>  This thread sort of amuses me, as there are tons of
> builders who will do fillet or lugs for less than $2K for just a frame and
> fork.  As we know, you take a bit of a chance with any "custom", but still,
> they are made just for you.

I know you did not mean to share this with the group, but you raise
good points and want to respond.

As you say, there are many custom builders out there who make steel
bikes.  Many could and would happily make something along the line of
the Atlantis.  I know this first hand, as I have bought three custom
bikes over the years, am currently on a waiting list for a fourth and
also had a custom builder restore a forlorn Trek 728.

Nevertheless, I appreciate what Riv does.  Buying customs is fun, but
it is fraught with risks.  Unless the buyer and the builder are
completely in sync, there is always a chance something the buyer wants
will not be understood correctly by the builder.  Worse still, the
buyer may think they want something they really do not and the builder
will come through with what the buyer asked for but could not use.

One of my customs turned out to be a complete disaster, (beautiful to
look at, a royal pain to ride).  Because of my life situation I was
able to shrug it off, and sold it to a bike mechanic for less than the
components are worth, and moved on.   If I could not afford such a
loss, or if I had kids or other dependants with needs of their own,
the bad experience might have poisoned me on good bikes for a long
time.

When a person buys a Riv, the only thing to worry about is buying into
the Riv philosophy.  With all the Riv Readers and other information
out there about the Riv experience on the net, in the press, from bike
shops, and current and former owners, it is pretty easy to understand
the philosophy.  After that, everything is gravy.  I at least think
that is worth something.


On Aug 20, 8:55 pm, Doug Van Cleve <[email protected]> wrote:
> Phil!
>
> How are you?  Sorry I haven't made it out for any rides since what was it,
> May?  I really have had good intentions, just lack inertia or something...
> Are you guys still riding?  If yes, when are you starting and where would be
> my best place to catch you?
>
> So you like the HIllborne, huh?  I think it is less that stellar looking
> with the bars jacked up to your chin, but that goes for all the other RBW
> designs as well...  This thread sort of amuses me, as there are tons of
> builders who will do fillet or lugs for less than $2K for just a frame and
> fork.  As we know, you take a bit of a chance with any "custom", but still,
> they are made just for you.
>
> Doug
>
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 6:47 PM, Phil Roberts <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Jim, I'll +1 your comment. That weird upward-sloping-top-tube Hillborne is
> > the nicest frame I've ever tour-pedaled. Wonderful bike. I still think it's
> > ugly.
>
> > On Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 2:50 PM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery <
> > [email protected]> wrote:
>
> >> I'd say that the Hillborne is more than adequate for the "loaded
> >> touring" most of us do most of the time. If you overload the SH,
> >> chances are you're bringing way more than you need.
>
> >> On Aug 20, 2:43 pm, Solomander <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> > I can understand why they are being discontinued- Toyo made frames are
> >> > pricing themselves out of existence.  I am sure that Waterford could
> >> > make them, but likely they would be at least as expensive.  I wonder
> >> > what a custom builder charges for a lugged frame and fork?  Nobody can
> >> > dispute the beauty of an Atlantis frame and fork, but OTOH you can get
> >> > a LHT frame and fork for what, $500?  It seems that GP had anticipated
> >> > this, by presenting the 2 new models.  Unless I am missing something,
> >> > once the Atlantis is discontinued, Rivendell will no longer offer a
> >> > bike model that is capable of loaded touring.
>
> >> > Joel- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
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