"Rivendell Custom"

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Jerry Lynn

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Sep 12, 2024, 10:50:49 PM9/12/24
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John Johnson

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Sep 13, 2024, 2:24:14 AM9/13/24
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I've got no personal problem if someone wants to sell their bike frame, but I find it an odd marketing strategy to publish poorly lit photos and a very limited description while asking close to what a new custom frame would cost. Good luck to them.

Corwin Zechar

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Sep 13, 2024, 10:14:53 PM9/13/24
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Point of clarification...

The price of a new custom is currently $5K. I agree that the price for this frame is high - especially given much of the value of a custom frame is in the fidelity to the sizing and riding of the person the frame was designed for. I paid $2700 for my first custom about fifteen years ago (stolen April 2021). Paid more than $5K (Nobilette did some lug carving) for it's replacement earlier this year.

Regards,


Corwin

Ryan

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Sep 14, 2024, 7:45:00 AM9/14/24
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AFAIK Rivendell isn't even offering customs any more...unless someone closer to Walnut Creek knows differently. Customs aren't on the site anymore. So, Corwin, I'm happy for you that you were able to order a custom to replace your stolen one before the tap was turned off. My first CG road in mustard(outlier then, but popular now)  was 2300 in 2001 and my MN mixte ordered in 2015 was 3500. 

Peter Bridge

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Sep 14, 2024, 6:32:29 PM9/14/24
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On Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 11:24:14 PM UTC-7 John Johnson wrote:
I've got no personal problem if someone wants to sell their bike frame, but I find it an odd marketing strategy to publish poorly lit photos and a very limited description

Well...  the seller's name is "murkee".

Is that an All-Rounder built for 26" wheels?  At a glance, the brake mounts look low to me.  

~pb  

 

M Talley

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Sep 15, 2024, 4:38:35 PM9/15/24
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I reprocessed the images - at the limits to fixing so there's image quality losses. Also levelled the bike by axle to show the top tube slope. 
The classic areas damage might happen are shown - fork crown paint loss seems the worst of it.
I think he added 700c to the listing after the comment made here? Also the picture showing chainstay width as well as guessing that's a wide crown leads me to think a pretty wide tire fits (near 50mm maybe more?).  Possibly it is  like a short wheelbase Susie/Appaloosa/Clem? Definitely a unique custom.
-Mark
drpotsfrkcrwn.jpgnondrv.jpgdrvsd.jpg

Corwin Zechar

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Sep 17, 2024, 1:17:49 AM9/17/24
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I was aware that Grant was scaling back on customs when I asked if I could get a replacement frame. I do consider myself lucky to be able to get something to replace the custom I lost. I'm not sure the tap is actually "turned off". I have seen several customs mentioned in the weekly email newsletter from Will. And I know they are keeping Mark Nobilette very busy.

I think you are much more likely to get a custom if you are looking for an upright bike instead of a bike requiring a more "aero" riding position. Most of the customs I have seen come through were upright, versus my bike with the [Albastache] bars slammed.

Regards,


Corwin

Marty Gierke, Stewartstown PA

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Sep 17, 2024, 6:44:42 AM9/17/24
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I was ready to spring for a custom a couple month ago, and reached out to get started. I was informed they were no longer building customs, so I came up with a plan B and found a bike similar to what I would have had built - an early Davidson touring bike that checked all the boxes: lugged steel, level top tube, cantilever brakes, room for 35mm tires (maybe 38?) and a generous assortment of braze-ons. If I ever am in the position (or mood) to go custom again, I would consider Davidson a top contender. 

Marty

Ryan

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Sep 17, 2024, 6:49:55 AM9/17/24
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Now that you mention it, Corwin it's more accurate to say that the tap has slowed to a trickle...and Mark Nobilette IS building those Roadeos as well as frames under his own name.

I suspect, especially if you have a sustained customer history, they would be happy to build a Rivendell and I think from the Blahg or newsletter the starting price was 5K. But not, as you pointed out, something to buy and flip

Ryan

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Sep 17, 2024, 6:52:15 AM9/17/24
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Oh, Marty....just missed by a whisker. So customs no mas

Joe Bunik

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Dec 9, 2024, 8:47:33 PM12/9/24
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/326267399349
Did we ever clarify whether the seller of this eBay Riv Custom is a [RBW] list member, or no?

Please reply off-list, thanks.
Joe Bunik
Walnut Creek, CA

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