Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
This has been an enjoyable thread! Thanks for putting it up Ryan. My Rivendell addiction mirrors that of many others on the list. If I had made the discovery sooner, money spent on less satisfying bikes could have gone Rivendell's way instead (part of this cyclist's education I guess). One Riv thing that has always captivated me is Grant's fork design. The fork bends are a thing of beauty and I never tire of looking at them. The crowns are pretty sweet too! So happy to be a Rivendell bicycle owner/customer. Thank you Grant & Company! Best to all, Rich in ATL On Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 7:54:58 PM UTC-5, ed wrote: > > Not yet, seems its more likely to be 26 with the upcoming Gus. :-) > > On 17 Jan 2019, at 1:00 AM, lconley > wrote: > > Oops - 25 bikes - does that cross the line into hoarding? > > On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 3:04:16 PM UTC-5, lconley wrote: >> >> 10 Rivendells plus Rivendell Custom on order. 23 bikes total. Just me. >> >> Laing >> Cocoa, FL >> >> >>> -- > 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 rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com . > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com > . > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
Not yet, seems its more likely to be 26 with the upcoming Gus. :-) > On 17 Jan 2019, at 1:00 AM, lconley wrote: > > Oops - 25 bikes - does that cross the line into hoarding? > >> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 3:04:16 PM UTC-5, lconley wrote: >> 10 Rivendells plus Rivendell Custom on order. 23 bikes total. Just me. >> >> Laing >> Cocoa, FL >> >>> > > -- > 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
Awesome photo gallery, Max! Thanks for sharing. -br On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 3:27 PM reynoldslugs wrote: > Well, thanks for this thread. It's pretty easy to make this positive. I > owe Grant and Riv a lot and would like to thank them. > > I "discovered" Rivendell in about 1998, when my friend Bradford Rex (aka > The Reverend Mookie) gave me a Rivendell Catalog. I'd ridden a lot in > college and grad school (70's and 80's), but fell away cycling for a > numbert of years, too busy to ride and uninterested in the new bikes, new > materials, new technology. > > Brad showed me the catalog, with pics of good steel bikes and riders in > floppy cotton shirts. My ship had finally returned to port... > > I drove down to Walnut Creek, bought some wool shorts, and ordered a > Heron. Remember I got some fat tires (maybe Rolly Polly's) for my Jack > Taylor and one of my Paramounts. My love for cycling came back, and for > the last 20 years I've enjoyed life with my Rivendells. Not sure how many > I have, maybe six or seven. Maybe more, I don't actually keep track. > > I don't like to post stuff that sounds dramatic, or make my experience > sound special. But I will say the oncology dudes and cardiology dudes say > it's a good thing that I've biked so much over the years. I truly thank > Grant for that inspiration, for the bikes, and for my health. > > My story isn't unique or special, but the bikes sure are... > > some are here: > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/41563482@N06/albums > > cheers > > Max Beach > Santa Rosa CA > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the > Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this topic, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/JWFc98ZDKaM/unsubscribe > . > To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
I got introduced to Rivendell by my friend who introduced me to road riding. He is a big fan of lugged steel bikes and showed me the Saluki and told me that I needed to get that. At the time, I did my first road ride by changing my mountain bike tires to slicks. I enjoyed road riding, so I got my first lugged frame off ebay. It was a nice used Marinoni frame I purchased. This must have been around 2003-2004. I appreciated the common sense approach to bicycling espoused by Rivendell and latched onto the comfort and safety of wider tires. I had my first child and wanted to take him on a trailer, so I got a used Surly Pacer that accepted "wide" 32 mm 700c tires. Using wide tires was a life and death matter for me because the roads were not always maintained, and there was a highly publicized local death near my house on Grizzly Peak Blvd. when a rider lost control on the road and went into incoming traffic--presumably due to poor road conditions. At this point, I was doing some long distance riding, and riding on a comfortable Rivendell was a big dream for me. I broke into this dream when I purchased a used Riv Rambouillet. I built up this bike myself and rode several brevets up to a 400k. At this point, I wanted even wider tires and more comfort, so I bought my first new Riv, the A Homer Hilsen. I put 38 mm Parimoto 650b tires and was sold on comfortable 650b frames. My first big ride was a 600k on this bike. During this period, the randonneur's dream tire was the 650b Grand Bois Hetre. The Parimoto was nice, but going to 42 mm was supposed to be the optimum of comfort and speed. I bought into that idea and converted my Rambouillet to 650b and honestly did find that the 42mm tires were amazing. At this point I ditched the Surly Pacer and made the A Homer Hilsen my commuter. The 650b Ram became my brevet bike and I did a whole ride series up to 600k with the Ram. The Marinoni was too twitchy and had a carbon front fork to boot, so it had to go and I bought a Roadeo for my "faster" road ride. The carbon fork is a big deal, as an acquaintance of mine who also did double centuries came to the top of Coleman Valley climb and as he was approaching the summit, the fork fell apart and he crashed. If he were 100 feet farther along on the descent, he might have been dead. Anyhow, I managed to do the Triple Crown Stage Race--not really a race for my buddy and I as we were the Lanterne Rouge, but we finished three of the toughest double centuries within the time limit (which was a challenge for the Terrible Two). Anyhow the Roadeo had plenty of good use there. The Ram was a great bike, but it was a bit kludgey as it was converted to 650b and the brakes barely fit and the dynamo lighting required wires everywhere, and the front rack used P-clamps. As you can tell, I just HAD to have a custom :-). The custom rides beautifully, it's so stable and comfortable and beautiful. I rode the SF Randonneurs Populaire this weekend, and I should have taken a picture as there were 50-60 bikes all lying on the grass, and my lone bike upright with a kick stand. OK, I did take the kickstand off for the 600k, but I tell you kickstands are way underrated in the rando scene. Anyhow, I bought my wife a Betty Foy which is the best bike she has ever ridden by far, and my family and I love the Hubbah Hubbah tandem. I even got a Cheviot with Albastache bars. I won't get any more Rivs in the near future unless they are for my kids or I want a divorce :-), but I am still dreaming of a mountain tourer when I have more time to do such stuff! Toshi -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
It's (lady racer ad) on a Blahg somewhere, Grant showed it sometime last year I think. -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
That one I didn't see; can anyone post a link or the photo? I remember the neo-retro Pineapple Bob ads. All had what I call a Grant touch. I just found a Sheldon Page of BBUSA catalog(ue)s which contains them and other BBUSA art: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/ On Tue, Jan 15, 2019 at 5:51 PM Joe Bernard wrote: > The first Bstone ad I remember was the lady racer on an RB-1 with a facial > injury from a recent crash. She was cool! > > -- > 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- ** *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.* --- J.R.R. Tolkien --- Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching Other professional writing services Expensive! But good. http://www.resumespecialties.com/ Patrick Moore Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
The first Bstone ad I remember was the lady racer on an RB-1 with a facial injury from a recent crash. She was cool! -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
I had a 55 (c-c; I think that was the next smaller size; 56.5 cm tt, c-c) which, with the level tt, was as much as 5 cm too short; but the tt of the 59 was just too long (my ideal flat tt size, c-c, is 60 X 56 or 57). I ended up with a long but very upjutting Tioga T-Bone stem to get the drop bar where it had to be, and back then my bar was about 3-4" below saddle. (And, I used a Cinelli Giro d'Italia with 26.4 mm clamp; I had to do some serious stretching to get it into the 25.4, and very, very wide, clamp of the T-Bone. Thank God for steel.) Really, I think that the XO-1 was really the beginning of a Grantian design trend that led through the All Rounder, the Sam Hill, the various country bikes, and on to the long-stayed sweepback bar bikes of today's product portfolio (if I can borrow a bidniss term). One can jump in and jump out where one likes. On Tue, Jan 15, 2019 at 12:48 PM Will Rhea wrote: > Hi Patrick, > > Oh man, I loved that XO-1 Feels lighter by comparison with those 26" > wheels. Quick, low profile, nice handling. Great for shorter tours (like > max 4 days) and just plain fun to ride. > > Only downside was that the 59cm seat tube was always a bit small for my > 6'3" height, and the top tube was shortish also. At the end I set it up > with Albatross bars on an old, super-long Nitto-made steel stem off an old > Specialized S-Works mtn bike to bring the bars up and out, and I rode it > that way for years. > > That said, I really like my Rivs, which are all bigger (63cm Rom, 64cm QB, > 63cm Hilsen, 62cm Hunqa). I'm running fillet-brazed Bosco Bullmoose bars > on the Hunqa, and it's just a dream to ride. I used to take it offroad > more, but now it's an all-weather, day/night, racked and basketed beast of > burden. The Rom is my "road" bike that's a blast on dirt roads too. The > Hilsen is currently out of commission as it needs a new rear wheel (rim got > a chunk taken out of it), and it has also gotten a lot of commute miles and > some touring. > > Cheers, > > -br > > > On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 2:31 PM Patrick Moore wrote: > >> Bill: what did you think of the XO-1? Or, what do you now think of the >> XO-1 after riding so many Rivendells? >> >> I owned, loved, and put many, many miles on a '92 myself, and when I >> ordered my first 26' wheel road custom, I asked Grant: Can you make it as >> good as the XO-1?" He answered, "Oh, much better," and so it proved. In >> fact, my first custom was sorta-kinda based on the All Rounder, but with >> geometry tweaked for road, and full road tubing and lugs. >> >> The XO--1 was very clearly an idea and product at the beginning of a >> process. Riv's road models and all road models are now much, much better -- >> as good as the XO-1 was in its day. >> >> On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 3:05 PM Bill Rhea wrote: >> >>> I guess I've been a fan of Grant's bikes and since when I sold >>> Bridgestone bikes as an employee of Bay Area shops Wheelsmith and the >>> Bicycle Outfitter back in the 80's. >>> >>> I've accumulated some great stuff from Riv over the years, bikes, racks >>> and bags (Carradice saddle bag, then Baggins Bags, Sackville), and plenty >>> of wool. >>> >>> First Bridgestone was a 1992 X0-1, which I just gave to my son-in-law to >>> use. Tons of commute miles and touring on that one. >>> >>> Second Bridgestone was an X0-5, bought for $99 on Bridgestone USA's last >>> day of business. This was a great commuter when I was in grad school. >>> >>> First Riv was a Quickbeam from the first production run, now set up with >>> an S3X fixed 3sp hub. I may need to find a home for this, as it's less >>> practical for my needs / geography these days. But what a sweet ride >>> >>> Second Riv was a Romulus, which I broke but had repaired. This is now >>> my only bike without racks and fenders, set up with NOS parts for L'Eroica >>> CA. This is my only non-commuting bike. >>> >>> Third Riv was an A. Homer Hilsen, which I got while the Romulus was >>> being repaired. >>> >>> Fourth Riv was a gray Hunqapillar from the first production run. This >>> one has more miles than any of the others, and is my everyday go-to >>> commuter and load hauler. >>> >>> I can safely say that my bike experience over the last 20 years has been >>> positively enhanced by Riv products and cyclosophy. >>> >>> -br >>> >>> >>> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote: Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson West Michigan >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
I wonder how many Rivendell aficionados were first attracted by Grant's
Bridgestone USA ads. I know that they caught my eye, attention, and
sympathy, for their retro/contrarian/poster-art aesthetic -- this when bike
ads had already become neon/flashy/agressive (far worse now!).
Speaking of poster art (forgive me Father, etc., for here starteth a rant):
It's to be expected that artistic skills and skills generally ("skills
generally" means "artistic skills") flourish in a suitable environment; you
don't expect high-craft blacksmithing in today's auto industry. But the
mechanization of work, where machines take over more and more of human and
creative (= satisfying) art and skill (note: I use the word "art" in the
traditional sense of habitual and acquired knowledge of translating
concrete imagined forms into given material or combination of materials -- *ars
recta ratio factibilium*) leaves the "worker" more and more of a machine
minder, that is, a drudge; a slave, to put it bluntly but accurately. And I
have been reading recently how AI will take over even more highly-skilled
work; even that of surgeons! -- leaving programmers on one hand and Orwells
proles on the other to be bought off with elusive and unaffordable
guaranteed minimum incomes, or else bread and circuses. The computer is the
apotheosis of the machine; and I predict it will become the machine
antichrist. Note: I do not by any means condemn all those who are in IT; my
worth brother in law is in IT; we do the best we can in the circumstances
given us. But no one can stop us from looking reality in the eye.
Look back at advertising in the late 19th and early 20th century, before
radio and later television. Although poster art was already a debased form
enslaved to the profit motive and the machine, it still had scope for real
human creativity; even if only on hoardings and flyers stuck up in public
places. I have a very nice, framed repro "Cycles Gladiator" poster in my
garage: it's not Chartres cathedral or Siva Nataraj, but it's still humanly
creative and, to that extent, a medium for beauty. Now, it's not even TV
ads; it's Twitter -- our Golem of Greatness, to use Kunstler's phrase, is a
man of his time.
I am acutely aware of this because my daughter, a senior in high school
with some graphic talent and interest, will have to find a job and, one
hopes and prays, not only a job but a remunerative and satisfying craft and
profession, in a world that is more and more, and at an accelerating pace,
more and more merely an adjunct to the machine. Or else she'll have to
write resumes.
Anyway, Grant's ads harked back to that already modern but still
*relatively* human medium, and -- one grasps at even very small and
relative goods -- they were very refreshing and intriguing.
I wish I'd kept my small collection of BUSA catalogues. (Yes, "...gues".)
On Tue, Jan 15, 2019 at 8:33 AM William R. wrote:
> I was super aware of Bridgestone in the late 80's and early 90's. Didn't
> know who Grant was, but I loved the ads and the bikes spoke to me. Never
> owned a Bridgestone though. I think the first time I became aware that
> Rivendell existed was not until late 1999 or early 2000 when I saw a
> beautiful Rivendell custom cross bike on eBay. I remember being stuck on
> that one and drooling over it, but not being remotely able to afford it. I
> lived in San Francisco at the time and they had the US National Cyclocross
> Championships in the Presidio in 1999. I attended and thought cross was
> awesome and I thought the bikes were awesome because they afforded the
> clearances that my road bikes at the time didn't have. I was stuck in a
> racing frame of mind back then and bought a pretty cool cross bike to use
> as a commuter. All was well for a few years. I didn't look deeper into
> Rivendell and in 2000 I moved to Colorado. I kick myself now for not being
> more aware and taking advantage of having Walnut Creek so close and the
> possibility of visiting RBWHQ in the early years. Ouch! In CO I was still
> clinging to the racer mentality but all the time wishing I could have
> bigger tires on my nice road bike for all of the dirt farm roads out there.
> I experimented a lot and was following Riv more and more. Moved east in '04
> and was dreaming heavily of Atlanti and Hilsen's by then, but they still
> seemed a little out of reach for me. Power clip ahead to 2009 and I finally
> made my first plunge and bought a orange, canti Hillborne. Hooked: I've
> always had a Riv since then. A bleu Hillborne next. Today we have 3 Rivs in
> the house: 1 Roadini (mine), 1 Appaloosa (also mine!) and one Betty Foy (my
> wife's). Our kids bikes are also heavily influenced by Riv. My son rides a
> Cross Check and my daughter has a neat Diamondback step through/mixte that
> we got at REI. I'm totally addicted to Rivendells bikes and their ways.
> Current dream is to fill in the gap between the Roadini and Joe with a new
> MIT Hilsen. That may not be in the cards and I
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
Hi Patrick, Oh man, I loved that XO-1 Feels lighter by comparison with those 26" wheels. Quick, low profile, nice handling. Great for shorter tours (like max 4 days) and just plain fun to ride. Only downside was that the 59cm seat tube was always a bit small for my 6'3" height, and the top tube was shortish also. At the end I set it up with Albatross bars on an old, super-long Nitto-made steel stem off an old Specialized S-Works mtn bike to bring the bars up and out, and I rode it that way for years. That said, I really like my Rivs, which are all bigger (63cm Rom, 64cm QB, 63cm Hilsen, 62cm Hunqa). I'm running fillet-brazed Bosco Bullmoose bars on the Hunqa, and it's just a dream to ride. I used to take it offroad more, but now it's an all-weather, day/night, racked and basketed beast of burden. The Rom is my "road" bike that's a blast on dirt roads too. The Hilsen is currently out of commission as it needs a new rear wheel (rim got a chunk taken out of it), and it has also gotten a lot of commute miles and some touring. Cheers, -br On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 2:31 PM Patrick Moore wrote: > Bill: what did you think of the XO-1? Or, what do you now think of the > XO-1 after riding so many Rivendells? > > I owned, loved, and put many, many miles on a '92 myself, and when I > ordered my first 26' wheel road custom, I asked Grant: Can you make it as > good as the XO-1?" He answered, "Oh, much better," and so it proved. In > fact, my first custom was sorta-kinda based on the All Rounder, but with > geometry tweaked for road, and full road tubing and lugs. > > The XO--1 was very clearly an idea and product at the beginning of a > process. Riv's road models and all road models are now much, much better -- > as good as the XO-1 was in its day. > > On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 3:05 PM Bill Rhea wrote: > >> I guess I've been a fan of Grant's bikes and since when I sold >> Bridgestone bikes as an employee of Bay Area shops Wheelsmith and the >> Bicycle Outfitter back in the 80's. >> >> I've accumulated some great stuff from Riv over the years, bikes, racks >> and bags (Carradice saddle bag, then Baggins Bags, Sackville), and plenty >> of wool. >> >> First Bridgestone was a 1992 X0-1, which I just gave to my son-in-law to >> use. Tons of commute miles and touring on that one. >> >> Second Bridgestone was an X0-5, bought for $99 on Bridgestone USA's last >> day of business. This was a great commuter when I was in grad school. >> >> First Riv was a Quickbeam from the first production run, now set up with >> an S3X fixed 3sp hub. I may need to find a home for this, as it's less >> practical for my needs / geography these days. But what a sweet ride >> >> Second Riv was a Romulus, which I broke but had repaired. This is now my >> only bike without racks and fenders, set up with NOS parts for L'Eroica >> CA. This is my only non-commuting bike. >> >> Third Riv was an A. Homer Hilsen, which I got while the Romulus was being >> repaired. >> >> Fourth Riv was a gray Hunqapillar from the first production run. This one >> has more miles than any of the others, and is my everyday go-to commuter >> and load hauler. >> >> I can safely say that my bike experience over the last 20 years has been >> positively enhanced by Riv products and cyclosophy. >> >> -br >> >> >> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote: >>> >>> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a >>> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your >>> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. >>> >>> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 >>> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). >>> >>> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson >>> West Michigan >> >> -- >> 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > > -- > > > > > ** > > > > > > *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And > though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the > hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.* > --- J.R.R. Tolkien > --- > Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews > By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching > Other professional writing services > Expensive! But good. > http://www.resumespecialties.com/ > Patrick Moore > Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
Patrick asks what frames preceded the Roadini. Other than the 1984 Trek 620, which was a nice bike and just didn't fit well, they were a Peugeot UO-8, a cheap knockoff of a Raleigh mixte and another cheap diamond frame 10-speed (don't remember the brand). What makes the Roadini work is the tall head tube so I can get the handlebars up where I want them, adequate standover and no toe overlap. Also it's the choice of parts that work for me: low q crank, low gearing, brake levers for small hands, good women's saddle, short reach handlebars. The handling feels a lot like my former Trek 620 and is just fine. This thread is supposed to be all positive so I will not mention what I do not like about the bike and the Rivendell philosophy of fit, but I am not going to buy a custom frame and for a production bike the Roadini is great and definitely the best bike I have owned. On Monday, January 14, 2019 at 8:07:50 AM UTC-8, Patrick Moore wrote: > > That's very nice. What frames made up the predecessors to the Roadini? And > how -- in fit, handling, other ways -- is the Roadini superior to them? > > It's been so long that I can't remember clearly, but I think I learned > about Grant in the early 90s during the Bridgestone USA days, from the ads, > and joined the original boblist (mail, not internet) a few years later, > about 1994. I bought a 1992 XO-1 a year out of date, so that sounds right; > I set the XO-1 up as a 26" wheel road bike, and it worked well, better on > road than off road, IME. > > I was on the mailing list for the new Rivendell company and ordered a 26" > wheel Waterford road custom in 1994, which was delivered early 95. I > ordered 2 more in subsequent years (small wheels not for fit but because I > had, and still have to a degree) a liking for small road wheels). Later > still I owned a canti Sam and a blue Ram. Left are the 2 later customs. > > On my "maybe on day, God willing" list is to try a Roadeo and a Clem or > one of those long stayed bikes that do well on dirt. > > On Fri, Jan 11, 2019 at 7:10 PM Linda G > > wrote: > >> Rivendell empowered me to figure out the bike I wanted, source the parts >> and frame and build it up myself. I was unhappy with the fit and poor >> quality parts on the various bikes I had owned through my adult life. The >> best one was a 1984 Trek 620 but the top tube was too long and the >> handlebars too low. I discovered Riv 10 years or more ago when my brother >> sent me a striped wool hat as a gift and the package included a copy of The >> Rivendell Reader. I ate up the information and also read the Riv website >> and this Google group. At first I just ordered parts from Rivendell and >> purchased 2 frames elsewhere. Earlier this year I bought my first Rivendell >> frame, a Roadini, and it's the best bike I have owned so far. >> >> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote: >>> >>> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a >>> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your >>> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. >>> >>> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 >>> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). >>> >>> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson >>> West Michigan >> >> -- >> 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 rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com . >> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com >> . >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > > -- > > > > > ** > > > > > > *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And > though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the > hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.* > --- J.R.R. Tolkien > --- > Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews > By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching > Other professional writing services > Expensive! But good. > http://www.resumespecialties.com/ > Patrick Moore > Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique > > > *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* > -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
Well, thanks for this thread. It's pretty easy to make this positive. I owe Grant and Riv a lot and would like to thank them. I "discovered" Rivendell in about 1998, when my friend Bradford Rex (aka The Reverend Mookie) gave me a Rivendell Catalog. I'd ridden a lot in college and grad school (70's and 80's), but fell away cycling for a numbert of years, too busy to ride and uninterested in the new bikes, new materials, new technology. Brad showed me the catalog, with pics of good steel bikes and riders in floppy cotton shirts. My ship had finally returned to port... I drove down to Walnut Creek, bought some wool shorts, and ordered a Heron. Remember I got some fat tires (maybe Rolly Polly's) for my Jack Taylor and one of my Paramounts. My love for cycling came back, and for the last 20 years I've enjoyed life with my Rivendells. Not sure how many I have, maybe six or seven. Maybe more, I don't actually keep track. I don't like to post stuff that sounds dramatic, or make my experience sound special. But I will say the oncology dudes and cardiology dudes say it's a good thing that I've biked so much over the years. I truly thank Grant for that inspiration, for the bikes, and for my health. My story isn't unique or special, but the bikes sure are... some are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/41563482@N06/albums cheers Max Beach Santa Rosa CA -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
I'm not Bill, but I still have my '92 XO-1, and idiosyncratic though she may be, I still can't quit her. Have I wished for 700C? Yep. Have I wished for bigger 26" clearance? Yep. Have I wished for a little less twitch up front? Yep. Would I change anything? Nope. She's had every handlebar known to man, and while they're all weird at first, they all work out eventually. If the '92 XO-1 excels at anything, it's fast 'n fun commuting, or maybe often sketchy but always fun underbiking. Jeff "I Can't Quit You Baby" Hagedorn Los Angeles, CA USA On Monday, January 14, 2019 at 2:31:53 PM UTC-8, Patrick Moore wrote: > > Bill: what did you think of the XO-1? Or, what do you now think of the > XO-1 after riding so many Rivendells? > > I owned, loved, and put many, many miles on a '92 myself, and when I > ordered my first 26' wheel road custom, I asked Grant: Can you make it as > good as the XO-1?" He answered, "Oh, much better," and so it proved. In > fact, my first custom was sorta-kinda based on the All Rounder, but with > geometry tweaked for road, and full road tubing and lugs. > > The XO--1 was very clearly an idea and product at the beginning of a > process. Riv's road models and all road models are now much, much better -- > as good as the XO-1 was in its day. > -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
Bill: what did you think of the XO-1? Or, what do you now think of the XO-1 after riding so many Rivendells? I owned, loved, and put many, many miles on a '92 myself, and when I ordered my first 26' wheel road custom, I asked Grant: Can you make it as good as the XO-1?" He answered, "Oh, much better," and so it proved. In fact, my first custom was sorta-kinda based on the All Rounder, but with geometry tweaked for road, and full road tubing and lugs. The XO--1 was very clearly an idea and product at the beginning of a process. Riv's road models and all road models are now much, much better -- as good as the XO-1 was in its day. On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 3:05 PM Bill Rhea wrote: > I guess I've been a fan of Grant's bikes and since when I sold Bridgestone > bikes as an employee of Bay Area shops Wheelsmith and the Bicycle Outfitter > back in the 80's. > > I've accumulated some great stuff from Riv over the years, bikes, racks > and bags (Carradice saddle bag, then Baggins Bags, Sackville), and plenty > of wool. > > First Bridgestone was a 1992 X0-1, which I just gave to my son-in-law to > use. Tons of commute miles and touring on that one. > > Second Bridgestone was an X0-5, bought for $99 on Bridgestone USA's last > day of business. This was a great commuter when I was in grad school. > > First Riv was a Quickbeam from the first production run, now set up with > an S3X fixed 3sp hub. I may need to find a home for this, as it's less > practical for my needs / geography these days. But what a sweet ride > > Second Riv was a Romulus, which I broke but had repaired. This is now my > only bike without racks and fenders, set up with NOS parts for L'Eroica > CA. This is my only non-commuting bike. > > Third Riv was an A. Homer Hilsen, which I got while the Romulus was being > repaired. > > Fourth Riv was a gray Hunqapillar from the first production run. This one > has more miles than any of the others, and is my everyday go-to commuter > and load hauler. > > I can safely say that my bike experience over the last 20 years has been > positively enhanced by Riv products and cyclosophy. > > -br > > > On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote: >> >> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a >> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your >> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. >> >> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 >> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). >> >> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson >> West Michigan > > -- > 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- ** *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.* --- J.R.R. Tolkien --- Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching Other professional writing services Expensive! But good. http://www.resumespecialties.com/ Patrick Moore Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
BTW, "Boblist" originally was Grant's Bridgestone Owners' Bunch" by-mail membership list. I think that the internetboblist was started about 1995, after Bridgestone USA folded. I know it was there in 1995, at any rate. On Mon, Jan 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM Patrick Moore wrote: > That's very nice. What frames made up the predecessors to the Roadini? And > how -- in fit, handling, other ways -- is the Roadini superior to them? > > It's been so long that I can't remember clearly, but I think I learned > about Grant in the early 90s during the Bridgestone USA days, from the ads, > and joined the original boblist (mail, not internet) a few years later, > about 1994. I bought a 1992 XO-1 a year out of date, so that sounds right; > I set the XO-1 up as a 26" wheel road bike, and it worked well, better on > road than off road, IME. > > I was on the mailing list for the new Rivendell company and ordered a 26" > wheel Waterford road custom in 1994, which was delivered early 95. I > ordered 2 more in subsequent years (small wheels not for fit but because I > had, and still have to a degree) a liking for small road wheels). Later > still I owned a canti Sam and a blue Ram. Left are the 2 later customs. > > On my "maybe on day, God willing" list is to try a Roadeo and a Clem or > one of those long stayed bikes that do well on dirt. > > On Fri, Jan 11, 2019 at 7:10 PM Linda G wrote: > >> Rivendell empowered me to figure out the bike I wanted, source the parts >> and frame and build it up myself. I was unhappy with the fit and poor >> quality parts on the various bikes I had owned through my adult life. The >> best one was a 1984 Trek 620 but the top tube was too long and the >> handlebars too low. I discovered Riv 10 years or more ago when my brother >> sent me a striped wool hat as a gift and the package included a copy of The >> Rivendell Reader. I ate up the information and also read the Riv website >> and this Google group. At first I just ordered parts from Rivendell and >> purchased 2 frames elsewhere. Earlier this year I bought my first Rivendell >> frame, a Roadini, and it's the best bike I have owned so far. >> >> On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote: >>> >>> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a >>> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your >>> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. >>> >>> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 >>> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). >>> >>> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson >>> West Michigan >> >> -- >> 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > > -- > > > > > ** > > > > > > *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And > though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the > hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.* > --- J.R.R. Tolkien > --- > Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews > By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching > Other professional writing services > Expensive! But good. > http://www.resumespecialties.com/ > Patrick Moore > Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique > > > *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* > -- ** *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.* --- J.R.R. Tolkien --- Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching Other professional writing services Expensive! But good. http://www.resumespecialties.com/ Patrick Moore Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* -- 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
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
That's very nice. What frames made up the predecessors to the Roadini? And how -- in fit, handling, other ways -- is the Roadini superior to them? It's been so long that I can't remember clearly, but I think I learned about Grant in the early 90s during the Bridgestone USA days, from the ads, and joined the original boblist (mail, not internet) a few years later, about 1994. I bought a 1992 XO-1 a year out of date, so that sounds right; I set the XO-1 up as a 26" wheel road bike, and it worked well, better on road than off road, IME. I was on the mailing list for the new Rivendell company and ordered a 26" wheel Waterford road custom in 1994, which was delivered early 95. I ordered 2 more in subsequent years (small wheels not for fit but because I had, and still have to a degree) a liking for small road wheels). Later still I owned a canti Sam and a blue Ram. Left are the 2 later customs. On my "maybe on day, God willing" list is to try a Roadeo and a Clem or one of those long stayed bikes that do well on dirt. On Fri, Jan 11, 2019 at 7:10 PM Linda G wrote: > Rivendell empowered me to figure out the bike I wanted, source the parts > and frame and build it up myself. I was unhappy with the fit and poor > quality parts on the various bikes I had owned through my adult life. The > best one was a 1984 Trek 620 but the top tube was too long and the > handlebars too low. I discovered Riv 10 years or more ago when my brother > sent me a striped wool hat as a gift and the package included a copy of The > Rivendell Reader. I ate up the information and also read the Riv website > and this Google group. At first I just ordered parts from Rivendell and > purchased 2 frames elsewhere. Earlier this year I bought my first Rivendell > frame, a Roadini, and it's the best bike I have owned so far. > > On Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:25:13 AM UTC-8, Abcyclehank wrote: >> >> Anyone want to add themselves and their Rivendell fleet or history to a >> POSITIVE ONLY commentary on how Grant and RBW has affected your >> relationship riding bikes in the spirit of JUST RIDE in all it details. >> >> For a starting tease: I currently have 10 Rivendell’s in a fleet of 16 >> bikes for my family of four (2 adult children). >> >> Ryan “equally proud and embarrassed” Hankinson >> West Michigan > > -- > 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- ** *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.* --- J.R.R. Tolkien --- Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching Other professional writing services Expensive! But good. http://www.resumespecialties.com/ Patrick Moore Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
2 Rivendells currently: my Saluki and my wife's Betty Foy. Both have come from listers! Past Rivs: Bleriot & Simpleone. I regret selling neither but miss them both in a wistful but not serious enough to replace them manner. I would potentially buy a GBW to replace my Salsa El Mar (it's that a Jones LWB) and a Clem L to bump my Saluki into Road bike mode. -J -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: Self-diagnosed Riv addicts (some) since 1994.
NOTE: For whatever reason, the photos posted out or order. But the captions should help you understand what is what. Also, I wanted to post recent photos so you can see our Rivendell triad today. (My bike has gone through several iterations...)Ok, then I’ll stop -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. Sent from my iPad > On Jan 11, 2019, at 2:03 PM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! > wrote: > > I found Rivendell in late 2012. I had ridden a Walmart Schwinn for years, > pulling my 2 little boys in a cheap bike trailer until my Schwinn was worn > out. The bike had many quirks, but the latest was some screeching sound it > would intermittently make, and I would ride it, howling now and then (the > bike, not me, ha!), through our neighborhood. After witnessing the freak show > that was me, my old bike, and my bobble-headed boys in their bike trailer, my > husband said, “You know, you really could buy a new bike...” Well, he didn’t > need to tell me twice. > > Up until then, a “nice” bike meant a Schwinn from Target. I decided I was > really going to treat myself and find a Trek (a name I knew and equated with > “nice”) on Craigslist. I ended up with a Trek 7.6 FX, which was aluminum with > a carbon fork and a plush,wide saddle from the previous owner. I was so proud > of my new bike; it was silver and I adorned it with pink accents. It came > with a sort of rack/nylon zippered pouch that clamped to the seatpost, so I > could haul a couple things from the grocery store. Despite all of this, I > didn’t feel comfortable. I spent the next few weeks convincing myself this > was a high-class bike and I just needed to get used to it. The tires were > skinny, and I needed a new air compressor to fill the tires as the old one > wouldn’t do 110 psi. I felt nervous when I’d take the boys off-road - the > bike felt unstable and didn’t seem to like pulling loads. (I would later > learn the term “squirrelly.”) The saddle was killing me. Absolutely killing > me. The bars were flat and didn’t facilitate me looking around and enjoying > the scenery -how was I going to point out my favorite ducks to the boys as we > passed the duck pond? I was stuck with my wrists locked in one position, > leaned over and facing straight ahead. But I had just spent $400 on a new > bike (until then the most I’d ever spent was $140) so I kept telling myself > I’d better learn to like it. I couldn’t face thinking this bike was a $400 > mistake and that my cheap Walmart bike was superior. > > I started looking online at biking forums to find out how to make bikes more > comfortable. Everyone said, “Get a carbon fiber drop bar road bike, they are > the most comfortable.” I had never had or wanted such a bike, but I wanted to > be comfortable but still considered “serious” and I began to visit the local > Specialized dealer. The bikes were garish colors and full of loud logos. I > test rode one, and it was freakishly lightweight; not stable, like sitting on > a plastic yard chair. I circled the parking lot, and when I turned those > curlycue bars, the front tire scraped against my toes!!! $900, said the bike > shop employee. I couldn’t give the bike back fast enough. > > I kept searching the forums, and one day on Team Estrogen, someone said > “Rivendell.” I found their website and knew this was what I’d always wanted > but never knew existed. They agreed about upright bars! They said saddles > could disappear beneath you, never to be thought of again, so comfortable > were they. > > Then I saw the price tag. > > My husband thought I had lost my mind. But when you want something bad > enough, it starts seeming attainable. Finally, he made me a
