those would match your fairy dust periwinkle platypus nicely too, i think On Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 9:21:18 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
> 😱😱😱 I must outfit Charlie at once! Forthwith! Posthaste! > Sent from my iPhone > > On Feb 10, 2026, at 5:45 PM, Jay <[email protected]> wrote: > > For Leah, with her aurora borealis themed paint scheme. > https://dismountbikeshop.com/collections/luminary-collection > > > This is one of my lbs, where I bought my Salsa Fargo. Great shop and > people. > > On Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 1:38:50 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! > wrote: > >> I feel like we’re all early adopters and the rest of the world will catch >> on soon. Just like Platys. Charlie SO FUN. >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On Feb 8, 2026, at 1:03 PM, Lawrence Marcus <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> >> Hi all, thought I'd share another new Charlie. This is my 57, which >> arrived last month and I've been thoroughly enjoying on the damp streets of >> North Seattle. This is a Rivendell build, the Albatross package, with tires >> swapped for the excellent Continental Grand Prix Urban 35s. (The Contact >> Urban 42s it arrived with felt great, but also like a bit more tire than I >> needed.) >> >> This is my first Rivendell and first swept-back bar experience, and it's >> taken some experimentation to find a comfortable setup. I'm still adjusting >> (note the painter's tape where twine should be, while I get clear on stem >> length), but it's very close. For me, the bike really started to feel good >> when I tried the stem down low. This allowed me to get some weight forward, >> and made a huge difference in terms of feeling connected to the front end >> of the bike. >> >> I've seen people ask if the Charlie feels fast. I'd call it *swift*. It >> carries moment beautifully, glides on the road, and steers so well that you >> *want* to ride it fast. It's terrific. >> >> <IMG_9552.jpeg> >> >> >> On Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 7:54:23 AM UTC-8 [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 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