Don't want to hijack the thread -- but is that a pump mounted beneath the top tube? That's pretty cool. Did you buy a mounting kit for that or was it homemade?

this.^

bikes are kinda generic nowadays, back then they had touring, road, crit geo options on top of proper 2cm differential sizing and component groups... now its like s, m, l, xl and this model has 105... boring.

or the LHT.

Cheap, urban commuter-friendly frames based on retro-geometry? Lots of 'em.

Pake C'Mute and Urban.
Kogswell. (Out of business???)
Velo Orange.
KHS.
Raleigh RRA or Clubman.
Bianchi has a few.
Electra Ticino.
And so on...

No lugged frames here, alack. That costs money.... because it requires skill and dedication. I hate to say it, but if you can afford an off-the-rack Rivendell frame, you can afford a custom frame from a number of independent builders who will custom-tailor a lovely lugged steel frame just for you. A few will lay out a custom carbon frame in that price range, too.

Riv does sell some lovely bags, tho.

Steelwool Tweed




$680 CAD and they will ship internationally. Obviously a quality build could lead into some serious money, but if you have extra parts this frameset would make a handsome starting point. The eccentric BB means you could run a nice, clean SS, FG, or IGH for a nice, clean look. Alternatively you could use the derailleur hanger for a more traditional drivetrain and the vertical dropouts will let you run a QR or locking skewer.

Here's mine.

It's a Zefal pump. The pump is designed to fit either on seat tubes or top tubes. I just added a couple of pump straps to hold it on more securely.

With lugs:
- Velo-Orange Rando
- Bob Jackson World Tour or Audax
- Kona Kapu
- Rivendell Sam Hillborne

Without lugs:
- Surley LHT, Pacer, Cross Check, etc.
- Soma Smoothie, Saga, Stanyan, Double Cross
- Salsa Casseroll
- Handsome Osell, Devil
- Pake C'Mute
- Velo-Orange Polyvalent
- Kona ***** Tonk
- Masi Speciale Randonneur

I went through all this a year or so ago. I had decided to buy a Salsa Casseroll
but they were out of stock at the time, so I ended up ordering a Bob Jackson World Tour
from England. It cost about $630 with shipping for the frame and fork, and I built up
the entire bike for a little more than $1000 using a lot of parts I had on hand and some
new ones.

I own two Rivendells; an Atlantis and a Quickbeam; and I have absolutely no regrets that I spent the money on them. They're great looking, great riding, super versatile bikes that will essentially last forever. They're pricey but in my opinion they're worth the money. Not only that; if anyone can tell me where I can get a 68cm lugged-steel all 'rounder with clearance for 47mm tires and fenders; or a 68cm lugged-steel, single-speed, sport-touring bike with clearance for 40's and fenders, I'm all ears. My only other option probably would have been custom frames, and I don't think there's any way I could've done a lugged steel custom for the price of the Rivs. Although Rivendell's prices have gone up significantly since I bought mine.

Soma's sport geometry bikes, with or without Lugs. Nice tubes. Careful with the seatbolts!

Sorry - I'm missing the love on these Rivendell bikes.

$2000 for a steel frame, fork, and headset?!! Seriously?

There's no way I would pay this much for a touring bicycle. Especially for commuting, where expensive bikes are targets. I'd consider it for long tours, but it's hard to justify that much when you can get a equally performing bike for half the cost.

I think you're referring to my comment. I'm just saying that I'd love to own a Riv, but I've never owned anything close and probably never will. Not that I couldn't, but I don't want to peel off that kind of green for a bike. I've got a Surly LHT and the fact it's not lugged bothered me for all of about 2 seconds. Besides, it's more for commuting than touring, and that would be a terrible way to treat a Riv.

I have yet to meet someone who can tell the difference between the ride of a lugged bike and the ride of a tig welded bike. Lugs do look prettier, but you can't only go on appearance.

What is that KHS grinning fool? How long ago did they have a paint job like that and lugs? That is a good Poor Man's Rivendell. The Bob Jackson one is interesting too. I'll look into that.

If you want a Rivendell just because it says Rivendell on the downtube and you buy into Peterson's hokey marketing, then save your pennies and get a Rivendell. If you want a lugged steel sport touring bike, then all of the above suggestions will fit the bill. If you want a true rando/sport tourer built around the 650B wheel and front loading for cheap, find yourself a Kogswell which turn up on the 'Bay every now again.

Old Trek bikes go for reasonable prices on ebay and Craigslist pretty regularlly. I found a Trek 930 from 1995 still in its box last year. I paid only 250 dollars for it. It isn't lugged but it is steel and I use it to commute. There is a thread on Classics and Vintage with ebay/Craigslist finds.

It's a 1988 KHS Montana Crest. I bought it at an auction for $20, (yes, I said twenty dollars) and added the moustache bars, rack, fenders, and Brooks saddle.
The paint is original, and it is fully lugged double butted cromo.

Some of the 80's MTB's were nice quality lugged steel bikes. I have an 87 Bianchi Grizzly frame that has nice lugs and uses OX Platinum tubing. Paid $50 for the entire bike. Unfortunately, it's too large for me.

Is this close? I think it's pretty cool.

Awesome. I have a '91 that I bought this summer for $1.
214k miles. It's been to Maine, camping on the Housatonic and to Summer festivals, as well as running a hardcore 75mph
I95 commute when I can't ride my bike.



It's hard to justify putting big bucks into a bike when A. you're poor enough to be driving a $1 car, and B. in any situation where your bike will cost many times what your car did....

So here's my $40 Rivendell substitute.

Let's just clarify one big misconception that's been thrown around this thread. The Surly LHT is NOT the "poor man's Rivendell", how could it be? since it's the best bicycle in the known universe. The undeniable truth is that the Rivendell is the "rich-but-ignorant man's LHT", ignorant of the fact that a ridiculous markup doesn't make up for the Rivendell's inferiority to the LHT.

You're welcome,
Cyclaholic
(a slightly biased LHT pilot)

If you look into the vintage world you can find some nice ones. The Miyata 1000 were really nice, but they are not exactly cheap.

Here is a 1990s Schwinn voyager I picked up for $100.00 for a friend not long ago. It is cosmetically in great shape, has touring geometry, cantilever brakes, double butted tange tubing, low rider braze ons, triple bottle cage mounts, and eyelets galore. Vintage deals are definitely out there.

Ignore the stupid fenders and light:

Take that back about those fenders and lights, or else send them to me. I think they look pretty sweet, and it's hard to find lights that look half decent any more.

If it is just about lugs, my daily rider (since 1985) has those.

Looking through this, my 1980 Centurion Super Lemans might make for a good "Riv Clone". Hrmm....

I like the light! Retrofit a Halogen bulb in it and it would be the bomb!
Some of the voyagers were built by Panasonic some by Giant. The Giants have a Giant sticker on one of the rear drop outs. If that has short near vertical drops outs or the Stainless clad it is probably a Panasonic. NICE bike excellent price if it was like that when you found it.