It’s nearly three years since I received my Raven and we’ve ridden 16,500 miles together. It was the last bike I bought, the longest I’ve been without buying a bike since getting rid of the car over ten years ago. Maybe I’ve finally got it right. I have made a few alterations, so a few thoughts and pics for anyone who’s interested.
The wheels no longer match, the rear rim was replaced with a Mavic last year and the front recently with a Rigida Grizley Carbide. I’ve been impressed with the braking on this, a slight improvement when dry, loads better in the wet, plus to don’t get that black gunk after a wet ride. Only time will tell if they last long enough to be worth the money. After a spate of punctures in June and July I gave up on the Pannaracer Hi-Roads and bought some Marathon Plus. I was scared of the weight, I needn’t have been they make no difference to my commute times. Chains seem to cause a lot of trouble for some Raven owners judging by the posts on here. Either I’ve been lucky or am less sensitive. I’m on my third chain, though the second is still in service on another bike, they get the occasional wipe down and cheap oil squirted on.
I have been playing with handlebar and grip combinations for a few months. Nothing wrong with the original set up, just I felt it could be better. I bought the Ergon grips and the Thorn Ergo bar ends and liked them both but had a problem. I couldn’t use the bar ends without the grips getting in the way (I have big hands) I changed back and forth a few times before coming up with the solution. Get slightly wider bars and put a bit of space between them. Looks a bit odd, so far it’s been very comfy, I’ve done a few 50+ mile rides, I’ll save final judgment till after a tour.
My poor battered, bruised and abused brooks. After one too many soakings this year it became so saggy the leather would touch the seatpost over a bump. I’ve laced the sides together which has pulled the top up. That’s improved it, but it’s not as comfy as it should be, I might have to replace it.
My Carradice Pendle has also had a hard time this year, it’s faded more in the last three months than the last three years. It seems to me the green material isn’t lasting as well as the black on my other bag.
There's also been a few things I’ve tried and haven’t kept. I no longer use the second Schmidt light, I experimented with butterfly bars, inboard bar ends were sacrificed for the bar bag and Magura hydraulic brakes made way for the carbide rim. I don’t think that’s really a lot of changes or expense over three years. My only other real spending has been on lights, though that’s a whole different subject.
