MulliganAl

Thanks for the heads up, or bottom's up in this case. No problems with Willy but it's always a good idea to be cautious. I was thinking about getting a Brooks saddle and selling the Selle that came with the bike, especially since it's not a Selle Anatomica. I'd like to have a tan seat and you've given me reason to take a look at the Selle Anatomica if it really works the way you say it does. Thanks

PennyTheDog

Great bike! I rode one of those with the double top tube in Walnut Creek, and I remember being surprised actually by how light it was. This wouldn't be what you want if you're doing any serious hauling, but I really like the classic look of the Pletscher spring loaded racks. You can get them from Rivendell for about $70.

brianinc-ville

Rear racks are MUCH better for stability/handling than front racks. I wouldn't put more than 10 pounds on top of a front rack (more if you're using very low panniers on the sides of the rack, which seems unlikely for a commuter).

gugie 

Optimizing rear vs front loading of a bike depends on bike geometry. The OP's Sam Hillborne probably handles better rear loaded.

Low trail bikes handle better if you load a bit in the front, IMO, and it's a common opinion. For my main rider (low trail), If I'm carrying something, the first 10 lbs or so go in my handlebar bag. More than that and I add a seat bag, and start loading that. Anything more than that and I'll ride a different bike - an expedition tourer, to be added in my quiver in the future.

inkandsilver

That is what he has on the bike already. So hopefully his willy is safe.

inkandsilver

And, OP, nice bike!

Grand Bois

The only Pletscher they sell now is the Clem, and there is nothing classic looking about those. If you're going to spend that kind of money, you might as well get a Nitto.

PennyTheDog

I think the Clem looks really nice and clean. Why do you say it doesn't have a classic look? Does Nitto have rear racks in that price range?

southpawboston

Yes, give 42s a chance! And Velo Orange sells fenders that will fit-- look for the Zeppelin fenders for 700c, they are 52mm wide and fit 42mm tires perfectly. I have them on two bikes with 42mm tires.

gugie 

+2 on the Zeppelin's. Just put a set on a bike tonight, and they were Zeppelins. Great value to boot.

The Golden Boy 

I've heard that about low trail bikes.

While I don't think any of my bikes can be considered low trail, the one time I put a decent load in some front panniers, they swung around with every movement of the bars/wheel.

I think I can understand how weight distribution is affected by geometry (or is that the other way around..?), but I don't understand how anything counteracts mass and inertia.

By the way, from what I 've seen in your "my bikes" link- you've got quite a nice selection of bikes!

gugie 

Thank you! Your Trek, Schwinn and Specialized selection looks quite tasty as well.

There's a lot of theoretical stuff written about how and why one geometry works differently/better than another. I go by the ride test. My low-trail'd Raleigh Competition can take quite a load in the handlebar bag and handling isn't really affected. If anything, it's more stable with gear in the bag. The only other thing I've loaded it down with is a medium sized saddle bag, wouldn't really want to do more than that.

My suggestion is to try riding a friend's low trail bike with a load in the front. We've got a small club of low-trailers in Portland that are willing to let others have a spin on a low trail bike. I think we've converted a few.

It really boils down to this, IMO: if you want to carry your stuff up front, low trail is probably better for you. If you want to carry it in the back, you're probably better off with a mid-trail bike.

If you want to race criteriums, does that mean you want a high trail bike?

southpawboston

Yes, trail is definitely a design factor in how well a bike can handle a load. Here's a low-trail randonneur bike, loaded to the gills for bike camping. Notice how little is in the rear. In fact, it doesn't even have a rear rack. In a few days, this rider will shed some of that gear and will do the 1200km Paris Brest Paris randonnee.

Cross Creek

Soma New Express or C Line tires in 38mm (actually 36-37, depending on rim) will give a great ride and fit under the fenders. New Express are a bit lighter than C Lines, but a bit more expensive. The stainless front rack that Soma sells will fit your mid-fork braze ons (so will the Nitto front racks). The one that Velo Orange sells won't fit, although their Constructeur front rack will work (mounts to the dropout eyelets). The Constructeur rear rack matches and also will stiffen your rear fenders, for no rattles over the worst roads.

MulliganAl

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'm looking at getting the Pletscher Clem Rack, does anyone use this rack? I'd like to have a Nitto rack but at $200+ that's a bit rich for a rack. I like the Pletscher's look, kinda' ole school like when I was a kid.

bmc5733946 

Pletscher racks available from Thor USA.

Brian

The Golden Boy 

If you like it- go for it.

Personally... not a fan of all that going on back there.

irwin7638

I have the Pletscher Clem rack on my Hunqapillar because it will handle a bigger load and also has a taillight mount that is recessed a bit and protects the light beneath the rail of the rack.
I have an older Pletscher on my Sam. I just rigged up a mount using two L brackets from the hardware store.

I've found the Pletscher mousetrap to be the most valuable accessory I have. It's just too easy to use.

Marc

PennyTheDog

I think that picture includes add-on pannier rails. I'm pretty sure it accommodates panniers even without those, and then it looks a lot cleaner.

wheatfly

Not sure if this is acceptable but I don't know where else to put it. There is a classic ride later this month at Reality Bikes in Cumming. I'm not affiliated with it but since there are at least two other Atlanta enthusiast in this thread thought you might like to know. Looks like it will be a good time. Congrats on the new Riv.


Reality Bikes Store

Facebook event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/977665755632699/


Shannon

Gartenmeister

I have a Hillborne that I built up. Currently it has no rack on it, but for awhile I had it set up with front/rear. Front was the Soma Mini Champs Elysees and the rear was from Linus. I really like the look of the Linus, though I would not put a great deal of weight on it. Crummy photo, but only one I have with both racks.

Wildwood 

May I ask how the double top tube affects the handling - if at all.
I ride 59 - 63cm frames.

Gartenmeister

I can not really say, since mine is the only Sam Hillborne that I have ever ridden. In general, I find the frame to be stiff and a bit of a tank. I have not toured on it, but I would not hesitate to load it up big-time. I would not call it slow, but it is not as lively as other bikes I have that are about the same weight (just shy of 25 lbs). In-town handling is pretty mediocre and not as intuitive as I had hoped. It is not zippy. However, loooong country rides are great and it climbs and descends very well.

USAZorro

I have this on my Viking. Not a bad looking rack that handles a limited amount of weight (all that I'd contemplate putting on a "rando" or a commuter)

The Golden Boy 

Seriously, only 25?

I look at that and I think "tank." Don't get me wrong, I like Rivendell bikes and the aesthetic and while weight is important, it's not the primary thing of what a bike is to me.
My Trek 720, with front and back racks and assorted accoutrements is around 27 lbs. While I think my 620 rides more "stout," the 720 doesn't seem "heavy," but I'm under no illusions that either are "nimble."