Rivendell Sam Hiilborne - Double Top Tube???
 

I finally convinced myself to spend $1000 on a 56 cm Sam Hillborne frameset and when the invoice came through from Rivendell it said "double top tube". That's not what I thought I was getting, and it's not what their website said (it does now). Seems they changed the design for the current batch and they don't have any old one.

It looks really wierd to me and it's not what I thought I was ordering.

My question is, should I care? Does anyone have the double top tube and love it? Does anyone have the single and wish they had the double?

I have to decide if I should cancel my order or not, and I really don't know what to do.

This is the 1st bike I'm buying in over 10 years and I finally decided what I wanted. SHould this last minute change make a difference?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Jay

Doesn't seem like it should necessary on a 56cm...

But it is an extra tube to hang clothes that are drying.

Well, it's mostly about whether you like the look or not. I saw one with the double top tube at Harris a few weeks ago. It definitely has a novelty factor in its favor.

Neal

+1

Call the people at Rivendell they will give you your money back or put it toward another frame. They are a quality company.

I'm not a fan of the double top tube design, but even if I was indifferent about it, I'd cancel for the "not what I ordered" factor.

What is the point of a double top tube ?
I would think a double down tube would make more sense for making a frame stronger.

This page shows a single top tube:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/show...rameset/50-700

Edit: I was just looking at the picture and missed this:
"..The new green Sam Hillbornes will have 2 top tubes in all sizes 56cm and larger..."

I just read what they wrote in the new description, 56 and 60 cm from Taiwan, green, with double top tubes.... the others from the USA.
I would pass. A 56 should not need a double top tube unless you are really heavy, and or are really going to carry a bunch of weight.

Just to be fair to Rivendell, there is no question that they will cancel the order if that's what I decide to do. We agreed that I would think about it and let them know. Just not sure what I want to do.

It springs from the font of all gratuitous weirdness, and you have to ask what the point is?

SP
Bend, OR

I, for one, think the double TT design is ridiculous.

If you're not happy, change the order. I have no personal feeling on the dbl top-tube design, but if your feeling is bad, then you should cancel it.

Totally up to you.

But, it's a US made frame. I'd keep it, and it's unique looking, function aside.

Good luck!

Eff a double-top-tube-bike. Looks ridiculous unless it 40+ years old.

I'm too small to ride a double top tube bike, but I actually like the design, it looks neat to me on the taller bikes. I'm surprised at the negative reactions, considering this is the C&V forum. Maybe I just have a peculiar fondness for unique designs.

The Sam is a capable touring bike, so it's built to carry a fairly good load--maybe more than you want or need. There are more options out there if you want a more lightly built bike.

I think the worst thing you can do is be dishonest with yourself. If you needed a lot of convincing to make the order, I'd cancel it for now and think, read, and look some more.

Take a stroll through flickr and get some thoughts.

I could see a double TT on a large frame like the 64 for added stiffness but a 56?? are they trying to use the same frame to two models?

if it is not what you want I would decling it.

Double top tube bikes are not common among high performance bikes throughout bike history. It's a modern affectation in my view. OTOH, an extra tube doesn't really add that much weight.

Perhaps some pics would be appropriate here:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/...4cf3dda7d1.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/...00d44bf9c1.jpg

http://www.renaissancebicycles.com/i...uring-bike.jpg

Pasley uses the double top tube on the largest Roadster and Govnur but it's absent in the Clubman. ^^ "Looks" heavy on the smaller frame IMO

The single TT pic above is delicious. The double reminds me of lutefisk. Pass.

That may be it, I'm not really into the racing bike aesthetic. The double tubes remind me of old cargo/porter bikes.

I've heard that they are pretty good with this kind of stuff. It's not like you are dealing with Walmart here. At $1K+ for their framesets they are basically selling a name -a name they need to keep up.

Keep us informed of what happens with this if you would.

Why didn't they at least curve the second tube. The two parallel tubes looks a little ridiculous. That's it. Rivendell needs to hire me as a designer. Architecture is over... bicycles it is.

Any photos of the 56cm double?

+1

I like everything about the sloping top tube except the way it looks.

Too much time in Minnesota, man.