[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

I doubt there's an ideal bar for s Sam, as there is no "ideal" build for a Sam. The versatility is the virtue. If you want to sit up and watch the scenery, and Albatross or similar would be great. For fast-ish road riding it's hard to beat drops. Wide Noodles with interrupter levers feel especia

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

I think at the end of a 50 mile day, you'd be happier on a Sam with 38mm tires than the "go-fast" bike with 25mm. You will find the bike plenty quick and the 38 (even forty) will serve to smooth out the roads rather than slow you down. It is argued that on most roads you will actually be more e

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

I really do appreciate everyone for sharing their thoughts on this topic. It seems as though most people who have a Sam mostly use it for carrying a bag or two. However, if one desired, it is possible, given the proper wheels and tires, to make this bike a go-fastish bike, though this is prob

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

I have spent the last few days reading a lot about Sam Hillborne! It seems clear that people really do love this bike. Sam seems like a bike that can do many things, though perhaps it is best suited to being somewhat of a workhorse bike - taking people and their gear to work, around town, or o

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

"Fastish club ride" around here pretty much means fit riders on racing frames with skinny tires and no more luggage than a spare tube and a CO2 cartridge, going hell-bent-for leather. I wouldn't use a Sam for that kind of riding, that's why Riv sells Roadeos, and why I keep a dedicated go-fast

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

Hillborne is a complete dog going to work. It wants to head to the hills, the creek, down random streets it's never been down before, the ocean 40 miles away...anywhere but work! Takes all my bike whispering skills to keep it pointed in the right direction. Now, going home is a different story.

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

Joe, Good to know. No plans to get one right now, but if I'm relieved to learn that if I am separated from the Rom by some misfortune or *force majeure *that there is a worthy replacement. D.G. On Wednesday, March 28, 2012 2:38:04 AM UTC-6, Joe Bernard wrote: > > The Homer/Romulus comparison

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

I had a 56 Sam STT and for me it was definitely more of a country bike than a go fast-ish bike. Started with roly-polys and Noodles but the tires just felt too narrow. Switched to Marathons then threw in the towel. I ended up getting a Ram as the go fast-ish and saving the pennies for the AHH as a

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

Sean, I have a 56 Hillborne, single top tube, that I have had for nearly 3 years. For the first 2 years it was set up with a touring wheelset, fenders, kickstand, front and rear nitto racks to hold small and large trunksacks. Before buying the Hillborne, I test rode a Novara Randonee and a Canno

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

The Homer/Romulus comparison is accurate. I've owned both, and they felt practically identical. Joe Bernard Vallejo, CA. On Tuesday, March 27, 2012 7:51:18 PM UTC-7, Darin G. wrote: > I own one of the original green Sams, 56. I'm very close to you in height > and build. 5'10", PBH 87. I ru

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

I'd go with a (lugged) Boulder Bike Randonneur for a comfortable and speedy "off the rack" bike. But I just told a friend to look into the Sam (looking for an all-rounder/S24O bike) and BOOM, he ordered one! Also the pretty blue Sam w/ cream headtube is currently at a pre-order discount (same p

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

Makes sense to me as well.Being 257 I'd probably come in about 25 minutes slower in the climb the article mentioned. That settles it, I'm losing my racing fantasies right now plus I'd probably break one of those lightweight road bikes anyway. On Mar 27, 8:26 pm, PATRICK MOORE wrote: > http://

Re: [RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

http://bikeraceinfo.com/tech/weight.html This makes sense to me. On Tue, Mar 27, 2012 at 9:10 PM, charlie wrote: > This is oddI own a mid 80's race bike Flandria built with Campy > parts and skinny 25mm tires. I think it tips the scale at around 22 > pounds but the frame is way too light for

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

This is oddI own a mid 80's race bike Flandria built with Campy parts and skinny 25mm tires. I think it tips the scale at around 22 pounds but the frame is way too light for me and the tires too narrow. On smooth flat pavement its pretty fast but honestly I don't think any faster than one of my

Re: [RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

There are Volvo station wagons, and then there are Volvo station wagons ... On Tue, Mar 27, 2012 at 6:27 PM, Burton wrote: > I think of my 650B Sam as a Volvo station wagon. > > I don't really know for going fast, but as my commute bike I always > thought t

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

I own one of the original green Sams, 56. I'm very close to you in height and build. 5'10", PBH 87. I run Mavic A719s with Jack Brown Blue tires. This bike is a wonderful commuter, set up with Noodles and a small front rack and large rear. I have done two centuries on it. I also have a Ro

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

I think of my 650B Sam as a Volvo station wagon. I don't really know for going fast, but as my commute bike I always thought the Sam was relatively fast. I could squeeze out my 25 mile commute in just a smudge under an hour and fifteen minutes, fully loaded with laptop, tools, clothes, whatever. T

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

I did a ride last night on my Sam, 19 mph average for about 22 miles, fairly flat. I have it set up with bar end friction shifters, noodles, pari moto tires on 36 spoke, velocity dyad/phil rivy 7 speed hub wheels. I wouldn't say it is a go fast bike, but if you want to push it you certainly ca

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

When I have my Sam set up without racks and noodles it goes fastish. A light wheel set makes all the difference in my mind. With that set up I can keep up with my slower roadie friends. It is a wonderfully versatile bike as I have also thrown racks on and toured for weeks on end. That said you alr

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

Sean, I just turned 45 and commute on a 56cm Sam pretty much every day. Commute is 15 miles RT, mostly flat in semi-urban traffic. I am 5'11" and 165-170 lbs. With Noodles, 32 mm Supremes and a large saddlebag I average about 18-20 mph on the longer flat sections of my commute, sometimes more or

[RBW] Re: Using a Sam Hillborne as a "go fast-ish" bike

I'm in that same frame of mind and height etc. oddly.I own a fully decked out Surly Trucker and a Rivendell SimpleOne plus an old Raleigh that I can rob parts from for a "Sam Hill" making it my go faster geared bicycle. I enjoy the versatility of the Trucker but I thought of selling it toward