"Rivendells probably aren't bikes one buys "on a whim""
I think the pre-sale "excitement" might make impulse buying more likely. Somebody who has money, and senses there's a rush on these things, may buy one without much thought. I think that's part of why there's a fairly high frequency of used Rivendells on the secondhand market that are practically unridden and at close to MSRP or even above retail. It makes me think people DO buy them on a whim, and get bored of the idea and sell them. I know Riv would rather have customers that really ride the bikes, but they don't have any way of knowing ahead of time, and there's no fair way to turn down a paying customer because you suspect they won't ride enough. Bill Lindsay El Cerrito, CA On Friday, March 21, 2025 at 1:16:06 PM UTC-7 Benz Ouyang, Sunnyvale, CA wrote: > My understanding of presale and conservative ordering is to afford > Rivendell more cash flow stability. These bikes need to be paid for when > shipped, and small outfits like Rivendell are taking on risk by tying up > their capital (probably borrowed capital at that) in such a big shipment. > The presale means they have less capital tied up, and thus are able to > weather any change in market better. Ordering more conservative numbers > addresses the same risk of tying up capital, with the disadvantage of not > maximizing sales. But Grant has mentioned numerous times that Rivendell > isn't about growth, but sustainability (for the company and employees). > > Plus Rivendells probably aren't bikes one buys "on a whim". They're not > the kind of IG fashionable that a newest Specialized, Trek or Cannondale > is. I'd like to think Rivendells require more considered and mindful > buyers, who plan out such purchases over time, being satisfied that > whatever they buy will be for the long term (and wouldn't care that > there'll be a fancy new model next year to make this year's "obsolete"). > > > On Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 12:46:33 PM UTC-7 Doug H. wrote: > >> This business model of having presales and keeping framesets somewhat >> scarce is interesting. People know if they don't act quickly their chance >> may be gone for a year or more. Or, they can try to get a frame/bicycle of >> choice in the used market. I must say it is aggravating as a consumer but >> as a business practice it seems to work! >> Doug >> >> On Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 3:45:42 PM UTC-4 der_amerikanische_freund >> wrote: >> >>> I am planning on getting one in Atlantis classic color. I was kind of >>> disappointed it is being offered in a color other than the classic Atlantis >>> blue. I think that was part of its appeal, the original (albeit very >>> different to the original model) bike in the Riv line-up that was only >>> offered in one color, true to its principles blah blah blah. Also with >>> Sergio green also being the color of the Appaloosa, and those two bikes >>> being so similar, I would even be tempted to merge them, effectively >>> discontinuing one of the two, and offer more intermediate sizes of the >>> resulting "Appa-lantis". >>> >>> Another thing I am not too enthused about this year's model is the pump >>> peg in the seat stays. I do prefer the less conspicuous pin in the head >>> tube underneath the top tube. I think that if you are not planning on >>> carrying a large pump in the seat stay (either because you have a mini pump >>> or because you large pump lives in a frame bag), the peg itself is a bit of >>> an eyesore that ruins the straight line simplicity of the seat stays and >>> rear triangle. >>> >>> El lunes, 17 de marzo de 2025 a las 12:39:24 UTC, Doug H. escribió: >>> >>>> Hi Kat, >>>> I agree that the original Atlantis color is classic and to my eyes just >>>> suits the bike. But, I really like the Sergio Green which would make it a >>>> tough choice for me! I have always been a fan of shades of green anyway >>>> including the Lime Olive green that Riv has used. I wonder if the Atlantis >>>> bikes will sell out and/or sell quickly during the presale? It is always >>>> fun to watch but even more fun to participate. >>>> Doug >>>> >>>> On Monday, March 17, 2025 at 5:42:37 AM UTC-4 Kat wrote: >>>> >>>>> Just days now until the 2025 Atlantis sale! Who's planning on getting >>>>> one? What colour? I'm interested in hearing people's thoughts on the >>>>> Sergio >>>>> green - I do feel much of the appeal of the Atlantis is that gorgeous >>>>> blue. >>>>> Interested to hear people's plans. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks, >>>>> Kathryn >>>>> >>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c555e339-943d-4f39-967a-8e7e9510f0f0n%40googlegroups.com.
