As always, the combination of James and Chris makes for compelling watching here! At 72, I'm probably not in line for a new bike (but that doesn't stop me from really eyeing Chris' new Hardtack!) My parts bin, built up over the last 50 years is all threaded, 1" stems, which have been fitted on various steel and titanium frames that dated up to 2001. I added a Riv A. Homer Hilson in 2011 which has been my main bicycle since. Cleared out two Litespeeds (a 1995 Natchez and a 2001 Blue Ridge,) and added a Riv Roadini frame (obtained from James,) about two years ago. My riding is 99% on country back roads (where I live) with a small percentage being the same as Tony Hunt's variety of "roads." So I am well served by the Paul Racer Rim brakes and the traditional quick-release hubs. I have played some with a 1x11 (again from James,) but still like to run a triple front with a wide rear cassette, 9, 10, or 11 speed, with friction shifters. This works well for me. I'm not "against" disk brakes or thru-axles. I'm just not operating in conditions that are life and death because I don't have them. Also, I'm reluctant to start down the rabbit hole of building up a bike that requires them as that would be expensive for me now. I do benefit from James "Right Stems" and fit ideas. As an old bike shop employee of the 1980's and early 1990's, I love hearing the two of you compare notes on design and the business. Well done! Both Sessions!
Excellent interview. I don't disdain the Avid BB7s. I save my loathing for TRP Spyres, which failed me on a big descent. James may recall, as it was on an old Gravel and Grind ride. The TRP hydraulics I replaced the spyres with have held up well for several years.
Riv lost me as a customer when I realized that I really do prefer disc brakes, thru axles, and threadless headsets. And while I'm only a couple hours from Walnut Creek, CA, I have plenty of rocks and roots to contend with on my local trails (but not so rough that I still reach for one of my full rigid bikes 90% of the time). Another great interview, thanks.
Very enlightening as usual. Have you come across a kickstarter style project called the raised reverse stem. An aggressive MTB rider called Bronson has independently come up with a similar concept to James and he races with his design quite successfully! Keep up the good work!
Great conversion, thank you for pulling the together. I really appreciate James's philosophy to bike designs and fitting. Maybe I'm off base but there seems to have been a shift (possibility in the 90's??) where bikes begin to be designed for the road racing crew even though only a very small percentage of hobbyist/enthusiast cyclists actually race thus there seems to be this big disconnect between what the bike industry is designing and how your average 'Joe Bloggs' is actually using their bike
What if there is no size-up larger frame to purchase for the shorter stem? For the regular crowd there is only more frame-baggage space, limited by ability to squeeze in a suspension seat-post. For taller people there is already Jones bikes, but those don't need an aftermarket stem.
I sympathize with what you feel Riv’s limitations are, but from the totally opposite angle. You think maybe the California conditions keep them from disc brakes (seems to be your main frustration), where I think it keeps them from properly setting up bikes for fenders and dynamo. I don’t ride in mud, but I do ride in the city every single day, and even when I venture out for longer rides, I tend to stay on roads: Gravel, double track, rail to trail, etc, but “roads” nonetheless.
My frustration is being so willing to die on a hill that you go through the process of designing a new V brake so you can run the width tire you want. Seems silly to me.
@@ThePsychicDerailleur Simple is always in style, and fashionable every so often. V-brake hill is a good hill to die on. The disc-brakers have a harder time climbing it, so it serves as natural protection.
Ramble on guys. It was nice to hear a natural conversation as opposed to an interview with a list of specific questions.
As always, the combination of James and Chris makes for compelling watching here! At 72, I'm probably not in line for a new bike (but that doesn't stop me from really eyeing Chris' new Hardtack!) My parts bin, built up over the last 50 years is all threaded, 1" stems, which have been fitted on various steel and titanium frames that dated up to 2001. I added a Riv A. Homer Hilson in 2011 which has been my main bicycle since. Cleared out two Litespeeds (a 1995 Natchez and a 2001 Blue Ridge,) and added a Riv Roadini frame (obtained from James,) about two years ago. My riding is 99% on country back roads (where I live) with a small percentage being the same as Tony Hunt's variety of "roads." So I am well served by the Paul Racer Rim brakes and the traditional quick-release hubs. I have played some with a 1x11 (again from James,) but still like to run a triple front with a wide rear cassette, 9, 10, or 11 speed, with friction shifters. This works well for me. I'm not "against" disk brakes or thru-axles. I'm just not operating in conditions that are life and death because I don't have them. Also, I'm reluctant to start down the rabbit hole of building up a bike that requires them as that would be expensive for me now. I do benefit from James "Right Stems" and fit ideas. As an old bike shop employee of the 1980's and early 1990's, I love hearing the two of you compare notes on design and the business. Well done! Both Sessions!
Excellent interview. I don't disdain the Avid BB7s. I save my loathing for TRP Spyres, which failed me on a big descent. James may recall, as it was on an old Gravel and Grind ride. The TRP hydraulics I replaced the spyres with have held up well for several years.
Riv lost me as a customer when I realized that I really do prefer disc brakes, thru axles, and threadless headsets.
And while I'm only a couple hours from Walnut Creek, CA, I have plenty of rocks and roots to contend with on my local trails (but not so rough that I still reach for one of my full rigid bikes 90% of the time).
Another great interview, thanks.
Very enlightening as usual. Have you come across a kickstarter style project called the raised reverse stem. An aggressive MTB rider called Bronson has independently come up with a similar concept to James and he races with his design quite successfully! Keep up the good work!
Great conversion, thank you for pulling the together. I really appreciate James's philosophy to bike designs and fitting. Maybe I'm off base but there seems to have been a shift (possibility in the 90's??) where bikes begin to be designed for the road racing crew even though only a very small percentage of hobbyist/enthusiast cyclists actually race thus there seems to be this big disconnect between what the bike industry is designing and how your average 'Joe Bloggs' is actually using their bike
Everything changed after LeMond won the tour.
What if there is no size-up larger frame to purchase for the shorter stem?
For the regular crowd there is only more frame-baggage space, limited by ability to squeeze in a suspension seat-post.
For taller people there is already Jones bikes, but those don't need an aftermarket stem.
I sympathize with what you feel Riv’s limitations are, but from the totally opposite angle. You think maybe the California conditions keep them from disc brakes (seems to be your main frustration), where I think it keeps them from properly setting up bikes for fenders and dynamo.
I don’t ride in mud, but I do ride in the city every single day, and even when I venture out for longer rides, I tend to stay on roads: Gravel, double track, rail to trail, etc, but “roads” nonetheless.
My frustration is being so willing to die on a hill that you go through the process of designing a new V brake so you can run the width tire you want. Seems silly to me.
@@ThePsychicDerailleur Maybe, though for me the bummer is it marks the final blow to taking cantis seriously in their design philosophy
@@ThePsychicDerailleur Simple is always in style, and fashionable every so often.
V-brake hill is a good hill to die on. The disc-brakers have a harder time climbing it, so it serves as natural protection.