Those are both such great looking setups. I'm saving that photo. Ryan
On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 7:06:58 PM UTC-8, Tony Lockhart wrote: > > Thanks Aaron! I agree, the front brake caliper in the photo is out of > tolerance--this is my primary gripe about the San Marcos. My 54cm SM uses a > standard (47-57) reach caliper up front and a long reach (55-73) caliper at > the back. I'm not sure if this is a design flaw or an operator error. For > what it's worth, these little issues are not heinous enough to deter me > from liking the bike because it has excellent handling characteristics and > is fun to ride. > > Incidentally, I am currently running the proper reach caliper up front > because I had this nagging feeling that the long reach caliper would fail. > > > > > > On Monday, December 3, 2012 10:29:33 PM UTC-8, Aaron Thomas wrote: >> >> Tony, >> >> Quick head's up on your brake reach issue. Looks like you're using the >> wrong brake up front — and that's why the brake pads are high in the slots. >> Only the 650B sizes of the San Marcos (i.e. 47, 51) use the long reach >> Tektro 559 (55-73mm). The 700c sizes use standard reach brakes (47-57 mm). >> That'd be the Tektro R539 <http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/brsbm59.htm>. >> Did you try putting a standard reach brake on the front? >> >> Aaron >> >> On Sunday, December 2, 2012 11:42:46 AM UTC-8, Tony Lockhart wrote: >>> >>> Ryan, >>> I actually have both bikes and have some thoughts to share with you >>> regarding both. Perhaps some of my experiences can help with your decision >>> on which frame to purchase. >>> >>> I bought a Sam Hillborne a couple of years back and went through a >>> number of drivetrain and accessory changes. It's been my go fast, >>> commuting, townie, and cyclocross bike so I feel qualified in comparing >>> both bikes. My Sam has had a number of "personalities" in regards to set up >>> and ride characteristics. I currently have it set up as a townie with >>> fenders, 32mm tires, drop bars, and a basket (*contemplating a dirt >>> drop stem and flat bars with cork grips*). I also have a San Marcos set >>> up as a commuter, club ride bike, and cyclocross bike. My San Marcos has a >>> mix of Shimano parts, 32mm tires, a Velo Orange rack, and drop bars. *To >>> answer your original question, the San Marcos is an excellent choice for a >>> go fast bike.* >>> >>> >>> <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8n1WhS2qYyg/ULulwQWTKsI/AAAAAAAAAuA/ifpWp81Ra2w/s1600/DSC00207.JPG> >>> >>> *San Marcos Criticism #1* >>> >>> I'm not sure if this is true for different sizes, but you'll need >>> standard reach brake calipers up front and long reach calipers in the rear >>> if you purchase a 54cm San Marcos. I am not sure if this is true of the >>> other sizes or with any other 54cm San Marcos frames. I am running Tektro >>> R559 brakes on this bike--the fit of the rear calipers is spot on however >>> long reach calipers up front don't seem to fit properly. Have a look at the >>> attached photo and you'll see that the fork was not designed for long reach >>> brakes. Conjecture says that this bike should use standard reach brakes and >>> that the rear brake bridge on my bike was welded too far upwards, >>> necessitating longer reach brakes. >>> >>> >>> <https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hPpChC7_z00/ULul4qOoEJI/AAAAAAAAAuI/nMYrtVGrYoc/s1600/DSC00209.JPG> >>> >>> *San Marcos Criticism #2* >>> >>> The dropouts on this bike suck compared to the ones on my Sam. As you >>> can see from the photos, the front dropouts originally come with lawyer >>> tabs--I quickly filed those off after acquiring the bike. The rear dropout >>> eyelets are welded too closely to the frame and cause interference when >>> trying to mount a rack or fenders. The welds get in the way and prevent you >>> from mounting accessories in a flush manner. The second photo shows a >>> slight gap between the rack tab and the eyelets because the welds get in >>> the way. Moreover, the decorative part of the Soma dropouts interfere with >>> the quick-release hub skewer--this is not the case with my Sam. >>> >>> >>> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U7UDrv1Nts0/ULul_MczA-I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/gNXYgLA5_9E/s1600/DSC00210.JPG> >>> >>> >>> <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OiPJ0hY_jvk/ULumDgoGmRI/AAAAAAAAAuY/pDBz7q0BIEU/s1600/DSC00212.JPG> >>> >>> >>> With all of that said, the San Marcos is an excellent bike and I am very >>> pleased with it. I have no trouble maintaining an average speed of 23mph >>> while on club rides. It is quite comfortable however feels very sporty and >>> agile when compared to the Sam Hillborne. Since you already have a Sam, try >>> to imagine your bike with easier maneuverability, a lighter feel when >>> climbing, and less squirrel*liness*. If you go with mainly Nitto parts, >>> more spokes than less, and wide tires, you'll have no worries about >>> durability if you end up with a San Marcos. >>> >>> I haven't had the chance to test ride a Roadeo, but I imagine that model >>> to be much more suitable for fast riding than the San Marcos. The Roadeo is >>> a gorgeous frame, and would probably be the ONE frame I would have if I >>> could only own one bike. But since I'm fortunate enough to have two, I feel >>> the San Marcos can easily be differentiated from the Sam Hillboarne while >>> retaining those absolute must characteristics (comfort, durability, >>> versatility). In your shoes, I would try to get past the eccentricities of >>> the San Marco because it's so much cheaper than the Roadeo...then I'd use >>> the left over money to purchase an awesome wheel set and an SRAM Apex group. >>> >>> >>> >>> On Sunday, December 2, 2012 10:42:45 AM UTC-8, RJM wrote: >>>> >>>> Thanks for all the replies, >>>> >>>> One the go fast bike, I was planning on using brifters, probably >>>> something from Sram as I prefer their hood shape. I am not exactly light, >>>> about 200 and still a short dude so I do have some weight to get off me. >>>> Light weight really isn't a huge consideration on the new bike, but having >>>> quick tires/wheels/the abilty to quickly shift would be important to the >>>> riding I have planned for it. I am also planning on sticking look >>>> clipless on whatever frame I get (I know, don't shoot me). I do want the >>>> bike to be durable too, my last trek wasn't exactly durable, the rear hub >>>> had issues fairly quickly and the shifters junked up and lasted about a >>>> year. I'm not too happy with what you get at the local bike shop, those >>>> bikes aren't really comfortable and for the money I think the Riv/Soma are >>>> better deals (and I don't want a carbon fork). The local bike shop owner >>>> put me on a Trek Domane for a test ride. It was a decent ride, but my Sam >>>> Hillborne is a better bike in my mind. (cheaper too.) >>>> >>>> Is the San Marcos rear 130 or 135 spaced? >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/hGuKSbMZpJ8J. 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.
