Originally Posted by markwebb
The Rivendell bikes look good, and I love the Rivendell philosophy to cycling, but their prices are just too high. Mercian makes a hand-built traditionally-lugged frame that is just drop-dead beautiful for a lot less. You can get them custom made, but they also have a large in-stock inventory, too. I paid less than $1K shipped for my Mercian frame with a Campy headset and Campy dropouts, and it is much better built than a Rivendell. I've been on rides and ridden with Rivendell owners, and when we compare bikes the British Rivendell wins hands-down. I love the whole Rivendell thing and I like their bikes, but with Rivendell you're buying the name at a higher price than what it's really worth.
I really love Mercians but they aren't the same sort of bike as a Rivendell. Their philosophy is considerably different.
I stopped by Rivendell last month and looked over their bikes and I have to tell you that "carefully spec'd" ain't the half of it. Grant must do nothing but think about every little detail on a Rivendell.
Mercian had a good design 30 years ago and they're still building it today.
BOTH bikes are excellent choices but they aren't the same sort of bike.
Not that it would make the slightest difference to me. When I get back to work I will probably buy a Mercian as the last bike I'll purchase.