Sam Hilborne or Cross Check?
09-10-12, 07:17 AM
#76
Senior Member
I finally got around to getting the photos off of my camera: here's the "pretty" bike!
A funny story is that shortly after I got the bike, the freehub turned out to be defective, so I brought it to my LBS to replace. Apparently the bike got a LOT of rave inquiries while it was sitting in the shop! It was too nice to put in the back, so they had it in the showroom with their new bikes to prevent any scuffs and people kept asking about it. Almost all the employees rang the bell - it has a big, brass, very loud, "made in Japan" bell! Even when I picked up the bike, the tech just kept saying what a nice bike it was.
Although I had to go to a LBS, a big thanks again to Dick Denning at the Country Bike Shop in Ohio for his support and quick send off of a replacement free hub. His after support and thoughtfulness are outstanding!
A funny story is that shortly after I got the bike, the freehub turned out to be defective, so I brought it to my LBS to replace. Apparently the bike got a LOT of rave inquiries while it was sitting in the shop! It was too nice to put in the back, so they had it in the showroom with their new bikes to prevent any scuffs and people kept asking about it. Almost all the employees rang the bell - it has a big, brass, very loud, "made in Japan" bell! Even when I picked up the bike, the tech just kept saying what a nice bike it was.
Although I had to go to a LBS, a big thanks again to Dick Denning at the Country Bike Shop in Ohio for his support and quick send off of a replacement free hub. His after support and thoughtfulness are outstanding!
05-18-15, 09:32 PM
#77
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I'm thinking about doing the same thing, buying a Sam Hillborne frame and swapping the components from my LHT and selling the LHT frame. I'm interested to know how the swap turned out. How does it ride?
05-19-15, 03:43 AM
#78
Senior Member
Marc
05-19-15, 10:38 AM
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Matt
05-19-15, 12:26 PM
#80
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My everyday bike is a cross check, and I took a Sam Hillborne for a 45 minute ride at Rivendell last fall. My short answer is that I think the cross check can ride just as nice, but you have to change a few things from the stock build, whereas Rivendell does all these things right off the bat. The biggest difference to me is the handlebar height. Shops seem to always cut the cross check steerer tube too low for my taste, and then you're pretty limited in how high you can get the bars. If you can get the shop to leave the bars up as high as the saddle, I'd recommend that. Second, the cross check bars... I suppose that's personal preference, but I put up with them for a long time without liking them. I'd recommend bars where you can get the ramps horizontal. Rivendell uses nitto noodle bars; that's what I use now and I like them. And then most people love brooks saddles. To me they're money well spent.
the Sam Hillborne was very comfortable. Mine was a 58cm, so it had the double top tube. My first reaction was being surprised how light it was. Even with the double tube, I felt like it was lighter than the cross check. I liked it, but maybe not enough to pay over twice as much for the frame. On the plus side, a complete bike that they build you won't need any tweaking to be super comfortable.
the Sam Hillborne was very comfortable. Mine was a 58cm, so it had the double top tube. My first reaction was being surprised how light it was. Even with the double tube, I felt like it was lighter than the cross check. I liked it, but maybe not enough to pay over twice as much for the frame. On the plus side, a complete bike that they build you won't need any tweaking to be super comfortable.
I am looking to buy a nice steel bike to use primarily as a commuter with a light rear rack. My commute is 15 miles each way on pretty smooth roads and bike paths. I currently use my Cannandale Caad 9 and a backback, but want to something with a less aggressive position, softer ride, and panniers. (I have a mountain bike for trails, and an old beater bike for locking up in the city, and don't plan on any touring, so the next bike will be a dedicated commuter and winter bike).
I had my sights set on the Surly Cross Check which had many rave reviews and was about to pull the trigger, but then came across some info on the Rivendale Sam Hilborne. I can get the CC for about 1000, and the Sam Hilborne for 2000. I like the idea of a bike that is a little different from everyone else's but not sure whether the Sam Hilborne is worth another grand.
Any Sam Hilborne or CC owners care to give me their thoughts?
Also, both bikes come with bar end shifters with the cables looping out the middle of the handlebars. I like a nice clean look and would rather the cables be totally wrapped along the handlebars, but I heard that this effects the performance of the shifting. Any thoughts on hiding the cables or switching to downtube shifters.
thanks
I had my sights set on the Surly Cross Check which had many rave reviews and was about to pull the trigger, but then came across some info on the Rivendale Sam Hilborne. I can get the CC for about 1000, and the Sam Hilborne for 2000. I like the idea of a bike that is a little different from everyone else's but not sure whether the Sam Hilborne is worth another grand.
Any Sam Hilborne or CC owners care to give me their thoughts?
Also, both bikes come with bar end shifters with the cables looping out the middle of the handlebars. I like a nice clean look and would rather the cables be totally wrapped along the handlebars, but I heard that this effects the performance of the shifting. Any thoughts on hiding the cables or switching to downtube shifters.
thanks
05-19-15, 03:07 PM
#81
Senior Member
When I bought my Hillborne Riv told me it could handle 40 lbs. They described the breakdown as the Hilsen 20 lbs., the Hillborne 40 lbs and the Atlantis 60 lbs. The Hung was still in development. Although I haven't put it to the test I sure hope it can handle a well balanced 40 lbs. load.
Matt
Matt
Marc
05-20-15, 10:34 AM
#82
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... oh, I forgot to mention in my post above that the Sam Hillborne tends to be built with 36-spoke wheels, and the stock cross check wheels are 32-spoke. 36-spoke wheels are more durable-- when my stock cross check wheels need to be replaced I'm going to switch. So that's just another little quibble about the stock cross check build.
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