I was going to make an obnoxious, snarky post, but I think maybe I'll do a thoughtful one instead, because there are a lot of good points that can be made as it relates to the "Riv aesthetic"and such:
First off, I don't think that either camp can really level completely unironic charges of being "cultish" or "conformist" in their build habits or componentry choices. I don't ride fixed, as I live in a hilly area of a hilly area, but I pay attention to Fixed Gear Gallery and this forum because I really love the way most of you build up your bikes and personalize them. Having said that, I'm an unapolagetic drinker of the Rivendell Kool-Aid, since I have been cycling long enough to become "opinionated" about equipment, components, etc.(ALL cyclists are this way, without fail, after a few years, which is why I tend to hesitate to apply this term to cyclists, unless it's Jobst Brandt.
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So, yeah, I won't criticize you for spending tons on Deep V's and Miche Supertype components, because I would think about it when I was typing my credit card number into Riv's website, as I purchased a Nitto rack and Hoss saddlebag to haul bunnies around in, and it would make me feel ironical, ya dig? (BTW, I had a dream last night that I was picking baby bunnies out of the grass and feeding them to a wolf pack I'd befriended, is that weird?) Also, a lot of our choices seem downright identical, since most fixie riders and Riv head stress practicality AND beauty in their choice of bikes, and generally have an aversion to what the marketing boys decide are the "must haves" this month, (but I would like to add, we STILL end up spending a large chunk of our paychecks on bike ****, no?) And everyone should bow down to Phil Wood hubs.
About Grant P. I think the industry needs more cats like this. When I saw the Quickbeam, I also said "WTF?" and I still don't find the two chainrings up front all that desireable, or anything. But, you know, that dude has been launching lead ballons like the Moustache bar, the Atlantis, etcetera for a few decades now, and landing on his feet. So he comes up with ideas like colored tires and multi-geared single-speeds, as well as keeping the Brooks saddle, friction-shifting torch burning, so what? It's better than another inevitable round of carbon fiber road bikes with 13 cogs on the rear cassette, all titanium, with rear wheels dished so badly they need re-trueing after every ride, and of course the compatible $500 STI to go with it. More Sheldon Browns and Grant Petersons would be a positive thing, in my book.
Anyway, we can both agree on one very definite thing: road bikes as they are popularly envisioned do not meet the needs of all cyclists, so "niche markets" like retro-grouches and fixie riders spring up, who both appreciate beautiful, functional bikes. There ain't nothin' wrong with that, either.
