in the world. Will probably feel slower than your Trek. And, like Patrick, I can feel a bit of wheel flop at certain speeds, and with certain tires. With my style of riding, it really doesn't become an issue. Spent Sunday climbing quite a few hills and at no time did the bike wander to the point where I felt unsafe, even on roads with traffic and minimal shoulders for riding. And compared to the LHT the Rivendell is a more spirited climber. Also happen to own a 26 inch wheel LHT and while stable and predictible, it will definitely not win any hill climbing contests. Unless of course, your opponent is on a Bakfiets. Eric Platt St. Paul, MN On May 4, 9:53 am, TSW wrote: > Hi all, > I've searched all over forum archives and can't seem to find much > discussion on this question: how does the Sam climb? > > I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a 52 (ideally I'd ride a 54, > and 56 is just a tad too big), my 26 yr old Trek 560 ready to retire, > and I'm used to a more aggressive geometry for climbing the hills > around here. I'll need to to test ride a Sam again, as Riv HQ isn't > too handy to a steep hill. I took out a Surly LHT (52/26 in) recently > up a fairly steep hill and found it sluggish. > > But in the meantime, I wonder what're folks' thoughts on how the Sam > does on hills. > > TIA, > TS > Berkeley -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Hillborne for the hills?
Thanks for all the replies! I was at Riv yesterday and asked them for a steep hill or two to climb. Tho' I'm just on the other side of the Culture-stop tunnel :-) I'm not terribly familiar with the area, like, how to get to that little known hill known as Mt Diablo. So who got on a bike to take me for a ride but Grant himself. He was on a single speed of some kind, cruiser style, but double top tube to be sure, and I took out the same 52 Sam I'd take out before. And we went up some very steep hills, paths, and a road to a nearby water tank with views of hwy 24 and Walnut Creek. I've been off my bike since early Feb and I could barely keep up with him on some ascents, and I'm in decent shape (just not bike shape). He's clearly in more decent shape. I think it doesn't climb quite like my Trek, but it's far better than the LHT. I just needed to be sure, as later I did the deed- Yikes! (The last time I bought a road bike was in 1986, and I spent 10%-- non- inflation adjusted). I decided to get the front rack and cream longboard fenders to get a really good swallow of the koolaid. So I left with a cake of pine soap, a Riv-branded plastic change purse, my credit card a bit lighter, and, later, growing feelings of anticipation. On May 4, 6:30 pm, EricP wrote: > I don't find the Sam Hillborne bad at hill climbing. Although with > the longer chainstays, it isn't the quickest thing in the world. Will > probably feel slower than your Trek. And, like Patrick, I can feel a > bit of wheel flop at certain speeds, and with certain tires. With my > style of riding, it really doesn't become an issue. Spent Sunday > climbing quite a few hills and at no time did the bike wander to the > point where I felt unsafe, even on roads with traffic and minimal > shoulders for riding. > > And compared to the LHT the Rivendell is a more spirited climber. > Also happen to own a 26 inch wheel LHT and while stable and > predictible, it will definitely not win any hill climbing contests. > Unless of course, your opponent is on a Bakfiets. > > Eric Platt > St. Paul, MN > > On May 4, 9:53 am, TSW wrote: > > > Hi all, > > I've searched all over forum archives and can't seem to find much > > discussion on this question: how does the Sam climb? > > > I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a 52 (ideally I'd ride a 54, > > and 56 is just a tad too big), my 26 yr old Trek 560 ready to retire, > > and I'm used to a more aggressive geometry for climbing the hills > > around here. I'll need to to test ride a Sam again, as Riv HQ isn't > > too handy to a steep hill. I took out a Surly LHT (52/26 in) recently > > up a fairly steep hill and found it sluggish. > > > But in the meantime, I wonder what're folks' thoughts on how the Sam > > does on hills. > > > TIA, > > TS > > Berkeley -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Hillborne for the hills?
Its my thought that a "bike" climbs about as good as the legs powering it ! I know without any doubts that when I was 21 years of age I could climb a local hill on my then Bianchi road bike in a 42x24 ratio. These days I would have to use a 22x32 or suffer a heart attack. On May 8, 7:42 am, TSW wrote: > Thanks for all the replies! I was at Riv yesterday and asked them for > a steep hill or two to climb. Tho' I'm just on the other side of the > Culture-stop tunnel :-) I'm not terribly familiar with the area, like, > how to get to that little known hill known as Mt Diablo. So who got > on a bike to take me for a ride but Grant himself. He was on a single > speed of some kind, cruiser style, but double top tube to be sure, and > I took out the same 52 Sam I'd take out before. And we went up some > very steep hills, paths, and a road to a nearby water tank with views > of hwy 24 and Walnut Creek. I've been off my bike since early Feb and > I could barely keep up with him on some ascents, and I'm in decent > shape (just not bike shape). He's clearly in more decent shape. > > I think it doesn't climb quite like my Trek, but it's far better than > the LHT. I just needed to be sure, as later I did the deed- Yikes! > (The last time I bought a road bike was in 1986, and I spent 10%-- non- > inflation adjusted). I decided to get the front rack and cream > longboard fenders to get a really good swallow of the koolaid. > > So I left with a cake of pine soap, a Riv-branded plastic change > purse, my credit card a bit lighter, and, later, growing feelings of > anticipation. > > On May 4, 6:30 pm, EricP wrote: > > > > > > > > > I don't find the Sam Hillborne bad at hill climbing. Although with > > the longer chainstays, it isn't the quickest thing in the world. Will > > probably feel slower than your Trek. And, like Patrick, I can feel a > > bit of wheel flop at certain speeds, and with certain tires. With my > > style of riding, it really doesn't become an issue. Spent Sunday > > climbing quite a few hills and at no time did the bike wander to the > > point where I felt unsafe, even on roads with traffic and minimal > > shoulders for riding. > > > And compared to the LHT the Rivendell is a more spirited climber. > > Also happen to own a 26 inch wheel LHT and while stable and > > predictible, it will definitely not win any hill climbing contests. > > Unless of course, your opponent is on a Bakfiets. > > > Eric Platt > > St. Paul, MN > > > On May 4, 9:53 am, TSW wrote: > > > > Hi all, > > > I've searched all over forum archives and can't seem to find much > > > discussion on this question: how does the Sam climb? > > > > I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a 52 (ideally I'd ride a 54, > > > and 56 is just a tad too big), my 26 yr old Trek 560 ready to retire, > > > and I'm used to a more aggressive geometry for climbing the hills > > > around here. I'll need to to test ride a Sam again, as Riv HQ isn't > > > too handy to a steep hill. I took out a Surly LHT (52/26 in) recently > > > up a fairly steep hill and found it sluggish. > > > > But in the meantime, I wonder what're folks' thoughts on how the Sam > > > does on hills. > > > > TIA, > > > TS > > > Berkeley -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
[RBW] Re: Hillborne for the hills?
"Its my thought that a "bike" climbs about as good as the legs powering it !" Indeed... one can only blame bike geometry so much for how hard it is get up some hills... I just like the feeling that when I'm pushing hard into the pedals, it's clearly turning into forward, upward momentum. On some longer bikes, it feels squishy, slogging or something... which might be a question of perception. Given equivalent gearing, and speed during an ascent, why do some bikes feel "faster" than others? Delivery date is 1st-2nd week of July. The elves in Wisconsin get the call sometime this week I was told. On May 8, 6:25 pm, cyclotourist wrote: > Whoo-hoo, when's delivery??? > > > > > > On Sun, May 8, 2011 at 7:42 AM, TSW wrote: > > Thanks for all the replies! I was at Riv yesterday and asked them for > > a steep hill or two to climb. Tho' I'm just on the other side of the > > Culture-stop tunnel :-) I'm not terribly familiar with the area, like, > > how to get to that little known hill known as Mt Diablo. So who got > > on a bike to take me for a ride but Grant himself. He was on a single > > speed of some kind, cruiser style, but double top tube to be sure, and > > I took out the same 52 Sam I'd take out before. And we went up some > > very steep hills, paths, and a road to a nearby water tank with views > > of hwy 24 and Walnut Creek. I've been off my bike since early Feb and > > I could barely keep up with him on some ascents, and I'm in decent > > shape (just not bike shape). He's clearly in more decent shape. > > > I think it doesn't climb quite like my Trek, but it's far better than > > the LHT. I just needed to be sure, as later I did the deed- Yikes! > > (The last time I bought a road bike was in 1986, and I spent 10%-- non- > > inflation adjusted). I decided to get the front rack and cream > > longboard fenders to get a really good swallow of the koolaid. > > > So I left with a cake of pine soap, a Riv-branded plastic change > > purse, my credit card a bit lighter, and, later, growing feelings of > > anticipation. > > > On May 4, 6:30 pm, EricP wrote: > > > I don't find the Sam Hillborne bad at hill climbing. Although with > > > the longer chainstays, it isn't the quickest thing in the world. Will > > > probably feel slower than your Trek. And, like Patrick, I can feel a > > > bit of wheel flop at certain speeds, and with certain tires. With my > > > style of riding, it really doesn't become an issue. Spent Sunday > > > climbing quite a few hills and at no time did the bike wander to the > > > point where I felt unsafe, even on roads with traffic and minimal > > > shoulders for riding. > > > > And compared to the LHT the Rivendell is a more spirited climber. > > > Also happen to own a 26 inch wheel LHT and while stable and > > > predictible, it will definitely not win any hill climbing contests. > > > Unless of course, your opponent is on a Bakfiets. > > > > Eric Platt > > > St. Paul, MN > > > > On May 4, 9:53 am, TSW wrote: > > > > > Hi all, > > > > I've searched all over forum archives and can't seem to find much > > > > discussion on this question: how does the Sam climb? > > > > > I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a 52 (ideally I'd ride a 54, > > > > and 56 is just a tad too big), my 26 yr old Trek 560 ready to retire, > > > > and I'm used to a more aggressive geometry for climbing the hills > > > > around here. I'll need to to test ride a Sam again, as Riv HQ isn't > > > > too handy to a steep hill. I took out a Surly LHT (52/26 in) recently > > > > up a fairly steep hill and found it sluggish. > > > > > But in the meantime, I wonder what're folks' thoughts on how the Sam > > > > does on hills. > > > > > TIA, > > > > TS > > > > Berkeley > > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > > 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. > > For more options, visit this group at > >http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > > -- > Cheers, > David > Redlands, CA > > *...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would > probably benefit more from > improving their taste than from improving their performance.* - RTMS -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Hillborne for the hills?
Ahh, yeah. That's what happens... > > I decided to get the front rack and cream >longboard fenders to get a really good swallow of the koolaid. > >So I left with a cake of pine soap, a Riv-branded plastic change >purse, my credit card a bit lighter, and, later, growing feelings of >anticipation. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] Re: Hillborne for the hills?
Whoo-hoo, when's delivery??? On Sun, May 8, 2011 at 7:42 AM, TSW wrote: > Thanks for all the replies! I was at Riv yesterday and asked them for > a steep hill or two to climb. Tho' I'm just on the other side of the > Culture-stop tunnel :-) I'm not terribly familiar with the area, like, > how to get to that little known hill known as Mt Diablo. So who got > on a bike to take me for a ride but Grant himself. He was on a single > speed of some kind, cruiser style, but double top tube to be sure, and > I took out the same 52 Sam I'd take out before. And we went up some > very steep hills, paths, and a road to a nearby water tank with views > of hwy 24 and Walnut Creek. I've been off my bike since early Feb and > I could barely keep up with him on some ascents, and I'm in decent > shape (just not bike shape). He's clearly in more decent shape. > > I think it doesn't climb quite like my Trek, but it's far better than > the LHT. I just needed to be sure, as later I did the deed- Yikes! > (The last time I bought a road bike was in 1986, and I spent 10%-- non- > inflation adjusted). I decided to get the front rack and cream > longboard fenders to get a really good swallow of the koolaid. > > So I left with a cake of pine soap, a Riv-branded plastic change > purse, my credit card a bit lighter, and, later, growing feelings of > anticipation. > > On May 4, 6:30 pm, EricP wrote: > > I don't find the Sam Hillborne bad at hill climbing. Although with > > the longer chainstays, it isn't the quickest thing in the world. Will > > probably feel slower than your Trek. And, like Patrick, I can feel a > > bit of wheel flop at certain speeds, and with certain tires. With my > > style of riding, it really doesn't become an issue. Spent Sunday > > climbing quite a few hills and at no time did the bike wander to the > > point where I felt unsafe, even on roads with traffic and minimal > > shoulders for riding. > > > > And compared to the LHT the Rivendell is a more spirited climber. > > Also happen to own a 26 inch wheel LHT and while stable and > > predictible, it will definitely not win any hill climbing contests. > > Unless of course, your opponent is on a Bakfiets. > > > > Eric Platt > > St. Paul, MN > > > > On May 4, 9:53 am, TSW wrote: > > > > > Hi all, > > > I've searched all over forum archives and can't seem to find much > > > discussion on this question: how does the Sam climb? > > > > > I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a 52 (ideally I'd ride a 54, > > > and 56 is just a tad too big), my 26 yr old Trek 560 ready to retire, > > > and I'm used to a more aggressive geometry for climbing the hills > > > around here. I'll need to to test ride a Sam again, as Riv HQ isn't > > > too handy to a steep hill. I took out a Surly LHT (52/26 in) recently > > > up a fairly steep hill and found it sluggish. > > > > > But in the meantime, I wonder what're folks' thoughts on how the Sam > > > does on hills. > > > > > TIA, > > > TS > > > Berkeley > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > 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. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > > -- Cheers, David Redlands, CA *...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would probably benefit more from improving their taste than from improving their performance.* - RTMS -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
