I bought the "Hail Mary" also. I have not purchased a lot of parts or accessories from Riv, but I would like to see them stay around. It doesn't cost much to do a little bit of good.

I bought in. I've taken a lot of inspiration from Grant and Rivendell over the years, and haven't really paid for it. Philosophically, though, I want them around. So I'm willing to pitch in a small amount if it helps keep the ideas out there.

I want them around too, much more than the $20 cardboard bike maker.

$20 cardboard bike project runs into obstacles | Fortune

Wow that thing looks atrocious!

“We don’t have a price tag, we have a value tag.”

Oh brother.

Ah, but does/did your sainted Aunt Edith buy from Rivendell?

I kicked in for three. Happy to do it, sorry that they felt the need.

The real message of Grant Petersen - one that is too often overlooked - is that people should think about what they want to do on a bike and buy to accomplish that, not just blindly follow the latest trend du jour. They also have some products that I like a lot (and some that I do not begin to understand). The combination of the products and the ethos makes me happy to help out. And in that spirit, I doubt I will ever use the gift certificates, even though I am certain I will buy more stuff from them down the road.

As an aside, I have met and spoken with Grant Petersen, and I told him the the on-line community seems to be divided into camps of "GP is a genius" and "GP is an idiot." He said he was pretty sure he was neither. I like that.

I might get an Atlantis. Just to help them out. "But honey, it's for a good cause!"

Don't be so uncharitable, buy one for all of us!

I thank Grant every time I get on my '87 MB-1. He designed the perfect bike for me.

Nope. Investments often occur in unconventional ways that defy standard accounting practices.

On every visit I buy a little something from my nearest LBS, even when I don't need anything. They're only a mile away and I've gained far more than I've spent in terms of expertise and assistance with nagging problems.

Recently one of my platform pedals was jammed on the crank. Apparently the previous owner didn't grease the threads. I wanted to put on clipless but couldn't remove that one stuck pedal. I disassembled everything down to the crank arm and pedal axle/spindle and took it to the shop, knowing they'd have a bench vise. They dribbled in some solvent and let it sit awhile, while I mooched around the shop. After about 15 minutes the mechanic freed the spindle from the crank arm. No charge. That's not the first time he's fixed little problems for me without charge. Last year he fixed a warped rim, again, no charge.

I bought some stuff I didn't really need, but would be handy. A new mini-pump for the road bike. Another tube. Stuff like that. Earlier this week I bought a couple more heavy duty tire levers, just so I didn't leave empty handed after poking around the store for awhile. And I use my debit card rather than credit because it saves us both money. To avoid a monthly service fee I need to use my debit card something like 10-12 times each month.

I've never bought anything from Rivendell. But I enjoy their website and philosophy. I'm gonna go mooch around their website now and see if there's anything I can use, even if it's just a gift card. An investment like that is always a gamble and may pay off in unexpected ways.

I'm in for a Hail Mary, hope that Riv and GP see this through. As much positive as he/Rivendell do for cycling, its a small ask by them. Not like they are saying give us cash, and don't ask questions of our intent.

I may not ever have the need to use the gift card, no big deal in the grand scheme of things, but I have the satisfaction of letting a good man and his business work through a problem.

I'm probably as far away from the typical Rivendell person as they come, and Grant can say say off the wall things at times. But, he is a cycling person, through and through, this makes him, and Rivendell, worthy of my support.

Oh, and 10 pages is way too few for a GP thread, I want the, 25 pages spot, on the office pool spread sheet, for this one

Bill

I hope they get through this cash crisis, but I then hope they start making a few new models that incorporate modern design techniques that people would like to buy.

I couldn't see buying a gift card, because, well, COMMUNISMS, obviously. How are we ever going to Make America Great Again if we fall for such an obvious scam!?! Benghazzzi!! Emails!!9!11!! [/sarcasm]

But I did just visit the Rivvy site for the first time ever, and found some stuff I wanted to buy, so I did. Good old capitalism at work. Out-of-the-box promotion, "buy this magazine or we'll shoot the dog." Being a former advertising guy, I like it; I hope it works out for them. My money has talked.

And yes, I ride platform pedals w/o any foot retention for at least 95% of my riding. Have done so since long before I ever heard of Grant Peterson. He seems like a nice guy, and sensible. I hope he prospers.

ladies and gents, we are getting up there in pagecounts. I may just buy a hail mary to further confuse the waters here (as long as we don't stop talking about the gun toting lovers that fund Bell, Giro, Camelbak and more )

I think what everyone is saying is that it isn't for "no reason". They have their own reasons.

Maybe not so big, given their situation?

There are businesses, and then there are businesses.

Anyway, the big problem (and true of the industry in general--and maybe even of the entire world economy) is that there are some very good and important ideas that are difficult to monetize.

I bought one. 'nuff said.

There is a reason. Plus interest on 10 bucks at current rates, moot point!
Tim

I really find it funny that some in this thread are calling this an interest free loan. But of course I find it odd that there are those in society who have a problem with how others would choose to voluntarily use their own financial resources.

I’ve never really been a customer of Rivendell Bicycle Works, but when I decided to start riding a bike in 2014 the first book I purchased was Just Ride at a Barnes and Noble in Oklahoma City. I give full credit to Grant Petersen with my continuing to ride and really coming to enjoy cycling as much as I do. He sends a positive message to the world that it’s ok to just ride and just have fun. Grant let me know I don’t have to weight 120 pounds and wear Lycra to ride a bike.

Anyway I just made my first purchase... a couple of the catalog credits and a few odds and ends including his keto book. I definitely think the world would be a poorer place without Grant Petersen and Rivendell Bike Works.

Helping a friend is one thing but supporting a poorly run business is another.

$10 gift cards are not the solution to what he admits is a chronic problem. He needs some outside investment like Niner.


-Tim-

This thread has actually been pleasantly surprising to me (so far, at least). Mostly in support of Rivendell, and even the skeptics seem thoughtful about it. I will probably never own a Riv, but I have bought stuff from them a few times. And their/Grant's presence and influence have been a great positive for my personal cycling "journey" and for (IMO) the greater world of bikes and cycling. I bought 3.

You wouldn't by any chance be the widow of a slain Nigerian general, would you? I am expecting $100K from one any day now.

In for $50. I don't agree with GP on EVERYTHING, but who cares. I'm glad he's around.

God save the twin toptube! God save the village green!

I remember reading abut this early on. The CEO's name is Nimrod. "That's gold, Jerry! Gold!" 27 lbs. is considered light? And what in the world does this mean?:


"And while it may not look very comfortable to ride, it’s hard to beat the price of materials, which cost between $9-12 per bike, according to Elmish."


"I don't care if it's uncomfortable because I paid nearly $300 for a bike made of $12 worth of materials. That's all that matters to me!"