> > > > It doesn't seem so long ago, but the mid 1990s era was a different bicycle world. Steel was dead, road riding was stagnant and those frames were moving to aluminum and titanium. Mountain bikes were getting complex with suspension. There was little internet use, thus we were not all tied together as community, and mailorder shops were still mainly selling through catalogs. I had a 1993 MB-1 that I loved and buddies were racing on RB-1s that they praised. Grant was brilliant starting the Bridgestone Owners Bunch with a small catalog of esotric articles (ala RivReaders to come) and esoteric parts. The wool jerseys were ultra-retro and ultra-cool to me. I bought a musette bag and hat and coin purse. Then of course Bridgestone USA folded and I was bummed to miss out on the blow-out sale on the XO-1s. Grant sent the BOB members a new catalog with some of the same BOB esoteric parts, but also now English saddles and saddlebags. That excited me as I had a 1966 Robin Hood 3speed that needed a new saddle. I bought a B17 (eventaully replaced with a Chamion Flyer) and Carradice Nelson Longflap. http://www.flickr.com/photos/79695460@N00/3993215438/in/set-72157607471577085 Then Rivendell offered a new upgraded of the XO-1, a Waterford built AllRounder. I ordered it in the summer of 1995 and it arrived in January 1996. http://www.flickr.com/photos/79695460@N00/5265783630/in/set-72157607471577085/ In keeping with my history of racing the AllRounder was ordered too small. Grant was talking of this new to me new position where the saddle goes further back and the handlebars come up. I wanted off my too small road bike that was becoming more and more uncomfortable. In 2000, prompted by an upcoming price increase, I ordered a Curt Goodrich built Road Standard. It was bulit to fit the largest tires I would ever ride, a 28mm (Ha!). This it would do with fenders or a 32mm without. http://www.flickr.com/photos/79695460@N00/400396875/in/set-72157607471577085/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/79695460@N00/7439691084/in/photostream/ This was the last bike I would ever need. I was set with a 3speed, AllRounder, mountain bike, and custom road bike. (Ha again!) In 2004 Rivendell offered the first Quickbeams. I remembered my racing winters spent on a fixed gear increasing my 'suppless.' But this bike offered a multitude of gearing and tire options. I had to have one http://www.flickr.com/photos/79695460@N00/7832253824/in/photostream that I run with gear inches of 71, 63, 61, 55, and 50. Most recently there was an orphan Legolas on the website. I already had the AllRounder for multi-surface rides. But I was intrigued to try the very lightweight tubing and ended up buying it anyway. http://www.flickr.com/photos/79695460@N00/7616540094/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/79695460@N00/6922766182/in/photostream/ I love it and love riding Jack Brown Greens or Schwalbe 35 cross tires on it. Now the custom road bikes RollyPolys seems a bit too harsh and too small. I love what the company has given me, a new way to enjoy cycling after the racing years. And I have loved their products over the years (though I am now lost with double top tubes and extra stays). Now there are many companies offering an non-racer point of view to bikes and components, and it was Grant's vision that was the genesis for most.
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