**Note Shipping will be a separate charge ** we are waiving the $500 in parts and accessories requirement now until Dec 21st 2021 @ 11:59pm**
If you are a fan of long things, like Jethro Tull’s Thick as a Brick, Artamène ou le Grand Cyrus, the Mahabharata, stretch limos and siphonophores, then you will love the Joe Appaloosa. Cause it is long. Not quite as long as a siphonophore but pretty dang long. Long bikes are stable, which of course is a good thing. Unstable bikes are like high school relationships. They might be fun, but it’s gunna hurt in the long run.
Rivendell has been slowly enlongening their bikes over the past decade. The Joe Appaloosa and its touch hole cousin the Atlantis, are both about the same length. I thought, when I first rode a Joe, that it was going to be weird feeling. Slow. Turn like the American Dream. But that was not the case. It rode like a bike. Further confirmed when I took it on a few day tour of Michaux, which has tight singletrack, fire roads, dirt roads, and pavement. I rode it loaded, and lo and behold, the only thing it didn’t like were the very tightest singletrack switchbacks. Everything else the Joe Appaloosa handled well. Climbed in a planted, stable way. Descending felt super safe, but I could go blindingly fast and not worry about speed wobble. The frame is stiff. Gear weight does not phase it. Stiff is good. Wet noodles are fun in ramen, not to ride.
Basically this is the bike to get if you meet the following criteria:
You want a comfortable bike for any distance of riding
You love lugs
You don’t live in a really icy or muddy area
You don’t need a dedicated tight singletrack bike
You don’t mind a quill stem
You don’t need tires bigger than 2.1 inches
You want a bike that will look as good in 20 years as it does today.
Minimum PBH by size:
46cm (76)
51cm (81)
54cm (84)
57cm (88)
60cm (91)
- 26" wheels in size 46cm
- 650b wheels in size 51cm
- 700c wheels in sizes 54cm and up
- Cantilever or V brakes. Get V-brakes
- 26.8mm seat post, included. If you want to upgrade to a NITTO, OK!
- 135mm rear spacing
- 1" threaded fork - headset included
If you will use Cantis, be sure to purchase cable hangers (not included)
