Any feedback on Obed? Especially the RVR SLi?
In my consideration set of next bike to buy?
On a tangent … The other one is a lightly used 2023 Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 AR. More cost effective because used, for sure!
You know I might have an opinion. We’re bullish on that bike, for a bunch of reasons. The RVR TL;DR; slightly less aggressive stack, heckin’ stiff out of saddle, a touch of aero in the downtube. And modern amenities like a UDH hanger. There’s enough tire clearance for a great day at a long gran fondo, and even clearance to smash a gravel race from SBT GRVL to BWR San Diego—for the right rider. It’s an understated performer, and looks incredible in person. Happy to chat offline if you have any questions. FWIW, I have access to Litespeed, QR and OBED bikes to ride, and this is the one I’ve requested as a staff demo model for the year…
I’m really excited about the RVR and am patiently waiting for more reviews to pop up. I’ve got a great gravel bike but need a road bike for training and sprint triathlons and it’s at the top of my list. Like you I just can’t find much info so far. Hopefully a spring 2025 purchase.
I like the idea of the slightly relaxed yet fast geometry and ability to easily run 30 or 32’s.
i would like you guys to talk about the stem style. i think the cables running through the stem is a bad idea, especially for a brand that sells to the consumer, which means there’s a high chance that buyer will upon riding find he or she needs to change the cockpit. i don’t mind hidden cables; i just mind cables that run through the stem. (specialized can hide their cables but not run then through the stem, as can cervelo, cannondale and others.) i really like my SR6, but i did need to change the stem twice and that meant rerouting the cables twice. i really LOVE my obed boundary, set up as my bikepacker. on this new obed bike i can’t see exactly how the cables are routed and some clarity on that would be helpful.
Dan - I called Obed last week and talked to them exactly about the topic you raised. I said “no way” can I get a bike with the cables routed through the stem & headset that requires bleeding the brakes to adjust position.
Realized after hitting send that my message might have been too negative.
The cable routing gave me lots of concern but thought I could always get a standard stem and avoid that issue. Many other aspects of the bike are appealing, including the customization, so still very much one of the top of my list.
Dan,
I understand your point. I’m a solid home mechanic and have built wheels and bikes from nothing but a pile of parts. Got my kid a used mechanical previous generation Speed Concept a couple years ago I have no desire to work on that bike!
As much as I love the fully integrated look that is one sticking point in bicycle decision for me. I don’t think bleeding brakes just to adjust cockpit is anyone’s idea of fun.
Maybe I need to look around as something with SRAM AXS and external brake routing would certainly be easier to work on.
A local shop owner said his mechanics have complained about working on all the internal stuff and he reminds them that it’s job security.
I’m the slow old guy just trying to do a few sprint tris to make my kid happy. Any “gains” are pretty laughable in the face of an extra 20lbs around my belly.
But……damn fully integrated looks good😉
That’s a sweet looking ride. I was looking into the GRX awhile back but I couldn’t find where they sourced their carbon frames. Call me paranoid but in reading, it seemed USA/Euro/Taiwan carbon builds were preferred over Chinese. Since I didn’t find informaton I eventually went with a different bike. But the OBED sure look nice.
You’ll see the RVR is available in two versions: the RVR SLi (our lightweight layup frame with a fully-integrated carbon one-piece bar/stem combo) which does—as any one-piece bar with full internal routing can—present its travel/packing limitations. But for the rider who know their fit and isn’t going to change a thing, it’s our lightest option.
However…the standard RVR is built to be adjustable.It comes stock with Vision’s SMR ACR stem; a semi-internal design which has has clean under-stem external routing from a bar with a standard faceplate. That permits change in stem length (90-130mm) as needed, as well use of any bar with a 31.8 clamp. We absolutely can build the RVR SLi with the with SMR ACR stem, all at a customer’s request.
One very important distinction when looking at the RVR versus bikes from other direct-to-consumer brands; we don’t just ship a bike in a box where you get what you get; we take a customer’s measurements and build every bike to their fit, selecting the FSA SMR stem at the length you need, and cutting the steerer to requested stack height), thus reducing the potential need for changes.
If there are changes needed in terms of stem length, we have a 30-day return that permits the consumer to change that FSA SMR ACR stem to one a different length, in that time, at no charge. We do love that SMR stem because it really is a solution to this full-internal issue, while at the same time keeping the cables tidy and out of the way.
But importantly, we have the ability to get a customer’s cockpit fit, right from the start, so worry about having to change things is pretty much a non-starter; if you know your numbers, give 'em to us and you’ll get the bike built with the reach (and stack) you require.
And as always Dan, we’d love to ship a bike to you for test. It’s a great rig.
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ABGJay -
Is the spec on the website incorrect for the Sli? I don’t see it showing one piece bar-stem? If it is the one piece which one are you guys using? Fortunately I’ve got winter to deal with soon (Wisconsin) so I can mull over specs and decisions until Spring!
ABGJay,
I sent you a couple of PMs to chat further on the bike. Did you receive them?
Thanks