Doug, you have put your finger on the problem exactly. Yes, chainstays
have gotten longer, tire clearance wider (than 52!) and geometries have
been tweeked, but as you ask:
"what would I want that my Atlantis doesn't do?" and have never come up
with a good answer. "
What we poor humans face is a situation where the ego wants wanting more
than it wants having. As soon as we have what we want, we start wanting
something else. Shiny objects abound!
To be clear, RBW has brought forth a great many innovative products in the
past 30 years and new bike buyers are getting great value for their money,
especially because these bikes will still be a joy to ride in 2040. I wish
GP blessings and am so glad we own three of his creations. That said, I
can't come up with even half a reason to replace the Ramboulliet, Saluki,
or Betty Foy in my garage.
Just Ride,
Michael
On Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 6:52:21 PM UTC-4, dougP wrote:
>
> Michael:
>
> In rebuttal, I'd like to point out how much the Rivendell model line-up
> has evolved over the years. When I bought my Atlantis in '03, there was
> just a handful of models (don't recall the rest) and the Atlantis was the
> most heavy duty and touring oriented. In 25 years, Rivendell has gone from
> a few, mostly road oriented bikes to a wide array. Now, with the emphasis
> on trail riding and load carrying, the tire clearances have grown (my
> Atlantis is rated at 52mm max), chainstays have gotten longer, geometry has
> evolved, etc. This isn't really planned obsolescence but does expand the
> model line up to appeal to a wider range of riders. I've occasionally
> mused on the question "what would I want that my Atlantis doesn't do?" and
> have never come up with a good answer. OTH, I was sorely tempted when I
> test rode the current long wheel base version of the current iteration. We
> sometimes miss that even long playing models like the Atlantis have subtly
> evolved over the years.
>
> Just don't expect to see disc brakes or thru eyelets on forks. :)
>
> dougP
>
> On Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 10:38:11 AM UTC-7, Michael Hechmer wrote:
>>
>> There is a major flaw in the RBW Business Model. They forgot to include
>> planned obselence. Really, how can you expect to grow a business when your
>> products not only don't wear out they don't even loose their sex appeal?
>> Certainly Trek didn't make that mistake and see how they have grown since
>> 1983 when I bought a 620.
>>
>> Take my Saluki for example. Serial # SA 00011. I am more in love with
>> it today than when I first got it. Why would I want to buy a new bike?
>> Bicycle Quarterly comes in and I look at the reviews of all the hot new
>> bikes and quickly realize I wouldn't trade em straight up for my Saluki.
>>
>> OK, it now has a lot of touch up paint and I would probably get it powder
>> coated if I could get my hands on some original decals, but the ride is
>> just as joyful, no even better than new, and she still looks pretty good to
>> me. Instead of buying a new bike I can spend my money on fancy brakes,
>> levers, tires from Compass, and TA Rings ("Well honey the rings were worn
>> out and that's just what new rings cost.")
>>
>> So Rivendell, instead of pushing a needed replacement or a new improved
>> model, is stuck with the job of convincing people that they need more
>> bikes. Then you have to listen to your spouse - how you gonna pay for it,
>> where you gonna store it, how many bikes can you ride? It never ends.
>>
>> Unfortunately for Rivendell, my wife is still in love with her Betty Foy,
>> so no bike sale this year.
>>
>> Michael
>>
>>
>>
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