Rambouillet and old Super Sport

08-01-2004, 06:03 PM

[45 year old male. Back into cycling after 20 years. A hack
currently--maybe 10 miles a day. Looking to increase that. No racing.
Exercise and fun, though I appreciate a fine machine.]

I have an 87 Schwinn Super Sport. Looking for an upgrade, I've ridden
the following new models. These include:
Raleigh Competition
Fuji Roubaix Pro
Lemond Versailles
Cannondale R800
Trek 5200
Specialized Roubaix

The problem is that, though these bikes are obviously mechanically
superior machines, especially with regard to weight and braking
(Shimano 600 drivetrain on SS works very well), I'm not sure that
these bikes really provide that much more riding pleasure.

A major factor is frame fit. The SS has a 58/56 cm, seat tube/top tube
ratio, while the newer frames are typically are more elongated,
creating a feeling of falling into the front tires. The Specialized
Roubaix was the best fit, more closely duplicating my SS frame, but
still did not say "This is home, this is special".

Then I discovered the Rambouillet online. Never ridden one or seen it
in person, but what a beautifully seductive machine. Most importantly,
it looks like Rivendell has deliberately selected a geometry for this
frame that is consistent with my requirements.

I'm looking for any thoughts on this bike and my situation in general.
I'm not interested in a hybrid or comfort bike. Heron bikes also look
attractive.
Dave

08-01-2004, 06:18 PM

On Sun, 01 Aug 2004 22:03:40 -0400, DaveH wrote:

> Then I discovered the Rambouillet online. Never ridden one or seen it in
> person, but what a beautifully seductive machine. Most importantly, it
> looks like Rivendell has deliberately selected a geometry for this frame
> that is consistent with my requirements.
>
> I'm looking for any thoughts on this bike and my situation in general. I'm
> not interested in a hybrid or comfort bike. Heron bikes also look
> attractive.
> Dave

If you can afford it--get it. I've test ridden one, but it's out of my
economic league at the moment.

Totally classic, will last you a lifetime. Great geometry, the ride is
brilliant and quite familiar to folks that have ridden older steel. Sexy
as hell. For the practical folks there's the nice braze ons and the
ability to mount fenders--something that most modern road bikes won't
handle with the tight clearances.

08-01-2004, 06:18 PM

On Sun, 01 Aug 2004 22:03:40 -0400, DaveH wrote:

> Then I discovered the Rambouillet online. Never ridden one or seen it in
> person, but what a beautifully seductive machine. Most importantly, it
> looks like Rivendell has deliberately selected a geometry for this frame
> that is consistent with my requirements.
>
> I'm looking for any thoughts on this bike and my situation in general. I'm
> not interested in a hybrid or comfort bike. Heron bikes also look
> attractive.
> Dave

If you can afford it--get it. I've test ridden one, but it's out of my
economic league at the moment.

Totally classic, will last you a lifetime. Great geometry, the ride is
brilliant and quite familiar to folks that have ridden older steel. Sexy
as hell. For the practical folks there's the nice braze ons and the
ability to mount fenders--something that most modern road bikes won't
handle with the tight clearances.

08-01-2004, 06:18 PM

On Sun, 01 Aug 2004 22:03:40 -0400, DaveH wrote:

> Then I discovered the Rambouillet online. Never ridden one or seen it in
> person, but what a beautifully seductive machine. Most importantly, it
> looks like Rivendell has deliberately selected a geometry for this frame
> that is consistent with my requirements.
>
> I'm looking for any thoughts on this bike and my situation in general. I'm
> not interested in a hybrid or comfort bike. Heron bikes also look
> attractive.
> Dave

If you can afford it--get it. I've test ridden one, but it's out of my
economic league at the moment.

Totally classic, will last you a lifetime. Great geometry, the ride is
brilliant and quite familiar to folks that have ridden older steel. Sexy
as hell. For the practical folks there's the nice braze ons and the
ability to mount fenders--something that most modern road bikes won't
handle with the tight clearances.

08-01-2004, 06:18 PM

On Sun, 01 Aug 2004 22:03:40 -0400, DaveH wrote:

> Then I discovered the Rambouillet online. Never ridden one or seen it in
> person, but what a beautifully seductive machine. Most importantly, it
> looks like Rivendell has deliberately selected a geometry for this frame
> that is consistent with my requirements.
>
> I'm looking for any thoughts on this bike and my situation in general. I'm
> not interested in a hybrid or comfort bike. Heron bikes also look
> attractive.
> Dave

If you can afford it--get it. I've test ridden one, but it's out of my
economic league at the moment.

Totally classic, will last you a lifetime. Great geometry, the ride is
brilliant and quite familiar to folks that have ridden older steel. Sexy
as hell. For the practical folks there's the nice braze ons and the
ability to mount fenders--something that most modern road bikes won't
handle with the tight clearances.

08-01-2004, 06:18 PM

On Sun, 01 Aug 2004 22:03:40 -0400, DaveH wrote:

> Then I discovered the Rambouillet online. Never ridden one or seen it in
> person, but what a beautifully seductive machine. Most importantly, it
> looks like Rivendell has deliberately selected a geometry for this frame
> that is consistent with my requirements.
>
> I'm looking for any thoughts on this bike and my situation in general. I'm
> not interested in a hybrid or comfort bike. Heron bikes also look
> attractive.
> Dave

If you can afford it--get it. I've test ridden one, but it's out of my
economic league at the moment.

Totally classic, will last you a lifetime. Great geometry, the ride is
brilliant and quite familiar to folks that have ridden older steel. Sexy
as hell. For the practical folks there's the nice braze ons and the
ability to mount fenders--something that most modern road bikes won't
handle with the tight clearances.

08-01-2004, 06:57 PM

I purchased one of the last orange Rambouillet. I love it. It is the first
upright bike that I have ridden, that is pain free! (I usually ride
recumbents). I spraypainted the fenders white and used white bar tape. I set
mine up with Ultregra Brifters, a Truvative 48-38-28 crank, and a 12-34 mega
range rear cogset. I put on a Brooks B17 saddle. The new Rambouillet is blue
and I think comes as a complete bike.

"maxo" <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in message
news

an.2004.08.02.02.17.54.511485@NOSPAMhome.se. ..
> On Sun, 01 Aug 2004 22:03:40 -0400, DaveH wrote:
>
> > Then I discovered the Rambouillet online. Never ridden one or seen it in
> > person, but what a beautifully seductive machine. Most importantly, it
> > looks like Rivendell has deliberately selected a geometry for this
frame
> > that is consistent with my requirements.
> >
> > I'm looking for any thoughts on this bike and my situation in general.
I'm
> > not interested in a hybrid or comfort bike. Heron bikes also look
> > attractive.
> > Dave
>
> If you can afford it--get it. I've test ridden one, but it's out of my
> economic league at the moment.
>
> Totally classic, will last you a lifetime. Great geometry, the ride is
> brilliant and quite familiar to folks that have ridden older steel. Sexy
> as hell. For the practical folks there's the nice braze ons and the
> ability to mount fenders--something that most modern road bikes won't
> handle with the tight clearances.
>
>
>
>

>

08-01-2004, 06:57 PM

I purchased one of the last orange Rambouillet. I love it. It is the first
upright bike that I have ridden, that is pain free! (I usually ride
recumbents). I spraypainted the fenders white and used white bar tape. I set
mine up with Ultregra Brifters, a Truvative 48-38-28 crank, and a 12-34 mega
range rear cogset. I put on a Brooks B17 saddle. The new Rambouillet is blue
and I think comes as a complete bike.

"maxo" <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in message
news

an.2004.08.02.02.17.54.511485@NOSPAMhome.se. ..
> On Sun, 01 Aug 2004 22:03:40 -0400, DaveH wrote:
>
> > Then I discovered the Rambouillet online. Never ridden one or seen it in
> > person, but what a beautifully seductive machine. Most importantly, it
> > looks like Rivendell has deliberately selected a geometry for this
frame
> > that is consistent with my requirements.
> >
> > I'm looking for any thoughts on this bike and my situation in general.
I'm
> > not interested in a hybrid or comfort bike. Heron bikes also look
> > attractive.
> > Dave
>
> If you can afford it--get it. I've test ridden one, but it's out of my
> economic league at the moment.
>
> Totally classic, will last you a lifetime. Great geometry, the ride is
> brilliant and quite familiar to folks that have ridden older steel. Sexy
> as hell. For the practical folks there's the nice braze ons and the
> ability to mount fenders--something that most modern road bikes won't
> handle with the tight clearances.
>
>
>
>

>

08-01-2004, 06:57 PM

I purchased one of the last orange Rambouillet. I love it. It is the first
upright bike that I have ridden, that is pain free! (I usually ride
recumbents). I spraypainted the fenders white and used white bar tape. I set
mine up with Ultregra Brifters, a Truvative 48-38-28 crank, and a 12-34 mega
range rear cogset. I put on a Brooks B17 saddle. The new Rambouillet is blue
and I think comes as a complete bike.

"maxo" <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in message
news

an.2004.08.02.02.17.54.511485@NOSPAMhome.se. ..
> On Sun, 01 Aug 2004 22:03:40 -0400, DaveH wrote:
>
> > Then I discovered the Rambouillet online. Never ridden one or seen it in
> > person, but what a beautifully seductive machine. Most importantly, it
> > looks like Rivendell has deliberately selected a geometry for this
frame
> > that is consistent with my requirements.
> >
> > I'm looking for any thoughts on this bike and my situation in general.
I'm
> > not interested in a hybrid or comfort bike. Heron bikes also look
> > attractive.
> > Dave
>
> If you can afford it--get it. I've test ridden one, but it's out of my
> economic league at the moment.
>
> Totally classic, will last you a lifetime. Great geometry, the ride is
> brilliant and quite familiar to folks that have ridden older steel. Sexy
> as hell. For the practical folks there's the nice braze ons and the
> ability to mount fenders--something that most modern road bikes won't
> handle with the tight clearances.
>
>
>
>

>

08-01-2004, 06:57 PM

I purchased one of the last orange Rambouillet. I love it. It is the first
upright bike that I have ridden, that is pain free! (I usually ride
recumbents). I spraypainted the fenders white and used white bar tape. I set
mine up with Ultregra Brifters, a Truvative 48-38-28 crank, and a 12-34 mega
range rear cogset. I put on a Brooks B17 saddle. The new Rambouillet is blue
and I think comes as a complete bike.

"maxo" <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in message
news

an.2004.08.02.02.17.54.511485@NOSPAMhome.se. ..
> On Sun, 01 Aug 2004 22:03:40 -0400, DaveH wrote:
>
> > Then I discovered the Rambouillet online. Never ridden one or seen it in
> > person, but what a beautifully seductive machine. Most importantly, it
> > looks like Rivendell has deliberately selected a geometry for this
frame
> > that is consistent with my requirements.
> >
> > I'm looking for any thoughts on this bike and my situation in general.
I'm
> > not interested in a hybrid or comfort bike. Heron bikes also look
> > attractive.
> > Dave
>
> If you can afford it--get it. I've test ridden one, but it's out of my
> economic league at the moment.
>
> Totally classic, will last you a lifetime. Great geometry, the ride is
> brilliant and quite familiar to folks that have ridden older steel. Sexy
> as hell. For the practical folks there's the nice braze ons and the
> ability to mount fenders--something that most modern road bikes won't
> handle with the tight clearances.
>
>
>
>

>