Just picked up a used Rivendell Sam Hillborne and now I want to add some classic
 

type accessories. I'd like to have either a front or back rack that works well with the Rivendell that has a nice classic look. If you had a choice of only one would you do a back or the front rack for performance and ease of use? I also want to do leather stitched wrap on the mustache handlebars but I'm not sure what to get or how to put them on.

The bike is already set with 700c 42's but I'd like to eventually put something a bit thinner that will work with hand hammered fenders and which will be a bit light and faster for commuting. I live in Georgia so I want it to be able to handle the hills better on my commute.

Any other things you folks can think of that will help me dress up my new, to me, classic commuter will be greatly appreciated.

Velo Orange specializes in the Retro, should have about anything required:

Velo Orange

-Bandera

Hi Al...also an At-lantan...

For the rack, I would suggest a front rack...it balances a bike better than a rear...and, IMHO, has a better look...

As for leather wrap...the "gold standard" would be a Brooks wrap...but it is pricey. Not sure exactly how to do it...

As long as the 42's work with the fenders you decide on (and the Velo Orange suggestion is a good one)...I would not worry too much about smaller. I do not think you would really notice the difference, so long as you have the appropriate gearing...

And...where are the pictures? You need to let all of us drool a bit! :-)

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help. The bike should arrive today so I don't have any personal photos but here is one from the seller. I plan to gussy it up a bit and make it my own. I don't like the black breaks so I may replace those of see if I can strip them so that they're silver.


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=469738

I like those so much better than the double top-tube Rivs. Nice catch, and I'm eager to see it when you have it just-so.

Bandera is correct. Velo Orange has what you want, including the stitched bar wrap. Brooks is not what you want.

They're BRAKES, not breaks.

I, too, would give the 42s a chance, unless they won't fit under fenders. I've never seen one in the flesh, but I'd think a Sam would have tons of room for that sort of thing. I wouldn't go any lower than 32s on a bike like that, at any rate.

Rivendells are designed mostly for a back rack if you are carrying any real weight. Depending on what you want to carry, will help determine the rack you want. I have that same bike, with a front Nitto Mark's Rack and a Wald basket but it really can't handle much weight. This week I was carrying two Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit locks in the basket and the steering and handling was sketchy at best. I am now thinking a Nitto Big rear rack is what I will get.

Tires, keep what you have if you can fit them with the fenders. Again I use SKS fenders with Marathon 42's and they work just fine with plenty of room to spare. The smallest I would ever go is 38's but again your call on what you are comfortable with.

The black brakes I could live with but if they are anodized then that can be removed with strong oven cleaner or lye mixed with water. I have done this successfully with cranks and stems.

It is a great bike, but I am biased.

Got the bike earlier today and it looks like it just came out of the box, the tires still have that bit of new rubber on them. This is one beautiful bike and I'm a pretty happy guy. The seller said he has a set of, I believe, VO Zeppelin 52mm fenders which he'll let me have if I just pay shipping. I'm also going to stick with the tires since they fit well and aren't as large as I thought. Good day all around and the seller was very cool.

A Tubus Cargo rack would look great if you can find a silver one, and they are arguably the best rack you can buy. I have a silver one, but had to order it from England. If not, a Nitto rear rack would also look great and they are silver and very high quality.

I like using rear racks better than I like the front.

If you've got weight on the fork, that weight affects the steering.

IMO- the Tubus Cosmo is the best looking rack around. I like the look much more than the Nitto big rack, and it's much more graceful than other selections like the Blackburn Expedition and Topeak racks.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/imag...s/AHHrear2.jpg

Thanks for the suggestion and photo, I think that may be the one I'll get. It looks like a great all purpose rack and is really great looking.

I have the VO Zeppelin fenders. I like the fit and look.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7692/...28023547_o.jpg20150512_162519 by flog00, on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5332/...3188624d_k.jpg20150512_162558 by flog00, on Flickr

Nice Riv...that Tomii is sick.

^^^ +1 Flog00, that is one sweet ride.

Which racks are those...

Custom racks, I did use the above Cosmo rear rack as a basis for Tomii.

Well Al, it's been in excess of a full day... the internet rule is "pix or it didn't happen." :D

Seriously, I don't think I'm alone- I'd love to see pix!

I'll try not to ask you about every part of that sweet ride, but what kick stand is that and what pedals are those? I've been trying to decide between the MKS Lambda Platform Pedals and a nice pedal that has a toe clip.

Great New Ride. I'll take the black Brakes from ya... If you want a similar look to the brakes, I'm lusting after Paul mini motos. I'd rear rack this bike because the front is pretty busy already with those bars and for when you put a bell on.
If it were mine, it'd get a brown saddle, better toe clips, Gumwall tires like the Compass tires and silver fenders.

have fun and ride it hard

I was really hesitant to use the Velo Orange fenders until I saw them on @Flog00's Tomeii.

I got the Zeppelin Fenders- tried to get them installed on my Voyageur SP. The rear fit fine, the front did not- the fork crown was way too narrow. So I got a set of the Facette fenders when those became available- those were still too big. I'm going to have to do a little thinking and straightening out what I bent to fit in there.

Of course most people aren't going to have that kind of problem with that narrow fork; the VSP is narrower than my Trek 620 and 720.

FWIW- my secret plan is to go with a Zeppelin rear and Facette front on the VSP and the Facette rear (because of the long chainstays and the distance between the chainstay bridge and the tire) and Zeppelin front. I just hope I haven't chewed up the fenders too much in trying to bend them to fit them under the fork crown.


http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...6&d=1434660171

Ha ha, I know if it was the other way around I'd be asking for photos also. I had to leave my new baby at work, and ya' know it's killing me, because I had no pedals and no air in the tires. I'll have it home for sure on Monday and will post some photos for sure. I ride the train to work and didn't want to roll the bike around on wheels with no air in the tires.

Those pedals look like White Industries with a full toe clip. Go to Bruce Gordon's website and have a look at his White Industries pedals with his half clips. To me it is a nice compromise between a platform and full toe clip pedal. I own two pairs of these so I really like them but on my Riv I use MKS sneaker pedals. Just jump on and ride.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=470378


It's not a great photo but here is my new baby in my office all ready for the trip to her new home this evening. Fenders are coming, pedals will be ordered today, rear rack will be ordered as soon as I decide which one, and all kinds of new odds and ends to make her my own in short order.

Gonna be nice!
Have fun with it.

If that saddle starts to make your Willy go numb, or you start to have problems with flow while urinating or with sexual function, try a Selle Anatomica. Get copper rivets.

I'm a HUGE fan of mustache bars. I use them on ALL my bikes now (tandem, touring, singles). I don't love bar end shifters though. I like using Kelly Take-Offs better. It puts a downtube shifter in a very comfortable place to shift without having to take your hand off the mustache bars to reach back. Plus you don't hit your knees. I still use a bar-end on the tandem for the drag brake. I might change that to a Paul thumbie I've got lying around.