Rivendell customer service is very good - Page 4

03-05-2005, 06:39 PM

4 Mar 2005 09:30:10 -0800,
<1109957410.076193.284480@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups .com>,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:

>Regarding the waiting list: That's only for their custom or
>semi-custom bike frames. Rivendell is a tiny operation selling bikes
>that are works of functional art. It's the market segment they choose
>to serve.

You're paying dearly for the name and the whole shtick.
There are frame builders who've been doing that way all along.

For instance: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
--
zk

03-05-2005, 09:27 PM

I used to ride a Raleigh 10 speed when I was in high school, until it
was stolen. Lugged frame, down-tube shifters, the whole nine
yards... I didn't think it was anything special and still don't. I
really hated the down-tube shifters.

These days I ride a Cannondale mass market aluminum frame bike with
welds so smooth it looks like the frame was molded. Now THAT'S art!
It has a beautiful pearlescent blue/purple paint job (factory issue)
the likes of which I have never seen on another bike.

6 months after you get the $4k Rivendell, the paint will be scratched
and chipped (as is the paint on my Cannondale, and every other bike
that actually gets ridden). Parts that wear will wear out and require
replacement.

I hear a lot of this crap about leaving bikes to your kids as a way to
justify the ridiculous price. The Rivendell marketing guys came up
with a great line there! Why not ride an equivalent performing bike
and leave your kid the $3k difference instead- they may not want your
old, beat-up $4k bike- they may have other interests... I'll bet they
can find a use for the $3k.

03-05-2005, 09:27 PM

I used to ride a Raleigh 10 speed when I was in high school, until it
was stolen. Lugged frame, down-tube shifters, the whole nine
yards... I didn't think it was anything special and still don't. I
really hated the down-tube shifters.

These days I ride a Cannondale mass market aluminum frame bike with
welds so smooth it looks like the frame was molded. Now THAT'S art!
It has a beautiful pearlescent blue/purple paint job (factory issue)
the likes of which I have never seen on another bike.

6 months after you get the $4k Rivendell, the paint will be scratched
and chipped (as is the paint on my Cannondale, and every other bike
that actually gets ridden). Parts that wear will wear out and require
replacement.

I hear a lot of this crap about leaving bikes to your kids as a way to
justify the ridiculous price. The Rivendell marketing guys came up
with a great line there! Why not ride an equivalent performing bike
and leave your kid the $3k difference instead- they may not want your
old, beat-up $4k bike- they may have other interests... I'll bet they
can find a use for the $3k.

03-05-2005, 09:45 PM

Obviously you enjoy working on bikes or you wouldn't be buying and
fixing so many, especially bikes that don't fit you!. Your complaints
about the cost compared to buying a Rivendell are not honest. Even if
you got a Rivendell, you'd be putting together old bikes.

If what you want is a lugged bike that fits you, quit buying
wrong-sized bikes and wait for the right size to show up. Or if you
don't mind waiting two years, just spend the money and order a
Rivendell.

03-05-2005, 09:45 PM

Obviously you enjoy working on bikes or you wouldn't be buying and
fixing so many, especially bikes that don't fit you!. Your complaints
about the cost compared to buying a Rivendell are not honest. Even if
you got a Rivendell, you'd be putting together old bikes.

If what you want is a lugged bike that fits you, quit buying
wrong-sized bikes and wait for the right size to show up. Or if you
don't mind waiting two years, just spend the money and order a
Rivendell.

03-05-2005, 11:10 PM

Sun, 06 Mar 2005 00:27:28 -0600,
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, kituyjkm <fchg> wrote:

>These days I ride a Cannondale mass market aluminum frame bike with
>welds so smooth it looks like the frame was molded. Now THAT'S art!
>It has a beautiful pearlescent blue/purple paint job (factory issue)
>the likes of which I have never seen on another bike

I like the paint on the cookie-cutte Kleins that look different coming
and going.
--
zk

03-05-2005, 11:10 PM

Sun, 06 Mar 2005 00:27:28 -0600,
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, kituyjkm <fchg> wrote:

>These days I ride a Cannondale mass market aluminum frame bike with
>welds so smooth it looks like the frame was molded. Now THAT'S art!
>It has a beautiful pearlescent blue/purple paint job (factory issue)
>the likes of which I have never seen on another bike

I like the paint on the cookie-cutte Kleins that look different coming
and going.
--
zk

03-06-2005, 05:32 AM

"Zoot Katz" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> 4 Mar 2005 09:30:10 -0800,
> <1109957410.076193.284480@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups .com>,
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:
>
> >Regarding the waiting list: That's only for their custom or
> >semi-custom bike frames. Rivendell is a tiny operation selling bikes
> >that are works of functional art. It's the market segment they choose
> >to serve.
>
> You're paying dearly for the name and the whole shtick.
> There are frame builders who've been doing that way all along.
>
> For instance: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

But a Rivendell custom frame is exactly the same price as a Waterford or a
Sachs.

03-06-2005, 05:32 AM

"Zoot Katz" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> 4 Mar 2005 09:30:10 -0800,
> <1109957410.076193.284480@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups .com>,
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:
>
> >Regarding the waiting list: That's only for their custom or
> >semi-custom bike frames. Rivendell is a tiny operation selling bikes
> >that are works of functional art. It's the market segment they choose
> >to serve.
>
> You're paying dearly for the name and the whole shtick.
> There are frame builders who've been doing that way all along.
>
> For instance: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

But a Rivendell custom frame is exactly the same price as a Waterford or a
Sachs.

03-06-2005, 05:33 AM

"Zoot Katz" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> Sun, 06 Mar 2005 01:14:52 GMT,
> <gQsWd.129433$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> ,
> "Gooserider" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
> >As for the wait---that's to have a custom frame built.
> >They have ONE builder and ONE painter.
>
> Here's a hand brazed custom or semi custom frame builder with a
> history of doing it right. Some of their employees have been brazing,
> painting and detailing frames for over 30 years.
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> Certain models are custom sized for no extra charge.
> The "King of Mercia" ranges from ~$730 to $1100 depending on your
> choice of Reynolds tubing. Most braze-ons are standard though you can
> specify which ones you want.
>
> The lugs on the Vincitore are as fancy as anything you're likely to
> see. http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frame...itore_vl_3.jpg
> The most expensive one is a full $1000 less than the Rivendell and you
> could be riding it at least a year sooner. I doubt your heirs will
> notice the extra wear when it becomes theirs.
>
> Their paint selection is boggling.
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> If you're willing to wait ten days after completion, shipping and
> insurance is only ~$150.
>
> When English frame builders are asked to name the best frames built in
> England, "Mercian" is consistently mentioned near the top of the list.
>
> The Rivendell has a pretty head badge and certain cache with the
> nouveau rich. Waiting two years for custom frame is crazy unless it's
> really unique. Rivendells just aren't that unique. They're simply
> mimicking what Mercian has been doing since Grant Peterson was riding
> with training wheels.
> --
Hey thanks, Zoot. I'll check out Mercian!