Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-18 Thread RichS
This has been an enjoyable thread! Thanks for putting it up Ryan. My 
Rivendell addiction mirrors that of many others on the list. If I had made 
the discovery sooner, money spent on less satisfying bikes could have gone 
Rivendell's way instead (part of this cyclist's education I guess).

One Riv thing that has always captivated me is Grant's fork design. The 
fork bends are a thing of beauty and I never tire of looking at them. The 
crowns are pretty sweet too!

So happy to be a Rivendell bicycle owner/customer. Thank you Grant & 
Company!

Best to all,
Rich in ATL 

On Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 7:54:58 PM UTC-5, ed wrote:
>
> Not yet, seems its more likely to be 26 with the upcoming Gus. :-)
>
> On 17 Jan 2019, at 1:00 AM, lconley > wrote:
>
> Oops - 25 bikes - does that cross the line into hoarding?
>
> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 3:04:16 PM UTC-5, lconley wrote:
>>
>> 10 Rivendells plus Rivendell Custom on order. 23 bikes total. Just me.
>>
>> Laing
>> Cocoa, FL
>>
>>
>>> -- 
> 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-bun...@googlegroups.com .
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com 
> .
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>
>

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-17 Thread Ed Fausto
Not yet, seems its more likely to be 26 with the upcoming Gus. :-)

> On 17 Jan 2019, at 1:00 AM, lconley  wrote:
> 
> Oops - 25 bikes - does that cross the line into hoarding?
> 
>> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 3:04:16 PM UTC-5, lconley wrote:
>> 10 Rivendells plus Rivendell Custom on order. 23 bikes total. Just me.
>> 
>> Laing
>> Cocoa, FL
>> 
>>> 
> 
> -- 
> 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-16 Thread Will Rhea
Awesome photo gallery, Max! Thanks for sharing.

-br

On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 3:27 PM reynoldslugs  wrote:

> Well, thanks for this thread. It's pretty easy to make this positive.  I
> owe Grant and Riv a lot and would like to thank them.
>
> I "discovered" Rivendell in about 1998, when my friend Bradford Rex (aka
> The Reverend Mookie) gave me a Rivendell Catalog.  I'd ridden a lot in
> college and grad school (70's and 80's), but fell away cycling for a
> numbert of years, too busy to ride and uninterested in the new bikes, new
> materials, new technology.
>
> Brad showed me the catalog, with pics of good steel bikes and riders in
> floppy cotton shirts.  My ship had finally returned to port...
>
> I drove down to Walnut Creek, bought some wool shorts, and ordered a
> Heron.   Remember I got some fat tires (maybe Rolly Polly's) for my Jack
> Taylor and one of my Paramounts.  My love for cycling came back, and for
> the last 20 years I've enjoyed life with my Rivendells.  Not sure how many
> I have, maybe six or seven.  Maybe more, I don't actually keep track.
>
> I don't like to post stuff that sounds dramatic, or make my experience
> sound special.   But I will say the oncology dudes and cardiology dudes say
> it's a good thing that I've biked so much over the years. I truly thank
> Grant for that inspiration, for the bikes, and for my health.
>
> My story isn't unique or special, but the bikes sure are...
>
> some are here:
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/41563482@N06/albums
>
> cheers
>
> Max Beach
> Santa Rosa CA
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the
> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/JWFc98ZDKaM/unsubscribe
> .
> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to
> rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-16 Thread Joe Bernard
Found the Bridgestone ad. 

https://goo.gl/images/764UoQ

I started here, got The Three Catalogues, joined the Bridgestone Owner's Bunch 
just before it all went south, then signed up for the Reader. First Riv was a 
Romulus in 2003, have had a stack of them since but oddly enough currently own 
none. Is a Gus next? Probably!

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-16 Thread lconley
Oops - 25 bikes - does that cross the line into hoarding?

On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 3:04:16 PM UTC-5, lconley wrote:
>
> 10 Rivendells plus Rivendell Custom on order. 23 bikes total. Just me.
>
> Laing
> Cocoa, FL
>
>
>>

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-16 Thread George W Millwood
I was reading a cycling magazine that was running a series of articles on 
bicycle builders when they announced with some sadness that Bridgestone was 
finishing up in the USA and that Grant was setting out on his own.  I 
enrolled for the boblist, I think that's what it was then, bought a bunch 
of bits and pieces and set about civilising my Trek hybrid.  I changed the 
seat, the seat post, the bottle cages, the stem and bars a number of times, 
the wheels, the drivetrain and finally I bit the bullet and bought Atlantis 
Frame No 93.  I still have it and still ride it and shortly I will complete 
the transformation and replace the brakes.

Grant changed everything about how I ride, I owe him an enormous debt which 
is why I still buy my bits from Rivendell when I can get them across the 
counter at my LBS.

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Toshi Takeuchi
I got introduced to Rivendell by my friend who introduced me to road
riding.  He is a big fan of lugged steel bikes and showed me the Saluki and
told me that I needed to get that. At the time, I did my first road ride by
changing my mountain bike tires to slicks.  I enjoyed road riding, so I got
my first lugged frame off ebay.  It was a nice used Marinoni frame I
purchased.  This must have been around 2003-2004.

I appreciated the common sense approach to bicycling espoused by Rivendell
and latched onto the comfort and safety of wider tires.  I had my first
child and wanted to take him on a trailer, so I got a used Surly Pacer that
accepted "wide" 32 mm 700c tires.  Using wide tires was a life and death
matter for me because the roads were not always maintained, and there was a
highly publicized local death near my house on Grizzly Peak Blvd. when a
rider lost control on the road and went into incoming traffic--presumably
due to poor road conditions.

At this point, I was doing some long distance riding, and riding on a
comfortable Rivendell was a big dream for me.  I broke into this dream when
I purchased a used Riv Rambouillet.  I built up this bike myself and rode
several brevets up to a 400k.  At this point, I wanted even wider tires and
more comfort, so I bought my first new Riv, the A Homer Hilsen.  I put 38
mm Parimoto 650b tires and was sold on comfortable 650b frames.  My first
big ride was a 600k on this bike.

During this period, the randonneur's dream tire was the 650b Grand Bois
Hetre.  The Parimoto was nice, but going to 42 mm was supposed to be the
optimum of comfort and speed.  I bought into that idea and converted my
Rambouillet to 650b and honestly did find that the 42mm tires were
amazing.

At this point I ditched the Surly Pacer and made the A Homer Hilsen my
commuter.  The 650b Ram became my brevet bike and I did a whole ride series
up to 600k with the Ram.  The Marinoni was too twitchy and had a carbon
front fork to boot, so it had to go and I bought a Roadeo for my "faster"
road ride.  The carbon fork is a big deal, as an acquaintance of mine who
also did double centuries came to the top of Coleman Valley climb and as he
was approaching the summit, the fork fell apart and he crashed.  If he were
100 feet farther along on the descent, he might have been dead.

Anyhow, I managed to do the Triple Crown Stage Race--not really a race for
my buddy and I as we were the Lanterne Rouge, but we finished three of the
toughest double centuries within the time limit (which was a challenge for
the Terrible Two).  Anyhow the Roadeo had plenty of good use there.

The Ram was a great bike, but it was a bit kludgey as it was converted to
650b and the brakes barely fit and the dynamo lighting required wires
everywhere, and the front rack used P-clamps.  As you can tell, I just HAD
to have a custom :-).   The custom rides beautifully, it's so stable and
comfortable and beautiful.  I rode the SF Randonneurs Populaire this
weekend, and I should have taken a picture as there were 50-60 bikes all
lying on the grass, and my lone bike upright with a kick stand.  OK, I did
take the kickstand off for the 600k, but I tell you kickstands are way
underrated in the rando scene.

Anyhow, I bought my wife a Betty Foy which is the best bike she has ever
ridden by far, and my family and I love the Hubbah Hubbah tandem.  I even
got a Cheviot with Albastache bars.  I won't get any more Rivs in the near
future unless they are for my kids or I want a divorce :-), but I am still
dreaming of a mountain tourer when I have more time to do such stuff!

Toshi

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Joe Bernard
It's (lady racer ad) on a Blahg somewhere, Grant showed it sometime last year I 
think. 

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Patrick Moore
That one I didn't see; can anyone post a link or the photo?

I remember the neo-retro Pineapple Bob ads. All had what I call a Grant
touch.

I just found a Sheldon Page of BBUSA catalog(ue)s which contains them and
other BBUSA art:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/

On Tue, Jan 15, 2019 at 5:51 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:

> The first Bstone ad I remember was the lady racer on an RB-1 with a facial
> injury from a recent crash. She was cool!
>
> --
> 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>


-- 



**





*Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And
though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the
hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.*
--- J.R.R. Tolkien
---
Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews
By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching
Other professional writing services
Expensive! But good.
http://www.resumespecialties.com/
Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique

*Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?*

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Joe Bernard
The first Bstone ad I remember was the lady racer on an RB-1 with a facial 
injury from a recent crash. She was cool!

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Patrick Moore
I had a 55 (c-c; I think that was the next smaller size; 56.5 cm tt, c-c)
which, with the level tt, was as much as 5 cm too short; but the tt of the
59 was just too long (my ideal flat tt size, c-c, is 60 X 56 or 57). I
ended up with a long but very upjutting Tioga T-Bone stem to get the drop
bar where it had to be, and back then my bar was about 3-4" below saddle.
(And, I used a Cinelli Giro d'Italia with 26.4 mm clamp; I had to do some
serious stretching to get it into the 25.4, and very, very wide, clamp of
the T-Bone. Thank God for steel.)

Really, I think that the XO-1 was really the beginning of a Grantian design
trend that led through the All Rounder, the Sam Hill, the various country
bikes, and on to the long-stayed sweepback bar bikes of today's product
portfolio (if I can borrow a bidniss term). One can jump in and jump out
where one likes.


On Tue, Jan 15, 2019 at 12:48 PM Will Rhea  wrote:

> Hi Patrick,
>
> Oh man, I loved that XO-1  Feels lighter by comparison with those 26"
> wheels. Quick, low profile, nice handling.  Great for shorter tours (like
> max 4 days) and just plain fun to ride.
>
> Only downside was that the 59cm seat tube was always a bit small for my
> 6'3" height, and the top tube was shortish also.  At the end I set it up
> with Albatross bars on an old, super-long Nitto-made steel stem off an old
> Specialized S-Works mtn bike to bring the bars up and out, and I rode it
> that way for years.
>
> That said, I really like my Rivs, which are all bigger (63cm Rom, 64cm QB,
> 63cm Hilsen, 62cm Hunqa).  I'm running fillet-brazed Bosco Bullmoose bars
> on the Hunqa, and it's just a dream to ride.  I used to take it offroad
> more, but now it's an all-weather, day/night, racked and basketed beast of
> burden.  The Rom is my "road" bike that's a blast on dirt roads too. The
> Hilsen is currently out of commission as it needs a new rear wheel (rim got
> a chunk taken out of it), and it has also gotten a lot of commute miles and
> some touring.
>
> Cheers,
>
> -br
>
>
> On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 2:31 PM Patrick Moore  wrote:
>
>> Bill: what did you think of the XO-1? Or, what do you now think of the
>> XO-1 after riding so many Rivendells?
>>
>> I owned, loved, and put many, many miles on a '92 myself, and when I
>> ordered my first 26' wheel road custom, I asked Grant: Can you make it as
>> good as the XO-1?" He answered, "Oh, much better," and so it proved. In
>> fact, my first custom was sorta-kinda based on the All Rounder, but with
>> geometry tweaked for road, and full road tubing and lugs.
>>
>> The XO--1 was very clearly an idea and product at the beginning of a
>> process. Riv's road models and all road models are now much, much better --
>> as good as the XO-1 was in its day.
>>
>> On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 3:05 PM Bill Rhea  wrote:
>>
>>> I guess I've been a fan of Grant's bikes and since when I sold
>>> Bridgestone bikes as an employee of Bay Area shops Wheelsmith and the
>>> Bicycle Outfitter back in the 80's.
>>>
>>> I've accumulated some great stuff from Riv over the years, bikes, racks
>>> and bags (Carradice saddle bag, then Baggins Bags, Sackville), and plenty
>>> of wool.
>>>
>>> First Bridgestone was a 1992 X0-1, which I just gave to my son-in-law to
>>> use. Tons of commute miles and touring on that one.
>>>
>>> Second Bridgestone was an X0-5, bought for $99 on Bridgestone USA's last
>>> day of business.  This was a great commuter when I was in grad school.
>>>
>>> First Riv was a Quickbeam from the first production run, now set up with
>>> an S3X fixed 3sp hub. I may need to find a home for this, as it's less
>>> practical for my needs / geography these days.  But what a sweet ride
>>>
>>> Second Riv was a Romulus, which I broke but had repaired.  This is now
>>> my only bike without racks and fenders, set up with NOS parts for L'Eroica
>>> CA.  This is my only non-commuting bike.
>>>
>>> Third Riv was an A. Homer Hilsen, which I got while the Romulus was
>>> being repaired.
>>>
>>> Fourth Riv was a gray Hunqapillar from the first production run. This
>>> one has more miles than any of the others, and is my everyday go-to
>>> commuter and load hauler.
>>>
>>> I can safely say that my bike experience over the last 20 years has been
>>> positively enhanced by Riv products and cyclosophy.
>>>
>>> -br
>>>
>>>
>>> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote:

 Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a
 POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your
 relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details.

 For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16
 bikes for my family of four (2 adult children).

 Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson
 West Michigan
>>>
>>> --
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group 

Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Patrick Moore
I wonder how many Rivendell aficionados were first attracted by Grant's
Bridgestone USA ads. I know that they caught my eye, attention, and
sympathy, for their retro/contrarian/poster-art aesthetic -- this when bike
ads had already become neon/flashy/agressive (far worse now!).

Speaking of poster art (forgive me Father, etc., for here starteth a rant):
It's to be expected that artistic skills and skills generally ("skills
generally" means "artistic skills") flourish in a suitable environment; you
don't expect high-craft blacksmithing in today's auto industry. But the
mechanization of work, where machines take over more and more of human and
creative (= satisfying) art and skill (note: I use the word "art" in the
traditional sense of habitual and acquired knowledge of translating
concrete imagined forms into given material or combination of materials -- *ars
recta ratio factibilium*) leaves the "worker" more and more of a machine
minder, that is, a drudge; a slave, to put it bluntly but accurately. And I
have been reading recently how AI will take over even more highly-skilled
work; even that of surgeons! -- leaving programmers on one hand and Orwells
proles on the other to be bought off with elusive and unaffordable
guaranteed minimum incomes, or else bread and circuses. The computer is the
apotheosis of the machine; and I predict it will become the machine
antichrist. Note: I do not by any means condemn all those who are in IT; my
worth brother in law is in IT; we do the best we can in the circumstances
given us. But no one can stop us from looking reality in the eye.

Look back at advertising in the late 19th and early 20th century, before
radio and later television. Although poster art was already a debased form
enslaved to the profit motive and the machine, it still had scope for real
human creativity; even if only on hoardings and flyers stuck up in public
places. I have a very nice, framed repro "Cycles Gladiator" poster in my
garage: it's not Chartres cathedral or Siva Nataraj, but it's still humanly
creative and, to that extent, a medium for beauty. Now, it's not even TV
ads; it's Twitter -- our Golem of Greatness, to use Kunstler's phrase, is a
man of his time.

I am acutely aware of this because my daughter, a senior in high school
with some graphic talent and interest, will have to find a job and, one
hopes and prays, not only a job but a remunerative and satisfying craft and
profession, in a world that is more and more, and at an accelerating pace,
more and more merely an adjunct to the machine. Or else she'll have to
write resumes.

Anyway, Grant's ads harked back to that already modern but still
*relatively* human medium, and -- one grasps at even very small and
relative goods -- they were very refreshing and intriguing.

I wish I'd kept my small collection of BUSA catalogues. (Yes, "...gues".)

On Tue, Jan 15, 2019 at 8:33 AM William R.  wrote:

> I was super aware of Bridgestone in the late 80's and early 90's. Didn't
> know who Grant was, but I loved the ads and the bikes spoke to me. Never
> owned a Bridgestone though. I think the first time I became aware that
> Rivendell existed was not until late 1999 or early 2000 when I saw a
> beautiful Rivendell custom cross bike on eBay. I remember being stuck on
> that one and drooling over it, but not being remotely able to afford it. I
> lived in San Francisco at the time and they had the US National Cyclocross
> Championships in the Presidio in 1999. I attended and thought cross was
> awesome and I thought the bikes were awesome because they afforded the
> clearances that my road bikes at the time didn't have. I was stuck in a
> racing frame of mind back then and bought a pretty cool cross bike to use
> as a commuter. All was well for a few years. I didn't look deeper into
> Rivendell and in 2000 I moved to Colorado. I kick myself now for not being
> more aware and taking advantage of having Walnut Creek so close and the
> possibility of visiting RBWHQ in the early years. Ouch! In CO I was still
> clinging to the racer mentality but all the time wishing I could have
> bigger tires on my nice road bike for all of the dirt farm roads out there.
> I experimented a lot and was following Riv more and more. Moved east in '04
> and was dreaming heavily of Atlanti and Hilsen's by then, but they still
> seemed a little out of reach for me. Power clip ahead to 2009 and I finally
> made my first plunge and bought a orange, canti Hillborne. Hooked: I've
> always had a Riv since then. A bleu Hillborne next. Today we have 3 Rivs in
> the house: 1 Roadini (mine), 1 Appaloosa (also mine!) and one Betty Foy (my
> wife's). Our kids bikes are also heavily influenced by Riv. My son rides a
> Cross Check and my daughter has a neat Diamondback step through/mixte that
> we got at REI. I'm totally addicted to Rivendells bikes and their ways.
> Current dream is to fill in the gap between the Roadini and Joe with a new
> MIT Hilsen. That may not be in the cards and I 

[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Lester Lammers
I rode a Rossin Record for 20+ years. Nice stage racing frame. Around 
2008 I decided I wanted a fatter tire roadish bike. Something more 
practical but not a MTB. I'm not sure how I stumbled on Riv but I got a 55 
Bleriot, loved it and miss it. I have a 53 MIT Atlantis that is my all 
rounder and it fits better than any bike I have ever had. I keep eyeing and 
considering a 51 MIT AHH but I don't 'need' it. Yeah, right. 


On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 2:25:13 PM UTC-5, Abcyclehank wrote:
>
> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a 
> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your 
> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. 
>
> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 
> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). 
>
> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson 
> West Michigan

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Lester Lammers
I rode a Rossin Record for 20+ years. Nice stage racing frame. Around 2008 
is decided I wanted a fatter tire roadish bike. I'm not sure how I stumbled 
on Riv but I got a 55 Bleriot, loved it and miss it. I have a 53 MIT 
Atlantis that is my all rounder and it fits better than any bike I have 
had. I keep eyeing and considering a 51 MIT AHH but I don't 'need' it.


On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 2:25:13 PM UTC-5, Abcyclehank wrote:

> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a 
> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your 
> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. 
>
> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 
> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). 
>
> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson 
> West Michigan

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Will Rhea
Hi Patrick,

Oh man, I loved that XO-1  Feels lighter by comparison with those 26"
wheels. Quick, low profile, nice handling.  Great for shorter tours (like
max 4 days) and just plain fun to ride.

Only downside was that the 59cm seat tube was always a bit small for my
6'3" height, and the top tube was shortish also.  At the end I set it up
with Albatross bars on an old, super-long Nitto-made steel stem off an old
Specialized S-Works mtn bike to bring the bars up and out, and I rode it
that way for years.

That said, I really like my Rivs, which are all bigger (63cm Rom, 64cm QB,
63cm Hilsen, 62cm Hunqa).  I'm running fillet-brazed Bosco Bullmoose bars
on the Hunqa, and it's just a dream to ride.  I used to take it offroad
more, but now it's an all-weather, day/night, racked and basketed beast of
burden.  The Rom is my "road" bike that's a blast on dirt roads too. The
Hilsen is currently out of commission as it needs a new rear wheel (rim got
a chunk taken out of it), and it has also gotten a lot of commute miles and
some touring.

Cheers,

-br


On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 2:31 PM Patrick Moore  wrote:

> Bill: what did you think of the XO-1? Or, what do you now think of the
> XO-1 after riding so many Rivendells?
>
> I owned, loved, and put many, many miles on a '92 myself, and when I
> ordered my first 26' wheel road custom, I asked Grant: Can you make it as
> good as the XO-1?" He answered, "Oh, much better," and so it proved. In
> fact, my first custom was sorta-kinda based on the All Rounder, but with
> geometry tweaked for road, and full road tubing and lugs.
>
> The XO--1 was very clearly an idea and product at the beginning of a
> process. Riv's road models and all road models are now much, much better --
> as good as the XO-1 was in its day.
>
> On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 3:05 PM Bill Rhea  wrote:
>
>> I guess I've been a fan of Grant's bikes and since when I sold
>> Bridgestone bikes as an employee of Bay Area shops Wheelsmith and the
>> Bicycle Outfitter back in the 80's.
>>
>> I've accumulated some great stuff from Riv over the years, bikes, racks
>> and bags (Carradice saddle bag, then Baggins Bags, Sackville), and plenty
>> of wool.
>>
>> First Bridgestone was a 1992 X0-1, which I just gave to my son-in-law to
>> use. Tons of commute miles and touring on that one.
>>
>> Second Bridgestone was an X0-5, bought for $99 on Bridgestone USA's last
>> day of business.  This was a great commuter when I was in grad school.
>>
>> First Riv was a Quickbeam from the first production run, now set up with
>> an S3X fixed 3sp hub. I may need to find a home for this, as it's less
>> practical for my needs / geography these days.  But what a sweet ride
>>
>> Second Riv was a Romulus, which I broke but had repaired.  This is now my
>> only bike without racks and fenders, set up with NOS parts for L'Eroica
>> CA.  This is my only non-commuting bike.
>>
>> Third Riv was an A. Homer Hilsen, which I got while the Romulus was being
>> repaired.
>>
>> Fourth Riv was a gray Hunqapillar from the first production run. This one
>> has more miles than any of the others, and is my everyday go-to commuter
>> and load hauler.
>>
>> I can safely say that my bike experience over the last 20 years has been
>> positively enhanced by Riv products and cyclosophy.
>>
>> -br
>>
>>
>> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote:
>>>
>>> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a
>>> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your
>>> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details.
>>>
>>> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16
>>> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children).
>>>
>>> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson
>>> West Michigan
>>
>> --
>> 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>>
>
>
> --
>
>
>
>
> **
>
>
>
>
>
> *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And
> though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the
> hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.*
> --- J.R.R. Tolkien
> ---
> Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews
> By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching
> Other professional writing services
> Expensive! But good.
> http://www.resumespecialties.com/
> Patrick Moore
> Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis 

[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Chris Birkenmaier
I’ve been immersed in bikes for most of my life. I was familiar to a certain 
extent with GP/Rivendell.  A few years back I read some glowing reviews of his 
bikes in a magazine and that sparked my interest.  So like eating potato chips, 
I start d buying them.  I now own a Sam, Roadini, Joe A, Quikbeam, Cheviot, 
Rosco Bubbe Mixte, and a Soma San Marcos.  My cycling needs are well taken care 
of!

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread reynoldslugs
Along the way, I became a Rivendell "Lifetime Member," which meant you had 
a lifetime subscription to the Rivendell Reader.  Before Rivendell had a 
website, those Rivendell Readers were the thread that held us all 
together.  I still have them all in a binder, they're still informative 
(and relaxing) to read.

On Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 8:34:23 AM UTC-8, Jonathan K. wrote:
>
> 3 in the house currently - my Appaloosa and Sam and my wife's Clem L. 
> 1 on order - Hubbuhubbuh
>
> From the time I came across Rivendell's website 10 or so years ago, I've 
> admired the bikes and enjoyed reading Grant's writings but really thought 
> that owning a Riv was a pipe dream. Eventually, though, things fell into 
> place and I found myself in a position to afford one. So, after years of 
> struggling with bike fit, and trying lots of different bikes, I decided to 
> buy my first Rivendell - an Appaloosa. I was so amazed by how well it rode 
> that I bought a Hillborne a few months later, and then a Clem for my wife, 
> and last week I preordered a HHH. Strongly considering a Roadini too...
>
> The bikes are amazing, but the other Rivendell offerings have been just as 
> life-changing for me. I can't imagine my Appaloosa without the luxuriously 
> comfortable Boscomoose bars. My Sam would be a different bike altogether 
> without the Albastache bars. Neither would be nearly as capable commuters 
> without the Nitto Racks, Wald baskets, and the Sackville bags. I seriously 
> cannot stress enough how much I love my Shopsack, medium Saddlesack, and 
> Baggabond. I've tried lots of arrangements for carrying stuff bikes, and 
> these are absolutely the best bags for me and my commute, no contest. 
>
> I've always liked riding bikes. I've owned a lot of different types of 
> bikes from a lot of different companies. I've never enjoyed riding as much 
> as when I am riding one of my Rivendells. What could be a better compliment 
> for a bike?
>
>
>

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread Jonathan K.
3 in the house currently - my Appaloosa and Sam and my wife's Clem L. 
1 on order - Hubbuhubbuh

>From the time I came across Rivendell's website 10 or so years ago, I've 
admired the bikes and enjoyed reading Grant's writings but really thought 
that owning a Riv was a pipe dream. Eventually, though, things fell into 
place and I found myself in a position to afford one. So, after years of 
struggling with bike fit, and trying lots of different bikes, I decided to 
buy my first Rivendell - an Appaloosa. I was so amazed by how well it rode 
that I bought a Hillborne a few months later, and then a Clem for my wife, 
and last week I preordered a HHH. Strongly considering a Roadini too...

The bikes are amazing, but the other Rivendell offerings have been just as 
life-changing for me. I can't imagine my Appaloosa without the luxuriously 
comfortable Boscomoose bars. My Sam would be a different bike altogether 
without the Albastache bars. Neither would be nearly as capable commuters 
without the Nitto Racks, Wald baskets, and the Sackville bags. I seriously 
cannot stress enough how much I love my Shopsack, medium Saddlesack, and 
Baggabond. I've tried lots of arrangements for carrying stuff bikes, and 
these are absolutely the best bags for me and my commute, no contest. 

I've always liked riding bikes. I've owned a lot of different types of 
bikes from a lot of different companies. I've never enjoyed riding as much 
as when I am riding one of my Rivendells. What could be a better compliment 
for a bike?


-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-15 Thread William R.
I was super aware of Bridgestone in the late 80's and early 90's. Didn't 
know who Grant was, but I loved the ads and the bikes spoke to me. Never 
owned a Bridgestone though. I think the first time I became aware that 
Rivendell existed was not until late 1999 or early 2000 when I saw a 
beautiful Rivendell custom cross bike on eBay. I remember being stuck on 
that one and drooling over it, but not being remotely able to afford it. I 
lived in San Francisco at the time and they had the US National Cyclocross 
Championships in the Presidio in 1999. I attended and thought cross was 
awesome and I thought the bikes were awesome because they afforded the 
clearances that my road bikes at the time didn't have. I was stuck in a 
racing frame of mind back then and bought a pretty cool cross bike to use 
as a commuter. All was well for a few years. I didn't look deeper into 
Rivendell and in 2000 I moved to Colorado. I kick myself now for not being 
more aware and taking advantage of having Walnut Creek so close and the 
possibility of visiting RBWHQ in the early years. Ouch! In CO I was still 
clinging to the racer mentality but all the time wishing I could have 
bigger tires on my nice road bike for all of the dirt farm roads out there. 
I experimented a lot and was following Riv more and more. Moved east in '04 
and was dreaming heavily of Atlanti and Hilsen's by then, but they still 
seemed a little out of reach for me. Power clip ahead to 2009 and I finally 
made my first plunge and bought a orange, canti Hillborne. Hooked: I've 
always had a Riv since then. A bleu Hillborne next. Today we have 3 Rivs in 
the house: 1 Roadini (mine), 1 Appaloosa (also mine!) and one Betty Foy (my 
wife's). Our kids bikes are also heavily influenced by Riv. My son rides a 
Cross Check and my daughter has a neat Diamondback step through/mixte that 
we got at REI. I'm totally addicted to Rivendells bikes and their ways. 
Current dream is to fill in the gap between the Roadini and Joe with a new 
MIT Hilsen. That may not be in the cards and I will have to live with what 
I've got! Good thing Rivs are so versatile. My two can handle just about 
anything I could dream of doing on a bike at my age. It would just be neat 
to have that Hilsen as my full time fendered bike, the Appaloosa as my full 
time dirt bike and the Roadini as my full time road bike. My love for 
Rivendell continues in tandem with my dreaming! Hmm... tandem... there's a 
thought...

Bill in Westchester, NY 

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-14 Thread Linda G
Patrick asks what frames preceded the Roadini. Other than the 1984 Trek 
620, which was a nice bike and just didn't fit well, they were a Peugeot 
UO-8, a cheap knockoff of a Raleigh mixte and another cheap diamond frame 
10-speed (don't remember the brand). What makes the Roadini work is the 
tall head tube so I can get the handlebars up where I want them, adequate 
standover and no toe overlap. Also it's the choice of parts that work for 
me: low q crank, low gearing, brake levers for small hands, good women's 
saddle, short reach handlebars. The handling feels a lot like my former 
Trek 620 and is just fine. This thread is supposed to be all positive so I 
will not mention what I do not like about the bike and the Rivendell 
philosophy of fit, but I am not going to buy a custom frame and for a 
production bike the Roadini is great and definitely the best bike I have 
owned.

On Monday, January 14, 2019 at 8:07:50 AM UTC-8, Patrick Moore wrote:
>
> That's very nice. What frames made up the predecessors to the Roadini? And 
> how -- in fit, handling, other ways -- is the Roadini superior to them?
>
> It's been so long that I can't remember clearly, but I think I learned 
> about Grant in the early 90s during the Bridgestone USA days, from the ads, 
> and joined the original boblist (mail, not internet) a few years later, 
> about 1994. I bought a 1992 XO-1 a year out of date, so that sounds right; 
> I set the XO-1 up as a 26" wheel road bike, and it worked well, better on 
> road than off road, IME.
>
> I was on the mailing list for the new Rivendell company and ordered a 26" 
> wheel Waterford road custom in 1994, which was delivered early 95. I 
> ordered 2 more in subsequent years (small wheels not for fit but because I 
> had, and still have to a degree) a liking for small road wheels). Later 
> still I owned a canti Sam and a blue Ram. Left are the 2 later customs.
>
> On my "maybe on day, God willing" list is to try a Roadeo and a Clem or 
> one of those long stayed bikes that do well on dirt.
>
> On Fri, Jan 11, 2019 at 7:10 PM Linda G > 
> wrote:
>
>> Rivendell empowered me to figure out the bike I wanted, source the parts 
>> and frame and build it up myself. I was unhappy with the fit and poor 
>> quality parts on the various bikes I had owned through my adult life. The 
>> best one was a 1984 Trek 620 but the top tube was too long and the 
>> handlebars too low. I discovered Riv 10 years or more ago when my brother 
>> sent me a striped wool hat as a gift and the package included a copy of The 
>> Rivendell Reader. I ate up the information and also read the Riv website 
>> and this Google group. At first I just ordered parts from Rivendell and 
>> purchased 2 frames elsewhere. Earlier this year I bought my first Rivendell 
>> frame, a Roadini, and it's the best bike I have owned so far.
>>
>> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote:
>>>
>>> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a 
>>> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your 
>>> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. 
>>>
>>> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 
>>> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). 
>>>
>>> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson 
>>> West Michigan
>>
>> -- 
>> 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-bun...@googlegroups.com .
>> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com 
>> .
>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>>
>
>
> -- 
>
>
>
>
> **
>
>
>
>
>
> *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And 
> though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the 
> hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.*
> --- J.R.R. Tolkien
> ---
> Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews
> By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching
> Other professional writing services
> Expensive! But good.
> http://www.resumespecialties.com/
> Patrick Moore
> Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique
>
> 
> *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?*
>

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this 

Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-14 Thread reynoldslugs
Well, thanks for this thread. It's pretty easy to make this positive.  I 
owe Grant and Riv a lot and would like to thank them.

I "discovered" Rivendell in about 1998, when my friend Bradford Rex (aka 
The Reverend Mookie) gave me a Rivendell Catalog.  I'd ridden a lot in 
college and grad school (70's and 80's), but fell away cycling for a 
numbert of years, too busy to ride and uninterested in the new bikes, new 
materials, new technology.

Brad showed me the catalog, with pics of good steel bikes and riders in 
floppy cotton shirts.  My ship had finally returned to port...

I drove down to Walnut Creek, bought some wool shorts, and ordered a 
Heron.   Remember I got some fat tires (maybe Rolly Polly's) for my Jack 
Taylor and one of my Paramounts.  My love for cycling came back, and for 
the last 20 years I've enjoyed life with my Rivendells.  Not sure how many 
I have, maybe six or seven.  Maybe more, I don't actually keep track.

I don't like to post stuff that sounds dramatic, or make my experience 
sound special.   But I will say the oncology dudes and cardiology dudes say 
it's a good thing that I've biked so much over the years. I truly thank 
Grant for that inspiration, for the bikes, and for my health.

My story isn't unique or special, but the bikes sure are...

some are here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/41563482@N06/albums

cheers

Max Beach
Santa Rosa CA

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-14 Thread sameness
I'm not Bill, but I still have my '92 XO-1, and idiosyncratic though she 
may be, I still can't quit her.

Have I wished for 700C? Yep. Have I wished for bigger 26" clearance? Yep. 
Have I wished for a little less twitch up front? Yep. Would I change 
anything? Nope.

She's had every handlebar known to man, and while they're all weird at 
first, they all work out eventually.

If the '92 XO-1 excels at anything, it's fast 'n fun commuting, or maybe 
often sketchy but always fun underbiking.

Jeff "I Can't Quit You Baby" Hagedorn
Los Angeles, CA USA

On Monday, January 14, 2019 at 2:31:53 PM UTC-8, Patrick Moore wrote:
>
> Bill: what did you think of the XO-1? Or, what do you now think of the 
> XO-1 after riding so many Rivendells?
>
> I owned, loved, and put many, many miles on a '92 myself, and when I 
> ordered my first 26' wheel road custom, I asked Grant: Can you make it as 
> good as the XO-1?" He answered, "Oh, much better," and so it proved. In 
> fact, my first custom was sorta-kinda based on the All Rounder, but with 
> geometry tweaked for road, and full road tubing and lugs.
>
> The XO--1 was very clearly an idea and product at the beginning of a 
> process. Riv's road models and all road models are now much, much better -- 
> as good as the XO-1 was in its day.
>

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-14 Thread Patrick Moore
Bill: what did you think of the XO-1? Or, what do you now think of the XO-1
after riding so many Rivendells?

I owned, loved, and put many, many miles on a '92 myself, and when I
ordered my first 26' wheel road custom, I asked Grant: Can you make it as
good as the XO-1?" He answered, "Oh, much better," and so it proved. In
fact, my first custom was sorta-kinda based on the All Rounder, but with
geometry tweaked for road, and full road tubing and lugs.

The XO--1 was very clearly an idea and product at the beginning of a
process. Riv's road models and all road models are now much, much better --
as good as the XO-1 was in its day.

On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 3:05 PM Bill Rhea  wrote:

> I guess I've been a fan of Grant's bikes and since when I sold Bridgestone
> bikes as an employee of Bay Area shops Wheelsmith and the Bicycle Outfitter
> back in the 80's.
>
> I've accumulated some great stuff from Riv over the years, bikes, racks
> and bags (Carradice saddle bag, then Baggins Bags, Sackville), and plenty
> of wool.
>
> First Bridgestone was a 1992 X0-1, which I just gave to my son-in-law to
> use. Tons of commute miles and touring on that one.
>
> Second Bridgestone was an X0-5, bought for $99 on Bridgestone USA's last
> day of business.  This was a great commuter when I was in grad school.
>
> First Riv was a Quickbeam from the first production run, now set up with
> an S3X fixed 3sp hub. I may need to find a home for this, as it's less
> practical for my needs / geography these days.  But what a sweet ride
>
> Second Riv was a Romulus, which I broke but had repaired.  This is now my
> only bike without racks and fenders, set up with NOS parts for L'Eroica
> CA.  This is my only non-commuting bike.
>
> Third Riv was an A. Homer Hilsen, which I got while the Romulus was being
> repaired.
>
> Fourth Riv was a gray Hunqapillar from the first production run. This one
> has more miles than any of the others, and is my everyday go-to commuter
> and load hauler.
>
> I can safely say that my bike experience over the last 20 years has been
> positively enhanced by Riv products and cyclosophy.
>
> -br
>
>
> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote:
>>
>> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a
>> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your
>> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details.
>>
>> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16
>> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children).
>>
>> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson
>> West Michigan
>
> --
> 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>


-- 



**





*Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And
though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the
hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.*
--- J.R.R. Tolkien
---
Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews
By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching
Other professional writing services
Expensive! But good.
http://www.resumespecialties.com/
Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique

*Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?*

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-14 Thread Bill Rhea
I guess I've been a fan of Grant's bikes and since when I sold Bridgestone 
bikes as an employee of Bay Area shops Wheelsmith and the Bicycle Outfitter 
back in the 80's.

I've accumulated some great stuff from Riv over the years, bikes, racks and 
bags (Carradice saddle bag, then Baggins Bags, Sackville), and plenty of 
wool.

First Bridgestone was a 1992 X0-1, which I just gave to my son-in-law to 
use. Tons of commute miles and touring on that one.

Second Bridgestone was an X0-5, bought for $99 on Bridgestone USA's last 
day of business.  This was a great commuter when I was in grad school.

First Riv was a Quickbeam from the first production run, now set up with an 
S3X fixed 3sp hub. I may need to find a home for this, as it's less 
practical for my needs / geography these days.  But what a sweet ride

Second Riv was a Romulus, which I broke but had repaired.  This is now my 
only bike without racks and fenders, set up with NOS parts for L'Eroica 
CA.  This is my only non-commuting bike.

Third Riv was an A. Homer Hilsen, which I got while the Romulus was being 
repaired.

Fourth Riv was a gray Hunqapillar from the first production run. This one 
has more miles than any of the others, and is my everyday go-to commuter 
and load hauler.

I can safely say that my bike experience over the last 20 years has been 
positively enhanced by Riv products and cyclosophy.

-br


On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote:
>
> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a 
> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your 
> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. 
>
> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 
> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). 
>
> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson 
> West Michigan

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-14 Thread Tim Bantham
I love this thread because it provides opportunity for me to tell my Riv 
story! I started riding as an adult in 2006. This was an era when yellow 
bracelets and TdF glory (and cheating) heavily dominated American cycling 
culture. My older brother convinced me to buy a road bike so I could get 
into group rides and pretend I was in the pro peleton. This is not quite 
how he put it but that was the extent of what I was doing. My first bike 
was a too expensive aluminum drop bar road bike. After riding that bike for 
a year or two I decided it was uncomfortable (surprise!) Next I convinced 
myself that I needed a full carbon fiber frame so as to eliminate any 
excessive road vibration besides it would be a full 1/2 pound lighter then 
my original bike. As funny as that sounds that was the common advice back 
then. I purchased a Trek Madone which turned out to be the most sketchy, 
twitchy and uncomfortable bike I had ever owned. My rationale at the time 
was if it was good enough for Lance it must be good enough for me. Boy, was 
my thinking backwards! I crashed that bike into a guardrails on an overpass 
breaking my ribs and separating my shoulder. 

After the debacle with the Trek I somehow became convinced that I needed a 
custom frame to finally get the comfortable ride that I had been seeking. 
Wrong! Even though the custom steel Gunnar was better I was still 
uncomfortable on it. After one more carbon road bike purchased I sold that 
bike for a Rivendell. 

I had first heard about Riv back around 2009 when I read the "shoe ruse". 
The concept of riding in regular shoes and clothes really resonated with 
me. That said it took me until 2016 to act on it when I purchased my 
complete drop bar Sam. Mine is a 62 with the 2TT. The self proclaimed 
purist in initially would not allow myself to become comfortable with the 
appearance of an extra top tube. That changed once I started riding the 
bike and saw how handy that extra TT can be when lifting the bike into the 
work stand with my frame pump still attached. It wasn't love at first sight 
however. I took me 5 cockpit changes until I finally settled on Albatross 
bars. The biggest road block to finding comfort was my ego. That Sam is now 
my most endearing bike. I will never sell it. I have since picked up an 
Appaloosa to serve as my dedicated touring bike, my grocery getter, my 
multi use riding do it all bike. That said, the Sam will always be a 
favorite of mine. I have the desire to own many more Rivs but I have 
learned to practice contentment. That said, I wouldn't pass up the 
opportunity to own an Atlantis or a Hunqapillar. 

I am thankful to Riv for changing my bike life for the better. I plan on 
supporting them whenever I can for many years to come.  

On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 2:25:13 PM UTC-5, Abcyclehank wrote:
>
> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a 
> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your 
> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. 
>
> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 
> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). 
>
> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson 
> West Michigan

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-14 Thread Patrick Moore
BTW, "Boblist" originally was Grant's Bridgestone Owners' Bunch" by-mail
membership list. I think that the internetboblist was started about 1995,
after Bridgestone USA folded. I know it was there in 1995, at any rate.

On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM Patrick Moore  wrote:

> That's very nice. What frames made up the predecessors to the Roadini? And
> how -- in fit, handling, other ways -- is the Roadini superior to them?
>
> It's been so long that I can't remember clearly, but I think I learned
> about Grant in the early 90s during the Bridgestone USA days, from the ads,
> and joined the original boblist (mail, not internet) a few years later,
> about 1994. I bought a 1992 XO-1 a year out of date, so that sounds right;
> I set the XO-1 up as a 26" wheel road bike, and it worked well, better on
> road than off road, IME.
>
> I was on the mailing list for the new Rivendell company and ordered a 26"
> wheel Waterford road custom in 1994, which was delivered early 95. I
> ordered 2 more in subsequent years (small wheels not for fit but because I
> had, and still have to a degree) a liking for small road wheels). Later
> still I owned a canti Sam and a blue Ram. Left are the 2 later customs.
>
> On my "maybe on day, God willing" list is to try a Roadeo and a Clem or
> one of those long stayed bikes that do well on dirt.
>
> On Fri, Jan 11, 2019 at 7:10 PM Linda G  wrote:
>
>> Rivendell empowered me to figure out the bike I wanted, source the parts
>> and frame and build it up myself. I was unhappy with the fit and poor
>> quality parts on the various bikes I had owned through my adult life. The
>> best one was a 1984 Trek 620 but the top tube was too long and the
>> handlebars too low. I discovered Riv 10 years or more ago when my brother
>> sent me a striped wool hat as a gift and the package included a copy of The
>> Rivendell Reader. I ate up the information and also read the Riv website
>> and this Google group. At first I just ordered parts from Rivendell and
>> purchased 2 frames elsewhere. Earlier this year I bought my first Rivendell
>> frame, a Roadini, and it's the best bike I have owned so far.
>>
>> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote:
>>>
>>> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a
>>> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your
>>> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details.
>>>
>>> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16
>>> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children).
>>>
>>> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson
>>> West Michigan
>>
>> --
>> 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>>
>
>
> --
>
>
>
>
> **
>
>
>
>
>
> *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And
> though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the
> hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.*
> --- J.R.R. Tolkien
> ---
> Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews
> By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching
> Other professional writing services
> Expensive! But good.
> http://www.resumespecialties.com/
> Patrick Moore
> Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique
>
> 
> *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?*
>


-- 



**





*Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And
though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the
hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.*
--- J.R.R. Tolkien
---
Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews
By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching
Other professional writing services
Expensive! But good.
http://www.resumespecialties.com/
Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique

*Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?*

-- 
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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-14 Thread Patrick Moore
That's very nice. What frames made up the predecessors to the Roadini? And
how -- in fit, handling, other ways -- is the Roadini superior to them?

It's been so long that I can't remember clearly, but I think I learned
about Grant in the early 90s during the Bridgestone USA days, from the ads,
and joined the original boblist (mail, not internet) a few years later,
about 1994. I bought a 1992 XO-1 a year out of date, so that sounds right;
I set the XO-1 up as a 26" wheel road bike, and it worked well, better on
road than off road, IME.

I was on the mailing list for the new Rivendell company and ordered a 26"
wheel Waterford road custom in 1994, which was delivered early 95. I
ordered 2 more in subsequent years (small wheels not for fit but because I
had, and still have to a degree) a liking for small road wheels). Later
still I owned a canti Sam and a blue Ram. Left are the 2 later customs.

On my "maybe on day, God willing" list is to try a Roadeo and a Clem or one
of those long stayed bikes that do well on dirt.

On Fri, Jan 11, 2019 at 7:10 PM Linda G  wrote:

> Rivendell empowered me to figure out the bike I wanted, source the parts
> and frame and build it up myself. I was unhappy with the fit and poor
> quality parts on the various bikes I had owned through my adult life. The
> best one was a 1984 Trek 620 but the top tube was too long and the
> handlebars too low. I discovered Riv 10 years or more ago when my brother
> sent me a striped wool hat as a gift and the package included a copy of The
> Rivendell Reader. I ate up the information and also read the Riv website
> and this Google group. At first I just ordered parts from Rivendell and
> purchased 2 frames elsewhere. Earlier this year I bought my first Rivendell
> frame, a Roadini, and it's the best bike I have owned so far.
>
> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote:
>>
>> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a
>> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your
>> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details.
>>
>> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16
>> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children).
>>
>> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson
>> West Michigan
>
> --
> 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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>


-- 



**





*Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And
though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the
hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.*
--- J.R.R. Tolkien
---
Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews
By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching
Other professional writing services
Expensive! But good.
http://www.resumespecialties.com/
Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique

*Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?*

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-13 Thread Fullylugged
New to road riding in 2001, I followed the hoi polloi and went lighter and 
trendier from Trek Navigator to Fuji Touring to a KHS race bike. They were 
progressively lighter and less comfortable. All steel frames though! In 2005, I 
came across Rivendell while looking for a part online at the Harris Cyclery 
website. Particularly the Rambouillet. I was intrigued by the "unracer" mindset 
and riding without being hunched over or clipped in and still staying up with 
others. In 2006 I ordered the Ram (which is currently out of r a repaint) and 
was just wowed by its ride, fit and finish. A pretty bike that got lots of 
positive comments and is easy to "just ride." I followed that the next year 
with a used canti Saluki off this list for touring. TBH, it was under used as I 
found touring was okay but not really my thing and I passed it on, again 
through this list. I picked up a 1995 Road Prototype frameset again from this 
list in 2009. It has a level top tube and short headtube. It also has standard 
Waterford front geometry coupled to a slack seat tube angle and longer stays 
that are signature RBW. 4 1/2 CM larger than my size in a 700c bike, it fits 
great with a 650B conversion. This bike was made at Waterford from Reynolds 
753. Last Summer, it developed a crack in a chainstay. I emailed pictures to 
Grant who replied that it was very fixable. A frame builder in Clearwater FL 
was suggested to me and the tube was successfully replaced. It is being 
repainted this weekend (first coat) and I'll get it back in about 2 weeks. The 
cost is about 1/3 that of a new frame from Waterford or an RBW made by them. 
I'm looking forward to getting both back and building them back up in new ways. 
It will be just lke 2 new bikes! I've put about 15K on the Ram and 10K on the 
Road, thhe rest of my miles (about 52K total) spread around on other bikes no 
longer here and 2 that are still around.

The Riv way is not always entirely in synch with my own tastes (some of the 
current bikes, pine soap or hatchets for example), but the over arching ideas 
of bridging gaps with bikes, of their being an extension of ourselves, and 
being like a 6th sense that helps us take in the world around us resonates 
strongly with me. 

Pictures of the repainted bikes as they happen!

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-11 Thread Justin, Oakland
2 Rivendells currently: my Saluki and my wife's Betty Foy. Both have come 
from listers!
Past Rivs: Bleriot & Simpleone. I regret selling neither but miss them both 
in a wistful but not serious enough to replace them manner.
I would potentially buy a GBW to replace my Salsa El Mar (it's that a Jones 
LWB) and a Clem L to bump my Saluki into Road bike mode.

-J

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-11 Thread Leah Peterson
NOTE: For whatever reason, the photos posted out or order. But the captions 
should help you understand what is what. Also, I wanted to post recent photos 
so you can see our Rivendell triad today. (My bike has gone through several 
iterations...)Ok, then I’ll stop

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 11, 2019, at 2:03 PM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>  wrote:
> 
> I found Rivendell in late 2012. I had ridden a Walmart Schwinn for years, 
> pulling my 2 little boys in a cheap bike trailer until my Schwinn was worn 
> out. The bike had many quirks, but the latest was some screeching sound it 
> would intermittently make, and I would ride it, howling now and then (the 
> bike, not me, ha!), through our neighborhood. After witnessing the freak show 
> that was me, my old bike, and my bobble-headed boys in their bike trailer, my 
> husband said, “You know, you really could buy a new bike...” Well, he didn’t 
> need to tell me twice.
> 
> Up until then, a “nice” bike meant a Schwinn from Target. I decided I was 
> really going to treat myself and find a Trek (a name I knew and equated with 
> “nice”) on Craigslist. I ended up with a Trek 7.6 FX, which was aluminum with 
> a carbon fork and a plush,wide saddle from the previous owner. I was so proud 
> of my new bike; it was silver and I adorned it with pink accents. It came 
> with a sort of rack/nylon zippered pouch that clamped to the seatpost, so I 
> could haul a couple things from the grocery store. Despite all of this, I 
> didn’t feel comfortable. I spent the next few weeks convincing myself this 
> was a high-class bike and I just needed to get used to it. The tires were 
> skinny, and I needed a new air compressor to fill the tires as the old one 
> wouldn’t do 110 psi. I felt nervous when I’d take the boys off-road - the 
> bike felt unstable and didn’t seem to like pulling loads. (I would later 
> learn the term “squirrelly.”) The saddle was killing me. Absolutely killing 
> me. The bars were flat and didn’t facilitate me looking around and enjoying 
> the scenery -how was I going to point out my favorite ducks to the boys as we 
> passed the duck pond? I was stuck with my wrists locked in one position, 
> leaned over and facing straight ahead. But I had just spent $400 on a new 
> bike (until then the most I’d ever spent was $140) so I kept telling myself 
> I’d better learn to like it. I couldn’t face thinking this bike was a $400 
> mistake and that my cheap Walmart bike was superior.
> 
> I started looking online at biking forums to find out how to make bikes more 
> comfortable. Everyone said, “Get a carbon fiber drop bar road bike, they are 
> the most comfortable.” I had never had or wanted such a bike, but I wanted to 
> be comfortable but still considered “serious” and I began to visit the local 
> Specialized dealer. The bikes were garish colors and full of loud logos. I 
> test rode one, and it was freakishly lightweight; not stable, like sitting on 
> a plastic yard chair. I circled the parking lot, and when I turned those 
> curlycue bars, the front tire scraped against my toes!!! $900, said the bike 
> shop employee. I couldn’t give the bike back fast enough. 
> 
> I kept searching the forums, and one day on Team Estrogen, someone said 
> “Rivendell.” I found their website and knew this was what I’d always wanted 
> but never knew existed. They agreed about upright bars! They said saddles 
> could disappear beneath you, never to be thought of again, so comfortable 
> were they. 
> 
> Then I saw the price tag.
> 
> My husband thought I had lost my mind. But when you want something bad 
> enough, it starts seeming attainable. Finally, he made me a 

[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-11 Thread 'Eric Myers' via RBW Owners Bunch
Returned to cycling around 2009.  Was immediately inspired by Grant and 
Rivendell, but could only afford older bikes, including an XO-3 I kept 
original and an MB-3 which I Rivved out with Brooks saddle, Albatross bars, 
etc. Got up to 12 bikes for family of 3, but most are mine.

In 2018 I bought a NOS 2009ish Sam Hillborne frame, built it out, and 
haven't really ridden anything else since.  I keep planning to rebuild my 
old touring bike, but my Hillborne is more comfortable, fits better, and 
basically does everything better than the old one.  So as much as I enjoy 
wrenching on bikes, I like riding more, and I keep going for a ride instead 
of working on the other bike.

Meanwhile I'm in the process of selling off most of the older bikes, and 
finishing a Rivish build on one for my wife.  Hopefully I'll be able to 
afford another Rivendell one of these days -- for her if she starts riding 
more again, or for me if she doesn't.  I may take up rebuilding older bikes 
with Rivendell parts for friends and family if they are interested, but I'm 
mostly done with that for me.  I'd rather go for a ride.

Thanks to Grant and Rivendell, my cycling life is far more enjoyable this 
time around.

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-11 Thread Chris L
I discovered Rivendell in August 2011, via a comment on a forum concerning 
a completely different subject.  I think the first thing that caught my 
attention was the beauty of the bikes and once I started browsing the 
website and reading, Grant's philosophy resonated with me and reflected 
much of my own philosophy with the biggest changes from his influence being 
to get me back on steel (from aluminum) and onto fatter tires.  

A series of e-mails with Grant, much of it not about bikes, ensured I would 
always remain a fan of both Grant and RBW.

The quirkiness of Rivendell is a big attraction for me but the biggest 
thrill I get is in following the development and unveiling of new bicycle 
models.  

In 2011, Grant recommended a Hunqapillar to me and next week, I'll finally 
have one.  



On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 1:25:13 PM UTC-6, Abcyclehank wrote:
>
> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a 
> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your 
> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. 
>
> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 
> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). 
>
> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson 
> West Michigan

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-11 Thread Matt Beecher
3 Atlantis (MIJ, MUSA, & MIT)
2 Saluki
1 Road Standard

Related
2 XO-2

More unrelated bikes than I would like to admit to..

Best regards,
Matt B

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


[RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.

2019-01-11 Thread lconley
10 Rivendells plus Rivendell Custom on order. 23 bikes total. Just me.

Laing
Cocoa, FL


>

-- 
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 post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.