DB wrote:Well the shop got it in but turns out I need a shorter headset, guess I have short arms, so they had to order one. So I won't be picking it up/riding it until this coming weekend.
Damn, it looked great, I was all ready...
Dang, post a writeup when you do get it... I can never seem to find enough info on the bikes I shop for
Just got it home at last and installed some crankbrothers 5050 pedals with pegs. It's a beauty and the red paint is lustrous, a great shade! And pretty light considering it's steel, though I suppose anything would feel light compared to my ancient steel mountain bike.
I'm 5'9" and the bike is 56 cm, feels like it fits really well which is a relief. My limbs are short compared to my torso and not being able to ride one before buying it, I wasn't sure if 54 or 56 would be the right size, Raleigh's size chart splits right at 5'9.
56 size has 172.5 crank arms and since bb drop is 75 mm, the pedals look pretty close to the ground, not a lot of ground clearance. Maybe just my eyes, will comment after I ride it and write up a post next weekend. Meantime I read that Guitar Ted didn't like the fit of the handlebars so I've got to check out that too.
He also mentioned how little clearance there is between the back of the brakes and spokes. It's true, you'll need a microscope to measure it, there isn't any almost, front or rear.
The saddle I'm almost sure I'm going to have to swap out, it's hard as a rock. Other than that I'm really pleased, even with a little ding in the paint (I got $200 off). I hope clear nail polish is the right thing to use on it, it's a pinhole but goes down to the metal.
DB wrote:Just got it home at last and installed some crankbrothers 5050 pedals with pegs. It's a beauty and the red paint is lustrous, a great shade! And pretty light considering it's steel, though I suppose anything would feel light compared to my ancient steel mountain bike.
Great writeup, thanks and congrats on your bike! I tried out a Tamland 1 in 54 cm (all my LBS had), and I thought it felt very reasonable for weight for a steel bike... much lighter than I had expected. I had been nervous with the reports of the Roper's weight.
DB wrote:I'm 5'9" and the bike is 56 cm, feels like it fits really well which is a relief. My limbs are short compared to my torso and not being able to ride one before buying it, I wasn't sure if 54 or 56 would be the right size, Raleigh's size chart splits right at 5'9.
Interesting... I'm 6', and I'm targeting a 56cm as well. I have a slightly long torso, so my legs usually want something for someone just under 6'. I rode the 54 and while it did feel small, it didn't feel off by that much for me... but then again I don't like to be too stretched out on a bike.
DB wrote:The saddle I'm almost sure I'm going to have to swap out, it's hard as a rock. Other than that I'm really pleased, even with a little ding in the paint (I got $200 off). I hope clear nail polish is the right thing to use on it, it's a pinhole but goes down to the metal.
Huh, I didn't mind the saddle compared to most stock saddles. I'll probably swap it at some point but it didn't feel bad enough to make it one of the first things.
Sorry I haven't had time to do a real write-up, only got to ride it for the first time this Sunday. Just a short ride then had to go out of town but it was sweet, I love this bike.
Reason for delay is that turns out 56 really was too big for me, so I ended up exchanging it for a 54. So maybe 56 is OK for someone 6 ft, although I have to say it only felt a little bit too big for me and only then after having it at home for a few days. Anyway, it took another week of shipping for the 54 but on Sunday I could tell it was definitely the right decision.
Well congrats again! I got my 56 last Friday, and finally took it for a 20-miler on Sunday. I love the fit, but as mentioned I don't like to be too stretched out to get to the bars either. I was having a blast on road with it when I remembered it was supposed to be a 'gravel' bike and there was a crushed granite jogging trail right there, so I went at it full speed, and it felt completely steady and smooth at the same time. Very impressive, I'm loving mine already and can't wait to take it on Ragbrai this year
When I posted about pre-ordering two Tamlands last year I unfortunately had to cancel when life got in the way. So a year went by with me salivating constantly and well, I finally got my Tamland 2 built about a week ago. Wife is shopping for something else because the 52 would be a tad big I fear. I now have two bikes crammed into my small office to sit and stare at (other bike is a Cervelo R3). Anyway, the Tamland 2 is a beauty and a joy to ride. I was a bit surprised that when I showed up on the group road ride with the T2 (tires @ 65lbs) I was able to keep up pretty easily. I'm still tweaking the fit a little and hope to be able to keep the stock stuff and make it work. Only problem is I keep looking at all the GG pictures from around the country and we just don't have that here in central Texas so I'm a bit envious. I'll keep our winter though. I'm very happy with everything about the T2 however I'll agree with G Ted and some of the other reviewers that it could have been geared more toward the low end rather than the top. More riding will tell. Anybody else purchased one of these bike and have another opinion?
I'm on the fence between the Tamland and the Willard -- I really like the ride/feel of aluminum frame+carbon fork bikes, and appreciate any weight savings I can get out there on the dusty roads.
The Willard's a nice bike for sure. What sold me was the steel build. It was love at first sight for me. I'm old enough that as a kid, if you had a Raleigh, you were the stuff! I like the lines, ride and feel of the Tamland. Regardless of what you choose, I'm glad that you're looking Raleigh. Good to see them back on the playing field, even if they do come with a "made in China" sticker. I took that off!
I'm finally picking up my tamland2 this weekend. Come summer I'm planning on using this bike 50% of the time for light touring stuff. Can I get by with the stock wheels with 28/32 tires or would it makes sense to invest in another lighter wheelset? If so, where's a good place to start?
I walked into my local REI during their big sale, and behold there was a Tamland 1 on clearance. I had been mulling over a gravel bike even though I dont have alot, if any gravel where I live(SoCal). After a quick test ride, it was on my car rack. What a great ride! Thanks Guitar Ted for your reviews and input on the Tamland. I'm probably going to go tubeless with Stan's grail wheelset, in respect to the brake clearance issue, did you have to put shims under the rotor and then move the calipers more outboard when you ran the AC Hurricanes?
Walt Brown wrote:Has anyone ridden the Willard? How much harsher is it? I like the look better and wouldn't mind dropping a pound or two.
I have only ridden the Willard (yesterday, in fact), and I didn't find it harsh at all. It was on pavement, but I hit as many cracks and bumps as I could find. No idea how much pressure was in the tires, but they were pretty firm.
It's steers more snappily than I had assumed; much more like a cross bike than a longer/lower "gravel" ride such as the Giant Anyroad (which handles like a boat). I'm not convinced the geometry difference between the Willard and my KHS cross bike are even noticeable, which puts me back to wondering if I should even replace it with the Willard.
A nearby (30 miles) bike store has a 60cm Tamland 1 in stock for me to test, and I would do that this weekend for comparison, but we're supposed to get a bunch of snow and I don't think I'll make the drive. Maybe next weekend!
I'm looking at the Willard 1 in black and army green. Unfortunately no one seems to have one in Western Mass, so I may have to purchase on faith. Everything I've read indicates it's the right bike for me.
domo wrote: I walked into my local REI during their big sale, and behold there was a Tamland 1 on clearance. I had been mulling over a gravel bike even though I dont have alot, if any gravel where I live(SoCal). After a quick test ride, it was on my car rack. What a great ride! Thanks Guitar Ted for your reviews and input on the Tamland. I'm probably going to go tubeless with Stan's grail wheelset, in respect to the brake clearance issue, did you have to put shims under the rotor and then move the calipers more outboard when you ran the AC Hurricanes?
I actually was using an American Classic Hurricane wheel set when I found it made a tinging noise here and there, which turned up the caliper clearance issue. A few judicious tweaks to pull the rim toward the brake side a hair, (dishing the spokes ever so slightly), did the trick. I maybe turned the nipples a degree or two. It wasn't much, but all you have to do is have the spokes clear by any amount and you should be good.
Alan,
\nHave you had a chance to ride the Tamland? If so, how did it compare to the Willard? I've yet to find a Raleigh shop in Mass that has either bike in stock.
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