What is the Poor Man's Rivendell?
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Cleveland,Ohio
Posts: 2,766
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
I am the friend and I was thinking about the possibility of retrofitting the light and using it and the fenders on a mixte frame that is waiting in the wings.
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Cleveland,Ohio
Posts: 2,766
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
The Schwinn is as bought -- can't wait to see it in person.
This is the other vintage touring bike I have that I feel would also make a nice poor man's riv.
[IMG][/IMG]
This is the other vintage touring bike I have that I feel would also make a nice poor man's riv.
[IMG][/IMG]
#55
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Bikes: 87 Miyata 512
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't consider the Surly a clone of Rivendell because the Surly is not lugged thus not as artistic. If your going to call the Surly a clone then hell you might as well call the Trek 520 an even cheaper clone! If you want the artistry and the old world workmanship and frame quality of a Rivendell and the Mercian would be the next logical choice. There may be less expensive handmade lugged high quality frames but you would be hard pressed to find one that exceeds the Mercian for the price with the exception being maybe Waterford. Unfortunately the current exchange rate for English pounds into dollars makes the bike a little more expensive then when I bought my Mercian 3 years ago.
If you go to the Rivendell site they do sell other "house" brands for less then the Rivendell and are close to the same quality. Waterford is another great frame that may also interest you, but neither the Waterford or the Rivendell house brands have the old world workmanship...but they are excellent frames.
If you go to the Rivendell site they do sell other "house" brands for less then the Rivendell and are close to the same quality. Waterford is another great frame that may also interest you, but neither the Waterford or the Rivendell house brands have the old world workmanship...but they are excellent frames.
#56
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
I'm sorry, but there is no way on God's Earth that I would pay that kind of insane money for a retro-styled bike when I can buy a used vintage steel bike for a fraction of the price. Heck - I wouldn't trade you any of my older steel frames even up for a Rivendell and I certainly haven't paid that kind of money for any of them.
I respect Rivendell, but I think they're targeting people with so much money that they don't have to care about logic or value. I don't have those kinds of resources, and even if I did, I wouldn't be able to bring myself to buy a Rivendell. For that money, I'm going to spend just a bit more and get a custom built frame.
I respect Rivendell, but I think they're targeting people with so much money that they don't have to care about logic or value. I don't have those kinds of resources, and even if I did, I wouldn't be able to bring myself to buy a Rivendell. For that money, I'm going to spend just a bit more and get a custom built frame.
#57
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Bikes: 87 Miyata 512
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So at least with Mercian you get a true and real custom made bike made to order for less then a Rivendell.
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,978
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Awesome. I have a '91 that I bought this summer for $1.
214k miles. It's been to Maine, camping on the Housatonic and to Summer festivals, as well as running a hardcore 75mph
I95 commute when I can't ride my bike.
It's hard to justify putting big bucks into a bike when A. you're poor enough to be driving a $1 car, and B. in any situation where your bike will cost many times what your car did....
So here's my $40 Rivendell substitute.
214k miles. It's been to Maine, camping on the Housatonic and to Summer festivals, as well as running a hardcore 75mph
I95 commute when I can't ride my bike.
It's hard to justify putting big bucks into a bike when A. you're poor enough to be driving a $1 car, and B. in any situation where your bike will cost many times what your car did....
So here's my $40 Rivendell substitute.
Sad part is eventually I need to find another vehicle to pull our 1959 Airstream once we get it restored Even with my Supercharged version it just doesn't have the motor to handle a 22ft camper. The 454 Burb was over kill and I sure don't miss the 8mpg city it gets on 10%ethanol gas is why we dumped it. The camper is light enough that some 6 cylinders vehicles could handle it. Might replace they 86 4Runner with a 93-97 Land Cruiser when the time comes. Course you can buy early 90's1/2 ton burbs all day long for $1500.
My BIL is in New Haven. Works at Electric boat. We may try to go visit him this summer and I plan to bring a bike. I'll have to drop you a line and you can show me around the area.
#59
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,517
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2747 Post(s)
Liked 3,401 Times
in
2,058 Posts
#60
Have bike, will travel
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
158 Posts
Try to find a 1980's era 12 speed bike and update it. My $170 1978 Trek 400d Elance has a modern Ultegra 20 speed drivetrain and modern Mavic Open Pro wheel-set.
On New Years day I found a very clean 1987 Trek 400d Elance on CL. The bike has a Reynolds 531 main triangle, 700c wheel-set, and room for 700x28 tires and fenders. This bike would make an ideal commuter and rain bike.
I've had an extra Ultegra 10 speed drivetrain sitting around for a while. This included the FD, RD, 11-25 cassette, a new 105 chain, along with a Sram 46 & 38t Cyclocross Crankset & BB. I also had a Mavic Open Pro W/ 36 spoke Dura Ace hub rear wheel I purchased on eBay last year. With most of a 2x10 upgrade on-hand, I converted the bike.
I found new Dura Ace 10 speed bar-end shifters from Nashbar for $50 and purchased a 32 spoke 105 hub for $15. I had the bike shop source a matching 32 spoke Open Pro rim & spokes, the new front wheel cost about $150 in total. The bike shop stripped the bike of all parts, applied Framesaver and rebuilt the bike for $225 in labor. I have about $750 in the bike at this point. Not cheap, but the result is excellent, IMO.
The bike is 22 lbs with the Brooks seat. Mechanically, the bike gets an A+. The frame is responsive, stable and fun to ride. Much smoother riding than a modern Aluminum bike. The drivetrain is quick shifting and the gear set with 46 & 38t chainrings and a 11-25 10 speed cassette has a tight range. I can travel at any speed from 10 to 33 mph and always maintain my target cadence of 85 to 100 rpm
On New Years day I found a very clean 1987 Trek 400d Elance on CL. The bike has a Reynolds 531 main triangle, 700c wheel-set, and room for 700x28 tires and fenders. This bike would make an ideal commuter and rain bike.
I've had an extra Ultegra 10 speed drivetrain sitting around for a while. This included the FD, RD, 11-25 cassette, a new 105 chain, along with a Sram 46 & 38t Cyclocross Crankset & BB. I also had a Mavic Open Pro W/ 36 spoke Dura Ace hub rear wheel I purchased on eBay last year. With most of a 2x10 upgrade on-hand, I converted the bike.
I found new Dura Ace 10 speed bar-end shifters from Nashbar for $50 and purchased a 32 spoke 105 hub for $15. I had the bike shop source a matching 32 spoke Open Pro rim & spokes, the new front wheel cost about $150 in total. The bike shop stripped the bike of all parts, applied Framesaver and rebuilt the bike for $225 in labor. I have about $750 in the bike at this point. Not cheap, but the result is excellent, IMO.
The bike is 22 lbs with the Brooks seat. Mechanically, the bike gets an A+. The frame is responsive, stable and fun to ride. Much smoother riding than a modern Aluminum bike. The drivetrain is quick shifting and the gear set with 46 & 38t chainrings and a 11-25 10 speed cassette has a tight range. I can travel at any speed from 10 to 33 mph and always maintain my target cadence of 85 to 100 rpm
Last edited by Barrettscv; 03-28-10 at 11:48 AM.
#61
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: watsonville, ca
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i like the handsome devil https://www.handsomecycles.com/index.php?id=8
takes cues from the xo-1, i want one.
takes cues from the xo-1, i want one.
Last edited by nativeson; 03-29-10 at 11:26 PM.
#62
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
Barrett...I don't normally care much for Treks, but that's a beauty...and a very classy build.
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 351
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Poor man's Rivendell = Early 70's Raleigh Reynolds 531 Frame. I have 3 1973 Raleigh Competitions and they all ride as well as comfortably (not as fast, mind you) as my Tom Kellogg Ti Spectrum.
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
I'm sorry, I just don't see why so many folks go ga-ga over the typical lugs. While I think that aesthetically they're often better TIG-welds, I really like the clean look of Fillet Brazing or internal lugs much more.
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Edgewater, CO
Posts: 3,213
Bikes: Tons
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#66
Rustbelt Rider
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canton, OH
Posts: 9,104
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 261 Post(s)
Liked 372 Times
in
177 Posts
I agree about some of the entry level bikes lugs or some of the roughly filed ones. There is something to very nicely filed lugs though that can be very very attractive.
__________________
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
#67
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Bikes: 87 Miyata 512
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Personally I don't see why people get ga ga over such a plain looking way to assemble a frame vs lugs that expresses much more artsy craftsmanship look. But that's why we're all individuals with different taste.
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
I bought a Schwinn Super Sport DBX last year. I'd have loved to get the Rivendell Atlantis as my "country bike" but it was out of my price range. But I'm happy to have a commuter bike that will serve me just as well in the years to come.
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
Somewhere on the Rivendell site it talks about lugs vs TIG welds and says that the Riv lugs are designed by them and won't be found on any other bikes. So that in 40 years or whatever the bike can be still be identified as a Riv regardless of what happens to the paint or the head badge. To me that's trying to sell you based on the name rather than on the virtues of the bike itself.
Anyway, if it's not a big deal to you to drop a couple grand or more on a bike and you find a Riv appealing, by all means get one. They're nice bikes. But there are plenty of bikes that will serve you just as well for 1/2 the price. They may not have fancy lugs but in my opinion, lugs alone do not add much if any appeal to a Rivendell.
Last edited by tjspiel; 04-04-10 at 06:13 AM.
#70
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
I don't really go ga-ga over any particular way of joining tubes, - but I do have my preference. I could also argue to do a good job using fillet brazing or internal lugs requires more craftsmanship than standard lugs. My real reason for the initial post though was to say that in my opinion fancy lugs aren't worth breaking that bank for if that's part of what makes a Riv appealing to you. It's just another way of joining two tubes together. It's one that we've been conditioned to associate with classic bikes because back in the day it was the cheap and easy way to do it. Some pretty non-remarkable bikes used the same method. If you're looking for artistic flourish then I think having a custom head badge made would save you a lot of money and make the bike truly unique.
Somewhere on the Rivendell site it talks about lugs vs TIG welds and says that the Riv lugs are designed by them and won't be found on any other bikes. So that in 40 years or whatever the bike can be still be identified as a Riv regardless of what happens to the paint or the head badge. To me that's trying to sell you based on the name rather than on the virtues of the bike itself.
Anyway, if it's not a big deal to you to drop a couple grand or more on a bike and you find a Riv appealing, by all means get one. They're nice bikes. But there are plenty of bikes that will serve you just as well for 1/2 the price. They may not have fancy lugs but in my opinion, lugs alone do not add much if any appeal to a Rivendell.
Somewhere on the Rivendell site it talks about lugs vs TIG welds and says that the Riv lugs are designed by them and won't be found on any other bikes. So that in 40 years or whatever the bike can be still be identified as a Riv regardless of what happens to the paint or the head badge. To me that's trying to sell you based on the name rather than on the virtues of the bike itself.
Anyway, if it's not a big deal to you to drop a couple grand or more on a bike and you find a Riv appealing, by all means get one. They're nice bikes. But there are plenty of bikes that will serve you just as well for 1/2 the price. They may not have fancy lugs but in my opinion, lugs alone do not add much if any appeal to a Rivendell.
#71
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 854
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Miyata 310 (conversion)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I built my Surly Cross-Check in the Rivendell likeness after I saw a sweet Hillsborne
#72
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Burnaby, BC
Posts: 4,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
/shrug.
When you buy a Rivendell you're buying a quality bike, made in a civilized society by men making decent money. Also, they're pretty and they work well. They are good value for what you're getting, if these things are important to you. If they aren't, or you don't have the money, buy something welded in Taiwan. As to the quality of the bike, it doesn't matter so much really. The Taiwanese weld very well. Also, you have to like lugs. If you don't, you're buying the wrong bike. This is the kind of thing that should be so painfully obvious as to insult the reader to have to point out, but after reading some of these posts I guess someone has to. The benefits of lugs? There used to be a lot of benefits. But technology moved on, and now they're just pretty. That's it.
Comparing a nice new bike to a used bike that may or may not be nice is a bit dense, really. Anyone who has ever dealt with the used bike market knows that the prices are mostly nonsensical. You can spend $150 on a two year old WalMart bike or the same on a 531 framed Italian masterpiece. There are lots of reasons why this is, but none of them make a nice new bike worth any less.
And if you think Rivendell is trying to sell bikes based on the name, it's your reading comprehension that's lacking, not the bikes.
When you buy a Rivendell you're buying a quality bike, made in a civilized society by men making decent money. Also, they're pretty and they work well. They are good value for what you're getting, if these things are important to you. If they aren't, or you don't have the money, buy something welded in Taiwan. As to the quality of the bike, it doesn't matter so much really. The Taiwanese weld very well. Also, you have to like lugs. If you don't, you're buying the wrong bike. This is the kind of thing that should be so painfully obvious as to insult the reader to have to point out, but after reading some of these posts I guess someone has to. The benefits of lugs? There used to be a lot of benefits. But technology moved on, and now they're just pretty. That's it.
Comparing a nice new bike to a used bike that may or may not be nice is a bit dense, really. Anyone who has ever dealt with the used bike market knows that the prices are mostly nonsensical. You can spend $150 on a two year old WalMart bike or the same on a 531 framed Italian masterpiece. There are lots of reasons why this is, but none of them make a nice new bike worth any less.
And if you think Rivendell is trying to sell bikes based on the name, it's your reading comprehension that's lacking, not the bikes.
#73
Elitest Murray Owner
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,657
Bikes: 1972 Columbia Tourist Expert III, Columbia Roadster
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by Grant's Own Words
I got tired of too many dealers de-dignifying it as a loss leader, and so
I'm just pulling the plug on the whole Bleriot program.
I'm just pulling the plug on the whole Bleriot program.
#74
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
The message they're trying to convey is that you're buying something long lasting and "special" but to me it's about branding. I don't see my interpretation as a reading comprehension problem so much as being able to read between the lines.
Last edited by tjspiel; 04-05-10 at 07:48 AM.
#75
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
/shrug.
When you buy a Rivendell you're buying a quality bike, made in a civilized society by men making decent money. Also, they're pretty and they work well. They are good value for what you're getting, if these things are important to you. If they aren't, or you don't have the money, buy something welded in Taiwan. As to the quality of the bike, it doesn't matter so much really. The Taiwanese weld very well. Also, you have to like lugs. If you don't, you're buying the wrong bike. This is the kind of thing that should be so painfully obvious as to insult the reader to have to point out, but after reading some of these posts I guess someone has to. The benefits of lugs? There used to be a lot of benefits. But technology moved on, and now they're just pretty. That's it.
Comparing a nice new bike to a used bike that may or may not be nice is a bit dense, really. Anyone who has ever dealt with the used bike market knows that the prices are mostly nonsensical. You can spend $150 on a two year old WalMart bike or the same on a 531 framed Italian masterpiece. There are lots of reasons why this is, but none of them make a nice new bike worth any less.
And if you think Rivendell is trying to sell bikes based on the name, it's your reading comprehension that's lacking, not the bikes.
When you buy a Rivendell you're buying a quality bike, made in a civilized society by men making decent money. Also, they're pretty and they work well. They are good value for what you're getting, if these things are important to you. If they aren't, or you don't have the money, buy something welded in Taiwan. As to the quality of the bike, it doesn't matter so much really. The Taiwanese weld very well. Also, you have to like lugs. If you don't, you're buying the wrong bike. This is the kind of thing that should be so painfully obvious as to insult the reader to have to point out, but after reading some of these posts I guess someone has to. The benefits of lugs? There used to be a lot of benefits. But technology moved on, and now they're just pretty. That's it.
Comparing a nice new bike to a used bike that may or may not be nice is a bit dense, really. Anyone who has ever dealt with the used bike market knows that the prices are mostly nonsensical. You can spend $150 on a two year old WalMart bike or the same on a 531 framed Italian masterpiece. There are lots of reasons why this is, but none of them make a nice new bike worth any less.
And if you think Rivendell is trying to sell bikes based on the name, it's your reading comprehension that's lacking, not the bikes.
There are lots of made in America custom frames that can be had for the same price as a Rivendell. Buying that way gives you a bike that you've specifically designed for you. Why would you buy a Rivendell? Please xplain to me how these are "pretty and good value" when I can have a bike designed for the same price with a paint scheme exactly as I choose it? Are his propietary lugs worth that much?
Would you voluntarily pay 20x standard pricing for a made in the US TV? I would not.
Regardless of how the used market fluctuates, the entire ethos that GP preaches is based on reproducing an older style of bike...why buy a new one? You can outfit and adjust a steel frame for new components (one of the advantages of steel is the ability to respace it) if you are at all patient and willing to look. If Rivendell's marketing preaches that steel lasts, the obvious follow through question is why buy new?
Based on Rivendell's own logic, there is no reason to buy a Rivendell when you can get an 80s touring bike for $500 or less and pay comparatively little to make it as new. The used market absolutely is related to the new market...and vice versa. It's you who is a bit dense if you think those markets don't relate to one another. There also aren't a lot of $150 Italian master pieces being sold.