Is the San Marcos a true Rivendell?

[Pat]

Hi, Folks,

I am an "old guy" (almost 64) and just finished my second year of cycling. I put in 4200 miles last year on a carbon frame bike which I like, but I'm looking around for something more comfortable for longer rides and light touring. I ran across the Rivendells a couple of months ago. I like what I'm reading and I'm esp interested in the Sam Hillborne and San Marcos.

Do you Riv owners consider the San Marcos a true Rivendell? Can I expect the same quality ride, etc. from the San Marcos as I would the other Riv bikes? (I'm asking because it doesn't bear the Riv name.)

Thanks in advance for your help.

[newenglandbike]

As far as I know Grant Petersen designed every aspect of it, so it should have similar ride quality to a Hillborne.    It's just a slightly lighter, more road oriented version that takes smaller tires.     You can get them directly from Rivendell or from Soma but they'd probably build them with different parts if you bought it complete.



-Matt

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

It doesn't matter if it's a "true Rivendell". Grant designed it, apparently without compromise, so I assume it will be similar in ride quality to other bikes Grant designed in recent years. I assume the fit will be similar to that of the Hillborne, but probably faster, more sprightly handling. You probably won't be able to find one to test ride unfortunately, but maybe you could find the more common Hillborne to try.

[Bruce Herbitter]

You could call RBW, since they sell it and ask for the honest skinny on the bike. I wouldn't hesitate to get one, if I was in the market for another road bike.

On Wed, Jan 25, 2012 at 10:50 AM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery <thil...@gmail.com> wrote:

It doesn't matter if it's a "true Rivendell". Grant designed it, apparently without compromise, so I assume it will be similar in ride quality to other bikes Grant designed in recent years. I assume the fit will be similar to that of the Hillborne, but probably faster, more sprightly handling. You probably won't be able to find one to test ride unfortunately, but maybe you could find the more common Hillborne to try.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/2A1ukYJ6_P0J.

To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

[Dick Denning]

Pat:

 

I'll add some comments regarding the San Marcos since I just finished building one (my first San Marcos)here in my shop within the last couple of days.  A 54cm in particular.  It's winter here in Ohio so I haven't had a chance to take one out for a test ride, but from the way it looks I expect it will ride exactly like every other Rivendell: beautifully balanced, lively, all-day comfortable.  In fact, in terms of tire clearance and the way it looks it, it looks like a Romulus or a Rambouillet, but with the expanded frame geometry of a Sam Hillborne.

I find the Romulus or Rambouillet to be a bit more toss-able/touch more lively than the Sam Hillborne and I would expect the Sam Marcos would be more like the Rom/Ramb, but that's just guessing at this point.        

 

I have the one here in the shop built with 700 x 32 black Pasela's with P-45 silver SKS fenders, and like the Romulus or Rambouilet it all fits together just great.  And like the Romulus and Rambouillet I expect you can squeeze Jack Brown Greens into the frame with fenders - though some would argue that it's a bit too tight.  I've always been comfy doing so, but that's your call. 

 

I'm not sure what you have in mind when you say "light touring"?  And not knowing what frame size you're looking at I can only suggest the San Marco should do just fine, as long as you're okay with the limitations on the size of the tire and the braze-ons on the bike. I have a buddy of mine who rides his 61 Romulus on fully loaded tours and he seems to do fine.  I'm guessing the San Marco would do just as well, especially in the 58 & 63 frame size with the double top tube.  

 

Dick Denning 

   

[Dick Denning]

Pat:

 

I said a 58cm San Marco, but I meant 59.  My mistake, sorry.

 

Dick Denning

[RoadieRyan]

For what its worth I was fortunate enough to visit Rivendell HQ a year
ago and got to ride a Sam and a San Marcos back to back and in both
cases I came back from my test spin with a big goofy grin on my face,
I think the real question is how are you planning to ride your bike?
let that determine your choice of Sam or San Marcos. They are both
great bikes.

Ryan

[Bill M.]

The only Rivendells that bear the name are the customs. The rest are
bikes that are designed by Grant, manufactured to spec and sold
through Riv directly or through a small dealer network. . The San
Marcos differs from the rest mostly in how it is distributed.

If the bike fits you, suits your needs and you can afford it, what
else do you need to know?

Bill

On Jan 24, 2:52 pm, Pat <revfirstsh...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Minh]

Pat,
I'll echo what others say and not worry about the idea of 'is it a
rivendell' they all have the characteristics that are key to the
rivendell ethos, so if you buy in to those ideas then you'll be happy
with all of them. The two you are looking at are different types of
bikes with different uses, IMHO:

San Marcos: fast'ish road bike, light touring, decent tire-clearance
but not extreme (esp w/ fenders)
Hillborne: suitable for touring, not quite as snappy, large tire
clearance makes for a decent trail bike even with fenders

If you want a more flexibile all-arounder i'd think the Hillborne
makes more sense since you can load it up with big tires and racks or
put on skinny tires and built it up light-ish.

but if you have no desire to carry panniers or do loaded touring the
san marcos would be fine

[Peter Pesce]

Only a true Rivendell would come with double top tubes!


-Pete
SingleSixtySidepullSam
... and a QB

[Bill Carter]

Pat,
I am an "older" rider also, and I own a Heron road which is a similar
bike, designed by Grant back in the day, made by Waterford and
distributed through a special Heron dealer network but also sold by
Riv. I bought and built it new about eight years ago, and for me it
rides better than anything, including a Waterford 1250 that I also
have in my stable. It's handling is quick and sporty, but
predicatable and confidence inspiring in a way that is hard to
describe, and it takes long downhills like nobody's business. It
truly is the last bike I'd give up, and most Riv afficionados regard
the Heron as in the family, if not a "true Rivendell." I received one
of the Riv headbadge logo decals in an order from RBW HQ, slapped that
sucker on the seat tube, so now I am all set! At least until it peals
off. Best thing about it is that if you find you don't like the SOMA
San Marcos (not likely), it should be easy to sell and recoup at least
most of your investment. The SOMA line has a following of its own,
and when when you combine that with the Riv connection (much like my
Waterford made Heron)you can appeal to two groups of loyalists.
Best of luck, and let the list know what you decide. Oh, and we do
like pictures.
Bill Carter

[DustyMerkin]

I own a San Marcos frame, and had a Rambouillet a few years back. The
San Marcos is built to the same quality as the Ram but uses nicer
lugs, at least nicer looking. The bottom bracket is actually stamped
"Rivendell"! In terms of ride quality, that is still up in the air
since I have actually not built it up to ride. I have a 2TT version
and I'm really surprised at how light it is, actually feels about the
same as my Soma Stanyan.

[Peter Morgano]

You should know that their was a discussion a while back as to whether any rivendell that wasn't a custom was a "true" rivendell but the san Marcos was designed by rivendell and is sold by them too so it has the same geometry as other rivendell bikes so like the heron I would consider it a rivendell.

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/QI8c0n7buiYJ.

[Steven Frederick]

It certainly is a Riv product. Remember, Rivendell doesn't build any
frames--Grant designs them and contracts with various builders to
produce them. The only difference with the San Marco is that it's a
cooperative venture with Soma. (similar to the Bleriot with QBP I'd
imagine)

Steve

[Sean Whelan]

Dusty-
I would really love to see a review of the difference between the Stanyan and the San Marcos. Both are made and built in the same place, and distributed by SOMA, but the San Marcos has Grant's design.

If you get around to posting a detailed comparison, I would be so happy!

Thanks,
Sean

--- On Thu, 1/26/12, DustyMerkin <samco...@gmail.com> wrote:

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the
> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

[Carla Waugh]

What build did you use? What would one expect to pay for that build?

Artist/Art Educator/Bicyclist

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/R0slfTJH7gEJ.

[Pat]

Guys,

I can't tell you how helpful your responses have been. Thank you!

I could have been more clear in my question. My concern was with the
build and ride quality of the San Marcos. The whole Rivendell thing is
relatively new to me, but I am enthused about what I'm reading. The
only negative comment I've seen from a Riv owner after much searching
on the internew relates to bike color.

My purpose in looking into Riv bikes was to find something more
suitable for all day rides, SAG supported touring, etc. I have a
Specialized Roubaix which I greatly enjoy, but the old neck and
shoulders begin to talk to me after several hours on the saddle.

Dick, I really appreciated our conversation today. I emailed you a few
more questions. Thanks.

Pat

On Jan 27, 9:30 am, Sean Whelan <strummer_...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Dusty-
> I would really love to see a review of the difference between the Stanyan and the San Marcos. Both are made and built in the same place, and distributed by SOMA, but the San Marcos has Grant's design.
>
> If you get around to posting a detailed comparison, I would be so happy!
>
> Thanks,
> Sean
>

> --- On Thu, 1/26/12, DustyMerkin <samcoal...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Leslie]

On Friday, January 27, 2012 11:11:52 PM UTC-5, PatKendall wrote:

I could have been more clear in my question. My concern was with the
build and ride quality of the San Marcos. The whole Rivendell thing is
relatively new to me, but I am enthused about what I'm reading. The
only negative comment I've seen from a Riv owner after much searching
on the internew relates to bike color.

My purpose in looking into Riv bikes was to find something more
suitable for all day rides, SAG supported touring, etc. I have a
Specialized Roubaix which I greatly enjoy, but the old neck and
shoulders begin to talk to me after several hours on the saddle.

The ride quality, it's one of the latest of GP's designs... he knows how to design a bike that can't be anything but a great ride. 
Same builders at a lot of their other frames; some of the best out there; a few may come close, but it's hard.

Color is personal taste.  Funny thing: even the bikes that are colors that I'd not pick, still look great.  Even if it's not what you'd pick, you may still like it.

These are bikes that can let you sit more upright, more comfortably, so you can do those all-day rides.  

Good luck w/ the choice....