Maddox

Apologies if this video has been posted before, and if the title is too incendiary for any Rivendell owners in the forum (I know some of you have partaken of the koolaid).

The business model is simple enough. Just an interesting idea when contrasted with the culture and "mystique" of Rivendell...

ColonelJLloyd 

I don't know about Rivendell so much, but that's pretty much what I do for myself, my family and friends.

Maddox

Also, I don't yet know how I feel about this. Part of me respects them for their business model, part of me thinks "So what! I could do that."

And I don't see how I'd ever find a need to patronize their business, but will admit to having lusted after some of Rivendell's offerings...

Maddox

Right - Me, too. And while I've considered my ability to make a profit doing it, I think I'm happier remaining on the "just for friends/family" side of things.

thenomad

At first I thought "they cant put their name on it!" but then I realized, oh yes they can, as do most every other bike companies who buy unmarked frames from overseas. So after realizing that, yes, what a fun idea. I think I'll try that very thing here. They certainly look much better than the old mountain bikes and are being used more appropriately than many of those old mtb were built for. (No true offroad capacity)


Not sure of the price but I would not pay a premium.

mudboy

If you think that's what Rivendell does, then you have no idea what Rivendell does.

noglider 

I don't get it. What do these bikes cost?

Velognome 

Honestly, I don't know what they do, I've seen some of their branded bicycles and componets, they are nice, but what does Rivendell do other than assemble bicycles from nice parts? No sarcasm here, I just want to know.

As for the video, It looks better when viewed through Hemp colored glasses.

noglider 

As far as I can tell, Rivendell bikes are made from all new merchandise. J Livingston bikes are made from old frames.

Alan Edwards

The cost is more than any of us are willing to pay. I don't think the average person can change a flat tire, so this appeals to the person who wants something custom and less expensive.

tugrul

Are you comparing a rehab-flipper to a guy who designs and has frames manufactured to his specifications?

The title is not so much incendiary as nonsense.

KonAaron Snake 

I think of Rivendell as specializing in upscale, practical gear for commuters and hobbyists. I think of Rivendell as the 1 day to a weekend touring specialists who promote practical, recreational cycling for the average rider. They promote lugged steel and traditional looking stuff.

They don't really do road stuff because the average person isn't racing. They don't really do full touring because the average joe doesn't have time to ride cross country. They promote things like CC tourers and stuff to make a weekend ride comfortable and convenient, and in style.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

tut tut tut, you forgot the most important part. Rivendell bikes are made from all new merchandise and then blessed by Grant Petersen. Which makes them worth much much more.

I'm down with the Rivendell ethos of simply wanting to get people to ride bike (and nice looking ones to boot). I just don't need all the Tolkien references.

khatfull

I like it. Not my style of bike, nor would I buy one from them but I like the approach. I think it would get the buyer to take more ownership in the bike after having been intimately involved in the decision making process. I think it's very cool. I have no issue with what they do. I'd like to see some representative pricing....haven't found that yet.

khatfull

Only took 13 posts....impressive

KonAaron Snake 

I can do without the premium personally. Also...some of his opinions, like his anti-larger gear counts...seem retro grouch just to be retro grouch.

XR2

Uhm no.

khatfull

...and I can do without the word "embiggen".

fender1

Rivendell's are magic. Since I bought one, girls throw themselves at me and other men want to be me....... BTW where did A. Homer Hilsen show up in the Lord of The Rings Trilogy? I don't remember him being there at all man.... I must have smoked too much weed back in the 80's......

atoms

Yes exactly.

Their Chevy Volt vs J Livingston comparison chart says that they cost $350 - $500.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Well if their target audience is Chevy Volt buyers that says volumes about their target audience.

KonAaron Snake 

Wasn't Homer Hilsen the elf that showed Frodo the yellow brick road before conquering the evil smoke dragon with a +4 chaotic evil sword?

PS...I don't want to be you, but will throw myself at you.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

that is particularly funny to me for some reason

Doohickie

Um no.... to both the guy in the video and to Riv. For me personally anyway it's more about collecting and either restoring or modding to what I want. I've come to realize that I collect bikes much the same way that some folks collect baseball cards. And in the end, it isn't always about the bike, its about the search for the bike. I have certain things that I have an eye out for, and a repurposed old bike isn't it, and neither is Rivendell.

I had a shot at an A Homer Hlisen in my size, practically brand new, for $500, and passed. I like the character in my older bikes better. There is a sterile, soulless quality to these "neo-classics" that just leaves me cold.

Now.... for others, I have no problem with either concept. It's just not my cup of tea.

Little Darwin

I have converted several mountain bikes to rail trail cruisers... I just skipped the powder coating and putting my name on them. It did mention that they will add braze-ons, which I don't do.