On Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 12:05 PM, JoelMatthews <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > current RBW designs have little in common with > > racing bikes from the past. Rather than some sort of nostalgic > > throwback, I tend to think of my Riv and Riv-ish bikes as thoroughly > > modern and uncompromising for the kinds of multi-use riding I like to > > do. I don't see many parallels between, say, my Atlantis and any bike > > that was even remotely racy from the 1970s. > > Yeah, seems the 1970s bikes that have the most in common with Riv were > some of the practical Raleighs, Motebecanes and arguably even the > Schwinn lightweights such as the Continental and Varsity (the lugged > Paramount was usually a racing bike - although I seem to recall there > was a year or two when Schwinn made a touring Paramount). I disagree, at least about the Varsity -- don't know the Continental, but if it is like the Varsity or Collegiate, no way, no how. Those were mass produced to be cheap and, admittedly, strong, which meant heavy and dead, with cheap components. That's not true of any Riv I've heard of, and certainly not true of my customs, which are very much like old stage racers: ~45 cm chainstays, just like my '73 Motobecane Grand Record, and able to carry heavy rear loads (well, not the gofast, since it can't accept a rack). I assume that the Ram and the Rom and so on aren't that much different in fit and feel from my Rivs. Anyway, to consolidate my point: far from being like low end Schwinns back in the day, at least many Rivs are indeed like older road racing bikes, based on my admittedly limited experience. > > > On Jul 23, 11:24 am, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery > <[email protected]> wrote: > > A fun idea, but why suggest it on the RBW group? I ask not to accuse > > the OP of being OT, but to raise a broader philosophical issue. RBW > > tends to focus on non-racing bicycles and equipment with "all-rounder" > > versatility being the foremost consideration, and aside from being > > lugged steel (for cosmetics and durability and market > > differentiation), current RBW designs have little in common with > > racing bikes from the past. Rather than some sort of nostalgic > > throwback, I tend to think of my Riv and Riv-ish bikes as thoroughly > > modern and uncompromising for the kinds of multi-use riding I like to > > do. I don't see many parallels between, say, my Atlantis and any bike > > that was even remotely racy from the 1970s. > > > > On Jul 23, 5:35 am, Marty <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > > > > > I've been keeping up with the TDF as always this time of year. Seems > > > bike makers often roll out "specials" for certain stages etc. (like > > > today's TT) and it occurred to me that the race could use another > > > crowd-pleasing and playing-field-leveler gimmick: why not a turn-the- > > > clock-back stage using vintage-style bikes? (Other sports do this from > > > time to time) Maybe the stage would not even have to count in the > > > overall standings, but it would be a blast to watch today's riders > > > "suffer" with non-aero levers, down-tube shifters, pre-index > > > drivetrains, five-speed clusters, toe-clips and leather saddles. They > > > could auction off the bikes after the stage too, just like they do now > > > for various charities. I can see it now: Wool jerseys, Citroen team > > > cars, corked water bottles, sew-ups wrapped around their shoulders, > > > and maybe even fenders if it's raining that day. A guy can dream > > > right? > > > > > Marty- Hide quoted text - > > > > - Show quoted text - > > > -- Patrick Moore Albuquerque, NM Professional Resumes. Contact [email protected] Oh, I have been to Ludlow fair And left my necktie God knows where And carried halfway home or near Pints and quarts of Ludlow beer. And then in lovely muck I've lain Happy 'til I woke again. But when the sun rose in the sky, High ho! The tale was all a lie: The world, it was the old world yet; I was I, my things were wet, And nothing more remained to do But to begin the game anew .... A Shropshire Lad, Houseman --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
