Rivendell Bicycle Works - New Catalog!

Nice surprise when I arrived home from work the other day, finding a new Rivendell catalog in the mail.  If you've been around the bicycle culture block a few times, you probably already heard of Grant Petersen.  From the Bridgestone heyday of the '90s, then started Rivendell when Bridgestone exited the US market.  If you're not familiar with the story, a few Google searches will get you up to speed.

I was a big Bridgestone fan during the '90s, complete with a few models hanging in the garage.  Part of that due to Grant's no nonsense marketing and catalogs - which are now collector items.  I continued my interest with Rivendell - even though the bikes themselves are not fully my gig - still enjoy reading Grant's take on things.

The Rivendell catalogs are written in a homy, fun style; no hype involved and great job pointing out details of products carried.  Very different from the usual bicycle marketing picture, that focuses on high tech and racing oriented philosophy.  The best marketing occurs when it simply reflects what the person and/or company stands for.  Rivendell is one of those companies and that's rare today.

In this day and age of why even bother printing a paper catalog, just post online - refreshing reminder - of how cool to find this in your mailbox. And not a virtual mailbox.

This is the type of catalog I wind up saving and flipping through numerous times.  Rare indeed.

Thanks Rivendell...

Hunqapillar Video - Rivendell Style

Caught this cool little video - actually, cool isn't the right word. Pleasant fits better. I caught this pleasant little video off the Rivendell site. It's a promo for their mountain bike model, the Hunqapillar. An old school and dare I say, a bit retro mountain bike. Nothing wrong with that, and certainly fits the Rivendell style.

Also in typical Rivendell style, their "advertising" sells bicycling itself more then bicycles. And that's something other bicycle companies have trouble pulling off, even with expensive marketing types and big budgets. Grant Petersen and the Rivendell gang pull this off with low budget ease. Why? Because they're the real deal. This kind of thing seems to flow from Rivendell, 'cause it's not forced or made up. It's real.

I get a kick out of the video, since it focuses on fun and just being outside with your bike. There's no race posturing, imaging, or pretending. Something many cyclists are guilty of - me included - even though that's part of the schtick I sometimes enjoy. To each his own.

The Hunqapiller reminds me a bit, at least in spirit, of my first mountain bike back in 1984. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, something to be celebrated. Simple but capable bike, street clothes, no helmet, maybe some P&B sandwiches in that saddlebag. Out for a cruise, enjoy the view, stop for a bit to soak it all in.

In the end, that's really what it's all about.

Grant Petersen Interview

While cruising the bike Blog-O-Sphere today, discovered a great interview with Grant Petersen of Rivendell fame. Of course as many people know, Grant also headed up the much loved, and now missed, Bridgestone USA. I was a big Bridgestone fan during their heyday, complete with a MB-Zip, RB-1, and MB-3 hanging in the garage as proof.

Most of Grant's Rivendell models I think are great, but not fully up my alley. Well, except maybe the Roadeo, that I could see owning. Super nice bike. I visit the Rivendell website often, have saved all the paper catalogs and Rivendell Readers, and read the current versions online. The Rivendell voice is very different from the mainstream bike culture and always refreshing to hear, even if you don't agree with it all. It's great stuff.

So yeah, I'm a bit of fan and appreciate what they do and contribute to the bike world. I was a BOB member back in the day and remember receiving the first Rivendell items in the mail, thinking how cool it was that Grant was launching his own company. Now 15 or so years later, they're still rolling and doing their own thing. This story goes beyond bikes; its also about starting and running a small company with your own vision on how things should be. And in this quick profit, please the masses world we live in - something to be commended.

You can read the interview here. Enjoy.

Walking the Dog

Caught a link to this video off the Rivendell site. Goofy and fun video.

What I like about it - conveys that bike riding is about fun. No death metal soundtrack, cobbles, or even helmets required. Just get out and buzz around the neighborhood, like being a kid again.

Being like a kid again - always a good thing.

Rivendell Reader

The latest Rivendell Reader is now available for download off the Rivendell site. I've been a fan of this publication for many years - the older print version and now the downloadable PDF version.

In case you don't know, it's put out by Grant Petersen, the guy behind Rivendell Cycles and the much missed Bridgestone USA. I don't subscribe to all his views on cycling - dislike of index shifting, clipless pedals and racing bikes. I'm not really interested in multiple types of bags for my bike or how to wrap my handlebars with twine.

I do however enjoy his views on bikes for transportation and general use. That's always a good thing. And even though I may not be interested in 15 different models of cloth bags for my bike, I really enjoy his written description and passion for the products he sells. The Rivendell Reader and Rivendell catalogs are works of bike geek art - and I mean that in a complimentary good way.

The Reader and catalogs go beyond typical bicycle info and include interesting stories on other topics as well. I always enjoy when they focus on one of their suppliers - some bag manufacturer, frame shop, etc. - and see the people involved and experience their story. You'll also find great articles that have absolutely nothing to do with bikes.

Rivendell is also very cool with showing the people behind the scenes with running their own operation. Much more refreshing then the usual marketing facade found on most companies. There's a homey, honesty that comes across as genuine and that's pretty rare nowadays.

Most catalogs I flip though, then toss into the recycling bin in a few minutes. The Rivendell versions I tend to keep and reread later. The other day I found myself rereading a 2006 Rivendell catalog that I saved and digging it yet again. Sounds nuts, but true - we're talking about a catalog here. Rivendell media promotes not just their company, but bicycling itself. You can't get much better then that.

Grant Petersen would be an interesting to guy to have lunch with and yak about bikes. There would be some disagreements and debate on some topics, but probably an interesting afternoon. Well, for a full fledged bike nerd like me anyway - and probably a few others reading this post.

If you've never checked out the Rivendell Reader, give it a go. Bicycling magazine it's not.

I'm Famous - Sorta

I better be careful what I say about Grant Petersen and Bicycling magazine....

Both have hit my blog recently and as you can see – seem to be very impressed with my so called “work”. Only took 'em one visit to splash me with fame and fortune....

I’m now the full-time editor for all energy drink reviews for Bicycling magazine. They also promised me a cover shot on the latest $15,000 carbon bike – complete with full Photoshop treatment, so I’ll actually look good – they plan to replace my entire head with Kevin Bacon’s. I’ve already started my first energy drink comparison - been on a liquid diet for the last three days now (burp). Besides some blurring in my left eye and peeing a lot – no side effects and I’ve shaved 12 seconds off my commute time.

Grant Petersen has offered to send me a lifetime supply of bee’s wax and twine. I’m also allowed to design the next lug pattern for the soon to be released mixte-touring-gravel-road frameset, that will be practical – yet still cost $2000 - but the fork is included, so not a bad deal. Grant also promised me some Wald wire baskets and a Pletscher kickstand – if I publicly denounce carbon fiber and STI shifting. I may go for it.

All this from my dumb little blog. Is this a great country or what?

I'm sure now, after my good natured ribbing - they'll never visit again. I'm doomed.

Rivendell RB-1?

I was a big fan of Bridgestone during their heyday of the '90s. The no-nonsense bikes and advertising style pushed all my buttons at the time. As proof, three - count 'em, three - new Bridgestones arrived in the official Dan O garage in '91. A considerable chunk of dough for the MB-Zip, RB-1 and MB-3. To buy three bikes from one manufacturer in a year says something, no? It also was the dual-income, no kids era for me. Like Bridgestone, those days are long gone now.

Back in the day, I also poured over (and saved) every Bridgestone catalog and BOB Gazette. I still wear my BOB and RONA t-shirts, that I saved for years - then wondered what I'm saving 'em for? I recently put 'em in the rotation and the general public has no idea what they mean. The occasional Bike Geek does however.

The man running the show for Bridgestone USA was of course, Grant Petersen. Being a bike nut myself, Grant would be on my "admired" list for what they've accomplished in the industry and for what they stand for - even if I don't agree or totally dig what they make. Grant later started Rivendell and even though I was a Rivendell Reader subscriber for years, the Rivendell line of bikes were just not quite my thing. I thought the bikes were cool in their own way and admired Grant's passion for what he believes a bike should be. Still, nothing I'd ride myself. Well, the Rambouillet frame in blue had me thinking for a bit, but not enough to order one. I'd also run it with all "modern" components - but that's another story.

I sometimes wondered why Rivendell didn't produce their own version of the RB-1. Something with simple lugs, lighter and quicker then what they usually offer. You'd think for a small company like Rivendell, they'd sell a few for sure. Especially by tapping into the Bridgestone cult crowd.

Well, that appears to have happened. Bike pictured above is the Rivendell Roadeo, a prototype of their latest road bike. To me, it looks like a Rivendell RB-1. A road bike with room for fatter tires and fenders, steel construction and and some ties to history as well. Where will it be made? By the Waterford folks in Wisconsin, so you know the quality is up there. Pretty cool project.

Projected price for this rolling piece of old school art? $2000 for frame and fork. That's up there, but need to factor in who's building it and who designed it. I'm sure it'll ride extra sweet. I could see this built up with something like new Campy Chorus. New school carbon parts mixed with old school steel frame. Then again, maybe I'm weird.

In any case, since my days of dual-income and no kids has long expired, the chance of spending that kind of dough on a bike is pretty slim. Still, I can dream. The Roadeo has caught my attention for sure. I hope Rivendell sells a bunch of 'em.