Classic & Vintage - What should I do with this Rivendell Romulus?

Hey everybody,(I should had titled this "What changes should I make?"....I know what I should do with it. lol)
I just bought this Riv Rom 24 in. locally and got a deal on it.
However, it has Shimano Ultegra shifters (I don't like), a triple/9.
Looong stem and wiiiide bars that aren't even close to fitting me.
I would like to set this bike up up with more of a retro vibe (friction) and change the bar/stem/seat for an appropiate fit.
What changes would you suggest for form and function?
(I ride locally 3-7 miles a day)
I am open to any input, ideas and questions welcomed.
Here is the current components.
Shimano 105 group set
27 speed (triple)
Nitto 65 seat post
Specialized road saddle
Ritchey Pro bars (235 grams)(wide bars long stem)
Araya RC540 wheels
Ruffy Tuffy tires
Shimano Ultegra shifters/brake
Thanks
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/wreck90/RivendellRomulus001.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/wreck90/RivendellRomulus003.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/wreck90/RivendellRomulus002.jpg

That's a very high quality bike. Install handlebars and a stem that makes it fit.

These are intended as touring bikes. That's what I'd do with it, take a nice long ride.

Michael

some bar end shifters (such as the ones rivendell makes.. no need to change the derailleurs themselves) and some fenders is all I would really do to change it (apart from what you were saying about handlebars and stem). A rear rack is always nice as well! or possibly a front basket rack like one of these http://www.paulcomp.com/flatbed.html

Cinelli bars and stem, Brooks B-17 saddle, and Simplex friction shift levers. It should make a wonderful all-around use bike, and a wicked "sports-tourer". Lucky!

that's a very nice bike!
I wouldn't change much at first. Make it comfortable (stem, saddle, handlebars) and then see if you enjoy riding it enough to spend a bunch more money on it. you never know, you may end up liking those brifters (they are ugly, but a lot of people really enjoy using them!)

All of that aside, if it were my bike, I would install shimano bar end shifters, nitto randoneur bars, a threadless stem adapter and threadless stem like the ones at http://www.velo-orange.com/haandst.html , a brooks pro or B17 champion and some nice hammered honjos. of course, that's if it was my bike, and your money! ;)
Allan

Get that hideous saddle off there!

Lucky shlub :p

Get that hideous saddle off there!

Lucky shlub :p
lol...The bike came without pedals and saddle.
These were thrown on just to get riding.
I want to make sure to do this right...Some of these suggestions have got me interested.
Is there such thing as bar end shifters that support a triple/9, or will I have to make some changes on what is on the bike currently?
Don

yep you can get 9 speed Bar end shifters, Rivendell carries em.
If you switch to bar-end shifters you might want new brake levers that are strictly brake levers...or You could continue to use the Brifters just for the brake function. Depends on what you like in your hand.

If it were me, i'd do white Planet Bike fenders, a front rack and some Nitto Albatross Bars...and cork grips.

you might want to lower the stem, its pretty high compared to the saddle.

I'll trade you straight up, narrower bars, shorter stem, friction shifters (bar end or down tube) for your cockpit. Deal? :)

Black Brooks B17 $90
Dura Ace bar end shifters $70
Brake levers $30
Rando bars $40
Nitto stem $40

Total: $270

Sell Ultegra brifters $150
Sell Saddle $20
Sell bars $30
Sell stem $20

Total: $220

So for $50 investment, you'll completely change the character of the bike and it'll be much more comfortable. And with that, your 3-7 mile daily rides will become 10-20 mile rides :)

Mafac Professional calipers and levers
Barend shifters (Shimano or SunTour or Campagnolo)
TA Cyclotouriste or Stronglight 49 crankset; double or triple as you please
Brooks B17 or Pro saddle
Keep the seatpost, it's my favorite
Grand Bois (or AVA) Randonneur bars
Cinelli 1A stem (with shim) or GB/Philippe/ATAX
Suntour Cyclone GT derailers

Bluemels Club Special or Honjo fenders.

Ride the wheels awhile, but eventually replace with Mavic MA-2 or Super Champion No. 58 and Campagnolo Record hubs.

One of those cute front racks that bolts onto the Mafac calipers, with a canvas bag.

Get that hideous saddle off there!

Lucky shlub :p
Once you ride one of those, you may decide it's for you.
I don't prefer them, but I know two guys who have 8 between them, won't ride anything else.

Once you ride one of those, you may decide it's for you.
I don't prefer them, but I know two guys who have 8 between them, won't ride anything else.


As with most saddles. I like the WTB RocketV. I was being facetious :lol:

Put some bolts in the second bottle cage braze-ons

if you dont mind, what type of pedals do you have on yoru bike?

Flip the quick release down on the front brake :).

Thats looks like a really nice bike, I love the Riv headbadges.

if you dont mind, what type of pedals do you have on yoru bike?
They are WTB......I think they are mountain bike pedals.


Flip the quick release down on the front brake :).

Thats looks like a really nice bike, I love the Riv headbadges.
Thanks...I will do this.
Great ideas guys. This is the before shot. The after will be in a few weeks when time and of course $$$ permits.

Hey, we're not done yet!

That is a an amazing looking Riv. Where did the Romulus fit in the line-up?

Oh, WTB GreaseGuard pedals? There should be a little brass nipple on them somewhere that allows you to shoot them up with grease to keep them running smooth "forever-n-ever". Those are pretty cool. You'll just have to find a place that sells the little grease gun.

Hey, we're not done yet!

That is a an amazing looking Riv. Where did the Romulus fit in the line-up?
Thanks......As far as the Rivendell line?
It was originally sold by them as a complete bike for around 1500 with 105 components I believe.
A japanese made frame.
It has been discontinued and replace by another model/frame similiar made in Taiwan.

Where does it fit in my line up?
72 Varsity<<81 Super Le tour<<<<<<<<<<<<<Rivendell lol
I made a rather large jump, nothing like diving in head first. :o
I sold a pedal steel guitar to finance the bike. Now, if I could sell my 83 Cannondale road bike (I bought to flip) I would have enough money to purchase a few things.

Thanks for the heads-up on the pedals, I will check it out.

greetings from thegearpage 90wreck!

greetings from thegearpage 90wreck!
lol...Thanks...small world that internet.:D
Adding a Brooks B17 may be the equivalent of set of Homes PU's in my LP historic and it goes on and on from there.

hehe, yeah there are a lot of similarities to the gear page, I use to build guitar amps, and now I'm looking into brazing some frames. Sweet Rivendel!

I highly recommend a brooks! i've got a b-17 and a swallow.

90wreck, Do you like Albatross bars? Friction shifting?

I switched from drops to these this year. I took the chance as I had no idea how I'd like them. I enjoy the view so much more than with drops. I wish I had discovered them earlier!
I made my own set-up, as I dislike mtb levers where my hands go. I like to use the the entire usable portion(which is where it's taped) Those are reversed TT brake levers from Tektro(RX 4.1) and Suntour thumbshifters I've had since 1983.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3644287545_875be9f054.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3645057344_0eb8b27096.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3644420885_6995e0403c.jpg :cheers:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Garth...Beautiful bike.....I would say that those bars and that set up would not be out of the question.
How do you like your placement of shifters?
If you had to do it over again, would you make any changes?
(MAYBE, bar end shifters and brakes right above..not reversed as yours?)
Don

Thanks......As far as the Rivendell line?
It was originally sold by them as a complete bike for around 1500 with 105 components I believe.
A japanese made frame.
It has been discontinued and replace by another model/frame similiar made in Taiwan.

Where does it fit in my line up?
72 Varsity<<81 Super Le tour<<<<<<<<<<<<<Rivendell lol
I made a rather large jump, nothing like diving in head first. :o
I sold a pedal steel guitar to finance the bike. Now, if I could sell my 83 Cannondale road bike (I bought to flip) I would have enough money to purchase a few things.

Thanks for the heads-up on the pedals, I will check it out.


I would have sold one of my guitars to buy it too! I forgot to mention how jealous I am in my previous post. Where abouts in Ohio are you located? I am in Canton.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Garth...Beautiful bike.....I would say that those bars and that set up would not be out of the question.
How do you like your placement of shifters?
If you had to do it over again, would you make any changes?
(MAYBE, bar end shifters and brakes right above..not reversed as yours?)
Don

Don, The shifters work well where they are, I experimented with them at various points on the curve, but I liked this place best, as I use the grip at the curve when standing in the saddle sometimes, or just for variety. I've got long arms and big hands, so they within easy reach.

My main goal by using the bar end levers was to free up the Albatross bar so the entire usable portion(beyond the tape is not really usable) of it could be accessed. The way most people have it set up, like a traditional mtb . . . I found the mtb levers were always in the way. I prefer to change my hand position frequently, and this allows me about 12" of open bar space. Not only that, the Albatross bars put the hands in a neutral position, like shaking hands. I no longer have any hint of discomfort in the wrists like I did with flat or drop bars.

I thought of bar-end shifters, but because the mtb levers were awkward for me, and the TT brake levers fit the bar ends . . . I had to choose one or the other. My knees clearing the shift levers in the bar end was another consideration, they just stuck out too far for my liking. This was using Suntour Ratcheting shifters and Rivendells pods. I did see one photo on flickr with someone who used bar end shifters with some cross type brake levers mounted at the bar end, just above the shifter. I found it here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27209537@N00/2374072443/ I found this alternative setup too while looking for that one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27209537@N00/3454710706/

I have seen a few people mount the brake levers at the curve. I tried that too, but the reach of the lever was rather awkward. If the curve of the lever matched the curve of the top of the bar it would be okay, but they don't. I tried drop bar levers there too. . . . again, awkward.

It should be noted of course, this is what worked for me . . . everyone has their own way. That's what's cool about this bar, there's is no one way to set it up. The parts are relatively inexpensive to do some experimenting, as that's the only way to know what you like.

:cheers:

As with most saddles. I like the WTB RocketV. I was being facetious :lol:

Luckily, my hind parts do not seem to discriminate, perfectly content with the padded shorts and whatever keeps the seat post from getting "uppity."

Hey, we're not done yet!

That is a an amazing looking Riv. Where did the Romulus fit in the line-up?
Right next to Remus. (HAD to, it was open....)

I would have sold one of my guitars to buy it too! I forgot to mention how jealous I am in my previous post. Where abouts in Ohio are you located? I am in Canton.

I am Kenton...A lot get it confused that I say "Canton".
I prefer to call it Mayberry(cue in the big top organ)
When I grew up I always wanted to run away and join the circus.
Now that I am here, it is not as cracked up as I thought it would be.

Hey Grath, thanks for the info....Sounds like you exhausted all the options.
I like it and looks great.
The last person who gets the final say is my bike tech cousin who has ridden coast to coast X 2. He is going to fit me and I am sure he will have some input as well.

To the OP: Lovely bike, I hope you can set it up to your liking.

The photo reminds me of an aesthetic point that bugs me (and probably only me) about many bikes. I just don't understand (and it's purely my opinion...) why people setup their drop bars with the shifters pointing to the sky, the drops pointing down and only ride on the tops & brake levers. It looks plain wrong to me :).

Ed

Swap the bar and stem for the sizes you like in Nitto, add Dura-Ace brake levers and Dura-Ace 9-spd downtube shifters. Get yourself a good seat and matching bar tape. That's my vote.

I am Kenton

I know where that is. I grew up in Bellefontaine. Lots of fun hiily places to ride around the Madriver valley. I moved out in 1980 and never looked back. I still come to visit family a few times a year. I moved to northern Virginia, and then got transferred to west of Cleveland in 1986.

I go through Kenton when I come down, coming in on 309 from the east. I used to shop at Kenton Hardware's basement for my blackpowder goodies back in the '70s, and my brother works at PPI on '68 south, just at the edge of town. I never did visit during Coon Dog Days.

I know where that is. I grew up in Bellefontaine. Lots of fun hiily places to ride around the Madriver valley. I moved out in 1980 and never looked back. I still come to visit family a few times a year. I moved to northern Virginia, and then got transferred to west of Cleveland in 1986.

I go through Kenton when I come down, coming in on 309 from the east. I used to shop at Kenton Hardware's basement for my blackpowder goodies back in the '70s, and my brother works at PPI on '68 south, just at the edge of town. I never did visit during Coon Dog Days.

Ah...The Kenton Surplus for black powder.....That basement was cool(my cousin married into that family)...Used to but my athletic stuff there...they are still open yet the building is falling down. It is for sale.
The Coon chase?...LOL I have been there may times including last year. A lot of wild times.
However, for the first time on 48 years it is closed due to economic times.
They aren't happy that they can only make 1 mil instead of 4-5 in 2 weeks work.
The county is upset. It was our last surviving straw.
Kenton is now an official ghost town.
(Only 1 bar open in town...there was over 18 in 1980)
BTW, my band used to play in BelleF all the time.
Madriver= good times
The Alpine Slide= good times and permanent scars/burns. I can't believe they had that.
I know right where PPI is.
Small world.
(disclaimer..I just bought the family homestead after being gone for over 22 years. Nice house, but big mistake.)

90wreck, great bike. It's the little brother to the bike I ride.

Swap the saddle out to whatever you like that you find comfortable. I use a Brooks B17, but ass to bike interface is a VERY personal thing. Personally, I'd go with 9s Ultegra or Dura Ace bar-end controls rather than the Rivendell ones, but that's just me.

If you do get rid of the Ultegra STI shifters, would you sell them to me? My wife's rear shifter is going wonky and I told her I would replace it this summer. Also, if you're thinking of getting rid of the cranks and they're 172.5mm length (it's stamped on the back of the crankarm), I'd be interested in them, too :) PM me if that's the case.

Anyway, good find, you'll really enjoy it.

Welcome to the family

Pete

greetings from thegearpage 90wreck!

Ha ha. I'm from TGP too. Quickdraw, are you Trout on TGP?

matt

90wreck, great bike. It's the little brother to the bike I ride.

Swap the saddle out to whatever you like that you find comfortable. I use a Brooks B17, but ass to bike interface is a VERY personal thing. Personally, I'd go with 9s Ultegra or Dura Ace bar-end controls rather than the Rivendell ones, but that's just me.

If you do get rid of the Ultegra STI shifters, would you sell them to me? My wife's rear shifter is going wonky and I told her I would replace it this summer. Also, if you're thinking of getting rid of the cranks and they're 172.5mm length (it's stamped on the back of the crankarm), I'd be interested in them, too :) PM me if that's the case.

Anyway, good find, you'll really enjoy it.

Welcome to the family

Pete
Thank you so much.
Don


Ha ha. I'm from TGP too. Quickdraw, are you Trout on TGP?

matt
I think Quickdraw is the same on TGP.
Frigging guitar players and bikes...lol
I have already gotten bit by one bug....Now I am selling axes to support another habit.(My knees better stop screaming at me...or?)
:o

I think Quickdraw is the same on TGP.
Frigging guitar players and bikes...lol
I have already gotten bit by one bug....Now I am selling axes to support another habit.(My knees better stop screaming at me...or?)
:o

Just don't sell that, erm, amp. (nobody probably knows what it is around here anyway) :)

Nice bike, by the way. I would keep it as is and have some fun with it.

Just don't sell that, erm, amp. (nobody probably knows what it is around here anyway) :)

Nice bike, by the way. I would keep it as is and have some fun with it.
Looks like it is sold to a guy who is writing a book about Mesa's.
Which means...I made a mistake.
However, I am amp heavy and I never used the Boogie, it was a collector piece.
I still have my original Trainwreck Express and 69 Marshall 50 watt small box plexi as well as a ton of others. (foreign talk)

BOT.....My cousin is riding from Col. tomorrow (60 miles) to see the new bike and fit me.
He said he thinks I need to go barends(Dura)/moustache(Nitto) since I like the retro look and am mainly a commuter/pleasure/errand rider.
We will see what he thinks when he fits me and picks my brain.