Oh, I wish...I had a Rivendell Bicycle

Just dreamin' again. This type of bicycle makes me melt. Lugged steel, gorgeous paint jobs, custom frames (if you choose) *sigh* . I know I'm such a retro-grouch, I don't mean to be - but this type of design sets my heart a flutter.
http://www.renaissancebicycles.com/i..._hillborne.jpg

I would probably have it set up just like this. Maybe a beefier rack - like the Surly nice rack in silver. I like the stock "green" color too. If I could change it I'd go darker green and this is my fantasy.

So Ladies (and occasional Gentlemen) -- What bikes make you drool? :D

"I know I'm such a retro-grouch, I don't mean to be - "

Nothing wrong with liking that kind of bike. Most of us do, even if only to look at.

I have 3 in that "flavor."

I have one that isn't that flavor at all.

All bikes are wonderful and beautiful. You can like any and all, any and all can make your heart go pitter-pat. There is no rule that a person can only like one kind, or that you have to only like the kind your friends like. Feel the bike love!

My husband and I have three Rivendells. Yes they are beautiful bikes.
My husband's both fit him perfectly, but my Rambouillet definitely does not fit me as comfortably as my tig-welded steel custom Luna bike. Some women have fit/reach issues on 'unisex' Rivendells (I find the term 'unisex' is usually secret code for 'designed for men, but might work for some women too''). :cool:

If you have dreams about Rivendells but can't afford them, may I suggest you find another steel lugged bike, either older or new, and accessorize it in a retro manner.
'Full retro nerd mode' usually means fenders, no more than 9 speed setup, full spoke-age, non-clipless (cages or platforms), real leather saddle (as opposed to plastic, foam, and gel), and down tube shifters (or at least bar-end). :D Depends on your goals and preferences.

I'm looking forward to seeing beautiful bikes at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show next month. I don't know if Riv will be there, but Vanilla will be, and a whole lot of others. I will spend hours admiring them!

Well my 520 is good enough for now. I'm pretty lucky to have it. It's very pretty, durable, has a 9 spd. set up - 36 hole rims rolling on 32's - standard touring pedals (no clips or straps), a Brooks B-17 standard, bar end shifters (which are stock), & fenders - so I guess I'm a full-on "retro-nerd." :D I don't know what I'd do with another bike anyways. It's just lugged steel, not just Rivs makes me drool. It's always nice to browse.

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

If you have dreams about Rivendells but can't afford them, may I suggest you find another steel lugged bike, either older or new, and accessorize it in a retro manner.

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I found this for Knott at a thrift store. ;) :p

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=23135

BSG, didn't you find a Bridgestone frame by the side of the road once?

I'd looooooove a Riv but it's lovely to see older bikes brought back from the dead and restored. Hard to explain, sure I know they are just metal but it's like I feel about adopting pets. :rolleyes: They are meant to be loved not thrown away. So get out there and find a lugged steel frame.

Or keep checking the Riv site. Sometimes people order one, decide not to buy and they may sell an orphan frame or two for less. :)

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Originally Posted by moderncyclista

So Ladies (and occasional Gentlemen) -- What bikes make you drool? :D

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http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...gowithrack.jpg

This one. :) It weighs close to 40 lbs and I love every bit of Frank's steel body.

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

(I find the term 'unisex' is usually secret code for 'designed for men, but might work for some women too'').

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I've lost my patience with companies who use this term and tell them point blank to their face that it's marketing spin and that they just piss off potential women customers.

Sahalie and Patagonia have been my most recent recipients as they have products in the women's category but when you drill down into the sizing it is only unisex. At least Cervelo is right upfront about why they don't have WSD bikes. That's fine with me.

Nice Bike!! I love Salsa's - never seen one up close but still...
I have browsed their site many a time. I do like your set up. Fenders, Rack, Brooks sprung saddle, looks like a Brooks D-shaped bag, disc brakes, wide tires....fun, fun, fun!
Looks great Sundial, I bet it's alot of fun to ride. :D The color is great!

Also, where ever that photo is taken looks beautiful! :)

Thanks Modern.:) I took the photo in early fall when the crepe myrtles were about to shut down for the season.

... here are my Rivs. :cool:


This is Dusty, right after her paint job a couple of years ago:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...y/IMG_0002.jpg


and this is Pokey, my first road bike, which is now my touring/commuter/funky weather bike. This was taken a few years ago when Pokey and I were about to embark on a tour of the Olympic Peninsula/Vancouver & San Juan Islands, and of course it was pouring rain out that day. :rolleyes:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dgsj9igese...key-loaded.jpg

Wow- Pokey is gorgeous!!!! :D:D:D (so is Dusty, but Pokey has beautiful form and function which makes her/him even more beautiful).

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Originally Posted by Tri Girl

Wow- Pokey is gorgeous!!!! :D:D:D (so is Dusty, but Pokey has beautiful form and function which makes her/him even more beautiful).

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Pokey has parts. :p I bet Dusty's just as beautiful with all his/her bike parts on! :p More pictures please.

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Pokey has parts. :p I bet Dusty's just as beautiful with all his/her bike parts on! :p More pictures please.

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snork. yeah.
and Lisa, show us your Riv.

Drool at these.

http://tandemhearts.com/coppermine/t...s.php?album=19
or these.

http://tandemhearts.com/coppermine/t...s.php?album=76

Veronica

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

snork. yeah.
and Lisa, show us your Riv.

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Well, here are all five of our bikes, three of which are Rivs:
http://harmonias.com/bikes/

My Rambouillet is currently set up as an errand/grocery bike, since it's not as comfy on long rides as my Luna custom bike is.

Also please notice how nice my tig-welded non-lugged steel Luna looks all decked out in 'retro' canvas and leather! :)

Gorgeous bikes! What sort of bag is on the front of Brian's Rivendell Rambouillet?

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Originally Posted by Lisa Holman

Gorgeous bikes! What sort of bag is on the front of Brian's Rivendell Rambouillet?

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That's a Filson brand country type bag (not intended for biking). Brian designed a metal brace/frame to mount it to the bike's headset without altering the frame in any way. He's very ingenious. :p I added added some stitching so that the metal prongs would slide into the bag's back pouch and hold it snugly.

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Well, here are all five of our bikes, three of which are Rivs:
http://harmonias.com/bikes/

My Rambouillet is currently set up as an errand/grocery bike, since it's not as comfy on long rides as my Luna custom bike is.

Also please notice how nice my tig-welded non-lugged steel Luna looks all decked out in 'retro' canvas and leather! :)

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Nice bikes. You are quite lucky. :D Enjoy and have fun riding!

Riv is a fun shop. We have Monday off, maybe we'll go... but I don't *need* anything so it could be dangerous.

(actually, their wool selection is quite good, and I do need another pair of wool long johns, and the restaurant next door is good, and the drive to Walnut Creek is pretty, and maybe we will go after all) ;)

I get quite a kick out of Grant's commuter being an old Stumpjumper. It is beat to heck, and has a well-worn bar bag on the front. One of the employees pointed it out to us last time we were there.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Riv is a fun shop. We have Monday off, maybe we'll go... but I don't *need* anything so it could be dangerous.

(actually, their wool selection is quite good, and I do need another pair of wool long johns, and the restaurant next door is good, and the drive to Walnut Creek is pretty, and maybe we will go after all) ;)

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Alright Mrs. KnottedYet - I am now convinced that a vacation and a trip to Rivendell are in order. I think the "restaurant next door" was the most attracting part :D

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Well, here are all five of our bikes, three of which are Rivs:
http://harmonias.com/bikes/

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Your bikes are gorgeous! CONGRATS!

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Originally Posted by TxDoc

Alright Mrs. KnottedYet - I am now convinced that a vacation and a trip to Rivendell are in order. I think the "restaurant next door" was the most attracting part :D

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It's not just a vacation, it's a pilgrimage. ;) :p

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Originally Posted by Trek420

BSG, didn't you find a Bridgestone frame by the side of the road once?

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Good memory!...yes I did, left out by the curb with very old flat tires- hadn't been ridden in years. It wasn't a great Bridgestone though- a Kabuki Mariner.
Turns out it was quite a bit too small for me, so I gave it a nice bath and sold it on Craigslist for $90 to a college kid who wanted to turn it into a fixie, which is what we figured it would be good for. :)

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...tury/MPTP2.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...ackage-1-1.jpg

$25 initial cost, probably $400 total

lugged steel frame used, $25 on debit Matercard, upgrades parts and labor $400 on debit Mastercard, look on the face of the carbon riding roadie as you pass him or her? Priceless :D

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Originally Posted by Trek420

lugged steel frame used, $25 on debit Mastercard, upgrades parts and labor $400 on debit Mastercard, look on the face of the carbon riding roadie as you pass him or her? Priceless :D

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I love the look of consternation (nay, panic!) when you pass them, and the way they instantly pass you going all-out. Then, a mile or two down the road you pass them again, and they don't bother. (it's even BETTER if you're wearing a skirt at the time)

I can never pass anyone. Ask me if I care. LOL

I'm usually the one getting passed but I do give them cause to slow down while passing.
OK, it's not me, it's the bike, but still.

Zen: That bike is lovely. Beautifully done. :D

Are you serious Zen - only $25 for that beautiful frame??? Was that the original color?

Yep, $25.00. Its a fantastic frame, original color.

Beautiful bike, Zen.

Details of two lugged bikes :D

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Details of two lugged bikes :D

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Niiiiiiice!!!
Show more of the one in front please :) what kind of bike is it?

She's a Mondonico Futura Legero. :cool:

This is not my bike but a better picture than any I have of the make/model

http://velospace.org/node/12833

I went with a Sögreni Young Shatterhand - the men's version, but with the frame made to my measurements. Mine is painted bright red and is not exactly my regular commuter:-) I use a garden Batavus for that..

This was the result of a few years of dreaming and finally deciding I couldn't live without it.

http://www.sogreni.dk/Images/Youngsh...nd_big_man.jpg

Whoa! Lookit the angle on that B66!
I assume yours is set a bit more realistically?

Nice bike. I looooove utility bikes. They are so utterly beautiful.

Ok this thread is now 14 years old since i last posted on it. So much has changed in the biking world, and I've gotten older of course. Kinda sad, but I'm preparing to sell my beautiful blue Rivendell Rambouillet (54cm). I'm 70 now, and I'm still keeping my Luna bike just in case i start riding again. But I don't need two super nice bikes at this point. It makes me sad to sell it, but I try not to overthink it... I need to be realistic as to what I'll actually be doing over the next ten years or so. At least i'm doing lots of walking, and also going to dances frequently, to keep in decent shape.