Sully151

Soon, I am jonesing for a new bike. I have been saving for a long time (literally years) so I want a quality bike that will last a long time.

The plan is for it to be an all around bike for Gravel (loads of Fire roads in Orange County CA.) Commuting to work (both on and off road) and some bikepacking.

Both bikes are probably above what I need, but you only live once.

I think I have narrowed it down to the Rhumba Terlingua (Steel) and the Why Cycles R+ (titanium). I have never owned either material so I really don't know the difference.

I am also not super bright when it comes to geometry and how it rides. I have posted the build and geometry's below and would like to know your thoughts on how each would ride and which you would choose. The Ti bike is $700 more.

Thanks in advance

Bike- Chumba Terlingua
Frame Material- Steel
Component Group- Rival 1X11
Fork-Enve Cross
Headset- Cane Creek 40
Wheels- Stans Grail
Bar- Easton EA 70
Stem- Thomson Elite
Seatpost- Thomson Elite
Saddle- ?
Effective top tube- 575
Head tube angle- 72
Head tube length-168
Seat tube angle- 73
Seat tube length C-T- 545
Chain stay length- 425-445
Bottom bracket drop-65.5
Wheelbase- 1034-1054
Standover height (700x35) 31.8”
Reach-392
Stack- 598
($3950 as built)


Bike-Why Cycles R+ 

Frame material-Titanium (9 3/2.5 tubing and 6/4 head tube and bottom bracket shell)
Component Group-Rival 1 X 11
Fork- Enve Cross
Headset- Canr Creek 40 series
Wheels- Industry Nine AR25
Bar-Easton EA70
Stem-Easton EA 70
Seatpost- Easton EA 70
Saddle-Ergon SMA3
Effective top tube length- 570
Head tube angle- 72
Head tube length- 155
Seat tube angle- 73
Seat tube length- 520
Chain stay length-420
Bottom Bracket drop- 70
Wheelbase- 1025
Reach-389
Stack- 577
($4650 as built)

thehammerdog

Slick you got big $$ to spend look else where for other stuff

Sully151

Thanks for the input. Sooooo by something else, do you mean an different bike or a new guitar?

P.S. what are your thoughts on the new Martin D-28’s?

dgodave

Nooo. A new drum kit!

As for the bike, the first thing that comes right to mind is thats a pretty major commitment to make without getting to actually ride one first.

20mm stack difference between them. For me that would be significant.

And the 42x36 low gear on the R+ would never work for me. Might be perfect for you tho. Just be sure youre getting what you want and need. For this $ there need be no compromise.

Sully151

I gave up drums a while ago. I still play a suitcase kit every once in a while.

Both bikes have the option of putting a 11-42 on the back. The Chumba also has the option of going Ultegra and having a double.

The Why bike gives you a 30 day return if you don’t like the way it rides for any reason.

The Chumba is brand new, no real reviews. Reviews are pretty good for the Why bike

It sucks that I can’t ride them. I know Why is demoing bikes at a Sea Otter, but I can’t get up there that weekend.

tangerineowl

Couldn't find what steel tubes the Chumba uses e.g. weight.
I thought for that price, you having to pay extra for mounting points (rack and fender) was a bit rich.

Those are big dollar bikes you're looking at.
I'd want to make sure the frame geo (at least stack and reach) was bang-on for fit.

Really like a couple of the paint jobs on the Chumba though.

I'm just going to throw this out there as an option, but how about building up a Crust Lightning Bolt 2 frameset, if the geo works for you?
Has all the specs and I'd think you could build up a very nice $4grand bike.

Garfield Cat

Sully: since you're in Orange County, visit Pro Bike Supply in Newport Beach. Across from Hoag Hospital on Old Newport Blvd.

Take a look at their gravel bikes.

Marcus_Ti

Both are on the racey-handling end of gravel bikes. Road-bikes-with-wide-tires.




I'm a fan of adjustable dropouts. Have them on my Ti Carver. I second Chumba wanting an upcharge for points, kinda chintzy IMHO. Sliders allow you to play with the geometry at least a bit if you want more stability or more agility. Catch with them on the Chumba being that I'm a bit skeptical of the durability when painted. Paragon Machine Works is adamant with their slider dropouts that they aren't to be painted for the sake of accurate fit--and the torque for the bolts is 28Nm IIRC....IIRC those painted steel ones the torque is lower to be less hard on the paint.



Ti is lovely stuff done right.




That being said...I don't know how racey a frame you want for fire roads. We don't have them out here, but I've seen pics that would make me want a more stable bike.

fietsbob

What can you find in your local bike shop, in stock or in the orderbook for what ever brands they carry..

the gravel bike trend is a place all brands selling in bike shops want a market slice of ...

Sully151

I will stop by there. Here in Mission Viejo area, everything is either Trek or Specialized.

fietsbob

Bet they have a QBP account, too. so can get their bikes .. Just They may be able to buy Trek And Specialized on a dealer credit account.

so pay for them after the bike sells , QBP wont do that , they charge the order to Business' Credit Card..

It influences the business to not stock them on speculation..

jimincalif

I live in Lake Forest and just bought Niner RLT RDO 4-star which is in your price range. It's a carbon bike if you want to consider this. There is also the Jamis Renegade Elite. I got my bike at Trails End Cycling Center in Irvine. I think they still have a 56 cm Niner available for demo. It's a competent road bike also and it has rack mounts built in for your commuting and/or bike packing objectives.

Off road I've ridden it up Serrano Creek trail into Whiting Ranch. Need to do more exploring of fire roads.

TenGrainBread 

This fancy Crust Lightning Bolt comes in at $3850, and that's with super fancy bits like the Rene Herse Crankset, etc...If it's not your size get a frameset and build it. You will come in under budget with a much cooler, more unique and more versatile bike than the Chumba or Why. And doing a custom build ensures you get the fit and parts right for what you need.

https://crustbikes.com/products/lightning-bolt-3/

Planemaker

FWIW - My buddy has they Why Cycle R+ and he was able to get it with a 2X if you want to go that route.

FYI - He really likes the bike

Also, I have the Litespeed Gravel in Titanium and really like it as well.

Marcus is somebody I would listen too with regards to bikes.

dgodave

I had a Ti hardtail mtb and loved it. Converted it into my first gravel bike.

Sully151

Thanks, I live on the border of RSM and Mission Viejo. I basically back up to O’Neil. Loads of trial there that are perfect for gravel bikes.

Sully151

I thought you could only get the double if you went with Force. The price skyrockets at that point.

Planemaker

He does have the Sram Force. I've got no idea of the cost.