Rivendell magic?

[roguedog]

Those of you who own or have ridden a Rivendell, what's the magic? What makes them the bike that everyone seems to talk about? They don't even market that much and yet on many of the forums I peruse, there talked about with drool and reverance...

Um.. uh if someone wants to sell me one in my size that's only got about 400 miles on it for $650 . i think that's a good deal??

I'm just wondering if I build up the X0-1 if it'll just be like the Atlantis.. And all I wanted was a commuter frame for "cheap." BUt if this is a deal.. I'm not sure I can pass it up. And I think it's got Peter White wheels...

And I had wanted a 700cc for commuting.. just to be diff form the X0-1... Oh well? Does having 26's slwo ya down or make a diff in the feeling of freedom?

[Veronica]

For me the magic is that I have a bike I can do pretty much anything with. and I think it's beautiful.

It will last for as many years as I want to ride.

It's comfortable when I need to spend 17 hours on it.

Then there is the whole idea that it has some craftsmanship to it. I value that.


Plus I've worked directly with the guys at Riv. They are great and really listen to what you want. There is no push to get something that you may not need.

V.

[KnottedYet]

If you can get one for $650 with only 400 miles on it AND it's your size, well, gee-whiz, go get it!!! I sincerely doubt you'd regret it. And even if you did, I'm sure you could sell it through this board in a heartbeat.

[roguedog]

Veronica,

you think $650 is pretty good for a built up atlantis w/ peter white wheels?

I think so.. but i'm not sure...

[Veronica]

A new Atlantis frame, fork and headset is $1400.

I wonder why the bike is being sold so cheaply.

V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes, the frame alone would normally be at least twice that amount. And if it's a complete bike already built up, then 3 times that amount would not be unusual at all. Are you seeing this one on Craigslist? Might be stolen perhaps, or a scam? Lots of crooks lurk about in Craigs, preying on the poor masses of drooling Riv seekers...

Nobody would sell a 400 miled complete Rivendell Atlantis for $650 if they knew anything at all about bikes. Unless they were A) a crook or B) incredibly dumb.

As to why people love them so much... many reasons. First, they are beautiful, and beautifully made of quality materials. Hand made lugged steel bikes are becoming sought after again after a period of being out of fashion -when everyone wanted to be part of the Tour de France speed demon wannabees. You can ride Rivs anywhere even rough gravel and stone roads, because they are made to accept tires up to 700x38 ...WITH fenders! They don't crack like carbon in a crash- they can be repaired. They last a lifetime...or several. They are made to be COMFORTABLE to ride- no handlebar way lower than saddle posture seen here- usually saddle and bars are the same height, resulting in a comfy more upright posture while riding. Geometry makes for great long distance touring and the steel makes for a comfy ride as well.

Lots of people "Rivendellize" their bikes by putting Brooks saddles, cork tape, Baggins saddlebags, fenders(if they will fit) and trying to raise their handlebars. But these can't really make it feel just like a Riv because they lack the relaxed geometry, have different proportions and angles, and maybe aren't lugged steel, etc. But nothing wrong in improving the looks of any bike anyway!

[mimitabby]

my Peter White wheels (which are nothing special, not racing, etc) were upwards of $300 before my DH decided i needed the Schmidt hub too, so subtract that from the total price (and without tires, brakes, etc, etc)
you've got a good deal.

[Veronica]

Sounds like too good of a deal. Unless you know the seller.

V.

[KayTee]

...or unless it's been crashed or otherwise damaged and not repaired, maybe.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sounds like too good of a deal. Unless you know the seller.

V.

I agree.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Does having 26's slwo ya down or make a diff in the feeling of freedom?

Not according to everyone's reports that I have read. In fact, if you are not a tall woman the 26's might help you go FASTER than if you were trying to adapt to 700's on a bike that is slightly larger than your ideal bike.

[twin]

I really love my Rivendell Bleriot. I think the best part is the versitilty of tire sizes and being able to ride on all kinds of surfaces. I like steel and lugs. Mine is very comfortable for long rides and for my commutes. I feel like a kid because I can take it anywhere even on gravel. My wheels are 650B and have the cush factor. I wonder what the deal with the Atlantis is. Let us know.

[jobob]

Back in late January the i-Bob and SIR (Seattle Randonneurs) lists were a-buzz over an Atlantis advertised for $1000 on the Seattle Craigslist. People were suspecting that it might have been stolen, in part on account of the low cost.

[Triskeliongirl]

I agree that one has to be cautious when a frame comes along that is too good to be true, but it isn't always stolen or a scam. I got a terrific buy on a 2003 terry isis frame on ebay, but I first asked for the serial number, and then ran it thourgh both the stolen bike registry, and even corresponded with Georgena Terry to confirm its history before my purchase. There can be good reasons someone sells a bike cheap, in my case it was cuz it required a special 24" fork that wasn't commercially available, sometimes the person just doesn't know what its worth, sometimes they just need cash quickly, all kinds of reasons. So by all means approach this with caution, YES its a deal, MAYBE somethings off about it too, but MAYBE its totally OK, you need to find out for yourself.

[xeney]

The bike could also just be old and out of date, in spite of the mileage. This one is listed at $900, and the auction ends in less than 8 hours, and no bids.