Ben, I relate to ALL of this, and it was all on-topic for sure. 1. The creaking stem - you know we solved that problem doing the thing we were never supposed to do. Everywhere online says do NOT lube the bar/stem interface, and yet that solved my issue completely, and yours, too. Maybe we should just have done the bolt threads, and maybe the lube dripped down to those and solved it for us? I don’t know, but like your Atlantis, it fixed my Clem. I’m having the SAME issue with my Platypus as of last night, and I can feel that stem clamp chewing up my new bar at the sleeve, just like my Clem. As soon as they come back in stock, guess who’s getting the open face plate stem from Riv? I don’t need the bars as high as on the Clem, so I think it’ll be ok.
2. Bike shops. I have the same wary feeling that I’m supposed to know this stuff myself. I do not, however, share your shame of buying a Rivendell and not a bike from the shop. Those shops can’t offer you a Rivendell; you HAD to buy it elsewhere. And aren’t you doing them a favor wheeling that Atlantis in to be fixed? If all you had to work on, day in and day out, was a pile of Chinese plastic bikes wouldn’t you love the Rivendell customer? What I do feel self-conscious about is that I usually bring my own parts because the shop won’t know anything about or carry what I want. But, sometimes I feel like I’m doing them a favor. The Clem got a new bottom bracket last week. The shop said, “You need a new bottom bracket, but we don’t know if we can get one in. “No problem! I can get you a bottom bracket,” I said. And I did, from Rivendell. Now, did I do them a favor by supplying the needed part or was that a faux pas? They still got my money for labor, I suppose. I’m buoyed by your belief that my perfect bike will be flawless on the road soon. I’m sure I’ll find something else to worry about by then, but it’s good to have hope! Leah Sent from my iPad > On Dec 6, 2020, at 3:55 AM, Ben Mihovk <[email protected]> wrote: > Oh boy, do I feel where you are coming from! > > After saving paychecks from my part-time job since January, I got my Atlantis > at the end of September. Creaking handlebar/stem when I put pressure on it > had me almost in tears, and on the verge of calling Rivendell about it and > not wanting to - they built me this wonderful bike and are super busy and I > don’t want to seem like an ingrate, etc... But I searched the internet, > experimented, tried tightening/loosening the bolt....turns out all it needed > was a little lube on the bar/stem interface and it was gone (I figured that > out from your thread about your Clem’s handlebar creak, Leah!). > > There have been a few other sounds/issues that I’ve been able to remedy > (brake rubbing rim, cable stretch causing some messy shifting, monkeying with > saddle height). I have yet to bring it to a bike shop...but I dread it for > several reasons. One - I hate feeling like I’m bugging someone to do > something for me I should know how to do, and 2. I am self-conscious that the > LBS is going to judge me for buying a very expensive bike online instead of > supporting them with a big splash purchase. > > Leah, I’m off topic a bit, so I’ll wrap it up. That feeling when you’ve > waited so long for a bike that you hope to be THE perfect bike for you and > then any little thing goes wrong? I know that feeling. BUT...you’ll get the > kinks worked out and that Platypus will be humming in no time! > > Ben > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Dec 5, 2020, at 11:17 PM, Leah Peterson <[email protected]> wrote: >> These are great responses and I actually laughed in my bed. I’m so glad I’m >> not alone. >> >> Matthew - I knew I was hearing more than one sound! Glad you confirmed it. >> Wondering if I dare share your suggestions with the shop. I’m definitely >> sharing the video. >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Dec 5, 2020, at 9:03 PM, Patrick Moore <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Of course! Many times! And worse than rubbing: major things wrong with the >>> new build: the front derailleur won't shift to the small ring (stupidly >>> installed crank on far too long bb spindle; learned something!*), the rear >>> derailleur rubs on spokes before shifting to the big cog (that one still >>> puzzles me, but I got another rd to work), fenders turn out to be too >>> narrow for tires (learned what "65" really means with SKS P65s), custom >>> rear rack sways like a cobra under weight of 12-pack (well, that was just a >>> bad design -- solution: pay for new rear rack), front low riders came >>> without bottom attachments (ditto, but usable for light loads on smooth >>> roads), can't get rear derailleur to perfectly index (7 speed XT; gave up >>> indexing for over 20 years, not kidding), etc etc etc over 50+ years of >>> tinkering on bikes. >>> >>> I recall the hurt frustration with my very first from-scratch build, when >>> no brake known to man would fit the bike; Indian rod braked roadster frame >>> meant for 635 mm bead set diameter rims built up with 622 bsd 700C rim in >>> rear and 24" wheel in front. I really didn't know that you needed to match >>> wheel size to frame. Rode it on dangerous hilly roads with freehweel and no >>> brake except jamming right Ked onto front tire, survived, special >>> Providence that watches over fools and Americans. >>> >>> Live and learn is the lesson. >>> >>> *I fondly recall the look of contempt on the bike shop mechanic when I >>> plaintively explained the problem. >>> >>> On Sat, Dec 5, 2020 at 9:09 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>> ... What I want to know if if the rest of you experience this agony. >>> >>> >>> >>>> All I want to do is just ride my raspberry Platypus. I have goals, a 3,000 >>>> mile one for 2020, in fact, and I am 17.1 miles from reaching it. But >>>> instead of basking in that, I have been riding around stressed out by all >>>> the new sounds/ticks/rubs/whirs that my new bike is making. Add to that >>>> the extra stress of not having the capability to fix things myself, which >>>> means a 40 minute drive across town to the bros at the shop, who now know >>>> me on a first name basis. Embarrassing. >>>> >>>> Let me be clear - Rivendell built the perfect frame. It’s getting all >>>> these parts and wiring and fenders and gears to work, that’s the problem. >>>> >>>> I tell you, I remember this with the Clem, too. I could tell it was a >>>> great bike, so much fun to ride, not that I was having much fun... I was >>>> riding around, swerving, with my head cocked analyzing foreign sounds and >>>> vibrations coming from this strange beast beneath me. Maybe the shop >>>> installed stuff wrong, I’d think (which was the case more than once). >>>> Maybe something has come loose and the bike is about to fall apart beneath >>>> me, I’d think. But the Clem got all ironed out and became perfect and now >>>> here I am at ground zero again with this pretty Platypus. >>>> >>>> Today I went 22 miles, but not without complications. Both the Clem and >>>> the Platypus have something rubbing. I rode around on the Platypus in bad >>>> form leaning my ear to hear - “Is that one sound or two sounds?” “Is that >>>> rubbing or a strange vibrating?” “Is this what the Schmidt dyno hub sounds >>>> like? I don’t think my Shutter Precision makes this sound.” “Maybe it’s >>>> the fender.” “What if the tape is coming off the dyno wiring?” “I think >>>> that screw is too close!” Lastly, the stem started clicking when I apply >>>> light pressure to it. >>>> >>>> And this game has been going on since the Friday after Thanksgiving when I >>>> assumed custody of this rowdy Platypus. >>>> >>>> All I want is to stop playing this game. Ride my bike in peace, which >>>> means listening to the familiar whirring and humming as I pedal. I want to >>>> feel how nice the ride is, instead of being distracted by sounds that >>>> could be indicative of doom. I don’t want rubs, clicks, or anything janky >>>> going on. I want familiar! It has me completely bummed out; a heaviness of >>>> heart, that’s what I’m having. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> So, who else can relate and what stories do you have? It would feel nice >>>> if this was normal, instead of being unique to mechanically-challenged me. >>>> >>>> In the next post I’ll include a video what the bike was doing to me today. >>>> Name that sound! >>>> Leah >>>> -- >>>> 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 [email protected]. >>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/04224585-c84d-4ace-9e3f-fbea837b88a5n%40googlegroups.com. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> >>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> Patrick Moore >>> Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum >>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/NxxUYLKcgoc/unsubscribe. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>> [email protected]. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CALuTfgv%3DP8DXexkB4bmBtBfE%3D1jrCV9Ata%2Bjwnr4Ru-gbJNMNg%40mail.gmail.com. >> >> -- >> 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 [email protected]. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/915591F1-84C5-4117-9B26-776D2643167E%40gmail.com. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google > Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this topic, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/NxxUYLKcgoc/unsubscribe. > To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to > [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/E9890D15-7B66-4345-BBD5-0CB027DC02A3%40gmail.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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