tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post7455629013587841383..comments2024-01-02T07:16:03.732-07:00Comments on Endless Velo Love: {Part 2} Rivendell Betty Foy vs Sam Hillborne: Are They Interchangeable?G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13429419832660419144noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-57991040289041808792016-08-21T22:24:01.231-06:002016-08-21T22:24:01.231-06:00Nice review! Wife and I have both owned Bettys and...Nice review! Wife and I have both owned Bettys and Sams. I ended up liking the Betty (now a Cheviot. Long story). She rides a Sam. <br /><br />We both ride Alba or Choco bars, so fairly upright. But you are correct that the mixte is more upright. I ended up getting a wider saddle and now do long rides on the Cheviot in total comfort. Sam required no saddle change. <br /><br />Again, thanks for a Martyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14726892853009407149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-51548414023344994772012-09-25T17:35:58.660-06:002012-09-25T17:35:58.660-06:00Absolutely. The number one concern should definite...Absolutely. The number one concern should definitely be the one who will be riding. It's easy to get caught up in others' opinions (the beauty of the web/internet), but it's all quite moot if the individual won't be happy on the ride selected. For what it may be worth, my husband felt very similar to you, and when I was ready to switch the type of bicycle I was riding, I think heG.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-68696557788391906082012-09-25T15:33:39.850-06:002012-09-25T15:33:39.850-06:00Thank you for your kind words (and incredibly prom...Thank you for your kind words (and incredibly prompt posts too).<br /><br />It's important in all this of course not to lose sight of who the bike is ultimately for (her not me), but I'd also like to ensure her 'journey' is as quick as possible to its destination with as little detour (time, money and space devoted to cycles) as possible (perhaps a male attitude)... but sometimes London Townnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-49645276197060277932012-09-25T15:13:24.392-06:002012-09-25T15:13:24.392-06:00You may very well be correct. :O) I hadn't re...You may very well be correct. :O) I hadn't really considered wearing the same clothing, but I can see how it could play a role, certainly. <br /><br />I think it's wonderful that you're trying to help your wife find an appropriate bike. As for what may be the "right" bicycle for her - that's a very difficult thing to tell someone else. Has she been riding for awhile? G.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-71313047230348431712012-09-25T14:56:22.638-06:002012-09-25T14:56:22.638-06:00All useful comment... ultimately then, perhaps you...All useful comment... ultimately then, perhaps your most comfortable bike fit depends on what you're wearing on a given day :-) Skirt/Dress - grab that stepover/mixte bike... covered legs and Sam's your man...<br /><br />If you were to ever re-run a similar test (Betty compared/contrasted with Sam) you'd have to wear the same outfit to control variables!<br /><br />FYI I got here as ILondon Townnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-12169324659694005202012-09-25T14:16:29.860-06:002012-09-25T14:16:29.860-06:00It's never too late to the party. :O)
For me,...It's never too late to the party. :O)<br /><br />For me, I am just as comfortable on the Sam Hillborne for shorter rides. In fact, I use him frequently for many short-ride type tasks. In fact, I frequently hear from people when I arrive at a given location, "Hey! I know you... I see that bike all over town." The benefit to the Betty Foy (for me) is in that with a sloping top tube, IG.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-35793133691513957182012-09-25T13:59:47.145-06:002012-09-25T13:59:47.145-06:00A little late to the party, but you state you'...A little late to the party, but you state you'd prefer the Sam to Betty for longer rides... that there's just something about it which fits better for that use (at least for you)... but can I ask the reverse: Would you feel as happy on Sam as Betty for the shorter, more mundane rides? (local shops, friends within just a few miles of home, a shortish ride to work etc.)? Sam also has a London Townnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-13965259993249712852012-05-22T09:26:19.039-06:002012-05-22T09:26:19.039-06:00Thank you, Dottie! I think there are a couple of ...Thank you, Dottie! I think there are a couple of items at work for me - First, that I have had the opportunity to compare the two back to back, and second that I just seem to be very aware of even the smallest changes in a bicycle. I almost want to attempt a longer distance ride on the Betty, just to see if I would feel the differences that I notice on shorter rides. If you're out visitingG.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-22622878140605791162012-05-21T21:55:39.562-06:002012-05-21T21:55:39.562-06:00Interesting! Both of your bikes are beautiful. I...Interesting! Both of your bikes are beautiful. I would love to try the Sam Hillborne sometime to compare. As you noted, I have no problem riding the Betty on long distances, but I'm sure my experience is influenced by the fact that I've never really ridden a sportier bike for long distances before.Dottiehttp://letsgorideabike.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-89693219886564108572012-05-18T22:10:57.842-06:002012-05-18T22:10:57.842-06:00I think you have a great question, and I'm not...I think you have a great question, and I'm not entirely sure my answer will be fair, simply because of the very fact that I have ridden both. My instinctual response is to say that I would still feel that the Betty isn't appropriate (for me) for super long distance rides. That said, I know there are people who do use the Betty Foy for longer distance rides. My personal sense when riding G.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-24853550488736082782012-05-18T19:18:02.284-06:002012-05-18T19:18:02.284-06:00{ Although the looks are undoubtedly Rivendell aes...{ Although the looks are undoubtedly Rivendell aesthetics, personally I could not imagine doing a long distance ride (let's say, greater than 15-20 miles) on the Betty, while I have completed many on the Hillborne }<br /><br />Just wondering, would you still think the above if you never had the S.H. in the first place, and all you rode before was a regular commuter bike ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-37864404513164150912012-05-18T14:36:17.896-06:002012-05-18T14:36:17.896-06:00Well said. I have to agree that these are two ver...Well said. I have to agree that these are two very different rides, equally smooth and compliant, but totally different. I did however find that the paint quality was higher on the Betty Foy, while the Sam's paint seems to flake off. The only other oddity was that the seat post on the Betty Foy is a 26.6, and the Sam is a 27.2 (very standard), that threw me for a loop. Leave it to Grant :Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10157077226245963330noreply@blogger.com