Rawland Ravn (warning: 26" content)

[p nut]

Looks like Rawland's next bike has been announced:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!to...og/W_vYvWvodWc

http://www.rawlandcycles.com/store/i...intItemID=3972

It's interesting that they went with 26" wheels. Sort of a nod back to the BS XO. I like my 650b Stag just fine, so probably won't be looking at this frame, but interesting specs on this frame.

[p nut]

Now with geometry and specs. Seriously thinking of swapping my Stag frame with one.

http://ravn.rawlandcycles.com/

[whatwolf]

Consider me intrigued!

[R3awak3n]

Its mentioned on the new bicycle quarterly since the tires are being made by compass.

I don't know what to think about this one. Never understood why they didnt go for 650B tires, compass is also releasing some supple wider 650B tires. 48mm which I will probably pickup since I have always wanted some really wide babyshoe/hetre but no one makes it.

Its definitely an interesting concept and according to Jan the new tires are awesome on dirt but a bit bouncy on pavement making it perfect for the oregon trail and similar rides. I am sure it would be a decent bike for d2r2 as well.

I dunno, I was hopping for a updated version of the drakkar. Disc brakes, 650B kinda deal.

I love my drakkar but I think if I was to buy a new bike I would get an elephant NFE... Yes, its $500 more than the ravn but made in the usa and I like it better.

[p nut]

r3awak3n - They mention a few reasons why they went with 26" in the link. The Compass tire is about the same diameter as 650bx42, so for me, it would be an ideal size. Also, if the Compass tire is too mushy feeling, Soma makes some excellent 26x1.75 tires (Pasela clones). 26" tire selection is also a big advantage over 650b (for now).

[Erik_A]

Only 40mm trail! Not going to steer very well. Seems well designed for carrying a front load though. Would be better with 60-70mm trail.

I just built my daughter something very similar, except it was a 1989 Specialized Stumpjumper, that I added drop bars to. It runs 26" x 2.2" tires - just barely. It is for practicing bike handling skills for cyclocross on local mountain bike trails.

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by p nut

r3awak3n - They mention a few reasons why they went with 26" in the link. The Compass tire is about the same diameter as 650bx42, so for me, it would be an ideal size. Also, if the Compass tire is too mushy feeling, Soma makes some excellent 26x1.75 tires (Pasela clones). 26" tire selection is also a big advantage over 650b (for now).

26in is definitely not dead.

The cool thing about this project and having new supple tires made in 26in is having all these vintage mtn bikes being converted to drop bars running this tire.

Like I said though, I am more interested in the 650B 48mm tire they are releasing. Bigger diameter but less air volume so it shouldn't be as bouncy in pavement.

Any idea when these new tires are being released? Hopefully before summer starts.

[Davist]

Ignore if this is a derail, but I was intrigued by the Handsome XO tribute, and I remember Schwinn had some 26" PDG "paramounts" in the 90s, I always wondered why, unlike motorcycling, we don't use smaller wheels on the street (say 26") and larger in the dirt (say 29"), I know the more learned among us will have a better idea, but I suspect it may be momentum. Though MTB world seemed to shift fairly quickly.

Anyway I like it.

[carlineng]

26" is the new 650B is the new 29er is the new 26"... We've come full circle

[p nut]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

Like I said though, I am more interested in the 650B 48mm tire they are releasing. Bigger diameter but less air volume so it shouldn't be as bouncy in pavement.

I keep hoping they would come out with a ~45-48mm semi-knobby tire (like RnR, Cazadero). 48mm slicks would be nice for dirt-road heavy rides.

[Erik_A]

This is a 1989 Specialized Rockhopper- drop bar conversion with 2.2" tires. Great geometry for trails a bit to nasty for the cyclocross bike.

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by p nut

I keep hoping they would come out with a ~45-48mm semi-knobby tire (like RnR, Cazadero). 48mm slicks would be nice for dirt-road heavy rides.

same here

[baker]

If only there were more rim brake compatible, tubeless ready 26" rims available!

[559Rando]

P Nut, thanks for starting this thread.

There's some mud slinging over this frame from the peanut gallery on Fixed Gear Australia:
http://www.fixed.org.au/forums/showthread.php?t=34615&page=13& but I think it's a great idea. This announcement hit me in my GMail a week or two ago and I ponied up the cash for the frame presale earlier this week.

The low trail, light weight standard diameter chromo tubing 26" fat tired road bike has been a dream of mine for while (hence my screenname here). I shopped around for a custom builder to make one for me. A few side it was doable, others told me to pound sand. When I finally did order my custom, I went with the 38mm 700C Soma C Line tire (see my Cooper here), but still love the idea of strong light 26" wheels and fast road tires fatter than the Hetres.

I probably won't get the chronology right as I reflect on the evolution of this concept. Suffice it to say, these bikes were all in my fleet for some point of time and influenced my interest in such a bike:

- Various Craigslist vintage bikes
Proved to me that I prefer the skinny diameter, lightweight tubing

- Rawland cSogn
- Kogswell PR G1
Proved to me that Hetres are fast and concurrently owning these two proved to me that I prefer the low trail geometry

- Rawland rSogn
Proved to me that the Hetres + low trail + light skinny tubing = awesome

- 1980s Mongoose ATB with drop bars (link)
Reconfirmed I want low trail (with a 73* HTA), with skinny lightweight tubing!

- Cooper
Reiterates skinny light weight tubing and low trail make me happy!

[559Rando]