For me it started when I was looking for a better option for my short commute in Cambridge, MA (used to commute through the winter on a 3-speed vintage Triumph)
A co-worker had a Surly LHT and directed me to a Crosscheck that came up for sale from a local fellow (I'm pretty sure he had been influenced by Riv based on his build)... I bought that bike which came with 50mm Big Apples but changed the tires to skinnier ones and never got quite comfortable on it with it's low noodles dropbar - I didn't know better. I started researching and found a solution: a stem extension to lift my handlebars, it was ugly but worked ok. After reading more and more to see how I could enjoy biking more and to improve my posture, I found this group and around the same time I saw the most beautiful blue Sam Hillborne at Harris Cyclery. I fell in love with the Rivendell mindset, their bikes, and the whole kool-aid - the rest is history, since then I've had: Soma San Marcos 59, Sam Hillborne 62, AHH 61 (James at Analog Cycles helped me set these up properly with their enlightened fitting), AHH 63, SimpleOne 62, Hunqapillar 58, Custom Road Standard and a Toyo Atlantis. Btw, I'm going to have to go check out that local black/cream 58 Sam I posted that's for sale to see how it rides, after downsizing all year, I might come back home with a fourth bike. Best, Max Riv obsessed in MA PS. There's also my wife's Susie ;) On Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 12:21:21 PM UTC-5 RichS wrote: > Fun stories! Thank you too Jack for raising the topic. > > I took the Lovely Bicycle path to discover Rivendell. The more I read the > more I connected with Grant's writing, lugged steel frames (while still > riding my lugged steel '85 Trek 400) and all the supporting parts, > clothing, etc. This was a revelation! What followed was an Atlantis, Sam > Hillborne, ClemH, Roadeo, Homer, countless parts and enough clothing to > last the rest of my life. The RBW owners and ibob groups have been the > icing on the cake. > > While the other Rivs have moved to different list members, Sage Green Sam > remains in the stable as my favorite Riv - right from the first ride. > > Best, > Rich in ATL > > > On Monday, December 13, 2021 at 3:32:04 PM UTC-5 Ryan wrote: > >> Oh yeah...I remember that book! Man, some of those bikes were gorgeous >> and the photography was first-rate. Great recommendation! >> >> On Monday, December 13, 2021 at 1:28:44 PM UTC-6 aeroperf wrote: >> >>> I’m enjoying these responses immensely, mostly because I knew nothing >>> about Riv or Grant until after I rode my friend’s Sam in 2010. >>> >>> So I was initially surprised by the number of folks here who have come >>> up from Bridgestone through Grant to Rivendell. >>> I shouldn’t have been surprised. My LBS owner has his RB-1 hanging on >>> the wall in his showroom. >>> >>> There’s a wonderful coffee table book called “Japanese Steel” by William >>> Bevington and Scott Ryder that explains the Japanese response to the 70’s >>> bicycle boom, which includes Bridgestone, and anything that includes >>> Bridgestone mentions Grant Petersen. >>> If you are into “bicycle porn” and want to see where Bridgestone before >>> Riv fits in, I recommend it. The illustrations are awesome. >>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/34323acd-4ffa-4f6a-ad45-5b10f55d0a11n%40googlegroups.com.
