Build + Small Ride Report: Testing out my new Hillborne!

[Nathan F]

Hello all! I recently purchased my first Rivendell, the last 55cm Hillborne in sage green from Rivelo, and have been loving it. Everyone’s builds here have been a huge inspiration and I’ve learned a lot reading this group the past few months, so I figured I’d share my build and a mini-ride report. 

Roman’s Hillborne build was really inspirational, including his use of black components which y’all don’t use too often. The cockpit is Nitto with Paul Mini-Moto brakes, a White Industries crankset, and Ultegra brifters paired to an RX derailleur. Wheels were built by me and are soon to be set up tubeless: 32H White Industries Mi5 laced to polished Velocity Quills, with 43mm Gravelking SK+. I totally forgot about fenders in my initial parts order, but the rainy season has started so I snagged a pair of P50s and am currently installing them.

It might need a shorter stem because the reach with the noodles is quite long, and I hugely underestimated the length of the technomic and should’ve gone with a Pearl. The steerer tube likely needs to be cut for aesthetic reasons. And I could see myself buying a dynamo setup sometime soon…. but other than those very minor issues it’s all done, and I'm loving it : )

To break the bike in, I took in on a nice stroll through Forrest Park here in Portland. Initially I had planned on doing a harder, much more intense ride in the park but my stomach was not up to it and I returned home. I went back the next day to do this ride, which at 40 miles door-to-door and 2000 ft of climbing is much more relaxed. It’s really beautiful out there now that the rainy season has begun. The ground is softening up and it’s getting cold and moist enough in the park that you can see your breath in the air. I bet it’d be even nicer in the early morning. If you’re ever in Portland and have time for a ride, I’d recommend it. And if you’re in Portland and haven’t done it, what are you waiting for! Get out there!

[REC (Roberta)]

Congratulations on your FIRST Riv.  :)  Ride the heck out of it.  You'll then be saying "Why did I wait so long?"

[Austin B.]

That is a NICE looking build! I especially approve of all that mud caked on the underside of the down tube. I too have my Sam set up off-roadish and with some black components. It’s great for offroad as long as you don’t load it up to heavily.

Enjoy!

Austin

[RichS]

Nathan, welcome to the sage green Sam owners club. Good looking build! Hope you get as much pleasure from yours as I get from mine.

Best,

Rich in ATL

[Nathan F]

Thanks all! So far I've been loving it and plan on riding it for a long long time. Maybe not in its current drop-bar configuration, but in some configuration. I built up a Cheviot in the same color for my partner with albatross bars, and man are they comfy. I'm hoping to put a pair on in the future.

Cleaning it up in the shop afterwards was fun. I basically brought part some of the forest home with me!

[Robert Hakim]

Hi Nathan!

Sharp looking rig you have there! That color is a great one for the sam!

That path looks like an idyllic setting for a ride! You've certainly got me daydreaming about misty forest mornings now!

Enjoy the bike!

Happy Riding,

Robert,

SLC, UT

[Pancake]

Great looking setup!

Here’s my Sam dressed up in Albatross bars (and another setup with dirt drop bars):