[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
I rode Bridgestones back in the day, starting with my first new mountain bike, an MB-4. My local shop was a Bridgestone dealer so I saw all of models come through over the years. I eventually purchased an RB-2 as well and pined away over the XO-1. I loved the Bridgestone catalogs and Grant's writing / philosophy on bikes and bike riding. I broke the frame on the MB-4 eventually and got a warrantied replacement at the tail end of Bridgestone in North America. This was a while after they were available retail. They replaced my MB-4 with an MB-2 frame and I rode that bike and my RB for many, many years as my primary around-town and road bikes. By that time I was into suspension on my mountain bikes and went down that rabbit hole for another decade or so. I found this group in 2010 or so when I was getting disillusioned with my big mountain bikes and the suspension arms race and was looking for a new direction with my riding. During this time my primary riding was commuting to work and exploring the back roads where I live, all things better done on a bike other than full suspension all mountain machines. I finally made the leap in 2017 when I found myself on good financial footing and bought an Appaloosa. An Atlantis followed that. Then a Hillborne. Then I traded the Hillborne for a Susie. Now a Gus on the way. I sold my last modern bike last year and used the funds to buy wheels and fancy bling for the Appaloosa. Getting into Rivendells has totally changed how I think about my bikes, bike riding, and how they fit into my life. I'm so glad to that I just get to go casually exploring and wandering now instead of dressing up and for a RIDE. Bikes are a bigger part of my life than ever because they are just something that fit into everything I do now, from getting groceries to commuting to wandering the many trails in my local woods. -Erik -- 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/298d090b-3dce-463f-93d3-671c6b6a16den%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
Back in the day of rec.bicycles.tech, mid-90s, I saw a note about Grant starting his own bike business. I'd like everything he'd done at Bridgestone, had a beloved RB-1, and received one of his first catalogs. Loved every bit of it. I'd been racing road and mountain bikes, and had become disillusioned with so much of what I was experiencing: the training and technology treadmill weren't for me any more. Something about seeing John Tomac's drop-bar Yeti affected a response and made we wonder how much of this new stuff really made a difference in the experience. I was reading a lot of posts from Jobst on rec.bikes, ended up converting a Ritchey for multi-purpose rides (always loved Tom's bikes too), then sold that and was just riding my RB-1 on and off-road. Kept reading about longer chainstays, kept seeing all of my friends with their full-suspension bikes abandon the sport. I spoke with Grant a few times, and did not have the opportunity to get one of the bikes until 2003 or so - a Road Standard. Then a long-low, a Rambouillet, a Bleriot for me and one for my wife, and finally a Bombadil. Took a hiatus as my work took me bi-modal, and was solely on a Brompton for about ten years. Just got a Platypus, and what an incredible evolution has occurred in that time. I thought that first Road Standard was amazing. The Platy is the most fun bicycle I've ever ridden, most beautiful bike I've ever seen. - Chris SB, CA On Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 7:38:10 AM UTC-8 Fullylugged wrote: > I found Sheldon Brown in reading bike forums after starting cycling on a >> Fuji Touring bike around 2000. He talked about the Romulus in glowing terms >> znd I wanted one, but it did not come in my size. The French Blue order of >> the very similar Rambouillet came out around 2005 and had 2 smaller frame >> sizes in 26" wheels and I jumped one one of those. Selling points: Pretty >> lugs, low BB with neutral steering lets it track like it's on rails, easy >> to set up with ergonomic positioning. I bought it as a complete and am >> still happy to have it and ride it. I didn't like the color that much. The >> earlier orange and later green are both nicer IMO, and mine is now Amber >> Gold. > > > Bruce > > > -- 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/75befd1c-23d8-42de-959f-0ba35b9432ffn%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
> > I found Sheldon Brown in reading bike forums after starting cycling on a > Fuji Touring bike around 2000. He talked about the Romulus in glowing terms > znd I wanted one, but it did not come in my size. The French Blue order of > the very similar Rambouillet came out around 2005 and had 2 smaller frame > sizes in 26" wheels and I jumped one one of those. Selling points: Pretty > lugs, low BB with neutral steering lets it track like it's on rails, easy > to set up with ergonomic positioning. I bought it as a complete and am > still happy to have it and ride it. I didn't like the color that much. The > earlier orange and later green are both nicer IMO, and mine is now Amber > Gold. Bruce -- 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/64da6ebe-317f-4288-908d-09b07fa64ae0n%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
In 2017, I was getting ready to do my first tour. And I was reading nearly everything my library had related to bicycles in preparation. That's when I found Grant's "Just Ride" book. I had never heard of Rivendell before then. That book really clicked with me. So much so, that I put off my tour until I could get one of his bikes! I'm so glad Grant wrote that book. I've read it about four times now, it's my bike Bible. Christine in Denver On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 1:53:10 PM UTC-7 aeroperf wrote: > > I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline with > 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: > > What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? > > Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a > second one?”, but why did you buy your first? > > > In my case > I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just > starting). > I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is > awesomely pretty. > I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, > and I remembered that. > So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. > > Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of > this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. > > Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop > instead of the Tolkien book? > Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm > tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? > Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything that > he designs, once you could afford it? > Are you into the “waxed canvas and square taper” kind of mindset? > Did you get a Riv because it was a boutique bike, or in spite of that? > > Difficulty- no pictures, unless it is of a Riv in a tree with “A guy told > me I could have this for free, if I climbed up and got it”. > -- 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/0441f50d-f6de-48d8-94ed-550a5b615144n%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
Looking for a mountain bike in 1989ish, I discovered Bridgestone and Grant's marketing philosophy. Both of which clicked with me. So, I ended up with an MB2 because it was purple and almost as good as the MB1. I rediscovered Grant and Rivendell thru IBOB, and fully reveled in the Kool-Aid. After years of hesitation, primarily due to my penny pinching, I found a used Ramboulliet. How can you not like a bike with a name like that. Everything about it makes sense and was obviously thought about by someone who actually rides bikes for utility. The versatility of the Ram continues to amaze me. Reasonably light and able road bike capable of touring, comfortable, predictable and pretty. And then the name which is the cherry on the top. The whole Rivendell culture has been a huge boon to me. The idea that a bike can be a tool for practical use while being beautiful, sensible and fun fits me. Rivendell embodies the meaning of attractive utility. Much like laguiole knives, tube amps, Belgium shotguns, Wagner castiron, etc. In my opinion, Grant & Rivendell somehow manage to combine the best of french aesthetics and yankee (Twain) 'down to earthedness', all with a wry smile. Besides all of that; the perverse pleasure I get in holding my tongue whilst some black clad weight weennie bikesplains to me how much faster I could go if a would ditch that old heavy steel bike, is worth every penny I have spent at Rivendell. I simply reply, "What's the hurry. I am just where I want to be and am in no hurry to leave." Thank you to aeroperf for asking the question that started this thread. I think it is always good practice to reflect on why we do what we do. Rivendell can be summed up by one of my favorite quotes; *Life is too serious to be taken seriously - Oscar Wilde* Best Regards; JP in goatheadland NE On Monday, December 13, 2021 at 7:30:46 AM UTC-6 jrst...@gmail.com wrote: > It was 1996 and we bought our first Apple computer and got an internet > connection. I had finally decided to get back to riding a road bike. I > had tried a Trek hybrid but wanted more. I went online, a new thing for me > and found a bicycle site. I posted about my bad back and desire for a road > bike. Douglas Brooks replied steering me to Rivendell. I ordered my first > Road and took delivery in 1997 and never looked back. The relaxed geometry > and the ability to have the bars higher made riding a pleasure once again. > > On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 3:53:10 PM UTC-5 aeroperf wrote: > >> >> I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline with >> 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: >> >> What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? >> >> Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a >> second one?”, but why did you buy your first? >> >> >> In my case >> I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just >> starting). >> I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is >> awesomely pretty. >> I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, >> and I remembered that. >> So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. >> >> Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of >> this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. >> >> Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop >> instead of the Tolkien book? >> Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm >> tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? >> Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything that >> he designs, once you could afford it? >> Are you into the “waxed canvas and square taper” kind of mindset? >> Did you get a Riv because it was a boutique bike, or in spite of that? >> >> Difficulty- no pictures, unless it is of a Riv in a tree with “A guy told >> me I could have this for free, if I climbed up and got it”. >> > -- 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/58258157-89e3-4cc3-b689-c2cef283b0f5n%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
It was 1996 and we bought our first Apple computer and got an internet connection. I had finally decided to get back to riding a road bike. I had tried a Trek hybrid but wanted more. I went online, a new thing for me and found a bicycle site. I posted about my bad back and desire for a road bike. Douglas Brooks replied steering me to Rivendell. I ordered my first Road and took delivery in 1997 and never looked back. The relaxed geometry and the ability to have the bars higher made riding a pleasure once again. On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 3:53:10 PM UTC-5 aeroperf wrote: > > I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline with > 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: > > What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? > > Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a > second one?”, but why did you buy your first? > > > In my case > I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just > starting). > I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is > awesomely pretty. > I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, > and I remembered that. > So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. > > Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of > this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. > > Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop > instead of the Tolkien book? > Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm > tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? > Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything that > he designs, once you could afford it? > Are you into the “waxed canvas and square taper” kind of mindset? > Did you get a Riv because it was a boutique bike, or in spite of that? > > Difficulty- no pictures, unless it is of a Riv in a tree with “A guy told > me I could have this for free, if I climbed up and got it”. > -- 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/8a38cce6-53f0-4cf1-aa0e-6478e9a6bb62n%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
I bought my 1st Rivendell because I thought it was a good deal vs. the classic lugged steel frames available at the time. People seemed to want a small fortune for old used lugged steel frames and Rivendell was offering a discount on some Sam Hillbornes that had been delivered without the cream headtubes. I like building bikes as much as riding them. Once I got the 1st frame, wow - here was an extremely high quality modern lugged frame with excellent paintwork, and I can buy a bare frame and build what I want. The Rivendell lugwork puts the old French bicycles to shame, and no searching for obsolete headsets and bottom brackets (but VO has cured that), stems, etc. I don't exactly remember whether I discovered Rivendell or VO first, but it was around the same time. I never bought a VO frame back when they were lugged, but I did buy a Neutrino Mini-Velo a couple years ago. I have a few modern bikes, but I came of age during the bike boom of the seventies. In 1972, I bought a used Gitane Tour de France - double butted Reynold 531, Campagnolo hubs and derailleurs, silk Vittoria sew-ups (it was my 4th ten speed at that point). I like the look of bikes with thin steel tubes. I have gotten used to the sloped top tubes now that I no longer have the drop bars positioned lower than the saddle. I still have the 1973 Schwinn Paramount P-15 that I bough new from the Schwinn Store in 1975 after I got hit by an on-duty cop on the Gitane and the frame got bent. the P-15 Paramount was kind of similar to a Rivendell in that it was looked down upon by the racers because it had the heavier Reynolds DB 531 tubing and "longer" (a relative term) chainstays, and clearance for bigger tires and a triple crankset - something that was known as a sports-tourer back then. It was my only bike for decades (I did have a Masi for a few years during the Paramount years). I think that I discovered Rivendell when I was looking into having Waterford restore the Paramount paint (still haven't had the Paramount repainted by Waterford). Laing On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 3:53:10 PM UTC-5 aeroperf wrote: > > I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline with > 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: > > What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? > > Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a > second one?”, but why did you buy your first? > > > In my case > I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just > starting). > I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is > awesomely pretty. > I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, > and I remembered that. > So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. > > Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of > this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. > > Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop > instead of the Tolkien book? > Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm > tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? > Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything that > he designs, once you could afford it? > Are you into the “waxed canvas and square taper” kind of mindset? > Did you get a Riv because it was a boutique bike, or in spite of that? > > Difficulty- no pictures, unless it is of a Riv in a tree with “A guy told > me I could have this for free, if I climbed up and got it”. > -- 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/829290b9-ca69-45f3-8499-ef244d567146n%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
I bought a second hand Bombadil in 2011 as a replacement for my '83 Stumpjumper Sport that was both too short in frame height and length. I sold the Stumpy and still have the Bombadil today. I bought a Susie at first sale, though as of today I'm asking "what was I thinking ?". . oh the irony of the year twenty twenty. in which hindsight revealed/highlighted the blind ambition of seeking "security" in/as "things" and how the price of that so-called "security" exponentially outweighed and overshadowed any so-called "benefit". Like the futility of grasping at water for a drink.. so shall I grasp a little more skillfully, a little faster, a little bigger grasp ? .. Nope I can't grab beyond the grasping regardless of the type of grasp . Hands at my side .I simply drink, a drink like never before a drink like never again ... a drink of all drinks without any means at all. for the "Water" is as "Me" and "I" am as the "Water". Like notes of the orchestra ... so it is with words, letters, numbers, symbols and ideas . all playing in perfect harmony playing this Symphonic Treasure we call "L I F E ! " On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 10:34:26 PM UTC-5 dougP wrote: > PS: The first time I laid eyes on a Rivendell was when I unboxed my > Atlantis. They seemed like nice people that knew what they were doing. 30 > minutes out of the box & I was on the road. Within a few miles, I was > blown away at how nicely the bike rode. > > PPS: About 10 years ago, a 47cm Atlantis popped up on CL. I insisted we > go look at it, although my wife was perfectly happy with her Trek 1420. > She went along just to humor me. She rode the bike for 5 minutes in a > parking lot, came back to the car & said "I have to have this bike". > > dougP > > On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 7:26:33 PM UTC-8 dougP wrote: > >> I was looking for a serious touring bike but the offerings from Trek, >> Specialized, etc., were all going to require some change to meet my >> desires. Then I read a road test in Bikecentennial (now Adventure Cycling) >> by John Schubert. His bottom line was if you wanted a serious touring bike >> that you didn't have to fiddle with, the Atlantis was it. Rivendell proved >> to be so helpful in specing parts that I wanted that it was a simple >> choice. 20 years ago, the premium for an Atlantis vs a Trek 520 was was >> only a few hundred dollars & I was buying the bike to ride forever (my >> forever; the bike will outlast me). 20 years later & thousands of touring >> miles show I made the right choice. >> >> I did know what a lug was but only because I thought that's how all bikes >> were joined. But then it had been 20 years since I'd bought my previous >> bike. >> >> dougP >> >> On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 7:06:08 PM UTC-8 Roberta wrote: >> >>> Funny, I just responded to Laura's thread and put my story in there. >>> >>> Steel frame >>> Rim brakes >>> Upright riding habit >>> >>> I was riding a 1990 Specialized Hard Rock mountain bike that I liked but >>> didn't love any longer and wanted something more comfortable. I knew I >>> wanted upright riding habit to alleviate my neck pain and rim brakes. I >>> tested every bike in my city that fit my on-paper requirements. After a >>> dozen rides, I realized I liked the ride of steel framed bikes (including >>> my current Hard Rock) over aluminum. I couldn't understand the value of >>> complex disk brakes on a simple road bike. >>> >>> Next came internet searches for steel framed bikes. I then read a forum >>> Q and the group agreed that the Betty Foy was the best bike ever made. >>> Who is this Betty Foy? Eventually it lead me to this group and Rivendell. >>> I had never heard of Grant, Rivendell, XO-1 or Bridgestone before. I read >>> everything I could about Rivendell on the internet, their website and this >>> forum. I devoured "Just Ride." Our philosophies jived. I found my >>> "people." I am so grateful. >>> >>> I called Rivendell and spoke with Grant, who at the time I had no idea >>> who is was, but he was so nice and informative. >>> >>> Also, and this is important, I was able to drive to a dealer and test >>> ride many Riv models, not just see frames and geometry charts. This was >>> BIG for me, as a non bike-knowledgeable person, whose most expensive bike >>> purchase was $300. Yes, I was now willing to spend more on this one bike >>> than all my bike purchases put together for my entire lifetime. Riding my >>> Rivs have made me so happy. >>> >>> BTW, I had no idea was a lug was until this group. >>> >>> Roberta >>> ex-Joe Appaloosa >>> current AHHilsen >>> current Platy >>> >>> On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 3:53:10 PM UTC-5 aeroperf wrote: >>> I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline with 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle?
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
I had been reading bike groups and one day back in 2014 a poster noted a 53cm Atlantis was for sale in my town. At the time I was riding an old Trek 610. It was a nice bike, road well, but wouldn't fit tires bigger than 35mm. So I went to check out the Atlantis. Rode it around the parking lot and, of course, bought it. It could fit much larger tires. It's beautiful too, which helps. I parked it in the living room for several weeks just to look at it. It's in the garage these days along with an Appaloosa bought later for my son and a Glorius for my wife. They are all beautiful. I mean, really, where can you get lugged steel that is so well designed? On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 2:53:10 PM UTC-6 aeroperf wrote: > > I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline with > 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: > > What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? > > Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a > second one?”, but why did you buy your first? > > > In my case > I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just > starting). > I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is > awesomely pretty. > I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, > and I remembered that. > So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. > > Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of > this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. > > Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop > instead of the Tolkien book? > Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm > tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? > Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything that > he designs, once you could afford it? > Are you into the “waxed canvas and square taper” kind of mindset? > Did you get a Riv because it was a boutique bike, or in spite of that? > > Difficulty- no pictures, unless it is of a Riv in a tree with “A guy told > me I could have this for free, if I climbed up and got it”. > -- 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/e3e8f4c1-3eb3-4db5-9ee0-3332cc74613cn%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
PS: The first time I laid eyes on a Rivendell was when I unboxed my Atlantis. They seemed like nice people that knew what they were doing. 30 minutes out of the box & I was on the road. Within a few miles, I was blown away at how nicely the bike rode. PPS: About 10 years ago, a 47cm Atlantis popped up on CL. I insisted we go look at it, although my wife was perfectly happy with her Trek 1420. She went along just to humor me. She rode the bike for 5 minutes in a parking lot, came back to the car & said "I have to have this bike". dougP On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 7:26:33 PM UTC-8 dougP wrote: > I was looking for a serious touring bike but the offerings from Trek, > Specialized, etc., were all going to require some change to meet my > desires. Then I read a road test in Bikecentennial (now Adventure Cycling) > by John Schubert. His bottom line was if you wanted a serious touring bike > that you didn't have to fiddle with, the Atlantis was it. Rivendell proved > to be so helpful in specing parts that I wanted that it was a simple > choice. 20 years ago, the premium for an Atlantis vs a Trek 520 was was > only a few hundred dollars & I was buying the bike to ride forever (my > forever; the bike will outlast me). 20 years later & thousands of touring > miles show I made the right choice. > > I did know what a lug was but only because I thought that's how all bikes > were joined. But then it had been 20 years since I'd bought my previous > bike. > > dougP > > On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 7:06:08 PM UTC-8 Roberta wrote: > >> Funny, I just responded to Laura's thread and put my story in there. >> >> Steel frame >> Rim brakes >> Upright riding habit >> >> I was riding a 1990 Specialized Hard Rock mountain bike that I liked but >> didn't love any longer and wanted something more comfortable. I knew I >> wanted upright riding habit to alleviate my neck pain and rim brakes. I >> tested every bike in my city that fit my on-paper requirements. After a >> dozen rides, I realized I liked the ride of steel framed bikes (including >> my current Hard Rock) over aluminum. I couldn't understand the value of >> complex disk brakes on a simple road bike. >> >> Next came internet searches for steel framed bikes. I then read a forum >> Q and the group agreed that the Betty Foy was the best bike ever made. >> Who is this Betty Foy? Eventually it lead me to this group and Rivendell. >> I had never heard of Grant, Rivendell, XO-1 or Bridgestone before. I read >> everything I could about Rivendell on the internet, their website and this >> forum. I devoured "Just Ride." Our philosophies jived. I found my >> "people." I am so grateful. >> >> I called Rivendell and spoke with Grant, who at the time I had no idea >> who is was, but he was so nice and informative. >> >> Also, and this is important, I was able to drive to a dealer and test >> ride many Riv models, not just see frames and geometry charts. This was >> BIG for me, as a non bike-knowledgeable person, whose most expensive bike >> purchase was $300. Yes, I was now willing to spend more on this one bike >> than all my bike purchases put together for my entire lifetime. Riding my >> Rivs have made me so happy. >> >> BTW, I had no idea was a lug was until this group. >> >> Roberta >> ex-Joe Appaloosa >> current AHHilsen >> current Platy >> >> On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 3:53:10 PM UTC-5 aeroperf wrote: >> >>> >>> I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline >>> with 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: >>> >>> What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? >>> >>> Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a >>> second one?”, but why did you buy your first? >>> >>> >>> In my case >>> I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just >>> starting). >>> I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is >>> awesomely pretty. >>> I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, >>> and I remembered that. >>> So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. >>> >>> Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of >>> this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. >>> >>> Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop >>> instead of the Tolkien book? >>> Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm >>> tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? >>> Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything >>> that he designs, once you could afford it? >>> Are you into the “waxed canvas and square taper” kind of mindset? >>> Did you get a Riv because it was a boutique bike, or in spite of that? >>> >>> Difficulty- no pictures, unless it is of a Riv in a tree with “A guy >>> told me I could have this for free, if I climbed up and got it”. >>> >> -- You received this message
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
I was looking for a serious touring bike but the offerings from Trek, Specialized, etc., were all going to require some change to meet my desires. Then I read a road test in Bikecentennial (now Adventure Cycling) by John Schubert. His bottom line was if you wanted a serious touring bike that you didn't have to fiddle with, the Atlantis was it. Rivendell proved to be so helpful in specing parts that I wanted that it was a simple choice. 20 years ago, the premium for an Atlantis vs a Trek 520 was was only a few hundred dollars & I was buying the bike to ride forever (my forever; the bike will outlast me). 20 years later & thousands of touring miles show I made the right choice. I did know what a lug was but only because I thought that's how all bikes were joined. But then it had been 20 years since I'd bought my previous bike. dougP On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 7:06:08 PM UTC-8 Roberta wrote: > Funny, I just responded to Laura's thread and put my story in there. > > Steel frame > Rim brakes > Upright riding habit > > I was riding a 1990 Specialized Hard Rock mountain bike that I liked but > didn't love any longer and wanted something more comfortable. I knew I > wanted upright riding habit to alleviate my neck pain and rim brakes. I > tested every bike in my city that fit my on-paper requirements. After a > dozen rides, I realized I liked the ride of steel framed bikes (including > my current Hard Rock) over aluminum. I couldn't understand the value of > complex disk brakes on a simple road bike. > > Next came internet searches for steel framed bikes. I then read a forum > Q and the group agreed that the Betty Foy was the best bike ever made. > Who is this Betty Foy? Eventually it lead me to this group and Rivendell. > I had never heard of Grant, Rivendell, XO-1 or Bridgestone before. I read > everything I could about Rivendell on the internet, their website and this > forum. I devoured "Just Ride." Our philosophies jived. I found my > "people." I am so grateful. > > I called Rivendell and spoke with Grant, who at the time I had no idea who > is was, but he was so nice and informative. > > Also, and this is important, I was able to drive to a dealer and test ride > many Riv models, not just see frames and geometry charts. This was BIG for > me, as a non bike-knowledgeable person, whose most expensive bike purchase > was $300. Yes, I was now willing to spend more on this one bike than all my > bike purchases put together for my entire lifetime. Riding my Rivs have > made me so happy. > > BTW, I had no idea was a lug was until this group. > > Roberta > ex-Joe Appaloosa > current AHHilsen > current Platy > > On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 3:53:10 PM UTC-5 aeroperf wrote: > >> >> I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline with >> 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: >> >> What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? >> >> Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a >> second one?”, but why did you buy your first? >> >> >> In my case >> I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just >> starting). >> I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is >> awesomely pretty. >> I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, >> and I remembered that. >> So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. >> >> Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of >> this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. >> >> Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop >> instead of the Tolkien book? >> Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm >> tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? >> Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything that >> he designs, once you could afford it? >> Are you into the “waxed canvas and square taper” kind of mindset? >> Did you get a Riv because it was a boutique bike, or in spite of that? >> >> Difficulty- no pictures, unless it is of a Riv in a tree with “A guy told >> me I could have this for free, if I climbed up and got it”. >> > -- 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/bcf2a362-95b1-4497-9a5e-f42c74e0c65dn%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
Funny, I just responded to Laura's thread and put my story in there. Steel frame Rim brakes Upright riding habit I was riding a 1990 Specialized Hard Rock mountain bike that I liked but didn't love any longer and wanted something more comfortable. I knew I wanted upright riding habit to alleviate my neck pain and rim brakes. I tested every bike in my city that fit my on-paper requirements. After a dozen rides, I realized I liked the ride of steel framed bikes (including my current Hard Rock) over aluminum. I couldn't understand the value of complex disk brakes on a simple road bike. Next came internet searches for steel framed bikes. I then read a forum Q and the group agreed that the Betty Foy was the best bike ever made. Who is this Betty Foy? Eventually it lead me to this group and Rivendell. I had never heard of Grant, Rivendell, XO-1 or Bridgestone before. I read everything I could about Rivendell on the internet, their website and this forum. I devoured "Just Ride." Our philosophies jived. I found my "people." I am so grateful. I called Rivendell and spoke with Grant, who at the time I had no idea who is was, but he was so nice and informative. Also, and this is important, I was able to drive to a dealer and test ride many Riv models, not just see frames and geometry charts. This was BIG for me, as a non bike-knowledgeable person, whose most expensive bike purchase was $300. Yes, I was now willing to spend more on this one bike than all my bike purchases put together for my entire lifetime. Riding my Rivs have made me so happy. BTW, I had no idea was a lug was until this group. Roberta ex-Joe Appaloosa current AHHilsen current Platy On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 3:53:10 PM UTC-5 aeroperf wrote: > > I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline with > 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: > > What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? > > Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a > second one?”, but why did you buy your first? > > > In my case > I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just > starting). > I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is > awesomely pretty. > I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, > and I remembered that. > So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. > > Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of > this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. > > Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop > instead of the Tolkien book? > Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm > tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? > Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything that > he designs, once you could afford it? > Are you into the “waxed canvas and square taper” kind of mindset? > Did you get a Riv because it was a boutique bike, or in spite of that? > > Difficulty- no pictures, unless it is of a Riv in a tree with “A guy told > me I could have this for free, if I climbed up and got it”. > -- 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/77ecfd4c-8dfd-4a0b-9370-e862921f7663n%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
Why? Because I had an insurance settlement from getting doored in west Berkeley, and I had a RBW catalogue in hand, having previously bought Moustache Bars for my Novara XR "cross" bike from REI. I wrote to Grant, and we settled on a 65cm LongLow frame. He took in all my specs, and the frame was built by Joe Stark. Painted by Joe Bell. This was 1998... I built it up with M-bars, Shimao 105 shifting components, Phil bottom bracket & rear hub, half-step + granny mated to a Sachs six-speed freewheel, and Sunracer rims. I was delighted beyond belief at the fit of the bike, perfectly matching my legs, arms. The reach to the bars was excellent, and it was fun & fast, no compromises at all. https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-vj9MScf/0/L/i-vj9MScf-L.jpg It still rides strong, only changes have been to mini-vee brakes, drop bars, and thin Gripster pedals. - Andrew, Berkeley -- 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/65acde65-25fe-4704-9b5a-4c8f92bf5332n%40googlegroups.com.
Re: [RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
A good friend of mine from high school and college told me in 2001 that if I ever bought a bike, it’d be a Rivendell. He told me I just seemed like a Riv guy. I did not even ride back then, but I remembered and thought that if I ever started riding, I’d look into Rivendell. I thought about getting into riding when I got my first teaching job in 2006. Sent an email to Riv with questions, and Jon was SO helpful and nice. I always remembered that, but ended up not getting into riding. I got a cheap Linus in November of 2019 to see if I could be a bike person. Fell for it and immediately started dreaming about a Riv. In the summer of 2020, I converted the Linus with albatross-ish bars, cork grips, and a friction thumbie to replace the trigger index shifter. Kept saving up and thinking about a Homer. Called Rivendell in August 2020 to ask when they’d get more Homers, and talking with Vince he thought I’d dig an Atlantis as much or more…and they had one in stock. Vince (and Rich) were so nice/friendly/helpful. I bought the frame, Vince put together a build, and a mint later I was in Heaven. It’s the way the bikes look, the attitude behind the drsign, the people who work there…I have an Atlantis and now Sam. I’m not even tempted to buy a bike from any other company. Maybe I’m missing out, but I don’t care. Ben Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 12, 2021, at 4:30 PM, Chris L wrote: > > My first adult bike was a 1995 Trek 730 Multitrack and I thought it was the > perfect bike for me, but as I learned more about bikes, I discovered I wanted > way more tire clearance (730 = 40mm, barely) and a much longer top-tube. I > was a fan of quite a few smaller bike brands and wanted something > non-mainstream and something steel. I already had a very good set of 700c > wheels, so the Hunqapillar was the only thing on the market that was what I > was looking for. A few brands have put out models that were close, but all > suffered from too short a top tube, either being designed with drops in mind, > or trying to split the difference between drops and flat/alt bars. I see > this is the only flaw in the original 56cm Atlantis, with it's 57 cm ETT. If > that bike had a 60 or 61 cm ETT, it would have been my Grail bike. I would > have invested in a second set of good wheels that one. > > I also was very curious about the "riv ride" I had heard so much of, over the > years, so I the Hunqapillar being the sole candidate to fit my needs was a > nice bonus. > > >> On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 4:14:38 PM UTC-6 Ray Varella wrote: >> I received an early flyer/reader in an order from American Cyclery San >> Francisco. >> After reading the specs on the frames, the Allrounder sounded like a great >> compliment to my classic road bike, by the time I ordered one they had gone >> to customs and the Atlantis was replacing the Allrounder. >> I went with a custom. It was one of the best handling bikes I’ve ever owned. >> I was bombing down Mt. Diablo one day and a couple guys on modern road bikes >> were trying to reel me in. >> When we got to the bottom of the mountain one of them said “you handle that >> old truck pretty well”. >> It still cracks me up to think about that. >> >> Grant and company design very nice riding bikes and really excel at the >> Allrounder style of bike. >> >> Ray >> >>> On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 1:53:52 PM UTC-8 Joe Bernard wrote: >>> I was a Bridgestone guy, bought a leftover XO-3 in 1994 as Bstone USA was >>> folding and Grant was deciding what to do next. That turned out to be >>> Rivendell and I eventually bought this, a Romulus. >>> >>> Joe Bernard >>> On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 12:53:10 PM UTC-8 aeroperf wrote: I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline with 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a second one?”, but why did you buy your first? In my case I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just starting). I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is awesomely pretty. I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, and I remembered that. So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop instead of the Tolkien book? Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything that he designs, once you could afford it? Are you into the
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
My first adult bike was a 1995 Trek 730 Multitrack and I thought it was the perfect bike for me, but as I learned more about bikes, I discovered I wanted way more tire clearance (730 = 40mm, barely) and a much longer top-tube. I was a fan of quite a few smaller bike brands and wanted something non-mainstream and something steel. I already had a very good set of 700c wheels, so the Hunqapillar was the only thing on the market that was what I was looking for. A few brands have put out models that were close, but all suffered from too short a top tube, either being designed with drops in mind, or trying to split the difference between drops and flat/alt bars. I see this is the only flaw in the original 56cm Atlantis, with it's 57 cm ETT. If that bike had a 60 or 61 cm ETT, it would have been my Grail bike. I would have invested in a second set of good wheels that one. I also was very curious about the "riv ride" I had heard so much of, over the years, so I the Hunqapillar being the sole candidate to fit my needs was a nice bonus. On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 4:14:38 PM UTC-6 Ray Varella wrote: > I received an early flyer/reader in an order from American Cyclery San > Francisco. > After reading the specs on the frames, the Allrounder sounded like a great > compliment to my classic road bike, by the time I ordered one they had gone > to customs and the Atlantis was replacing the Allrounder. > I went with a custom. It was one of the best handling bikes I’ve ever > owned. > I was bombing down Mt. Diablo one day and a couple guys on modern road > bikes were trying to reel me in. > When we got to the bottom of the mountain one of them said “you handle > that old truck pretty well”. > It still cracks me up to think about that. > > Grant and company design very nice riding bikes and really excel at the > Allrounder style of bike. > > Ray > > On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 1:53:52 PM UTC-8 Joe Bernard wrote: > >> I was a Bridgestone guy, bought a leftover XO-3 in 1994 as Bstone USA was >> folding and Grant was deciding what to do next. That turned out to be >> Rivendell and I eventually bought this, a Romulus. >> >> Joe Bernard >> >> On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 12:53:10 PM UTC-8 aeroperf wrote: >> >>> >>> I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline >>> with 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: >>> >>> What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? >>> >>> Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a >>> second one?”, but why did you buy your first? >>> >>> >>> In my case >>> I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just >>> starting). >>> I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is >>> awesomely pretty. >>> I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, >>> and I remembered that. >>> So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. >>> >>> Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of >>> this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. >>> >>> Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop >>> instead of the Tolkien book? >>> Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm >>> tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? >>> Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything >>> that he designs, once you could afford it? >>> Are you into the “waxed canvas and square taper” kind of mindset? >>> Did you get a Riv because it was a boutique bike, or in spite of that? >>> >>> Difficulty- no pictures, unless it is of a Riv in a tree with “A guy >>> told me I could have this for free, if I climbed up and got it”. >>> >> -- 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/77c3b8b0-1dc5-41e5-95b1-08bda2158ccen%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Why did you buy your first Riv?
I received an early flyer/reader in an order from American Cyclery San Francisco. After reading the specs on the frames, the Allrounder sounded like a great compliment to my classic road bike, by the time I ordered one they had gone to customs and the Atlantis was replacing the Allrounder. I went with a custom. It was one of the best handling bikes I’ve ever owned. I was bombing down Mt. Diablo one day and a couple guys on modern road bikes were trying to reel me in. When we got to the bottom of the mountain one of them said “you handle that old truck pretty well”. It still cracks me up to think about that. Grant and company design very nice riding bikes and really excel at the Allrounder style of bike. Ray On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 1:53:52 PM UTC-8 Joe Bernard wrote: > I was a Bridgestone guy, bought a leftover XO-3 in 1994 as Bstone USA was > folding and Grant was deciding what to do next. That turned out to be > Rivendell and I eventually bought this, a Romulus. > > Joe Bernard > > On Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 12:53:10 PM UTC-8 aeroperf wrote: > >> >> I see Laura B’s thread about Susie vs. Platy, and Iconley’s timeline with >> 15 Riv bikes, and so I thought I’d ask: >> >> What made you buy your first Rivendell bicycle? >> >> Not “What do you like about Rivendell bicycles”, or “Why did you buy a >> second one?”, but why did you buy your first? >> >> >> In my case >> I wanted steel, because I liked the feel over aluminum (carbon was just >> starting). >> I wanted lugged steel, because I think I think a lugged steel bike is >> awesomely pretty. >> I got to ride a friend’s Sam Hillborne in 2010, and it fit like a glove, >> and I remembered that. >> So when I retired in 2014, I bought a Sam. >> >> Now I could go on about how I love my Sam, but that’s not the point of >> this. It’s to find out why you bought your first. >> >> Did you Google “Rivendell” one day and stumble into the bicycle shop >> instead of the Tolkien book? >> Did you want a bicycle that was at home on dirt roads, where the 24mm >> tires of a good used 80’s road bike just couldn’t cut it? >> Do you think Grant Petersen is a bicycle god, and you’d buy anything that >> he designs, once you could afford it? >> Are you into the “waxed canvas and square taper” kind of mindset? >> Did you get a Riv because it was a boutique bike, or in spite of that? >> >> Difficulty- no pictures, unless it is of a Riv in a tree with “A guy told >> me I could have this for free, if I climbed up and got it”. >> > -- 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/d49a6692-83c1-42ef-8942-179533aa0d63n%40googlegroups.com.
