Hey Matthew, as one of several Seattle Riv riders I can chime in. I ride a triple Ram (26/39/49 x 11-26) and stay almost exclusively on the 39 ring (but then I ride w/out a load). There is only one 30 yard stretch on my normal routes where I need the 26 (coming off the top of I-90 over lake WA). Summer is gorgeous w/long dry days. Winter is fairly mild (esp coming from Ann Arbor) with short gray days (dusk at 4:30pm). Rain is about 33" - about equivalent to Boston or NYC except you get more gray & drizzle out here. You will want fenders and a solid light set-up. I ride a brooks but don't leave it outside at all. Give me a yell when you hit town. Best of luck. Bruce
On Jul 11, 12:23 pm, Matthew Snyder <mwsny...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi RBW folks, > > I put down a deposit on a new AHH (63cm) and I'm looking for advice on > how to build it up. I'm relocating to Seattle after years of living > in various places where the biggest hills are highway overpasses. I'm > looking to build a commuter that can also handle weekend trips, > overnights, "light" touring, centuries... that sort of thing. I see > there are a few Seattle-area people on this list so I'm hoping to > elicit some insider advice. > > The AHH will not be my only bike. I already have a Bilenky porteur > (650B) that I will use for grocery runs and heavy loads. I have a > beater for locking up outside late at night. I want the AHH to be > zippier, more suited to a faster pace and longer rides. I have a set > of Acorn bags (large saddlebag and boxy rando bag) that I plan to use > as part of the build, and I'm hopeful that those bags will be enough > for daily use, perhaps augmented with a backpack on days when I need > extra capacity. I'm also considering a rear rack with panniers. I > have a set of orange Ortliebs which are great at keeping things dry > and for visibility, but lose points in the attractiveness category, I > think. > > I have been using albatross-style bars almost exclusively for the past > five or six years. But I'm thinking it makes sense to go with drops > on the AHH for the increased riding positions. > > I'm 6'3", 175lbs, in case that matters. > > Questions I have: > - What about the rain? Obviously fenders are a must, but I'm > interested in other suggestions from people living in rainy climates. > Are there certain components you'd recommend or not recommend? I'm > also very interested in tire suggestions -- my current favorite tires > are Hetres but it's been awhile since I've bought a quality 700c tire > and I'm not sure what people like for rainy, hilly areas. > > - Hills. I know this might sound silly, but I haven't had to think > much about gearing, living on flat ground. I always have enough gears > and I can usually get by with just one if need be. How do I know if I > want a compact double or a triple? > > - Saddles: I've been riding mostly Brooks for years, and I carry a > rainproof saddle cover with me. Should I consider some non-leather > alternatives, though? > > Thanks. This will be my first Riv! > > -- > Matthew Snyder > Ann Arbor, MI -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
