Vivente Randonneur

[RonK]

Regardless of the component upgrades, he's asking for near the RRP of the current model VWR for a two year old bike. Good luck with that.

[LateStarter]

G'Day everyone, I have been a long time watcher here and a long time admirer of the Vivente World Randonneur and have finally got one of my own.

I have used a 2008 Cannondale Touring 2 for a while and enjoyed short touring but I have never really been comfortable on it and have wished for better brakes & lighting. I don’t know why I have waited so long, the Vivente seems like it was custom built just for me, fits like glove, rides like a dream, while I have only done 100 km so far, including 75km “ride” home the long way from shop (Glowworm, Marrickville NSW), I have not yet found anything that is not near perfect.

Thanks for all the encouragement, looking forward to some great rides. It is one of the 2013 models and the spec changes seem to have been influenced by discussions on this site.


Vivente World Randonneur by LateStarter52, on Flickr

[Sprocket]

Welcome to the wonderful world of the VWR! I love mine. If I was forced to choose only one bike to keep (because like all velominati rule followers I have more than 2 ) it would be the VWR!

The 2013 model looks like it has some good improvements. Happy cycling!

[outnabike]

Nice bike LateStarter, you will get a lot of pleasure, I'm sure.
I finished up removing the centre stand and bought a side activating one that fits in the same place. Sounds silly but my bike fell over twice off the centre stand due to overbalancing.
I was tempted to cut the stand down, but that makes the base even narrower than existing. This won't suit every one but works for me.
Mind you it is probably due to the gear I carry, but the point of balance was pretty fine. All ok now though even packed up.

[Tim]

If I was forced to choose only one bike to keep (because like all velominati rule followers I have more than 2 ) it would be the VWR!

My thoughts too.
The new model looks very nice. I much prefer the more subdued top tube logo and paintwork on the 2013 compared to mine.
Congratulations on a smart bike choice. They might be a bit heavy but they are vastly more comfortable than any carbon or aluminium bike I've ever owned. Durable, reliable, versatile, excellent value for money. What more could anyone want?
Its good to know Noel listens and responds to customer input. He's giving us what we want not what he thinks we need.
Is that seat angle comfortable for you? I tilt mine back in the opposite direction.

[elStado]

Thanks for all the encouragement, looking forward to some great rides. It is one of the 2013 models and the spec changes seem to have been influenced by discussions on this site.

Noel is very much aware that to keep this bike a favourite within this niche it needs to constantly be improved and tweaked based on customer feedback, his own personal experiences and market developments.

I reckon he's doing a good job too! I've sent him plenty of questions and comments over the past year and he's always open to suggestions or feedback.

My website has probably resulted in the sale of a few dozen VWRs since I put my review up last year, I've received a number of emails and comments from people who bought it after reading my website. Pretty happy to support a local company that does it's bets to provide a high quality product. IMO it's the best designed and best value off-the-shelf touring/commuting bike you can buy in the world. If I could have only one bike, it would be the VWR too.

[LateStarter]

I finished up removing the centre stand and bought a side activating one that fits in the same place.

The 2013 have a "MassLoad" stand on all models rather than the Pletscher of some 2012 models. I don't know if it is better for your heavy loaded purposes but it seems very stable, is height adjustable without cutting, the legs spread a reasonable distance and have little feet that point out to give it even more stability.

And I agree Tim & elStado , the VWR seems like a very good all round bike for me anyway as I don't intend to race anywhere.

[LateStarter]

Is that seat angle comfortable for you? I tilt mine back in the opposite direction.

Ah a little embarrassed by that. At the shop I adjusted for height and jumped on a rode the "long" way home (75kms, bit over three hours) and kept thinking how comfortable the seat was along with all the other positive thoughts about the new bike. Got home, took some photos and looking at them was surprised at the seat angle as I usually try to have them level.

I had a look at the seat retention clamp and could not figure how to adjust the angle. The bottom part of the clamp has a semi circular rocker type bit (facing down) with ridges that sits in a corresponding semi circular (facing up) part of the seat post, these should allow the angle of the seat rails to be adjusted with the clamp bolt loosened BUT I can't move it, the two semi circular bits seem frozen together ? I have not yet given them a gentle tap with a small hammer to see if that separates them, are the previous models like this?

I had bought a SMP TRK saddle a month or so ago for the Cannondale and I put it on as it has a slight up tilt to neutralise the clamp down tilt. I did a 100 km ride but did not feel as comfortable as the standard VWR saddle (but still much more comfortable than old Cannondale saddle).

Anyway I will have a look again on weekend to see if I can figure out the clamp.


Seatpost by LateStarter52, on Flickr

[outnabike]

Is that seat angle comfortable for you? I tilt mine back in the opposite direction.

Ah a little embarrassed by that. At the shop I adjusted for height and jumped on a rode the "long" way home (75kms, bit over three hours) and kept thinking how comfortable the seat was along with all the other positive thoughts about the new bike. Got home, took some photos and looking at them was surprised at the seat angle as I usually try to have them level.

I had a look at the seat retention clamp and could not figure how to adjust the angle. The bottom part of the clamp has a semi circular rocker type bit (facing down) with ridges that sits in a corresponding semi circular (facing up) part of the seat post, these should allow the angle of the seat rails to be adjusted with the clamp bolt loosened BUT I can't move it, the two semi circular bits seem frozen together ? I have not yet given them a gentle tap with a small hammer to see if that separates them, are the previous models like this?

I had bought a SMP TRK saddle a month or so ago for the Cannondale and I put it on as it has a slight up tilt to neutralise the clamp down tilt. I did a 100 km ride but did not feel as comfortable as the standard VWR saddle (but still much more comfortable than old Cannondale saddle).

Anyway I will have a look again on weekend to see if I can figure out the clamp.


Seatpost by LateStarter52, on Flickr

You will have to undo the allen bolt loose enough to do the adjustment . If you look right up close, there is a rocker plate with serrations to give different level positions. Not a problem with a bit of trial and error.
Takes 3 min.

[iacl]

G'Day everyone, I have been a long time watcher here and a long time admirer of the Vivente World Randonneur and have finally got one of my own.

I have used a 2008 Cannondale Touring 2 for a while and enjoyed short touring but I have never really been comfortable on it and have wished for better brakes & lighting. I don’t know why I have waited so long, the Vivente seems like it was custom built just for me, fits like glove, rides like a dream, while I have only done 100 km so far, including 75km “ride” home the long way from shop (Glowworm, Marrickville NSW), I have not yet found anything that is not near perfect.

Thanks for all the encouragement, looking forward to some great rides. It is one of the 2013 models and the spec changes seem to have been influenced by discussions on this site.

Hard not to be happy, it's a great bike. And seems to be getting more so. Really like the more understated look of the decal on the top tube. I rode my 2012 model home from Newtown to Wollongong when I picked it up, it also felt pretty much right from the start.

I've just fitted one of the newer humpert horn bars, really nice in use. Also put one on the audax bike.

[iacl]

Have been a bit curious about the extra eyelets on the front right side of the tube, and near the top front of the forks near the crown. Does anybody know what these are for? (2012 frame).

Thanks.

[outnabike]

Have been a bit curious about the extra eyelets on the front right side of the tube, and near the top front of the forks near the crown. Does anybody know what these are for? (2012 frame).

Thanks.

Could you be referring to the front rack fixing points?

[iacl]

Have been a bit curious about the extra eyelets on the front right side of the tube, and near the top front of the forks near the crown. Does anybody know what these are for? (2012 frame).

Thanks.

Could you be referring to the front rack fixing points?

No, they are above the brake bosses, and front not side facing. In my case they sit behind the front V brakes.

[RonK]

Have been a bit curious about the extra eyelets on the front right side of the tube, and near the top front of the forks near the crown. Does anybody know what these are for? (2012 frame).

Thanks.

Could you be referring to the front rack fixing points?

No, they are above the brake bosses, and front not side facing. In my case they sit behind the front V brakes.

Possibly for mounting a randonneur type rack something like this one.

[iacl]

Hi RonK, no I don't think so. They are well above the brakes bosses, near the crown.

[rifraf]

Hi RonK, no I don't think so. They are well above the brakes bosses, near the crown.

Looking forward to your pics to put us out of our misery

[outnabike]

Have been a bit curious about the extra eyelets on the front right side of the tube, and near the top front of the forks near the crown. Does anybody know what these are for? (2012 frame).

Thanks.

Could you be referring to the front rack fixing points?

No, they are above the brake bosses, and front not side facing. In my case they sit behind the front V brakes.

Has your bike a front v Brake? Mine is 2012 and has a front disk brake.It is possible in an emergency to remove the rear brake and front mount it. My bike came with a spare part to facilitate this move.
Neal told me that in all his cycling he had never needed to do this though.

[iacl]

Actually I'm running V brakes front and rear on my bike.

The eyelets I'm asking about are well above the brake boses.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

[Sprocket]

Have been a bit curious about the extra eyelets on the front right side of the tube

I was curious about this one too and some time back asked Noel.

Many years ago people started mounting big Indian style bells there and we never stopped having the mounting point. We finally did remove it in the 2013 frames.

and near the top front of the forks near the crown. Does anybody know what these are for?

And I have no idea for these and haven't asked. I keep meaning to take a photograph as per rifraf's request but my bike's too dirty

[baghwan]

Was a bit bad and kept procrastinating replacing my front disk pads, 5000km with a lot of heavy breaking though mountains, they were down to the steel, guy at the bike store was impressed. What else should I be looking at replacing? Can the chain typically take another 3000km till I finish and get back home?

[clackers]

Was a bit bad and kept procrastinating replacing my front disk pads, 5000km with a lot of heavy breaking though mountains, they were down to the steel, guy at the bike store was impressed. What else should I be looking at replacing? Can the chain typically take another 3000km till I finish and get back home?

Nothing wrong with replacing a chain after 5000.

Why not do it now while you've got a supplier and mechanic instead of it letting you down when you're out of the saddle climbing another mountain?

[RonK]

Nothing wrong with replacing a chain after 5000.

Why not do it now while you've got a supplier and mechanic instead of it letting you down when you're out of the saddle climbing another mountain?

Quite right - if I was planning a longish tour I'd be replacing the chain and maybe the cassette before I left.

[baghwan]

My mountains are done, am doing the homeward stretch from Paris to Copenhagen, mostly flat.

On another note the bike(2012 Bar-end) has preformed flawlessly, have thrown every grade of terrain at it, barely done any maintenance, not even a flat tire or broken spoke, I did loose a pannier rack screw on my first day and have had to zip tie it ever since.

[baghwan]

Haha, guess what I snapped going up a hill today...

[clackers]

Haha, guess what I snapped going up a hill today...

Look what happened you cheapskate!

Obviously you had your chainbreaker and spare links, which is good, but I assume it was a bit of excitement your day didn't need.