Show us your poor man's Rivendell!
#1
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Show us your poor man's Rivendell!
While I truly appreciate what Grant Peterson represents as a bicycle designer/manufacturer and independent businessperson...gosh those bikes do cost a pretty penny!
Maybe I'll own one some day, but until that time let me present my poor man's, parts bin Riv:
Do you have an easy riding, long-chainstay, upright home build that in any way emulates the Rivendell philosophy?
I'd love to see them!
Maybe I'll own one some day, but until that time let me present my poor man's, parts bin Riv:
Do you have an easy riding, long-chainstay, upright home build that in any way emulates the Rivendell philosophy?
I'd love to see them!
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#2
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My “Wellstone” (a trek 730 Multitrack hybrid in actuality) was my attempt to scratch that itch for myself. I use it for errands and in town transportation. I’m not sure how we’ll i did, but it’s nice to have a more upright bike. I’ve never actually seen much less ridden a Rivendell, so I’m not sure how this compares on rideability.
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This is from an interview with Grant Peterson:
What is your all time favorite city bike?
I don’t think the bike makes that big a difference. They all work. But, if you’re asking my own preference, or what I think makes the most functional sense, the most practical sense, I’ll stick out my neck and nominate an all-steel early to late ’80s mountain bike fitted up with a higher and maybe a swept-back handlebar, fenders, rack, and basket. Platform pedals, kickstand, bell, rear view mirror, and some kind of light. It might not suit somebody’s style, and I’m not saying it’s a better style; I’m just saying for me, that’s what I think makes a lot of sense.
Zachary Barowitz
What is your all time favorite city bike?
I don’t think the bike makes that big a difference. They all work. But, if you’re asking my own preference, or what I think makes the most functional sense, the most practical sense, I’ll stick out my neck and nominate an all-steel early to late ’80s mountain bike fitted up with a higher and maybe a swept-back handlebar, fenders, rack, and basket. Platform pedals, kickstand, bell, rear view mirror, and some kind of light. It might not suit somebody’s style, and I’m not saying it’s a better style; I’m just saying for me, that’s what I think makes a lot of sense.
Zachary Barowitz
Last edited by bikemig; 10-07-19 at 06:03 AM.
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What is your all time favorite city bike?
I don’t think the bike makes that big a difference. They all work. But, if you’re asking my own preference, or what I think makes the most functional sense, the most practical sense, I’ll stick out my neck and nominate an all-steel early to late ’80s mountain bike fitted up with a higher and maybe a swept-back handlebar, fenders, rack, and basket. Platform pedals, kickstand, bell, rear view mirror, and some kind of light. It might not suit somebody’s style, and I’m not saying it’s a better style; I’m just saying for me, that’s what I think makes a lot of sense.
Zachary Barowitz
I don’t think the bike makes that big a difference. They all work. But, if you’re asking my own preference, or what I think makes the most functional sense, the most practical sense, I’ll stick out my neck and nominate an all-steel early to late ’80s mountain bike fitted up with a higher and maybe a swept-back handlebar, fenders, rack, and basket. Platform pedals, kickstand, bell, rear view mirror, and some kind of light. It might not suit somebody’s style, and I’m not saying it’s a better style; I’m just saying for me, that’s what I think makes a lot of sense.
Zachary Barowitz
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Mine actually IS a Bridgestone. A 1976 Superlight (pre-Peterson by a long ways)
32mm tires, 20” chainstays, and mostly original Suntour running gear.
Last edited by Ironfish653; 10-07-19 at 01:01 AM.
#9
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This is from an interview with Grant Peterson:
What is your all time favorite city bike?
I don’t think the bike makes that big a difference. They all work. But, if you’re asking my own preference, or what I think makes the most functional sense, the most practical sense, I’ll stick out my neck and nominate an all-steel early to late ’80s mountain bike fitted up with a higher and maybe a swept-back handlebar, fenders, rack, and basket. Platform pedals, kickstand, bell, rear view mirror, and some kind of light. It might not suit somebody’s style, and I’m not saying it’s a better style; I’m just saying for me, that’s what I think makes a lot of sense.
Zachary Barowitz
What is your all time favorite city bike?
I don’t think the bike makes that big a difference. They all work. But, if you’re asking my own preference, or what I think makes the most functional sense, the most practical sense, I’ll stick out my neck and nominate an all-steel early to late ’80s mountain bike fitted up with a higher and maybe a swept-back handlebar, fenders, rack, and basket. Platform pedals, kickstand, bell, rear view mirror, and some kind of light. It might not suit somebody’s style, and I’m not saying it’s a better style; I’m just saying for me, that’s what I think makes a lot of sense.
Zachary Barowitz
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I have to admit I'm a big fan of "vintage" MTBs . They tend to be inexpensive and they are very practical once you get rid of the knobby tires. They make fine commuters, touring bikes, and gravel bikes.
#12
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Indeed! And there are some nice lugged double/triple butted frames out there for quite cheap! Fun to build up and personalize.
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My closest bike would be a mid-late 80s Ross Mt Hood frame that I built up in singlespeed form with period components to ride around the neighborhood with my kids. Ended up almost never using it. I much prefer jumping on my gravel bike to ride to errands/parks/get ice cream.
Bullmoose bars with some sweep put the riding position as upright.
Brooks saddle that I could claim was for comfort, but was really used just because it was available.
Bear Trap pedals.
2.35" balloon tires for massive comfort.
Rack and fender mounts, if I had wanted to go that route.
And a chainstay brake to really highlight when the frame was designed.
Bullmoose bars with some sweep put the riding position as upright.
Brooks saddle that I could claim was for comfort, but was really used just because it was available.
Bear Trap pedals.
2.35" balloon tires for massive comfort.
Rack and fender mounts, if I had wanted to go that route.
And a chainstay brake to really highlight when the frame was designed.
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#14
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My closest bike would be a mid-late 80s Ross Mt Hood frame that I built up in singlespeed form with period components to ride around the neighborhood with my kids. Ended up almost never using it. I much prefer jumping on my gravel bike to ride to errands/parks/get ice cream.
Bullmoose bars with some sweep put the riding position as upright.
Brooks saddle that I could claim was for comfort, but was really used just because it was available.
Bear Trap pedals.
2.35" balloon tires for massive comfort.
Rack and fender mounts, if I had wanted to go that route.
And a chainstay brake to really highlight when the frame was designed.
Bullmoose bars with some sweep put the riding position as upright.
Brooks saddle that I could claim was for comfort, but was really used just because it was available.
Bear Trap pedals.
2.35" balloon tires for massive comfort.
Rack and fender mounts, if I had wanted to go that route.
And a chainstay brake to really highlight when the frame was designed.
#15
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#16
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Same DNA, '94 RB-T
.
.
#17
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#18
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Oh I see some every now and then, mostly fixie riders. If I know that the green light is about to come on in say 10 seconds, I occasionally might do a track stand myself, otherwise I'm too lazy to bother, since I ride platform pedals.
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I'll approximate one by riding very slowly up to the line, but I literally have never seen anyone do a track stand at an urban intersection. I have seen plenty of people getting a slow start on the green light fumbling their clip-in however.
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#22
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The idea that rivendell are better than my Surlys? Not with 1" headtubes and rim brakes. But that's just me. I prefer function over looks and style.
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#25
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My Cimarron. The generator was a Soubitez unit running on the crown of the rear tire so when I added fenders I removed the light set and will use battery lights instead.
By the way, I track stand at intersections. I was never fast, my stamina and strength have diminished with age and my butt is out of seat shape lately, but I can still do a track stand when called upon. Wowed a local racer type one day coming home from school several years ago in civvies on my hybrid with bookbag pannier and sandals with socks.
By the way, I track stand at intersections. I was never fast, my stamina and strength have diminished with age and my butt is out of seat shape lately, but I can still do a track stand when called upon. Wowed a local racer type one day coming home from school several years ago in civvies on my hybrid with bookbag pannier and sandals with socks.
Last edited by thumpism; 10-08-19 at 10:36 AM.