Wow I'm way late on this one. I haven't looked at the group in months. Gears- I'm rolling on a Orange Sam with a 8 speed 11-34 on the back and a 46,30 double up front. This gives me only 16 speeds but a huge range of gears to choose from. The only thing I've noticed from having a double vs a triple is a slightly larger jump between gears. Sometimes (very rarely) I miss having a gear between two other gears. I tend to roll the 30 chainring up hills with the rear cassette somewhere in the middle but there are times I do enjoy my bailout granny gear (tired or after a few beers, etc.) I use 'em all. I love this set up.
Leather- Leather saddles should be just fine up here. Like others have said don't leave it out in the rain, uncovered. And if it gets soaked don't ride on it. The leather will stretch. Let it dry and maybe condition it. Mine gets a little wet up on the front many times a year. I got some leather saddlebags that get wet all the time. Nothing inside them does. They start looking dry and I saddle soap them or apply some conditioner like neet's foot oil, etc. They've held up well. Like others have stated bars are to personal. I like my old drops I bummed off my last bike. VO aluminum hammered full fenders, DA BOMB. I'm able to fit a 700x32 tire under there with no problems. I used to run skinny tires with high pressure. Now my pressure is around 70-80 and I find I get less punctures. I also recommend puncture resistant tires or strips. Now nothing seems to get through my tires except those damn thumb tacks someone threw on my bike path last week. I also love the generator hub light set up but if you are looking for something lighter you may not want to go that route. I hope by now you are enjoying your AHH! - the other Brian On Monday, July 11, 2011 11:23:56 AM UTC-7, Matthew Snyder 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 view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/MMLBsVAacdwJ. 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.
