Riv Long Low geometry

[Tom Palmer]

Hi all,

I am curious about the Long Low from days gone by. My google foo has failed me.

Was the idea behind the Long Low a long top tube and low bottom bracket? 

How is that different from later Riv designs?

Thanks!

Tom Palmer

Twin Lake, MI USA

[Benz Ouyang, Sunnyvale, CA]

There's an article on the Longlow on the Rivendell Reader #8, available here (hosted by Reed).

Relevant parts:

• 1" longer wheelbase
• 5mm lower BB
• Designed for "standard" reach (aka medium reach like the Shimano's R451, or Velo-Orange's Grand Cru long reach brakes)
• Optional alternative to sidepulls are cantilever bosses
• Will fit up to 700x38, or 700x35 with fenders, which is a handful of mm larger than what can be accommodated by the standard bikes
• Tubing dimensions appear to be generally similar to the standard bikes (i.e., did not suddenly become a touring bike)

Later Rivendell designs tend to provide even more tire clearances and longer chainstay lengths, but (from what I've read) retained the general handling characteristics (they did not switched from mid trail to low trail, for example). And of course, there's the introduction of 650B wheels in appropriate frame sizes, to achieve fewer geometry tradeoffs for these sizes, and accommodate tires with more air. From reading Grant's discourses, I believe he thinks the bikes are evolving through the years to handle/ride better, and be more useful, regardless of the nostalgia.

[Cyclofiend Jim]

I had a nascent page on the Cyclofiend site with a few points - 
http://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw/gen1/

[Tom Palmer]

Thanks Benz and Jim. I really appreciate it.

Tom