Hi folks, I had the opportunity to spend a few hours at Riv HQ a few Saturday's ago. I had a wonderful time - I rode four bikes (Clem, Cheviot, Sam and Hubbuhubbah), and walked away with a medium saddlesack bag. Still smile when I think about the fun I had. Most of my riding (about an hour) was done on the Clem. I enjoyed the ride, but it did not really speak to me. Perhaps it was just too different from the bikes that I typically ride. Strangely enough, the bike that emerged as my favorite was the Cheviot. I can't seem to get it out of my head. In fact, ever since I returned home, I have been trying to figure out if I loved the Chev enough to purchase one before they go away. Here is my situation.
About ten years ago I had a custom-built Bob Brown Cycle made for me. I nearly bought a Rambouillet, but chose Bob Brown instead. It was my poor-man's red convertible that I got for my 40th birthday. That bike complimented my circa 1990 Trek 520 quite well. My Bob Brown was quick-ish, sporty and fun to ride. However, as the years went by, I found it to be increasingly uncomfortable for longer ride. Two years ago I bought a Black Mountain Road bike. This bike has a bit more relaxed geometry. I really love this bike - it is much more comfortable than Bob Brown, and has become the bike that I grab most often. In fact, Bob Brown typically sees the road only once or twice a year - it is typically the bike that I use on my indoor trainer. My Trek 520 has been turned into a grocery-getter. However, it does not bring me a great deal of joy to ride, but it gets the job done. In my mind, I see the Cheviot as a replacement for my Trek 520. Nearly all of the components that I have on the Trek would easily transfer to the Chev - meaning that my initial output of cash would be only for the frame. I've read through everything that I can find on the list about the Cheviot. I would love to hear impressions from those who have had the bike long term. Likes? Dislikes? Dealing with the "guy on a girl's bike" thing is perhaps an issue. However, as I approach 50 I see the benefit of the lower top tube. Besides, when I rode the Cheviot in Walnut Creek, I did not even think about the fact that I was riding a mixte, as I was simply enjoying the ride. I live in a small town in western New York - with short rides (mile or two) to the co-op grocery store, library, post office, etc. This is the type of riding, along with occasional paved and/or gravel path riding) that I see myself doing with a Cheviot. What do you think -- good choice in bikes? What about a Sam? I rode a Sam the other day as well, but it was set up with Noodle bars, and rode much more like a typical road bike. If I set it up with Albatross bars, bags, etc how would it likely compare with the Cheviot? Would it ride the same and put the same smile on my face without causing me and/or those seeing me question my manliness? Any insight on these issues would be appreciated. Thanks, Sean East Aurora, NY -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
