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Rivendell seems to have changed
The most retrogrouch of retrogrouch brands seems to have changed a bit. Taking a recent look at their frame offerings, I was somewhat surprised to see that they've gone all import and the prices are about half what they were:
https://www.rivbike.com/collections/framesets Rivendell has offered a couple of imported, less expensive models in recent years but now that trend seems to have swept the entire line. Note that the most expensive production frame is now $1,400. Even the Atlantis is now import. Also, is that (gasp) TIG welding I spy on some of the least expensive frames? I like made in USA stuff but I think this is a good idea. This pricing makes these bikes much more accessible for more people, the bikes become a reasonable option. Rivendell was never about luxury bikes. Grant professed the brand to be about practical, durable bikes. It was always hard to square that branding with the luxury good pricing. That problem is now largely solved. I know Riv dodged a bullet earlier this year, perhaps this is them getting their business plan back on track. |
I don't think Grant ever had anything against imported frames, he was in charge of the Bridgestone bicycles imported from Japan back in the 80s and early 90s.
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26.8mm seat posts and still no disk brake models. :notamused:
I really doubt that Rivendell will be around in 5 years time. :twitchy: |
For a long time, the Atlantis was built in Japan, then some production shifted to the US, they were built by Waterford , I think, And some of them are built in Taiwan, the new Japan, as some people say. Bicycle manufacturing is sensitive to labor costs and exchange rates.
I never bought a Rivendell; my Bridgestones still are going strong, I have bought parts from them :and have gotten lots of ideas from the Rivendell Readers. There are still a lot of us who like centerpull rim brakes. My recommendation to Rivendell would be to sell some of their models with brazed on studs for centerpulls.. |
Originally Posted by ColonelSanders
(Post 20465824)
26.8mm seat posts and still no disk brake models. :notamused:
I really doubt that Rivendell will be around in 5 years time. :twitchy: |
Keep in mind that Rivendell was almost out of business early in 2018 - five days away from defaulting to its creditors.
https://mailchi.mp/rivbike/if-you-re...e-read-this-un Any decision they make nowadays is likely based exclusively on the need to keep the lights on. That's not a bad thing, but something to keep in mind when discussing where they source their parts and whether to buy. -Tim- |
Originally Posted by brianmcg123
(Post 20466040)
Lol. A company who specs it's bikes with bar-ends |
Originally Posted by TimothyH
(Post 20466168)
Keep in mind that Rivendell was almost out of business early in 2018 - five days away from defaulting to its creditors.
https://mailchi.mp/rivbike/if-you-re...e-read-this-un Any decision they make nowadays is likely based exclusively on the need to keep the lights on. That's not a bad thing, but something to keep in mind when discussing where they source their parts and whether to buy. -Tim- |
Originally Posted by ColonelSanders
(Post 20465824)
I really doubt that Rivendell will be around in 5 years time. :twitchy:
Even if it closes up shop, the bikes will still be on the road thirty or forty years from now. This is a problem foar company that make a good product that doesn't need replacing every couple of years. |
They do have competitors, and the cost of having any place in SFO Bay area
has ballooned in cost.. Bridgestone Cult now subscribes to VBQ, magazine, published by Compass Cycles Owner. in Seattle.. ... |
I’ve wanted to like Rivendell for a long time. But many of their components are clearly Tektro or MKS or something else identifiable, but at twice the price because it says “Rivendell” on it. For quite some time now, many of their frames were supplied by Merry Sales (aka Soma), at a considerable premium over Soma offerings. Let’s just say I don’t understand how they’ve stayed afloat this long. Can I get a Waterford for the price of a Rivendell? Can I get a custom Gunnar for less? I know I can get a Soma for a LOT less, and Tektro stuff from my LBS or online. |
Originally Posted by Banzai
(Post 20469011)
Let’s just say I don’t understand how they’ve stayed afloat this long.
I'm not saying they don't or did not have beautiful bikes but to a certain extent many have bought into the founder's philosophy and support it though his products. I'm also not saying that belief in his philosophy is not sincere. Buying a Rivendell for many is more than just buying a bike. It is a statement of belief in Grant Peterson and what he purports to stand for. -Tim- |
Originally Posted by ColonelSanders
(Post 20465824)
26.8mm seat posts and still no disk brake models. :notamused:
I really doubt that Rivendell will be around in 5 years time. :twitchy: |
Originally Posted by onyerleft
(Post 20468812)
Velo Orange and Compass do Rivendell better than Rivendell.
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Rivendell has changed. It's kind of a shame, in that I quite like Grant Petersen's philosophy and I agree with about 50% of what he says. One of things I like is the philosophy of buying things to last, treating them well and repairing them, rather than discarding them. I think the company is coming up against the reality of the modern market, though, where good intentions and sound ideas alone don't keep the lights on.
The reason I say it's a shame is that Grant is obviously struggling to find a balance between what his guiding philosophy tells him to sell and what he needs to sell to keep his company afloat. It's never pleasant to see a man have to compromise and water down his beliefs, even if it is in service of keeping people employed. Still, Grant has never been deceptive, and wherever Rivendell goes, I think he will be honest about it, and won't try to hide. He's also Americana rather than French-influenced. Look at how he spells it "derailer" rather than "derailleur," after a conversation with Sheldon Brown. You can also examine his forks and their trail, even on custom Rando bikes he refuses to give clients low trail geometry. |
I love my Nitto Big racks that I bought from Rivendell. Hope they last a lifetime.
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It's a strange brand. Rivendell seems to be more about Peterson's ideas and preferences than about the ideas and preferences of his customers. A few rare companies can make this work (see Apple's "the customers don't know what they want until we give it to them" approach) but generally not giving people what they want is a recipe for bankruptcy.
Still, by sticking to his guns I think Peterson has been somewhat vindicated. Lugged steel, retro paint work, room for wider tires, upright positions, less performance focus etc. All are very on trend right now and Rivendell is surely part of that story. Flat pedals and Crocs on road bikes, a return of cantilevers, a return of friction shifting, flat bars... these ideas are less popular but take these trends to the next level. Also, this isn't a fad for Rivendell: they've been making this type of bike for decades. Say what you want about Peterson but he is what he is and his bikes are what they are. You might disagree with his design preferences or choice of gear but they don't sell crap and they seem to honestly think carefully about their choices. Integrity might be a word to use, something I can appreciate regardless of what I think about his bikes. |
Stopped by his shop in Walnut Creek the other day just to check it out. Grant was busy with everyday business, but took time to come out and small talk. Had my Waterford with me and he mentioned the XT I was running was one of his favorites. Seems some of his workers took the day off and went riding. I could see him retiring and doing the same.
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Originally Posted by Hiro11
(Post 20470629)
It's a strange brand. Rivendell seems to be more about Peterson's ideas and preferences than about the ideas and preferences of his customers. A few rare companies can make this work (see Apple's "the customers don't know what they want until we give it to them" approach) but generally not giving people what they want is a recipe for bankruptcy.
Still, by sticking to his guns I think Peterson has been somewhat vindicated. Lugged steel, lugs, retro paint work, room for wider tires, upright positions, less performance focus etc. All are very on trend right now and Rivendell is surely part of that story. Flat pedals and Crocs on road bikes, a return of cantilevers, a return of friction shifting, flat bars... these ideas are less popular but take these trends to the next level. Also, this isn't a fad for Rivendell: they've been making this type of bike for decades. Say what you want about Peterson but he is what he is and his bikes are what they are. You might disagree with his design preferences or choice of gear but they don't sell crap and they seem to honestly think carefully about their choices. Integrity might be a word to use, something I can appreciate regardless of what I think about his bikes. |
Originally Posted by Banzai
(Post 20469011)
Let’s just say I don’t understand how they’ve stayed afloat this long. Selling a product is one thing, selling an exceptional product is better, and providing stellar customer service is even better. |
Originally Posted by Banzai
(Post 20469011)
Let’s just say I don’t understand how they’ve stayed afloat this long.
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Originally Posted by phughes
(Post 20470888)
They have absolutely exceptional customer service, something some of their competitors do not have.
While he doesn't make his own stuff, Wayne (and Co.) at thetouringstore.com is the same way. When I was having some trouble getting the Ortlieb panniers I bought from him to play nice with my new racks I emailed him. he suggested that I sent him some photos and then call him, which I did. We talked for some 20 min. and he gave me some helpful advice. Then when I had a warranty issue with one of the panniers he sent me a replacement before I sent the defective one back because I was going to be starting a tour in a week. |
Curious about the Touring Store, went to the site to discover they are going out of business. Unfortunate.
In some respects Grant pioneered the whole idea (more like he reminded us) of road bikes being practical and all purpose. His concepts of wider tires, alternatives to F & R pannier touring, etc... are things that are much more common today. Trek, Specialized and others make all kinds or bikes now that kind of follow the Rivendell philosophy. REI as well is very much oriented towards this "style" and certainly Soma and Surly are decent alternatives. Grant was very instrumental in all this and I hope he can retire comfortably when he chooses and can find somebody of a similar mindset to keep the company in business. |
a little over 20 years .. all the regional British bike shops that made their own lugged steel frames ,
in batches, in the back, to sell in the front of the store, as ready to ride bicycles, have gone.. and are now selling bikes from the big TW OEM, factory bikes .. many brands, you are familiar with , because they could not compete on costs.. and the quality is still good.. ... |
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