Personally I gave up on the Brooks thing awhile ago. They have the look down and no saddle has style like that but I never found the comfort in them that other people have. Even after years of trying to work them in they just were too hard for me. Definitely when it came to upright riding. I like saddle with scoop, flex, and padding. I actually do kind of like the Cambium Brooks. They have lots of flex.
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 7:47:00 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > Mine’s got a B68 and I love it. B17 feels too narrow. > > On Feb 3, 2026, at 7:32 PM, Jim Schultz <[email protected]> wrote: > > Today was my first commuting day with CHG, so 20 miles down with the new > bike. Everything feels good, aside from the saddle. It's my first upright > position bike, so not sure if my butt needs to get used to it, but the B17 > I am so accustomed to riding in a drop bar position with no pain at all was > definitely rough. Is everyone here running the same saddle/similar width, > or are there others running wider saddles like B67 or similar? > > > > On Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 9:54:23 AM UTC-6 [email protected] wrote: > >> Congrats on the new bike, Jim. It looks great and encourages me as I'm >> getting practically the same bike this week in a dark gold 61cm frame with >> most of the same components as yours. There's no snow here in Austin, but >> when it's in the 20's, the streets are pretty empty as we're unaccustomed >> to these temps! >> >> Enjoy your new CG and hope you can get out and ride it soon. >> >> On Sat, Jan 31, 2026 at 1:51 PM Jim Schultz <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Hi friends - today was NBD! I was finally able to go get Charlie and >>> bring him home. Not sure if Mack's Bike & Goods is on this group, but >>> they're one of the very limited Rivendell dealers out there, and they're >>> amazing. Big ups to the crew there, especially Zack who guided this whole >>> transaction. >>> >>> Build list: >>> >>> 53cm CHG frame. >>> Nitto Albatross handlebars >>> Nitto Tallux stem >>> Oury grips >>> Promax XL-92 brake levers >>> Microshift 9 speed thumbie shifters (in friction mode!) >>> Tektro R559 long reach calipers >>> Nitto S65 seat post >>> Brooks B17 saddle >>> Microsoft stubby 'skeleton key' front derailer. >>> Soma/New Albion 42/26 double crankset >>> MKS Lambda pedals >>> Shimano Altus rear detailer >>> Mavic A319 Wheelset >>> Soma Shikoro 38mm tires >>> >>> I've only got few rides around the LBS neighborhood in, since it's cold >>> and snowy, but hoping to get it out tomorrow on something longer. The build >>> itself is great and I've loved the position and comfort of riding it; so >>> much different than your typical drop bars. Can't wait to ride more![image: >>> IMG_0584.jpeg] >>> On Friday, January 30, 2026 at 10:31:44 AM UTC-6 [email protected] >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Re: Jay Adams >>>> >>>> Thanks, Jay and sounds like we're almost in the exact same boat! Your >>>> summary of having both the Clem and CG matches my situation as well, being >>>> that I ride mostly pavement. Nice to have comfortable options. >>>> >>>> - Bill >>>> >>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 11:36 AM 'Jay Adams' via RBW Owners Bunch < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Regarding Bill Shaw's question, my experience is somewhat similar. I >>>>> purchased a Clem complete last spring after test riding one at >>>>> Rivendell's >>>>> shop. After not riding a bike much for years, partly due to the hilly >>>>> terrain of San Francisco, I became intrigued by Rivendell after reading a >>>>> story in The New Yorker magazine. My test ride on the Clem was wonderful >>>>> - >>>>> the bike felt like butter. So comfortable, especially compared to the >>>>> 1980s >>>>> mountain bikes in our garage. So I bought a Clem, mostly because it was >>>>> the >>>>> cheapest model. I needed to find out how sustainable this new bicycle >>>>> interest would be. >>>>> >>>>> Riding the Clem around the city and on the local bicycle trails has >>>>> been a revelatory experience. But since I'm nearly always on paved >>>>> surfaces, the Charlie Gallop seemed like an interesting bike to try. I >>>>> test >>>>> rode one at Rivendell prior to the pre-sale order date. Again, I fell in >>>>> love with the riding experience of the Gallop. Will was kind enough to >>>>> sell >>>>> me the shop demo bike since I really liked the way it was set up with the >>>>> Wavie bars. >>>>> >>>>> Now that I have two Rivendells, I ride the Gallop most of the time. >>>>> But it's still nice to have the Clem, because it's fitted with a basket. >>>>> I >>>>> use the Clem for grocery store runs and other errands. And my wife uses >>>>> it >>>>> when we go together on bike ride. >>>>> >>>>> I highly recommend the Charlie Gallop, and feel that it would be a >>>>> perfect complement to a Platypus. >>>>> >>>>> Jay >>>>> >>>>> On Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 8:44:40 AM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Jim: All of it. >>>>>> >>>>>> 🤣 >>>>>> Ok, in all honesty the periwinkle is superfluous. I could get along >>>>>> without it but I don’t want to. >>>>>> >>>>>> Raspberry: camping. Can be used for shopping. Is still my club rider >>>>>> when Charlie is in the shop. >>>>>> >>>>>> Purple: It’s a 50cm; the others are 55s. The 50 offers a shorter >>>>>> wheelbase so it’s easier to shove in my Telluride or to take on Amtrak >>>>>> or a >>>>>> bus rack, if I ever did that in a city I’m visiting. It’s got the >>>>>> fattest >>>>>> tires -48s- so that is what I’ve taken on the dirt road rides I’ve done >>>>>> in >>>>>> Michigan, and I’ve done several now, and just signed up for another one >>>>>> last week. I’ve been really glad for those tires! >>>>>> >>>>>> Periwinkle: I’ll let people ride that here if they come to my house >>>>>> without a bike. Can also be used for shopping. >>>>>> >>>>>> I highly recommend a pair of Platys! But you’ll all be waiting awhile >>>>>> because Riv won’t have any until August of ‘26. >>>>>> L >>>>>> >>>>>> On Jan 24, 2026, at 10:40 AM, Jim Schultz <[email protected]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> What does one do with multiple platypuses? >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Friday, January 23, 2026 at 5:25:55 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Well, Bill, I have 3 Platys and one Gallop and I NEED all of them. >>>>>>> Charlie feels easier and faster but the Platys aren’t slow. I have them >>>>>>> for >>>>>>> different purposes. The Platys are my favorite because I love the low >>>>>>> tubes >>>>>>> and they are just very comfortable. Charlie isn’t UNcomfortable; but he >>>>>>> just is really a road bike. I love him. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [image: image0.jpeg] >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Jan 23, 2026, at 6:15 PM, Bill Shaw <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Perfect timing on this thread as I was also having thoughts of >>>>>>> getting a Gallop for myself w/out a test ride and sight unseen. After >>>>>>> alot >>>>>>> of research, I did a "leap of faith" this past October and purchased a >>>>>>> 60cm >>>>>>> Platypus and it ended up exceeding my expectations as far as comfort >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> enjoyment are concerned. My greedy nature now has me eying a Gallop in >>>>>>> hopes of having two amazingly comfortable and enjoyable bikes in my >>>>>>> garage. >>>>>>> I was hoping to get anyone's thoughts or input on whether or not having >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> Platy and Gallop would be more or less having the same bike and if >>>>>>> getting a Gallop would be a redundant purchase. Appreciate any feedback >>>>>>> if >>>>>>> available. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>> Bill in Austin >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Tue, Jan 20, 2026 at 7:45 AM Stephen Edmondson < >>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I bought without riding first. But, I did ride a Homer, Sam and >>>>>>>> Cheviot ahead of time thanks to some local owners. This gave me a good >>>>>>>> point of reference for overall feel and I knew how I wanted the bike >>>>>>>> setup. >>>>>>>> What did it for me was calling in and chatting with Will. Had all my >>>>>>>> questions answered and got the info I needed. Would recommend. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Already thinking about n+1. Whenever that happens I'm planning on >>>>>>>> visiting HQ. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -Stephen in Dallas >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 7:25:17 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> It was the first thing everyone told me when I moved here and said >>>>>>>>> I was joining the bike club. One of the survivors is in my women’s >>>>>>>>> group. >>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Jan 19, 2026, at 9:01 PM, George Schick <[email protected]> >>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> While most of your cycling experience among these SW Michigan >>>>>>>>> people has been great and friendly, please don't forget about the >>>>>>>>> very >>>>>>>>> tragic event that occurred ten years ago on one of those very K-zoo >>>>>>>>> roads >>>>>>>>> which you ride where 5 cyclists were run over and killed by some >>>>>>>>> drugged-up >>>>>>>>> redneck in a pickup truck up driver. He's in prison for life now, >>>>>>>>> but that >>>>>>>>> does not mean that there aren't more of the same out there. You >>>>>>>>> can't be >>>>>>>>> too careful out there. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kzoo-bc/kalamazoo/kalamazoo-bike-tragedy-victims-remembered-six-years-later-through-memorial-ride >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Monday, January 19, 2026 at 7:37:06 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>>>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Mine was a total lapse in judgment. Impulse buy of the highest >>>>>>>>>> order. I never test rode it and barely knew what a Charlie looked >>>>>>>>>> like; I >>>>>>>>>> just read the copy and felt like it had been written for ME. I had >>>>>>>>>> been >>>>>>>>>> mulling over getting a road bike and the day of the pre-sale the >>>>>>>>>> idea hit >>>>>>>>>> me like lightning and I did it. Reckless. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> But, now I’m in love with Charlie and nothing can come between >>>>>>>>>> us. Not even my husband, who hates Charlie and calls him “Chuck” >>>>>>>>>> because he >>>>>>>>>> is jealous of the wild times we’ve been having together. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I hope you are getting one of these, Jim, because you won’t be >>>>>>>>>> disappointed, and it’s a bike that is actually in stock at Riv. Let >>>>>>>>>> us know >>>>>>>>>> if you adopt one. >>>>>>>>>> L >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Jan 19, 2026, at 8:14 PM, Jim Schultz <[email protected]> >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Hi all - apologies for resurrecting this thread, but wanted to >>>>>>>>>> know if most of you CHG owners ended up buying the bike sight unseen >>>>>>>>>> w/o a >>>>>>>>>> test ride? Was it a leap of blind faith? >>>>>>>>>> On Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 4:14:41 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle >>>>>>>>>> Ding Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Chester, >>>>>>>>>>> Yes, a camera would be nice. The Varia had some version of that >>>>>>>>>>> for $400 but there was a bunch of drawbacks I briefly read about so >>>>>>>>>>> didn’t >>>>>>>>>>> purchase. One of the gals in my club said her friend has VR glasses >>>>>>>>>>> or >>>>>>>>>>> whatever they are called these days and she would turn her head to >>>>>>>>>>> look at >>>>>>>>>>> the license plate and command the glasses to take a photo. Worked >>>>>>>>>>> brilliantly! >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Drivers seem to have less patience this time of year. We are >>>>>>>>>>> only riding in daylight hours now, of which there are not many. And >>>>>>>>>>> snow is >>>>>>>>>>> in the forecast this weekend. Sigh. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Nov 4, 2025, at 9:37 PM, Chester <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 4:37:18 AM UTC-7 Ryan Fleming >>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar >>>>>>>>>>> things happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and >>>>>>>>>>> report >>>>>>>>>>> the son of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding >>>>>>>>>>> buddies >>>>>>>>>>> safe, it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :) >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Ryan: not sure if you're bringing up having a camera in addition >>>>>>>>>>> to, or in, a Varia, the Varia RCT715 model has radar, light, and >>>>>>>>>>> camera >>>>>>>>>>> integrated in it. 1080p/30fps. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/721258/ >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> And earlier this year, Garmin released the Garmin Varia Vue, >>>>>>>>>>> which is a front headlight with integrated camera that can do up to >>>>>>>>>>> 4K/30fps. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Both units can be controlled from a compatible Garmin Edge >>>>>>>>>>> computer, as well as mobile app. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Cycliq has been doing camera/light combos for a while, but their >>>>>>>>>>> rear-facing unit doesn't have radar like the Garmin Varia. And the >>>>>>>>>>> front >>>>>>>>>>> light is not as bright as the Garmin Varia Vue. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Chester >>>>>>>>>>> SF Bay Area >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle >>>>>>>>>>> Ding Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because >>>>>>>>>>> upright bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends >>>>>>>>>>> lifting hands >>>>>>>>>>> off drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me >>>>>>>>>>> in >>>>>>>>>>> headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the >>>>>>>>>>> Charlie content for a moment. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. >>>>>>>>>>> The participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the >>>>>>>>>>> light. That >>>>>>>>>>> left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop >>>>>>>>>>> sign >>>>>>>>>>> out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We >>>>>>>>>>> were >>>>>>>>>>> confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at >>>>>>>>>>> *us*? I watched her through her rear window (she had passed us >>>>>>>>>>> and we were now stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she >>>>>>>>>>> definitely was >>>>>>>>>>> directing it at us. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at >>>>>>>>>>> again. I turned to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the >>>>>>>>>>> aggression >>>>>>>>>>> tonight?” Usually the Michiganders are the nicest people. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a >>>>>>>>>>> rare but terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they >>>>>>>>>>> might hit >>>>>>>>>>> you as they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the >>>>>>>>>>> same >>>>>>>>>>> stunt. We were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and >>>>>>>>>>> easy to >>>>>>>>>>> pass. We are obeying the law. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. >>>>>>>>>>> I heard the threat before I saw it. An aggressive-sounding engine >>>>>>>>>>> belonging >>>>>>>>>>> to the biggest black pickup with hugest mirrors turned onto our >>>>>>>>>>> road. It >>>>>>>>>>> revved its engine. “Linda, I have a bad feeling about this guy,” I >>>>>>>>>>> said. >>>>>>>>>>> “I’m going to single up.” There is no one on that road but us. We >>>>>>>>>>> are >>>>>>>>>>> single file. We are on the shoulder of the road. We are not >>>>>>>>>>> impeding this >>>>>>>>>>> driver in any way. He can easily pass us because we’ve left him >>>>>>>>>>> room and >>>>>>>>>>> there are no other vehicles around. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> He guns it. Rushes up in the passing lane, cuts in in front of >>>>>>>>>>> us and absolutely coal rolls us. Thick, black smoke. What a big, >>>>>>>>>>> tough guy, >>>>>>>>>>> harassing two women on bicycles who had done him no wrong. I was >>>>>>>>>>> shook. Not >>>>>>>>>>> once did we yell, gesture or retaliate against anyone. Since our >>>>>>>>>>> manners >>>>>>>>>>> mattered not, we cut our ride short and went back to the park. It >>>>>>>>>>> just felt >>>>>>>>>>> like a bad night to be out after 22 miles with that many >>>>>>>>>>> encounters. I >>>>>>>>>>> wrote on the club social media about it. Asked if anyone else had >>>>>>>>>>> aggression and one group had. A small tan pickup had cut in front >>>>>>>>>>> of them, >>>>>>>>>>> came to a complete stop and they only barely managed to avoid a >>>>>>>>>>> collision >>>>>>>>>>> by hitting their brakes. That guy got reported to the police. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> The next morning at work I was recounting the tale to an >>>>>>>>>>> anesthesiologist who also rides, and he said one of the CRNAs had >>>>>>>>>>> just told >>>>>>>>>>> him the same - he’d been harassed last night, too. That doc said, >>>>>>>>>>> “Do you >>>>>>>>>>> have a Varia?” I said no, I have a Garmin but no radar, and he >>>>>>>>>>> said, “Leah, >>>>>>>>>>> you really should get one. It is the best thing I’ve ever bought >>>>>>>>>>> for my >>>>>>>>>>> bike.” And then he pulled it up online and showed it to me. “I >>>>>>>>>>> really think >>>>>>>>>>> you need this,” he said. I was skeptical. That day my bike shop >>>>>>>>>>> sent their >>>>>>>>>>> e-newsletter and guess what was on sale? I rode my Platypus to the >>>>>>>>>>> shop the >>>>>>>>>>> next day and got a Varia for $50 off. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> So now Charlie is sporting a radar/tail light and I really like >>>>>>>>>>> it so far. Did you know you can let your friends hook up to it, >>>>>>>>>>> too? So now >>>>>>>>>>> some of the other girls who don’t have them have connected to >>>>>>>>>>> Charlie’s >>>>>>>>>>> Varia and we are all better off for it. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Oct 8, 2025, at 10:15 PM, Jay <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> You're great with the flowery language, Leah! >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> The Varia is the single best accessory I ever bought for >>>>>>>>>>> cycling. I ride on the road a lot, and I'm so relaxed having this >>>>>>>>>>> companion behind me, letting me know with an audio and visual cue >>>>>>>>>>> that a >>>>>>>>>>> car is coming, I stick out my hand to wave, easing over to my right >>>>>>>>>>> without >>>>>>>>>>> slowing down or looking behind me. Close to half of the drivers >>>>>>>>>>> wave, most >>>>>>>>>>> getting way over to the left. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Charlie looks to be a great bike, if you like swept bars. I >>>>>>>>>>> have them on another bike and I'm still trying to figure them out >>>>>>>>>>> (6 months >>>>>>>>>>> later). I think there is a huge potential for more road bikes with >>>>>>>>>>> good >>>>>>>>>>> tire clearance, tall head tubes, and short top tubes to allow for >>>>>>>>>>> drop >>>>>>>>>>> bars. My Roadini is my baby, but there is potential there for more! >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 5:42:59 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle >>>>>>>>>>> Ding Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Aw, thanks, friends. I have had a ball on these bikes and I wish >>>>>>>>>>> everyone else got to experience the same. And lots of other >>>>>>>>>>> RivSisters will >>>>>>>>>>> echo what I wrote. And it’s not hard to romanticize about bikes. >>>>>>>>>>> The >>>>>>>>>>> flowery language comes easy! >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I have little bits of conversion I didn’t mean to make. I got >>>>>>>>>>> dyno swearing that I’d never be a slave to charging my lights. But >>>>>>>>>>> now I >>>>>>>>>>> have a Garmin and a Varia that get charged anyway, because >>>>>>>>>>> suddenly, I >>>>>>>>>>> can’t live without either of those. So Charlie is looking a little >>>>>>>>>>> odd, >>>>>>>>>>> running around here with his Garmin up front and his Varia on his >>>>>>>>>>> rear. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> But he’s still pure Rivendell. >>>>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Oct 8, 2025, at 10:03 AM, [email protected] <[email protected]> >>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Leah, you should really be getting paid by Riv. No post on this >>>>>>>>>>> forum has ever made me want a bicycle more than you're description >>>>>>>>>>> of >>>>>>>>>>> Charlie here! >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 8:52:16 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle >>>>>>>>>>> Ding Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Well they’re all missing out, Piaw! Charlie and I are in LOVE. >>>>>>>>>>> We’ve been running off together allll summer and we have thousands >>>>>>>>>>> of miles >>>>>>>>>>> together now. Charlie is What Women Want. Long wheelbases…we are >>>>>>>>>>> into them. >>>>>>>>>>> Pullback bars? Say less; we’re sold. Oh, the racers in the group >>>>>>>>>>> say >>>>>>>>>>> Charlie isn’t a Real Road Bike? Hold my earrings. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I came home tonight from yet another club ride and my husband >>>>>>>>>>> met me at the door. We did the schtick where he pretends to be >>>>>>>>>>> suspicious >>>>>>>>>>> of me and Charlie’s activities and confess Charlie and I were out >>>>>>>>>>> in the >>>>>>>>>>> night together again but it didn’t mean anything. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Charlie is a looker and a *scoundrel.* And those racers don’t >>>>>>>>>>> know any of this joy. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:06:17 PM UTC-4 [email protected] >>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard <[email protected]> >>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but >>>>>>>>>>> definitely a niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is >>>>>>>>>>> still quite >>>>>>>>>>> conservative and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the >>>>>>>>>>> long >>>>>>>>>>> toptube is never going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is >>>>>>>>>>> also a >>>>>>>>>>> quirk some will balk at. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional >>>>>>>>>>> road bike. To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non >>>>>>>>>>> racers >>>>>>>>>>> won't pick the Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long >>>>>>>>>>> chainstays mean that the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit >>>>>>>>>>> into a >>>>>>>>>>> bike box to get onto a plane to do a bike tour far from home. >>>>>>>>>>> (That's also >>>>>>>>>>> what turned me off the Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can >>>>>>>>>>> make it >>>>>>>>>>> hard to fit into trains or vans or cars. (I've done it with a >>>>>>>>>>> tandem which >>>>>>>>>>> is even longer, but let's just say that I've had evil stares from >>>>>>>>>>> fellow >>>>>>>>>>> passengers, and obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than >>>>>>>>>>> others) >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop >>>>>>>>>>> bars. So for instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes >>>>>>>>>>> into the >>>>>>>>>>> back of a Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's >>>>>>>>>>> Cheviot would >>>>>>>>>>> take up so much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack >>>>>>>>>>> instead >>>>>>>>>>> even when I'm planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back >>>>>>>>>>> bar at a >>>>>>>>>>> crowded school bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike >>>>>>>>>>> backwards with the rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard >>>>>>>>>>> cable >>>>>>>>>>> lock would have a hard time reaching the rack in those situations, >>>>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>>>> don't even start talking about a U-lock! >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video >>>>>>>>>>> on Saturday's ride: >>>>>>>>>>> https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but the >>>>>>>>>>> additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with >>>>>>>>>>> its >>>>>>>>>>> relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring >>>>>>>>>>> bike!), I >>>>>>>>>>> find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't >>>>>>>>>>> accelerate the >>>>>>>>>>> way more touring bike does. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> 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/0NEP_PxVtP8/unsubscribe >>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email >>>>>>>>>>> to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/312d96d5-48aa-48f6-aca8-e4c89f7eb639n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/312d96d5-48aa-48f6-aca8-e4c89f7eb639n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> 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/0NEP_PxVtP8/unsubscribe >>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email >>>>>>>>>>> to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/13dcf91e-69c1-4200-8f66-201d51783a45n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/13dcf91e-69c1-4200-8f66-201d51783a45n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> 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/0NEP_PxVtP8/unsubscribe >>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email >>>>>>>>>>> to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/ac358455-d854-4706-8139-3e1bb3e9db7dn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/ac358455-d854-4706-8139-3e1bb3e9db7dn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>> 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/0NEP_PxVtP8/unsubscribe >>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email >>>>>>>>>> to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/244f2b9d-2d30-485a-9b49-20c236906672n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> 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