Obviously, Rivendell bikes are evolving. That's a good thing. The Ram is a great bike, but I think Grant sees the AHH as being able to do anything the Ram can do. I really doubt the difference in either bike's ability to be a "real" road bike is significant. It's all a matter of perspective. Lots of people in plastic clothes think any bike that weighs over 19 pounds is a tank. I don't think I have much in common with those people, but if they are happy riding flimsy and unreliable bikes made of the same materials as their clothes, then I say live and let live. I just hope they don't encounter any of those errant squirrels that send people to the hospital.
I tend to see differences in bikes in terms of several categories. Differences can be theoretical (or even imaginary); measurable by German scientists; detectable by experienced riders; noticeable; significant; obvious; and so on. The Ram has, by design, a lot in common with several of the "classic" road bikes I have, both in terms of ride and tire clearance. 28mm tires with fenders will fit, but 32s might preclude fenders. Being able to use 35s with fenders is a very significant difference. If a bike like the AHH weighs a pound more because of that and a bit better durability or whatever, then that to me is down the line a ways from significant. I think of differences in weight as "measurable by me," but not a big deal. My Atlantis weighs about 32 pounds, or right in between my two dual suspension bikes. I don't care. That's what it takes to put a relatively bombproof bike under my heiney. My lightest bike is a Merckx fixie that manages to weigh 22 pounds or so, and feels like a featherweight to me. It's about two pounds lighter than my lightest geared bike a Nishiki International. Those are both on the order of 10% of my weight. They are all great bikes, fit me just fine, and of course there are differences in them. I don't ride on the road with any groups, and I don't waste any time worrying about what a "real" road bike is. Anyway, isn't the Ram just on hiatus? Hard to blame Riv for trying to keep from overextending themselves. If the Ram needed to take a nap in order to allow the AHH to come about, then that's just how life is. On Nov 23, 12:56 pm, usuk2007 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Jim, > I agree with your comments, the Riv bikes are different, which is why > I lament the loss > of the road/sport tourer end of the model spectrum. There's the > Legolas, but it's a bit > too lightweight and specialized and the AHH has just too long a wheel > base and is > just that bit heavy to be a real road bike. I'm by no means a racer, > but the I feel that the absence > of a good versatile road bike from the Riv family is a sad state of > affairs. > . > > > > > > > I think the RBW models are "different enough". That is to say if you come > > in wanting a rough-stuff bike or touring bike, there's enough difference > > between the models that you'll lean towards a Hilsen or an Atlantis. But - > > and for me, this is the true genius of Grant's designs - when you want to > > mix things up and run the bike in an entirely different manner, it will > > handle that just fine. > > > "Steel's what you want for a messenger bike. Weight. Big basket up front. > > Not cardboard with some crazy aramid shit wrapped around it, weighs about as > > much as a sandwich." > > -- William Gibson, "Virtual Light"- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
