90wreck

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

Barrettscv 

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

SingeDebile

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 https://www.paulcomp.com/flatbed.html

bikerosity57

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!

Allan Pollock

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 https://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

TheDL

Get that hideous saddle off there!

Lucky shlub

90wreck

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

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

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.

purevl

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

JAG410

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

Charles Wahl

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.

RobbieTunes

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.

TheDL

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

unterhausen

Put some bolts in the second bottle cage braze-ons

goodtosea

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

mkeller234

Flip the quick release down on the front brake .

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

90wreck

They are WTB......I think they are mountain bike pedals.

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.

jan nikolajsen 

Hey, we're not done yet!

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

TheDL

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.

90wreck

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.
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.

QuickDraw

greetings from thegearpage 90wreck!

90wreck

lol...Thanks...small world that internet.
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.

QuickDraw

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.

Garthr

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.

90wreck

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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