We were discussing the "Rivendell Koolaid Conspiracy" over at the Bike Kitchen
( a couple of us) in a slow moment last week.

See, here's my take on Petersen and Rivendell. On the one hand, you talk
a blue streak about function and just getting out and riding, and it's all
about the experience. At the same time, you grab the American consumer
by his wallet in terms of what you sell as a product line, using the ideas
of simplicity and function to convince people to part with their cash.

I cannot come up with another explanation. It's brilliant as a marketing
strategy, I think. I also think that this is exactly the reason this guy
dropped 3200 bucks into a chrome plated Rivendell replica.

This frame, like many of its brethren, is designed with a certain rider
positioning and weight balance in mind in order to take advantage of
its characteristics. All that is lost in the current state.

It reminds me of what we call "tweaker bikes" here..(bikes that have been
stolen and are now held captive by meth users.) They all get modified
with fat seats and upright handlebars right out of the gate. I've ended
up with a couple that somehow found their way as donations to the coop.