I've never rode one but it does look like another typical very artistically designed in the Rivendell fashion bike...in other words in the looks department a very nice looking bike. It does have lower end components but no where on earth are you going to find those kind of lugs for $1,400! You can always upgrade the components piece by piece as the need arises because that frame is highly worthy of upgrading unlike any frame you're going to find anywhere else for that money. I've never heard of anyone who bought any Rivendell bike to dislike the ride so it's a pretty good bet that that bike will also ride good.