The eagle has landed: PSA Rivendell

[weisan]

It's here!

Thanks to temeyone pal's PSA (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=195879), I bought this Rivendell off a nice gentleman living in Stockton, CA. And through 8aaron8 pal's recommendation, the seller took it to Kevin@REI to have the bike packed and shipped through Bikeflights. It arrived yesterday afternoon in fine shape. I went ahead and took some pictures. Serial number: 96003, I can only guess it's made sometime in 1996. For a 20-year-old frame, it really is in fabulous condition. The paint...oh my goodness, not sure if Joe Bell painted it, doesn't matter, all I know is only in the hands of elves can such splendid paintwork be produced.

http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/11.jpg
http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/2.jpg
http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/4.jpg
http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/8.jpg
http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/3.jpg
http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/9.jpg
http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/1.jpg
http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/7.jpg
http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/5.jpg
http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/6.jpg

[Lanternrouge]

That's some gorgeous lug work. A silver group would bring it all together very nicely.

[weisan]

That's some gorgeous lug work. A silver group would bring it all together very nicely.

Lantern pal, I agree!

Is it okay that I go with my favorite groupset from that Japanese outfit?

[adamhell]

sonice!

[Vonruden]

Gorgeous!! Can't wait to see the finished build.

[bobswire]

Lantern pal, I agree!

Is it okay that I go with my favorite groupset from that Japanese outfit?

Yes,if you are going DT shifters. I'm green with envy to match the frame.

[Hilltopperny]

Love everything about that frame! :beer:

[efaust_o]

Weisan pal, I would say you SCORED!
:banana:

[ColonelJLloyd]

The hell, dude? The fork is on backwards.

[donevwil]

The hell, dude? The fork is on backwards.

Testing EXTREMELY high trail ?

[Ken Robb]

If you sent pix to Grant he MIGHT remember some info about it. I don't think it's Joe Bell's paint because every bike I have seen painted by him had his JB logo on the non-drives side chainstay like on my Riv Allrounder. Joe Stark was a gifted (but troubled) builder of custom Rivs. I may remember that the initials of the builder, like JS, were incorporated in serial numbers at one time. I think Curt Goodrich built for Riv at one time. Are there any numbers/letters painted on the steerer tube?

This may become your favorite bike! Congrats!

[rodcad]

who do you thunk built it? Joe Starck? Goodrich?

[echelon_john]

I had a Riv from the same time period (bike i regret selling the most of any of them) that was phenomenal. I knew its provenance at the time, but I can't remember now if it was built by Waterford or by Joe Starck.

Beautiful bike & nice score!

[vitaly66]

Wow, they sure don't build them like that anymore!

[john segal]

That's a Waterford built & painted Road Standard, circa 96/97.

[bfd]

who do you thunk built it? Joe Starck? Goodrich?

If it is from 1996, it might also be a Waterford built frame:

http://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw/gen1/

Nevertheless, that thing is beautiful!

Good Luck!

[commonguy001]

Great looking frame
Congrats on a really nice find

[echelon_john]

Yeah, a little digging and mine was Waterford-built, and has all the same details.

If anybody reading this has mine and wants to sell it, get in touch! 64cm metallic dark red/burgundy paint. : )

[YoKev]

OOoooooOOOoooooOOooo that green <3

[bfd]

Wow, they sure don't build them like that anymore!

That's an understatement! Now-a-day, if you want a Rivendell, it has to have at least one more tube somewhere and chainstays that are a mile long. The plus side is it will fit really fat tires, but you have to deal with all the ribbing your buddies will give you!

Btw, does anybody know what color green that is? I recall Grant saying he liked using Testor paint colors? Is there like a part number for the paint?

Good Luck!

[d_douglas]

Testing EXTREMELY high trail ?

My son recently tried riding his bike like that. Pretty dangerous and awesome!

[SlowPokePete]

Very nice and can't wait to see it built up.

SPP

[Ed-B]

That's most certainly a Waterford built frame from 96 or 97. It has the first gen lugs and seat stay top caps, and the Reynolds stickers. The head tube extension is added to the upper head lug. The later lugs had the extension built in. Most of these were limited production standard geometry frames with paint options.

In early 1997 the Rivendell branded frames were custom built by Joe Starck and Curt Goodrich. The Heron line was introduced as the Waterford built limited production offering.

I have a Rivendell custom from 97, it was one of the first built by Joe Starck. It has the same lugs but custom tube spec, so no tubing decals. But it's very similar to this frame otherwise.

These early Rivendell road frames are really nice. They were designed by Grant Petersen back when he was emulating European stage race bikes. They were the evolution of the RB-1 concept, and I personally think they were Grant's best work ever.

You did well!

[Aaron O]

That is quite the find Weisen...love the fork crown. Congrats!

[cadence90]

...

[pbarry]

Starck-built year, iirc. Looks like it might fit Weisan-Pal reasonably well, unlike some of his other bargain buys.. ;)

[fourflys]

very nice, my friend!

[Tickdoc]

Beautiful bike you got there weisan-pal, may you ride it long and prosper!

[weisan]

Appreciate all the kind words!

Cadence pal, no way am I going to touch those mini screws...if I so much as move them one little bit, the "eternal light" spell will be broken and whole bike will crumble and disintegrate into dust.... :no:

Ed-B pal, thanks for chiming in. Grant's best work ever? Now that is saying sumthing, isn't it?!

JealousBob, sorry, no DT for me...just as I don't use chopsticks. Too slow, not efficient. :mad: :D

pbarry pal, you may be right, this could be my best bargain find yet...the others are actually not that bad...in terms of fit...really. Maybe you are referring to the picture of the trucker. Let me tell you a secret. That was a picture I "stole" from the internet, it's not even my bike. I was too lazy to go to the garage to take a picture so I just "googled" it. ;) Rest assured, the one I have fits me well, no problem there.

Alright....the reason I was away from my computer ....is because, yes! that's right, I was busy building the bike up...what do you think I was doing??! :rolleyes: I am 98% done. I like to leave the nitty gritty little details till the next day instead of tackling it all on the same day. The Rivendell is now safely tucked away on the rack beside Mr. Merckx and Ms Bianchi. I trust they will have a nice little chat as soon as I leave the garage and turn off the lights... :beer:

Have a good evening, everyone!

http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/IMG_6594_1200x.jpg

[cadence90]

Appreciate all the kind words!

Cadence pal, no way am I going to touch those mini screws...if I so much as move them one little bit, the "eternal light" spell will be broken and whole bike will crumble and disintegrate into dust.... :no:

You need to have more faith in yourself, man! You are approaching it all incorrectly.

1) Take the bike, the screwdriver, and the 2 brass screws into a completely dark room.

2) Get yourownself into a zen state, kneel before the bike, and sing along to "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" as it plays on the 8-track.

3) You will soon feel your hands effortlessly and perfectly remove the steel screws and replace them with the brass ones.

4) Remember, the room is completely dark, so no "eternal light" will have ex-caped.

5) When you turn on the lights, the brass screw slots will be perfectly vertically aligned and gleaming with the glow of the evening sun setting into the calm Pacific beyond Mt. Diablo.

6) And, if you are still afraid, always remember this truth:
that "eternal light" you so reverentially speak of?
It really is just so unbelievably happy to be the h*ll outta Stockton....

HTH!

:beer:

[559Rando]

That color! Those lugzzz!

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[AllanVarcoe]

Can't wait to hear about the build!

[alancw3]

nice! can't wait to see the build!

[weisan]

Now-a-day, if you want a Rivendell, it has to have at least one more tube somewhere and chainstays that are a mile long.

No kiddin'.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1403/7343/products/f-hunqapillar-2_1024x1024.jpg?v=1478720465

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1403/7343/products/f-hilsen-2_1024x1024.jpg?v=1471304478

Btw, does anybody know what color green that is? I recall Grant saying he liked using Testor paint colors? Is there like a part number for the paint?


bfd pal, I can email Grant and see if I can find out for you...

[weisan]

Yeah, a little digging and mine was Waterford-built, and has all the same details.

If anybody reading this has mine and wants to sell it, get in touch! 64cm metallic dark red/burgundy paint. : )

John pal, I hope you get reunited with your former RIv.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6e/8f/64/6e8f641c1b9b59ef5af386e2358d34a1.jpg

[soulspinner]

beautiful. many happy miles:beer:

[weisan]

http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/page.jpg

[weisan]

about the lugs...

http://www.richardsachs.com/site/201...er-commission/

http://www.richardsachs.com/site/199...m-bridgestone/

[weisan]

http://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw/gen1/

[Ed-B]

I originally had my Riv standard on tubulars with a vintage racing drivetrain, but today it's 650B:

[weisan]

Eb pal, that looked so nice and proper, with the painted pump and all. OK people, feast your eyes on Eb's bike as much as you can... Coz' what you're about to see coming out of my assembly line is nowhere near as proper... It's whatever works for me and what I have available, I seldom ever hold on to a frame for more than a week sourcing and waiting on parts, my goal had always been to get it on the road as quickly as I can and start enjoying the ride. Like I said, I am 98% done, just left the handlebar tape and dialing in the position, the first ride will be this afternoon with Seramount pal around his neighborhood!

[Ed-B]

What you're doing with that Rivendell is proper. Don't sweat it, ride it! Grant Petersen wrote that you should buy it pretty and get it dirty. His own bikes looked the part. He coined the term beausage; beautiful/usage. These are practical frames, they can fit a wide range of parts from vintage to modern and be used almost anyway you'd like. That really was the underlying message when Grant founded Rivendell and offered these frames.

Your good fortune and smart purchase gives you the opportunity to do just that. Build it, rebuild it, change it. Whatever. Just ride it!

[daker13]

That green is sublime. I love my BMC monster cross, but I have to say, I wish the green were a little more like that... real magic.

[weisan]

Time to continue part 2...and finish up the build I started last night. :banana:

Thank you all...your kind words, encouragement, really...just awesome to be part of this community.

http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/IMG_6602_1200x.jpg

[559Rando]

I originally had my Riv standard on tubulars with a vintage racing drivetrain, but today it's 650B:

Now I want a 650B Riv Road Standard! How fat can you go?

[Ed-B]

Now I want a 650B Riv Road Standard! How fat can you go?

My frame comfortably fits 650x38B. I've had Pacenti Pari Moto, Panaracer Col de la Vie, and Mitsuboshi Trimlines on it. It might just barely fit a 42mm tire, but I have other bikes for that size.

They were never intended to be 650B bikes; the bottom bracket is a bit low. Low Q cranks, narrow pedals, and awareness of the potential for pedal strike help to make it work.

[8aaron8]

Time to continue part 2...and finish up the build I started last night. :banana:

Thank you all...your kind words, encouragement, really...just awesome to be part of this community.

http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/IMG_6602_1200x.jpg

A lot of green variations I see there. Also, that derailleur cage looks almost the same size as the radius of the wheel, ultimate gear span. By the way, looks like it's going to be a fun bike to ride.

[Villgaxx]

I have one of the first joe starck riv road frames--I had a choice at the time of getting a Waterford or a starck but was asked to keep the joe starck thing quiet until the official announcement--the same original lugs and fork crown, similar green as this by joe bell, wicked cool tubing mix picked by gp. excellent all-around road bike. a later riv road custom I had was not nearly as nice.

these frames are perfect for pretty much everything on the road.

[sw3759]

yep wonderful frames alright.really affordable at the time I put my order in but they went up over 2k pretty quickly after that..I also have one of the joe starck frames,probably one of last ones he built.i think it finally got in late in 99'.hard to believe I've had it that long.looks like the same lugs too.
guessing he'll love the ride.curious how he compares it with the MXL frame.

also is see the Bianchi LePre Mini-Velo in the back ground.i wondered who snatched that one up so quick.really cool little bike.

[weisan]

also is see the Bianchi LePre Mini-Velo in the back ground.i wondered who snatched that one up so quick.really cool little bike.

sw pal, you are sharp!

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/bianchi-minivelo-lepre-8-dropbar-8939_1.jpg

Finished building (no pics yet, soon I promise) the Rivendell and took it out this morning for our 40-mile group ride. Hmmm, how do I begin to describe the ride?? ;)

It's the most stable and predictable bike I have ever ridden.

It's the one bike that I felt completely safe and confident taking both hands off and riding no-hands for a long period of time, take off jacket, sit up and rest my back, do whatever I want and not have a single thought of concern or worry.

It's heavy. At least 24 pounds but doesn't even factor into the ride, I don't feel the weight except when taking off and picking back on the car rack.

It gives a solid, sure-footed feeling...kinda like driving my dad's old Volvo. :D

The 32mm Compass tires were, as I expected,....heaven! Looks like it have room to go even up to 35mm if I want. Pretty cool.

One negative thing though. My rear wheel slipped from the dropout a couple of times with the tire rubbing on the left side of the chainstay. There were also rub marks when I got the bike so previous owners seem to be having the same problem. Maybe I need to try a different QR skewer.

This is a bike that I can or will bring to a week-long (or longer) tour and felt completely at home and happy with.

The high praise that some of my pals here have heaped upon this bike on this thread is well deserved and you got to ride it to believe it! :D

[weisan]

http://alicehui.com/bike/rivendell/IMG.jpgRide it a second time today, the rear wheel slippage issue fixed by using a shimano QR
... still lovin' it.



http://www.alicehui.com/bike.rivendell/IMG.jpg

[arazate]

I've had the same issue on a couple of my frames. The internal cam QR has far superior clamping force.

[AllanVarcoe]

Looking like a joy to ride!

[Roger M]

That looks great. You probably don't need em in Texas, but some hammered fenders would really go well on that bike.

Nice work, weisan.

[Vonruden]

Beautiful, love the build!

[Cicli]

That looks awesome. Very nive bike.

[weisan]

Just finished a quick jaunt on the Rivendell...I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this bike!

There are so many things "right" about it...the ride quality, the lugs, the design/geometry, the Compass Stampede Pass 32mm tires that are pretty much designed for it...Everything!

I don't have to agree everything that Grant said in order to enjoy and appreciate this bike. The ride itself is the ultimate proof. And that's all I need. :beer:

[Ray]

Congrats Weisan - really nice frame and build. My first good bike, after a couple of years riding a lot on an old Specialized Allez, was an early Joe Stark Riv Standard. It was ordered in late-ish '97 (IIRC October) and delivered in March of '98. I think I paid $1200. I seem to remember it being one of his early frames and it was delayed because they started having scheduling issues when they moved from Waterford. But if others are saying he started building in early '97, I can't dispute that. Definitely the Joe Bell paint started with the Joe Stark frames. Mine was a 58 with the same standard geometry as they all were, but I got vertical dropouts instead of horizontal - never regretted that move. My paint was Coleman Stove green, a bit lighter and creamier than yours, and I had a cream colored head tube with off-setting lugs. God, it was a work of art. Built it up with Campy Chorus triple and it was my main ride (despite buying and selling god-knows how many frames along the way) until I got my first of two custom Spectrums from Tom K in 2005 (I think, unless it was 2004???).

The Riv had by far the best balance between stability and responsiveness of any bike I rode during those years. Those were my heaviest mileage years and nearly all of the big rides I did, including a couple of supported tours, and the vast majority of the centuries I've ridden, were on that bike. The Spectrum redefined what amazing handling was for me and I never felt quite the same way about the Riv after that, but I kept it for a couple more years before I finally sold it. But I definitely rode it hard and put it away wet a lot during it's stint as my main ride. Now that I spend more time looking at my bikes than riding them, I wish I had the Riv back! ;) I still have one of the old bi-plane forks from an old MB-1 hanging on the wall in my office... Classic design is classic design...

While Grant has gone further and further down the road toward touring and workhorse bikes in the intervening years (I had an All-Rounder, a Rambouillet, and two Herons - one road, one touring and none of them touched the ride of that Riv Road Standard), not ALL current Rivs are that far from these early road standards. The current Roadeo model is very VERY similar to the early Road Standards in terms of build and geometry, but they're about twice the price of the originals.

Enjoy that ride - wear that frame OUT!!!

-Ray

[weisan]

Thanks for chiming in, Ray pal, really REALLY good to hear from you my friend... I want to see some new pictures :D

It's hard to convince someone today about the ride of a 20+ years old bike. They either won't listen or are completely caught up with the marketing hype/high tech materials stuff.

I have got pretty much everything in my stable - from Lamborghini to Monster Truck. They all serve a specific purpose but if I were to pick a bike to ride purely for the joy and the quality - there's no question in my mind the Rivendell would be on top of my list....alongside with the steel Serotta....and the Corsa....:D

[velofinds]

Looks like you went from a Topeak Master Blaster to a vintage Silca Impero. Inquiry minds would like to know: why?? :)

[Hilltopperny]

Love this bike weisan! Looks like a proper build and that shade of green might be my favorite color:beer:

[weisan]

Looks like you went from a Topeak Master Blaster to a vintage Silca Impero. Inquiry minds would like to know: why?? :)

oh velo pal, like I said in the other pump galore thread, to me they all worked about the same. I just like to keep the "old school" theme consistent and also, I like that there's no lever to flip.

[weisan]

Love this bike weisan! Looks like a proper build and that shade of green might be my favorite color:beer:

thanks hill pal.

proper build?

er...I really don't care about proper build except building it up the way I like it when I am riding on it. Everything, as fuzz said, is done in service of the ride. To me, that's the singular most important thing. The ride.

[weisan]

oh velo pal, like I said in the other pump galore thread, to me they all worked about the same. I just like to keep the "old school" theme consistent and also, I like that there's no lever to flip.

oh oh...and I don't need to use any velcro strap...that's a "biggie" :D

[Hilltopperny]

thanks hill pal.

proper build?

er...I really don't care about proper build except building it up the way I like it when I am riding on it. Everything, as fuzz said, is done in service of the ride. To me, that's the singular most important thing. The ride.
Yes and I agree whole heartedly with that statement, but this one looks proper to my eyes as well. Trust me when I say that the ride is what it is all about. My nicest frame is built up with10 spd Dura ace, campagnolo compact cranks, sram red cassette and dura ace wheels. I know it's not as visually pleasing to most, but it rides so nice as set up that I have no intention of changing anything until it's absolutely necessary. Nothing but love my brotha:D:beer:

[weisan]

I know you know hill pal... Btw, you broke my heart when you put the Peg up on the chopping block...

[Hilltopperny]

I know you know hill pal... Btw, you broke my heart when you put the Peg up on the chopping block...

It's still here and I'm pretty sure it's gonna stay. I was hoping to fund a similar bike in titanium with the proceeds, but I have come to my senses after a failed ebay attempt. It's hanging on the wall next to the Marcelo until all the salt is gone! I think the winter was getting to me:confused:

[cmbicycles]

The eyrie must be getting near capacity with all of the eagles landing recently, time to build a wheelhouse. ;)

[weisan]

It's still here and I'm pretty sure it's gonna stay. I was hoping to fund a similar bike in titanium with the proceeds, but I have come to my senses after a failed ebay attempt. It's hanging on the wall next to the Marcelo until all the salt is gone! I think the winter was getting to me:confused:

Smart move!

[weisan]

The eyrie must be getting near capacity with all of the eagles landing recently, time to build a wheelhouse. ;)

Cm pal, funny you should say that, I did a quick inventory check recently. I am having more headache trying to organize the wheels than the bikes. Ever since I started building my own wheels, my collection has ballooned from 3 or 4 sets of wheels to at least 20 sets. Fortunately, more than half of them are mounted on bikes so I don't have to worry about storing them someplace else. That still leaves me with 5 or 6 pairs of wheels either hanging on hooks or strung up along a horizontal PVC pipe held up beside the multi-bike stand.

Like the bikes, i am hoping I have hit the sweet spot with my wheels.

[FriarQuade]

I was hoping that you were going to build a Rivendale up with Eagle. That would be the ultimate taste of irony.

[Vonruden]

I really love the build Weisan! Here's to many sunrise rides on the Riv.
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/AE5B49B6-D277-406B-BEBA-F2CDAD7F9A25_zps9qz5cdhi.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/vonruden1/media/AE5B49B6-D277-406B-BEBA-F2CDAD7F9A25_zps9qz5cdhi.jpg.html)

[weisan]

Thank you Von pal! That was a really nice picture, love it!

[weisan]

These early Rivendell road frames are really nice. They were designed by Grant Petersen back when he was emulating European stage race bikes. They were the evolution of the RB-1 concept, and I personally think they were Grant's best work ever.

You did well!


The Riv had by far the best balance between stability and responsiveness of any bike I rode during those years. Those were my heaviest mileage years and nearly all of the big rides I did, including a couple of supported tours, and the vast majority of the centuries I've ridden, were on that bike.

-Ray


I had a Riv from the same time period (bike i regret selling the most of any of them) that was phenomenal. I knew its provenance at the time, but I can't remember now if it was built by Waterford or by Joe Starck.

Beautiful bike & nice score!


Enough were said about this bike from some of my pals but now that I had the opportunity to ride it a lot, I can confidently say this is the BEST bike I have ever ridden - yes! more so than the Eddy Merckxs, the Richard Sachs, and the Serottas. It comes with a special sauce. If I see another bike exactly like this one on sale, I will grab it up in a heartbeat. It's the only bike that makes me sad when the ride comes to an end and I can't wait for the next one. :banana: