Most of these guys know a lot more than I do and I'll pass on my tidbits in the spirit of a fellow Bleriot owner.
First, took me a while to get the fit down and when I did, man oh man was the ride smooth. My LBS guys had not seen this bike before; one guy rode it and said, "that's the way a bike should be." . My build is pretty standard except for the quill and stem. I used a quill that morphs to a 1 1/8" top so I could use a mountain bike stem. The point was that I was unsure about fit and wanted a 4 or 2 bolt stem where I change the stem without the unwrapping, rewrapping handlebars. Glad I did that. Started with a VeloOrange 9cm 107 degree stem, will wind up with a Dimension 9cm 127 degree stem. Another tidbit...I ultimately decided on a 9 cog cassette. I will probably change to an 8 cog...for me, the 9 speed is too many gears, too much fine shifting for the barcons (Silvers, by the way). I just want to push and chunk in, not phanagle. One last thing. I'd probably go with DuraAce barcons because I now know at my correct handlebar height, the Silvers (all metal) will whack my top tube if the handlebars flop that way when I'm carrying the bike or putting it on the rack. I believe the DuraAce shifters have a plastic or rubber covered end which won't nick the paint. The Silver Shifters are excellent in every other way. Oh, last thing..I crashed mine the very first time out. I hit something with the front wheel; to this day I know not what it was. I went sailing and sliding and got up fearing the worst. Not a part on the frame took any damage, not a scratch. Best part: the Rich built front wheel only had a slight bump. All the eyelits and spokes were ok. After conferring with the LBS and truing, the wheel runs great. I think this is a testament to Rich. I'd buy his wheels anytime. Send pictures! On Feb 26, 7:09 pm, "Doug Peterson" <[email protected]> wrote: > Congrats - you're gonna love the bike. For a crankset, the Sugino that Riv > sells can't be beat for value and it looks great. They also hold their > value - a guy listed one recently (don't remember here or over on BOB) for > maybe $45 (?) and it went in about an hour or so. The 110/74 BCDs have tons > of rings so you can indulge your gearing fantasies. > > dougP > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chris > Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 1:06 PM > To: RBW Owners Bunch > Subject: [RBW] Re: The Bleriot has landed! > > cm- > Congrats! The Bleriot is my first (and only) Riv so far... As far as > a build, Jim can hook you up. I'm really happy with my stock Riv build > of Noodle bars, nitto stem/post, B17 saddle, silver brakes (tektro big > mouth) and Rich at Rivendell's wheels. Oh I also have an LX rd and > Campy front with bar ends.... > > As I said, give Jim a call...maybe if you're not too pickey he may > have some odds and ends laying around. I would HIGHLY suggest the LX > equipped wheels that Rich at Riv builds, mine have been bombproof! > > Chris > (BTW- don't tell the Hilson riders this, but I've been riding my Dad's > Hilson around since I'm at his house this week and can't really tell > any difference from my Bleriot...) > > On Feb 26, 3:34 pm, cm <[email protected]> wrote: > > YEEE-- HAWWW!! Received my Bleriot frame today. This is my first Riv > > and couldnt be more excited. It is still sitting in the box next to me > > and unfortunately have to wait until I get home to open it up. Now the > > only question is how to build it up. Any suggestions out their for the > > best low budget, poor student build? > > > Huge shout- out to Jim at Hiawatha for making it happen! > > > cm --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
