I have a Jones LWB complete (size M) and a Susie (size L). Or had a Susie until it died an untimely death after falling off a bike rack on the highway. I found the Susie to be barely the right size (me: PBH 87, 6 foot, 150 lbs) so take all of this with that in mind.
I got the Susie because the Jones was quite heavy and wanted something lighter and more nimble- but the Susie was not much lighter, maybe 3 lb or so. I had pretty standard components (Velocity Cliffhanger/ Teravail 2.6; Silver crank, Tosco bars). It's a big bike. Like really big. I mostly used Susie for singletrack, pretty standard XC mountain biking with some downhill and commuting thrown in. I found it to be very similar to the Jones, actually, with some slight differences. The steering of the Susie had less flop, and the ride felt a bit livelier. Susie was able to handle any terrain I wanted to ride and I kept up fine with my friends on full squish (I just needed to steer more to avoid the big bumps). The Jones however feels a bit more planted, perhaps because the BB is lower. I also had the stem on the Susie all the way down, so I feel that the stack was almost too high for me as I found myself hunching over my handlebars on gravel or road and fantasizing about drop bars. But again, maybe the bike was too big and a M would have been better. I will say the stack and Tosco bars were nice especially on steep downhills. Overall I preferred the Susie, for the ride but a lot for the look and feel of it - but then it died. However I have not missed Susie so much as to look for another one and feel like the Jones is fine. If I get a Susie in the next round it will be a size M but I really like 29+ wheels to be honest. Ben in ATL On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 8:19:11 PM UTC-5 a spen wrote: > Having owned all of the bikes you've mentioned here (Gus, Susie, Jones LWB > complete) I will share that there is no comparison between the Jones > complete vs. the Rivs, IMHO. The Jones complete felt like a sled out of > the box and like you, it was not long in my stable (unlike the Jones LWB > frame I built up which felt much lighter and livelier, though ultimately > not a keeper) > Given the riding you describe I would comfortably encourage you to > consider one of the Rivs you mentioned here. > Al's 2-penny's worth > > > On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 8:09:25 AM UTC-5 Garth wrote: > >> If you found your *enjoyable Jones too heavy to be enjoyabl*e .... >> you'll likely find the same with a Gus/Susie. Or just give up the ghost of >> weighing and comparing bikes and just ride and enjoy them for what they >> are...... a means for The Ride ! >> On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 7:40:43 AM UTC-5 Bill Fulford wrote: >> >>> I’ve been riding my Gus for a year now. It’s taken some time to warm up >>> to it, but having ridden through the fall and now into winter I am loving >>> it. It definitely feels heavy, but when I want a ride without windchill, a >>> bike that can plow through water, mud, over roots, basically thru anything >>> Maine offers, it is my go to bike. A peppy ride? Not how I would describe >>> it. Strong and stable? Yes! Fun? Absolutely! Just yesterday I rode across >>> deep frozen mud and felt confident, The bike hardly shifted. (I also ride >>> 2.6 tires). Hope this helps in your decision. ~Bill >>> >>> On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 7:22:49 AM UTC-5 Roberta wrote: >>> >>>> If you speak with anyone at Riv, I believe he will tell you what he >>>> really believes is best, not a “sales” job. >>>> >>>> I’ve called about a red Roscoe Bubbe to have a Joe Appaloosa (purchased >>>> from a dealer instead of direct; they would have made more money with a >>>> full Rosco build) suggested instead. I’ve called about a Cheviot to be >>>> told I should wait a few years until their newer model (which became the >>>> Platypus) comes out. I’ve been extremely happy heeding their advice. >>>> >>>> Good luck with your first Riv >>>> >>>> Roberta >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 1:48:43 AM UTC-5 fra...@gmail.com wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hello all! Long time Riv admirer. But, I always hesitate long enough >>>>> to miss out on buying one. >>>>> >>>>> I ride a Chumba Ursa mountain bike. It tows my daughter, grocery runs, >>>>> any trail ever. I ride the bike mellow in my opinion, but I’ve been told >>>>> maybe I’m more aggressive than I feel. Jumps are common when a water bar >>>>> is >>>>> good, even fully loaded. But they are always a smooth landing. I ride a >>>>> 29x2.6 and find it great for most terrain. Snow is rare but not something >>>>> I >>>>> don’t ride in. I had an LWB Jones complete and very much enjoyed the >>>>> bike. >>>>> But, 37lbs without saddle or pedals was my first time feeling like a bike >>>>> is too heavy to be fun. And it was the shortest lived bike I’ve ever had. >>>>> I’ve never felt that disc brakes were an upgrade really. For reference, I >>>>> am 6’1” 170lbs. 90 PBH puts me between sizes on the upper end so that is >>>>> always nice to hear what others prefer! >>>>> >>>>> Anyhow, am I a Riv candidate? With the Gus And Susie pre sale starting >>>>> soon I wanted to ask the group opinion. I will call them and I’m sure >>>>> they >>>>> can sell me that I am. But that’s their job. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks to anyone who has some insight, I appreciate it in advance! >>>>> >>>>> -- 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/597f1df7-51de-4d7b-a7ae-af56e6288dd5n%40googlegroups.com.
