Re: [RBW] Re: Rambouillet as Tourer

[Patrick Moore]

My blue Ram handled moderate (up to !~30 lb) rear loads on a Tubus Fly
pretty well, fwiw.

On Thu, Sep 10, 2020 at 3:09 PM Wyatt  wrote:

> Rode the Natchez Trace not too long ago on my Rambo. ~450 miles, all
> paved, hammock camping. Loaded with Carradice Long Flap on the saddle and
> BXB Teardrop on the bars.* The frame isn't right for racks, imo. *Wouldn't
> want to load it much more than this, but it handled this load quite well.
> Easily enough extra room to pick up a six pack on the way the campsite at
> the end of day.
>
> ---
Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

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Re: [RBW] Re: Rambouillet as Tourer

[Toshi Takeuchi]

I would say the Ram is in between the Homer and Roadeo. It doesn’t have
braze-ons for racks which is one of my negatives for touring, although you
can use the fender mount for racks. I weigh 150 and my Homer felt good and
even springy (Is that what planing is?) when I had about 25-30 lbs on the
rear rack. I think the Homer would work fine for me for loaded touring.

Toshi


On Wed, Sep 9, 2020 at 5:40 PM dougP  wrote:

> Where does the Ram fit in compared to the Homer?  A friend did a tour down
> the coast with a Homer a few years ago & enjoyed the trip, no bike
> problems.  RBWHQ did tell him that Homer was intended to be a touring bike
> but they are also pretty conservative about such things.
>
> A definite consideration when loading a bike is rider weight and baggage.
> I've toured on my Atlantis & found that with 35-40 lbs of junk (easy to do
> when camping) the bike rides much more cushy than unloaded.  I'm middling
> in weight at 160.  The Atlantis could probably handle a 200 lb rider with
> full luggage.  My friend who toured on his Homer is quite thin & light.
>
> So if the Ram is not far off the Homer, you're probably OK if you're not
> lugging enough gear to go around the world.  Based on my own experience
> with my Atlantis, weight placement affects handling to a surprising degree,
> even on a purpose built touring bike.  After considerable fiddling, I've
> found that 60% front / 40% rear works best for me.  Too much on the rear
> causes it to wobble.  When we've had threads about panniers & weight
> placement, results vary all over the place, so your safest bet is to play
> around with it quite a bit before starting your tour.  Especially with all
> the gear for camping, 4 bags seems best.  I've done lodging tours with 2
> bags & prefer them on the front for ride & handling, but 20 lbs on the rear
> works OK as well.
>
> Sorry I had no Ram specific info to offer, but it looks like you got some
> responses that cover it.
>
> dougP
>
> On Sunday, September 6, 2020 at 2:49:00 PM UTC-7, Mike Godwin wrote:
>>
>> Howdy, looking through the archives about using a Rambouillet as a
>> touring machine. I toured along the spine of the Cascades and Sierra on a
>> Specialized Sequoia, and along Highway 1 SF to LA.  The Rambouillet seems a
>> bit more stout than the Sequoia.  Most of the old touring related posts
>> here are from 2012 - 2014.  Any new news about tours folks have done on
>> their Rambouillets?  What pannier arrangements did you use? Self-supported,
>> road surface?
>>
>> Mike SLO CA
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> .
>
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Rambouillet as Tourer

[Toshi Takeuchi]

I've done long randoneurring rides on my 650b converted Ram.  It was
definitely one of my favorite bikes ever, and was only replaced because I
got an even nicer custom Riv.  It had a front Mark's rack with P-clamps and
a rear saddlebag.  Never any handling issues.  I've used larger saddlebags
than the one pictured here for my longest rides.  I think it would be great
for credit card touring, but would want something beefier for larger loads.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/42771204@N00/8176967200/

Toshi


On Wed, Sep 9, 2020 at 12:57 PM Mike Godwin  wrote:

> When the Rambouillets first were advertised in the planning works, do you
> guys recall who (Ted King?)  did a dirt ride parallel to I-80 through the
> Humboldt Basin / Lake Lahontan (east of Reno) on a Rambouillet? That got me
> interested in the bike. The same test bike was on the floor at Riv, Grant
> loaned it to me for a weekend.  I rode it on pavement and through various
> parts of dirt trails on Mt Diablo. I eventually got RB005, a pre-production
> version. It fits 36 mm wide tires (actual) and would probably safely accept
> up to 40 mm wide tires. I did grocery runs on it, but never loaded touring
> with front and rear racks. Very capable multipurpose bikes.  So that was
> the origin of my question, they are capable of handling different riding
> conditions and uses, but loaded down, it seems they can handle front and
> rear loads too.
>
> Mike SLO CA
>
> On Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 10:53:28 AM UTC-7, Ben Mihovk wrote:
>
>> By any chance, did you buy the one off eBay being sold by Walter? I
>> messaged him a few times about the bike and decided I needed something a
>> little more rugged, but man...that bike was very tempting.
>>
>> On Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 10:00:23 AM UTC-5 mpc...@gmail.com
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I personally just purchased a Ram that was sitting in a garage looking
>>> beautiful but not being used. I've been wondering how hard I can push it,
>>> especially on dirt/gravel. So, Andy, thank you for your insight here. The
>>> more I read the more I'm gleaning that this bike should NOT be too heavily
>>> loaded.
>>>
>>> On Monday, September 7, 2020 at 6:48:46 AM UTC-4 Fullylugged wrote:
>>>
 The Ram was intended for lightish touring and it does that well.
 Handling with any kind of front load depends a lot on the handlebar type
 and stem length used. I toured with the stock Nitto Noodles. I used a
 Mark's rack with P-Clamps and a small Baggins bag with up to 5 lbs in it. I
 also used a Duluth Candy roll handlebar bag for lightweight, want quick
 access to stuff, like lip protector, my phone, etc. Mostly, supplies went
 into 2 Nashbar panniers on a lightweight aluminum rear rack. That was to
 keep the center of gravity lower. Rain jacket and pants, helmet cover was
 in a large Baggins bag on top of the rack. I had a Keven's bag under the
 saddle with tire change stuff. The bike was a little rear heavy that way.
 handling was fine, but picking up and carrying was different. I have almost
 always ridden the same 32 mm Paselas that were original issue.

 These days, that bike is re-configured as my Townie/Sunday Cruiser but
 still has a rack in back and a Baggins bag on top.

 Bruce

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Re: [RBW] Re: Rambouillet as Tourer

[Patrick Moore]

I should add that I choose my load carriers as much for their unladen
handling as their loaded handling. The Ram handled well unladen, of course.

On Wed, Sep 9, 2020 at 2:59 PM Patrick Moore  wrote:

> I did no touring with my blue model, but I did carry many sizeable rear
> loads (Tubus Fly rack in case it makes a difference) and the Ram performed
> well with rear loads up to about 35 lb. More than that and the handling
> started to get a bit "wandery" but it did as well as the 2003 custom, which
> probably had stouter tubes, that I am presently debating whether to keep or
> to sell. IME, it's not always the stouter-tubed bikes that carry loads --
> at least rear loads -- best, but those that have the right combination (I
> suppose) of tubing, geometry, and of course a good rack.
>
> On Wed, Sep 9, 2020 at 1:57 PM Mike Godwin  wrote:
>
>> When the Rambouillets first were advertised in the planning works, do you
>> guys recall who (Ted King?)  did a dirt ride parallel to I-80 through the
>> Humboldt Basin / Lake Lahontan (east of Reno) on a Rambouillet? That got me
>> interested in the bike. The same test bike was on the floor at Riv, Grant
>> loaned it to me for a weekend.  I rode it on pavement and through various
>> parts of dirt trails on Mt Diablo. I eventually got RB005, a pre-production
>> version. It fits 36 mm wide tires (actual) and would probably safely accept
>> up to 40 mm wide tires. I did grocery runs on it, but never loaded touring
>> with front and rear racks. Very capable multipurpose bikes.  So that was
>> the origin of my question, they are capable of handling different riding
>> conditions and uses, but loaded down, it seems they can handle front and
>> rear loads too.
>>
>> Mike SLO CA
>>
>> On Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 10:53:28 AM UTC-7, Ben Mihovk wrote:
>>
>>> By any chance, did you buy the one off eBay being sold by Walter? I
>>> messaged him a few times about the bike and decided I needed something a
>>> little more rugged, but man...that bike was very tempting.
>>>
>>> On Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 10:00:23 AM UTC-5 mpc...@gmail.com
>>> wrote:
>>>
 I personally just purchased a Ram that was sitting in a garage looking
 beautiful but not being used. I've been wondering how hard I can push it,
 especially on dirt/gravel. So, Andy, thank you for your insight here. The
 more I read the more I'm gleaning that this bike should NOT be too heavily
 loaded.

 On Monday, September 7, 2020 at 6:48:46 AM UTC-4 Fullylugged wrote:

> The Ram was intended for lightish touring and it does that well.
> Handling with any kind of front load depends a lot on the handlebar type
> and stem length used. I toured with the stock Nitto Noodles. I used a
> Mark's rack with P-Clamps and a small Baggins bag with up to 5 lbs in it. 
> I
> also used a Duluth Candy roll handlebar bag for lightweight, want quick
> access to stuff, like lip protector, my phone, etc. Mostly, supplies went
> into 2 Nashbar panniers on a lightweight aluminum rear rack. That was to
> keep the center of gravity lower. Rain jacket and pants, helmet cover was
> in a large Baggins bag on top of the rack. I had a Keven's bag under the
> saddle with tire change stuff. The bike was a little rear heavy that way.
> handling was fine, but picking up and carrying was different. I have 
> almost
> always ridden the same 32 mm Paselas that were original issue.
>
> These days, that bike is re-configured as my Townie/Sunday Cruiser but
> still has a rack in back and a Baggins bag on top.
>
> Bruce
>
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>> 
>> .
>>
>
>
> --
>
> ---
> Patrick Moore
> Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum
>
>

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---
Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

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Re: [RBW] Re: Rambouillet as Tourer

[Patrick Moore]

I did no touring with my blue model, but I did carry many sizeable rear
loads (Tubus Fly rack in case it makes a difference) and the Ram performed
well with rear loads up to about 35 lb. More than that and the handling
started to get a bit "wandery" but it did as well as the 2003 custom, which
probably had stouter tubes, that I am presently debating whether to keep or
to sell. IME, it's not always the stouter-tubed bikes that carry loads --
at least rear loads -- best, but those that have the right combination (I
suppose) of tubing, geometry, and of course a good rack.

On Wed, Sep 9, 2020 at 1:57 PM Mike Godwin  wrote:

> When the Rambouillets first were advertised in the planning works, do you
> guys recall who (Ted King?)  did a dirt ride parallel to I-80 through the
> Humboldt Basin / Lake Lahontan (east of Reno) on a Rambouillet? That got me
> interested in the bike. The same test bike was on the floor at Riv, Grant
> loaned it to me for a weekend.  I rode it on pavement and through various
> parts of dirt trails on Mt Diablo. I eventually got RB005, a pre-production
> version. It fits 36 mm wide tires (actual) and would probably safely accept
> up to 40 mm wide tires. I did grocery runs on it, but never loaded touring
> with front and rear racks. Very capable multipurpose bikes.  So that was
> the origin of my question, they are capable of handling different riding
> conditions and uses, but loaded down, it seems they can handle front and
> rear loads too.
>
> Mike SLO CA
>
> On Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 10:53:28 AM UTC-7, Ben Mihovk wrote:
>
>> By any chance, did you buy the one off eBay being sold by Walter? I
>> messaged him a few times about the bike and decided I needed something a
>> little more rugged, but man...that bike was very tempting.
>>
>> On Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 10:00:23 AM UTC-5 mpc...@gmail.com
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I personally just purchased a Ram that was sitting in a garage looking
>>> beautiful but not being used. I've been wondering how hard I can push it,
>>> especially on dirt/gravel. So, Andy, thank you for your insight here. The
>>> more I read the more I'm gleaning that this bike should NOT be too heavily
>>> loaded.
>>>
>>> On Monday, September 7, 2020 at 6:48:46 AM UTC-4 Fullylugged wrote:
>>>
 The Ram was intended for lightish touring and it does that well.
 Handling with any kind of front load depends a lot on the handlebar type
 and stem length used. I toured with the stock Nitto Noodles. I used a
 Mark's rack with P-Clamps and a small Baggins bag with up to 5 lbs in it. I
 also used a Duluth Candy roll handlebar bag for lightweight, want quick
 access to stuff, like lip protector, my phone, etc. Mostly, supplies went
 into 2 Nashbar panniers on a lightweight aluminum rear rack. That was to
 keep the center of gravity lower. Rain jacket and pants, helmet cover was
 in a large Baggins bag on top of the rack. I had a Keven's bag under the
 saddle with tire change stuff. The bike was a little rear heavy that way.
 handling was fine, but picking up and carrying was different. I have almost
 always ridden the same 32 mm Paselas that were original issue.

 These days, that bike is re-configured as my Townie/Sunday Cruiser but
 still has a rack in back and a Baggins bag on top.

 Bruce

 --
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> .
>


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---
Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

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