I have searched thier wbesite and have been unable to determine the frame materials. You guys have any idea what the quickbeam is made of?

I dont know, but I saw one in a bike shop and it was beautiful.

Whatever butted steel tubing they use. It's interesting that they don't say what it is, for any of their frames, actually. Whatever the case, it's likely
1) really well-made
2) not particularly light
3) very durable

4) way too expensive

10 bucks says it's True Temper because it's readily available and MUSA.

Quickbeams, however, are MIJ.

Ishiwata, perhaps?

Ah, I thought they were made at Waterford. I guess that's only the slightly more expensive non-custom Rivendells.. I believe Ishiwata isn't even in business anymore.

I dimly remember reading on Riv's site that they order high quality tubing from a variety of manufacturers and use whatever is lying around. I think this anti-steel-nerd sentiment is kind of neat actually.

If you have to ask, you don't get it. At least that's what Rivendell would say.

The Quickbeam is made in Japan by Panasonic. My guess is Tange, but it really doesn't matter.

Waterford used to build the production Rivendell models, but they haven't done that for years now. The "hierarchy", if you will, of Riv frames goes

1) Custom, build by Curt Goodrich
2) Production frames, built by Toyo in Japan
3) Bleriot (less expensive version of the Saluki), built by Maxway, in Taiwan (same factory that builds Kogswell, Surly, (IRO?) and quite a lot of other well-known brands

EDIT: Oops, forgot about Panasonic. That makes 4 separate builders of Riv frames.

Just call 'em. There are only like 5 people working there. I called them when my bridgestone was stolen to get an insurance replacement value. Super cool.

agreed.
you should also inquire with them about sizing. The geometry on a Quickbeam is significantly different than that of your average high-bottom-bracket track bike and you may take one size larger than you'd expect.

gas pipe

Panasonic/National, according to website. lugged steel so maybe the same as Reynolds 631 or 725. Maybe even the ever popular cro-moly 4130.

It's a good bike; I seriously considerd getting one but dropping $1400 on my first fixie was a bit daunting so I got the Bianchi San Jose and have been quite happy. I've got very big climbs all around the city and the idea of changing gears to get up them appealed to me but the idea of stopping to change gears didn't.

If you like the bike and can afford it, get it. I'm sure you'll be happy and that's all that matters.

Oh, and don't drink PBR.

Panasonic typically uses Tange.
Nothing special. For that much money youd think they were made of some serious ****.
Hype.

we talking bout njs keirin frames or what?

I'd be way into it if it came with a fixed hub and I wanted to do some serious touring.
I rode a bleriot a year ago, and the rivendell mythos made a bit more sense.

if you have enough money for a rivendell, chances are you don't have enough time to train to be fast enough to need a really fast bike. I like rivendell. Grant Peterson is an eliteist ******* in the best possible way.

Bikes and frames should be as cheap as possible. Screw the fact that they have to price based upon small orders, paying their employees living wages, and just plain good design. Everyone should be rolling on debranded dime-a-dozen beer can frames. [/sarcasm]

i saw one today and i was disgusted by it
i once thought they were the business