Alternatives to Rivendell

[Chicago]

I am looking to get custom steel lugged frame. I share the philosophy of Rivendell, i.e., more upright riding, comfort vs speed, longer wheelbase. I really like Rivendell bikes, but this post really turned me off to this company:https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?p=2839877.

So, I am looking for an alternative. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. Thanks in advance!

[Hellgate]

Any builder? Tell them what type of ridding you want to do and they will build for you.

My recommendation is start with Tomii.

https://www.tomiicycles.com/

Or, 333fab and look into the Air Land Sea.


https://333fab.com/airlandsea

There are SOO many alternatives to the beg-a-thon.

[pbarry]

Top randonneur builder, and he’s built plenty of Rivs.

[tctyres]

Also, Waterford.
They have made plenty of Rivs over the years.

[brewsmith]

Originally Posted by pbarry

Top randonneur builder, and he’s built plenty of Rivs.

In fact he built the frame from the post that turned you off Riv. He's one of the best in the biz

[CMiller]

For what it's worth, Grant can be a bit funky in writing but I have never met an overall nicer group of people than at Rivendell. Seriously nice people.

Any builder can get you a nice steel bike. But Rivendell have a tradition of upright and neutral handling bikes, and you are paying for that reassurance and brand name ride. Not all the new bikes are my cup of tea, but I have never ridden a poor handling Rivendell.

[Chicago]

Thanks so far for the replies. Keep them coming, please. In terms of Waterford, I have always loved the look and have heard great things about them. The only real concern/question about Waterford is that you don't have the one on one with the builder. Thus, if you don't have that, how does the builder at Waterford choose what kind of tubes or diameter of tubes to use to best suit what ride you are looking for? Is it just from information you provide in some type of intake form?

[bicycletricycle]

Building a classic riv style bike isn’t that hard IMHO. Almost any builder could do it. Still important to find a builder that likes to builds bikes like that. It just makes the process a lot easier. Just about anybody who builds lugged frames can build you a nice classy Riv style frame. I would recommend finding someone local you can visit with, it is much more fun.

If you want a super long chainstay style riv it may be hard to find a builder that doesn’t think those are ridiculous.

[DaveS]

I think HampCo would be able to knock this out of the park

[pinkshogun]

https://www.chapmancycles.com/

[buddybikes]

Bilenky does it right, and has been doing so for decades

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by Chicago

Thanks so far for the replies. Keep them coming, please. In terms of Waterford, I have always loved the look and have heard great things about them. The only real concern/question about Waterford is that you don't have the one on one with the builder. Thus, if you don't have that, how does the builder at Waterford choose what kind of tubes or diameter of tubes to use to best suit what ride you are looking for? Is it just from information you provide in some type of intake form?

This isn't rally true. Call Richard and start a conversation about what you want. He may not wield the torch but he and his head designer (Mark I believe?) will certainly work with you and your needs.

You familiar with Dave Wages of Ellis? He's also in southern Wisc. and was head builder at Waterford after working with/under Dave Kirk at Serotta. D. Kirk will build you what you want as well.

[Chicago]

I did not know that about Waterford. That is good to know. Thank you for that info!

[David Kirk]

Dave Wages of Ellis.

dave

[BobbyJones]

Johnny Coast of Coast Cycles may be of interest to you.