Quality control

[aeroperf]

I saw this posted on another group (bicycletouring) - “How does Rivendell maintain quality control across its production line, especially with hand made elements?”

As an owner of a 10 year-old Sam, which still looks and rides like new, it struck me that I, too, would be interested to know.  
Is it because they pick really good manufacturers to build their frames?  Is it because their bikes are overbuilt?  Is it because they are skilled at matching components?  Do they put in a lot of extra effort with inspections?  All of the above?

Or is it an indeterminate question?

Nobody has posted a reply to the question on bicycletouring yet.  Thoughts?

[Piaw Na]

Rivendell uses Maxway, the same company Ritchey uses. You can read/see pictures about their manufacturing process here: https://theradavist.com/taichung-taiwan-is-a-bicycling-manufacturing-mecca/

Long and short, these folks do high volume and actually have the scale necessary to get it done right. There are standards for road bikes, mountain bikes and gravel bikes and it's not a coincidence that nearly all these steel brands provide the same weight limits for all their bikes (220 pounds) no matter how overbuilt their steel tubing spec is.

In any case, I don't worry too much about my bikes --- if the frame dies they die because they've lived a long hard life and made many happy memories.

[Brian Forsee]

To my knowledge, Riv does not manufacture anything themselves. They enter into contracts with various manufacturers to make their products to a determined specification. The burden of QC falls on the manufacturer, so that will look different for the company that is making the frames vs the bags vs hub vs whatever.

My take/assumption is that Riv partners with high quality manufacturers that have the same attention to detail/quality that Riv has and designs into their bikes. Certainly QC is a discussion between Riv and their mfgs. The fact that staff perform visits to Maxxway and work through issues (Roaduno packaging comes to mind) is a testament to this.

Brian

[Piaw Na]

I will also note that essentially all bicycles are handmade, whether they're carbon, steel or aluminum. https://theradavist.com/all-bicycles-are-handmade/

[Cyclofiend Jim]

Great question and one which probably will garner more than a few lengthy responses. I'll try to be relatively succinct. 

If you go back and read through all the Rivendell Readers, GP's columns are full of anecdotes of the difficulty of sourcing manufacturing vendors. I've always had the sense that rather than push directly against the tide, Grant (and any of the team who have been directly involved as product manager) manage to find the eddies and backwaters in the current where guild craftspeople quietly tend to their craft. Finding a frame builder who is facile with lugged steel construction, or a component manufacturer who will invest in the necessary dies and machining immediately limits options. That's challenge #1 - one that I think RBW has decided is worth all of the effort to achieve. And the KOF's (Keepers of the Flame) who continue to work magic with steel continue to refine their craft. 

I forget if it was a Keith Bontrager interview from back in the day, but someone was quoted saying, "...if steel were invented today, it would be regarded as a miracle material..."  So, there's that. 

Then, yep, countless prototype refinements. And I think few have a closer eye than GP and the team. (Again, RR articles where things are being moved a couple mm's here and there, or where the fork curve isn't quite right). 

They seem to regularly partner with manufacturers who sweat the small details - bags, clothing, frames, components, etc.. So it feels that the bottleneck to quality lies well before RBW commits to a production run. I can't think of too many times where there has been an issue with the actual landed product. 

Grant has always said that he's creating bikes which will outlive us. That he imagines a Rambuouillet or a Hilsen or a Sam with all the paint and decals worn and obscured by time. And someone looks at it and knows "that's a Rivendell."  Which means it isn't really about any one thing that Rivendell does, but it's the way they do everything. 

Jim

On Monday, October 21, 2024 at 12:13:17 PM UTC-7 aeroperf wrote:

[ascpgh]

I would suggest that any size bike frame and fork fabrication jobber taking the order for a small volume brand such as Rivendell still must be observed doing what they intent of the contract stipulates. In the Bridgestone days GP talked about people going to Taiwan to oversee production, I'm sure RIv does too. You get what you inspect.

We've covered this before but on some '92 MB-2 frames the head tube and lower lugs ovalized and the HT appeared to be different than the catalog spec. Some changes are simply streamlining due to supply issues like wiper arms on a mid '90s Camry. Only a problem when you are replacing wipers and the guidebook doesn't jibe with your car. 

The MB-2 head tube cases resolved one by one and everyone was happy but I swear it had to do with the '94 catalog index page illustration. 

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1994/pages/01.htm

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh