No more Customs?

[Berkeleyan]

I obviously missed the announcement... sad to see it. I have a 1998 custom LongLow, each tube was spec'd by Grant for my weight and height, and it still rides superbly, even if I've added a few kilos.

- Andrew, Berkeley

[Ryan Fleming]

Unfortunately that's been the case for a few years now...and more recently, the Mark Nobilette-built Roadeo is off the menu as well..Although...5 or 6 months ago, some customs resembling the Charlie Gallop were built for Blue Lug customers...12 or so...and the chance to own one was awarded by some kind of lottery system, if I recall.

Here's the post from Blue Lug's blog

https://bluelug.com/blog/global/blue-lug-kamiuma-13th-anniversary/ 

[Richard Rose]

Also from the new blog; new fork/crown with round blades for the ‘27 Roaduno? That’s it! I am getting one! Round fork blades are so cool.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 31, 2026, at 8:05 AM, Ryan Fleming <ryte...@mts.net> wrote:

Unfortunately that's been the case for a few years now...and more recently, the Mark Nobilette-built Roadeo is off the menu as well..Although...5 or 6 months ago, some customs resembling the Charlie Gallop were built for Blue Lug customers...12 or so...and the chance to own one was awarded by some kind of lottery system, if I recall.

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[ascpgh]

The custom program was always a long proposition. I hate to see the departure of the possibility of a "perfect" bike by Grant for an individual with specs of geometry and tubes tailored to them and their uses. 

The lead time and a conversation with Grant about a container of unpainted bikes representing the next Rivendell production model led me to the orange Rambouillet that fit me so well without custom fabrication that I've been riding ever since. 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

[dave nawrocki]

I was fixated on a custom for a long time.  But every "stock" frame/bike that I have owned from Riv has been truly exceptional in every way.  

I currently own a Sam Hillborne and it could not be more perfect for me.

Dave Nawrocki

Fort Collins, CO

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[Bob]

Sad to see indeed. Especially since this one has many of the features I would choose (long chainstays, shallower top-tube slope, 650B wheels, wide tires; essentially a Hunqadilaloosa).

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Bob

[Joe Bernard]

Dave, this is what I discovered. I had a custom and loved it (sold for myriad personal reasons), but realistically you can get all the Riv you need from their production lineup. I believe Grant sees it this way, too. 

Joe Bernard 

[RichS]

Agree with Dave and Joe 100%. I have a 12 year old Hillborne that rides every bit as well as two non-Riv customs I own.

Best,

Rich in ATL (where it's 19 degrees but feels like 1)

[Patrick Moore]

I have to demur, but in good faith and without disputativeness. I found my second custom (out of 3) and my current Roadeo far more accommodating as road bikes to my personal tastes than my other 2 Riv customs or my Ram or my Sam, and the 2 non-Riv customs I own are modeled after my favorite Riv and also more accommodating than the Rivs I sold off.

I’m sorry to see the Roadeo go, even more than the customs. Mine is second or third hand but little used, and it fits and rides like my favorite Riv custom. One day perhaps I will build it up with preferred friction and silver and backward parts, but for now the 11 sp Ultegra just works surprisingly well, tho’ I prefer more agency when shifting. (Damn, how did they get click shifting to work so well? 50/32 violently cross-chained and pedals as smoothly as with a straight chainline???)

I can’t see any of Riv’s current line taking the place of either. Chacun/e a son/sa gout.

[Joe Bernard]

To be clear my comments do not imply criticism of customs or the custom program. If you have one you have an astonishing bicycle..ride it! 

[Patrick Moore]

Joe, I didn’t have your comments in mind; I just wanted to speak generally about the value of certain Riv options no longer available. The #2 (1999) custom and the circa 2010 Roadeo are, for me, perfect road bikes.

Patrick “I’m happy, you’re happy, we’re all happy” Moore, who still has his eye on a Clem.

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

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[Joe Bernard]

I'm about to hop on my Clem L right now. For the riding I do these days she's absolutely perfect.

[Menos Joven]

I rode part of the Redwood City Alex Pretti Memorial Ride today and met a pleasant Riv Sister Ann who is no longer part of this Bunch. She was riding a British Racing Green(don't know the Riv color name) Roadeo. She mentioned having 2 Atlantae; 1 for touring and 1 for a runabout. I mentioned that I was waiting for the possibility of a purple(not lavender) Platypus to be offered again and to my surprise she said that one of her Atlantae was purple! Cool. Hope the ride photo isn't giant but apologies in advance.

Leslie