Originally Posted by
rekmeyata
That new bike model that Rivendell sells for $1,500 is not a Rivendell, it's a bike they spec'd out of Taiwan; Rivendell sells a bike model called Rivendell, the frameset alone starts at $3,500 and it's made by Mark Nobilette in the USA. The only other models made in the USA bike Rivendell sells is the Atlantis, Roadeo, Hunqapillar, and the A Homer Hilsen which are made by Waterford here in the USA. All the prices Rivendell quote is for frame and fork only no components. Rivendell also sells the Soma San Marcus which you can get on line for a bit less money elsewhere, Rivendell sells it for $900, but again the prices are just frame and fork, however I have heard complaints that the frame is a bit noodly.
By your logic, no bike that Rivendell sells is a Rivendell. They don't build any of their frames, they design them and have frame builders make them to their specs. The different locations and prestige of the builders partially explain the price differences. Also, the $1500 number is for a complete, as yet unreleased bike.