Guess which one is mine...

[Surlyprof]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129545862@N03/22633062849/in/dateposted-public/

This image struck me the other day as I was about to get off the train from my evening commute.  Every bike (aside from mine) was black with one dark blue exception.  There is the occasional steel bike but it's mostly a sea of carbon and aluminum.  Sam tends to stand out (proudly I might add).  I do receive the occasional, "Nice bike" or "That's in great shape for such an old bike" but mostly no one appears interested.  It's mostly a crabon-riding, MAMIL crowd.  I am not the least bit self-conscious about this because I know that, upon exiting the train, I will end my day with a delightful meander down the Alameda water channel to the wife and dogs in our little bungalow in Niles.  It's always such a great way to wind down at the end of even the most stressful workday.  I always end up happy by the time I arrive home.

Anyone else deal with this sort of fish out of water situation with their Riv or is it just me and my commute?  Just curious.

John

[dstein]

What is MAMIL?

I feel like most of those bikes in that picture are aluminum hybrid bikes which is the bulk of what I see on BART and the ferry. I assume most people just walk into a bike store and get whatever they can for $500-$1000 (after they realize they can't get a bike for $200, like I did 15 years ago when I first started riding and getting into bikes. But even with the crabon crowd, it is all pretty generic black. 

I love going up Tunnel road (my main climbing route) and getting comments like that on my bike though. Last week I got a 'good job' that was said in a way that the guy couldn't believe I was on such an old, vintage bike with bags and made it to the top. 

[Eric Daume]

MAMIL = Middle Aged Men in Lycra.

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[Surlyprof]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamil

[KC]

Easy.  Yours is the beautiful bike.  My husband and I are usually passed by racers, head down, as we also meander along enjoying the scenery.  Sometimes he speeds up to show them he can keep up (probably really can't for too long, though, but who cares).  The only time I see bikes like mine are when I'm with my family. But.....

when I rolled my bike into a bike shop in Oceanside to buy a part, the guy who helped me was thrilled to see his first Rivendell and spent a half hour talking bikes and bringing his bike out to show us, and

when I watched over my bike waiting for lunch in the seaport village area of San Diego someone walked up and asked if he could take a picture of my bike cuz he rarely sees Rivendells where he lives 

We have a relative planning to buy a bike.  Pretty sure leaning towards a (used) carbon road bike.  I think that would be consistent with what he sees around him (besides the beach cruisers).  We asked him how he likes to ride and every answer he gave said he should have something riv-like.  He is a very value-oriented, long-term-thinking, careful purchaser (buys good high-end cars, used).  I made him borrow my copy of Just Ride and hope it helps him make a decision that works for him.

On Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 8:10:08 PM UTC-8, Surlyprof wrote:

[Mark in Beacon]

On Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 11:56:58 AM UTC-5, dstein wrote:

...But even with the crabon crowd, it is all pretty generic black.

Wait a minute! Generic black can be kinda awesome. I'm waiting on this:

I chose it because black bicycles can be classy & classic--eg, the Raleigh Sport 3-speed, and many basic transportation bicycles around the world. The color is also functional and easy to touch up with a rattle can. I love me a rainbow of bicycle hues, but let's not disparage basic black! (And really, that parking area looks like a healthy mix of hybrids, mt. bikes, and some skinny racer machines. I'm happy it's nice and full and attracting a wide cross-section of bicyclists who see the value of the bike as transportation! Plus if everyone had an orange or blue Riv, they would not be quite so special ;^)

On Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 11:56:58 AM UTC-5, dstein wrote:
I love going up Tunnel road (my main climbing route) and getting comments like that on my bike though. Last week I got a 'good job' that was said in a way that the guy couldn't believe I was on such an old, vintage bike with bags and made it to the top.

Yes, that can be fun! A few years ago, I rode from my home in Beacon to NYC to catch Grant P. speak at a local bike expo and buy a copy of his just released book, Just Ride. At some point I joined into 9W, a main thoroughfare of recreational and racing types, and by chance a small group of racers came up, one of whom I knew well from "back in the day." The pace picked up to workout speed and I stayed along, taking my turns at the front. When we finally got near the George Washington Bridge and slowed up, one of the guys looked my bike over and said "nice job keeping up on that."  I happened to be on a state of the art racing bike (circa 1974, but hey), a Ron Kitching in db 531 steel, kitted out with first gen Dura Ace, lots of drillium, 7 speeds with dt shifters, and a 52/47 front. But I also had 32mm skinwall Paselas, a rack, and a Baggins bag, plus I was riding in civvies. All of which, exactly as you described on your hill climb anecdote, was apparently such a disadvantage that I was to be commended for overcoming it! It's happened before and since, too, on various machines.

[davec...@gmail.com]

That's Rivendell black, it's different and better ;)

Sent from my iPhone

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[Mark in Beacon]

I won't deny it! But mainly 'cause it goes on such an awesome, well-designed frame. At least, that's what I'm hoping... Somewhat related--When 90s hybrids morphed into "comfort" bikes, they got a whole lotta ugly. Whereas the Clem(entine) lines are pleasing to the eye, and blow the industry "comfort" designs out of the water in both functionality and aesthetics, they are also no doubt the definition of comfort and hybrid (when that latter term is used to mean highly multi-functional, as opposed to a 'meh' mash-up compromise).

[Daniel D.]

blacker the berry the sweeter the juice.

[Steve Palincsar]

On 11/16/2015 10:19 AM, 'Mark in Beacon' via RBW Owners Bunch wrote:

On Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 11:56:58 AM UTC-5, dstein wrote:

...But even with the crabon crowd, it is all pretty generic black.

Wait a minute! Generic black can be kinda awesome. I'm waiting on this:

I chose it because black bicycles can be classy & classic--eg, the Raleigh Sport 3-speed, and many basic transportation bicycles around the world. The color is also functional and easy to touch up with a rattle can. I love me a rainbow of bicycle hues, but let's not disparage basic black! (And really, that parking area looks like a healthy mix of hybrids, mt. bikes, and some skinny racer machines. I'm happy it's nice and full and attracting a wide cross-section of bicyclists who see the value of the bike as transportation! Plus if everyone had an orange or blue Riv, they would not be quite so special ;^)

Black doesn't have to be either "generic" or "basic."  This black is as classic as it gets:



(a classic Alex Singer Randonneuse, from Rueda Tropical's blog)   and my Velo Orange Randonneur isn't half bad either:



(seen here on the Oxford Bellevue ferry yesterday)

On Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 11:56:58 AM UTC-5, dstein wrote:
I love going up Tunnel road (my main climbing route) and getting comments like that on my bike though. Last week I got a 'good job' that was said in a way that the guy couldn't believe I was on such an old, vintage bike with bags and made it to the top.

Yes, that can be fun! A few years ago, I rode from my home in Beacon to NYC to catch Grant P. speak at a local bike expo and buy a copy of his just released book, Just Ride. At some point I joined into 9W, a main thoroughfare of recreational and racing types, and by chance a small group of racers came up, one of whom I knew well from "back in the day." The pace picked up to workout speed and I stayed along, taking my turns at the front. When we finally got near the George Washington Bridge and slowed up, one of the guys looked my bike over and said "nice job keeping up on that."  I happened to be on a state of the art racing bike (circa 1974, but hey), a Ron Kitching in db 531 steel, kitted out with first gen Dura Ace, lots of drillium, 7 speeds with dt shifters, and a 52/47 front. But I also had 32mm skinwall Paselas, a rack, and a Baggins bag, plus I was riding in civvies. All of which, exactly as you described on your hill climb anecdote, was apparently such a disadvantage that I was to be commended for overcoming it! It's happened before and since, too, on various machines.

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[Mark in Beacon]

On Monday, November 16, 2015 at 2:23:15 PM UTC-5, Steve Palincsar wrote:
Black doesn't have to be either "generic" or "basic."  This black is as classic as it gets:

Very nice, Steve!  That's why I wrote: "black bicycles can be classy & classic--eg, the Raleigh Sport 3-speed!" Black is generic and basic, but on the right bike, Ooh la la! Dripping with class, like a black cocktail dress or a man's formal suit. Basic, sure. But beautiful. (Black is the new black. You read it here first.)

To wit:

[David Stein]

Well of course our black bikes look good ;)  Especially those black Sams I saw at Riv HQ the other day. Black and silver components is a really classy look.

I think what I meant by 'generic' is that black sells, it sells really well, and it becomes one of the few default bike colors by the big bike companies. It's nice to see an orange Sam stick out among a sea of black. Now only if I could apply this logic to my otherwise black and grey wardrobe.

[Mark in Beacon]

Around here (lower Hudson Valley, New York State) we don't see too many black bikes, other than the carbon ones, which usually have some kind of red or blue or what have you graphic. In fact, a small part of my decision not to go with the Clementine in orange (which, after all, makes sense--it's a CLEMENTINE!) despite Keven trying to entice me by reporting on the deeper richer orange, is because there is a Public mixte here in town that is fairly prominent, and it is very much that proto Clem orange. Whereas the only black bicycle around town that I know of is my Big Dummy, which, as my soccer dad vehicle, is as it should be. But we're not exactly Portland or California.

Anyway, I just like the Clementine in formal dress. And when Miesha voted my way, it was a done deal.

[David Person]

I bought one of the new black and cream Sams this past May.  In the sunlight it has depth, not a plain jane black.  At the right angle it has a almost deep brown undertone, but definitely black.

David P.