Any new Riv roadish bike on the horizon?

[Michael]

Or do you think the Hilsen has a lock on it for now for the general-use-mobile?

 

The reason I ask is because if I had to buy a new bike soon, it would have to be the Hilsen for my taste/needs (commutin'/rec-rides).

Was wondering if sum-n' new might come out since they seem to stop production on frames every few years and come out with a new model replacement.

 

Just ponderin'.

 

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Seems like anything "new" would be pretty similar to the Hilsen, but perhaps in a different color and with a different name. The roadish Rivendell category is somewhat tightly constrained. I kinda doubt we'll see a new Riv with press-in BB or a tapered headtube for zero-stack headset anytime soon.

[C.J. Filip]

A low-trail Saluki (across a wider size range that currently
available) made with Roadeo tubing might fill a small gap in their
line. The Randonneur market being "hot" right now, IMHO. Seems there
always a few hurt feelings in the comment sections of blogs like "Off
the Beaten Path" and "Lovely Bicycle" when someone's Homer is
mentioned but is more-or-less shot down because their bike lacks beer
can-thin tubing and low-trail geometry.

On Dec 12, 11:36 pm, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery

[Mike]

I can't imagine something coming along to replace the Hilsen, especially with the San Marcos and Roadeo also available. The Hilsen is a great bike that is extremely versatile. I get the feeling that Gran is extremely happy with the Hilsen and plans on keeping it around for many years, much like the Atlantis.

--mike

[Joe Bernard]

My impression is that the next bike in the pipeline is the HS/Bosco/Mystery Bike if GP can convince himself anyone will buy it. The Rivendell Road Bike has been covered numerous times since 1994; I don't see it being updated again anytime soon.

 

Joe Bernard

Vallejo, CA.

[Jeremy Till]

I think the re-jiggering of road models over the last 10 years or so has a lot to do with component (esp. brake) availability as a whole.  In the "dark ages" of 94-2000 or so, there were simply no long-reach brakes available for road bikes, so Grant had to integrate his ideas into the "Road" which made the best use of the shorter-reach calipers available and the "All-Rounder" which used cantilever brakes.  When Shimano started making 57mm reach sidepulls again in the early 2000's, he came out with the Rambouillet (and then the Romulus/Redwood) to take full advantage of the clearance those brakes offered.  Finally, once he convinced Tektro to make the Silver sidepull in 2006-2008, the Ram/Rom was superseded by the Hilsen and Hillborne, which, with the clearances provided by the 55-75mm reach caliper, I think finally matches his ideal of what a "road" bike can/should be.  So, unless somebody comes out with a caliper with even greater reach, which is unlikely given that such a beast would have a hard time being strong enough to produce any real braking force, I don't see the "road" models changing much in the coming years. 

I think the 650b bikes (Saluki, Bleriot) were similarly created to take advantage/encourage the resurgence of 650b wheels/tires.  Once 650b gained a measure of wider acceptance, those models were rolled into the production road models (Hilsen/Hilborne) since grant believes 650b isn't really needed for larger sizes and 650b as a standard didn't need the publicity of a dedicated model anymore. 

In terms of the Roadeo and San Marcos, part of me wonders if these really fit Grant's system of road bike ideals or if they were an acknowledgement of greater market forces, namely the demand of folks like me, who want more clearances than a normal road bike but find the clearances of something like the Hilsen or Hillborne a bit excessive (at least for their purposes) and like the aesthetics and better braking performance (debatable, i'll admit) of slightly tighter frames and smaller, stiffer brake calipers.  It definitely seems that they were both created with a great deal of encouragement from other folks, Mark Abele for the Roadeo (maybe?) and Jim Porter of Merry Sales for the San Marcos.

On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 11:00:58 PM UTC-8, Michael wrote:

[Matthew J]

I would like batches of Rivs built to accommodate Paul Racer braze ons but guess that is too small a market to ever be feasible.  A Hilsen with canti-posts would take the new Paul Mini Vs though.  That would be swell.

[Eric Daume]

I have absolutely zero inside knowledge of Riv... but this rationale seems spot on.

Eric Daume
Dublin, OH

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[charlie]

Next on the list will be an Atlantis style touring frame made in Taiwan to compete with VO's Campeur and the Surly Trucker. I think this frame will be built with real touring in mind and with more traditional angles like the Atlantis only $1000 less expensive. I'd buy a frame like that......especially if it was similar to an Atlantis but for less money. I hope this is next on Grants priority list as I believe it would sell well.

[IanA]

A 26" wheel All Rounder made in Taiwan?  Threaded headset, but lighter and livelier than a LHT?  Or perhaps a light-weight randonneur that could interchange 650b Hetres and 26" wheels (on 50mm rubber), and that runs on rim brakes? I know, just crazy talk. 

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

One thing Grant must occasionally think about is that the various models overlap a lot. Another all-rounder or touring bike would cannibalize from Hilsen, Atlantis, Hillborne, Hunq, and Bomba sales, since those bikes more than cover that category. Sure, the new thing could have 26" wheels or different tubing, but would that really be different enough to make sales that weren't already gonna happen? Maybe, maybe not.

As long as we're speculating wildly, I'd like to see a true departure from what already exists. My "vote" is for an ostentatious lugged fat bike. For the uninitiated, a "fat bike" typically takes 26x4.0" tires on 50-100 mm wide rims, and the Surly Pugsley is the archetype for the genre. There are getting to be lots of tires for these, and even silver "foil hat" rims. It's hard to do them without disc brakes though, which may be a hurdle.

[Eric Platt]

Good idea, Jim.  Would only add that it might be even better as a drop bar specific bike. 

Hey, why not wish?

Eric Platt

On Dec 14, 2012 8:09 AM, "Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery" <thil...@gmail.com> wrote:

One thing Grant must occasionally think about is that the various models overlap a lot. Another all-rounder or touring bike would cannibalize from Hilsen, Atlantis, Hillborne, Hunq, and Bomba sales, since those bikes more than cover that category. Sure, the new thing could have 26" wheels or different tubing, but would that really be different enough to make sales that weren't already gonna happen? Maybe, maybe not.

 As long as we're speculating wildly, I'd like to see a true departure from what already exists. My "vote" is for an ostentatious lugged fat bike. For the uninitiated, a "fat bike" typically takes 26x4.0" tires on 50-100 mm wide rims, and the Surly Pugsley is the archetype for the genre. There are getting to be lots of tires for these, and even silver "foil hat" rims. It's hard to do them without disc brakes though, which may be a hurdle.

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[Michael Hechmer]

If you look at the market.... it will be for retiring boomers.  They will be buying upgrades on components, tandems, and "comfort bikes" that don't look as ungainly as most bikes in that category do.  Also low maintenance - IGH, bikes designed for chain guards and integrated fenders, and even carbon belts.  Bikes light enough for senior women to get on a car rack.

Car free trails are spreading rapidly and will spawn a cottage industry of b&b's that cater to cyclist.  So more light touring.

Michael

[Esteban]

You can always get a Riv Custom. Here's my '99 Joe/Joe, with nary a fender mount on the chainstay bridge.  28mm tires feel the best.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25671211@N02/8088406652/in/photostream

There're are plenty of new custom bikes, it seems (Kirk, Vanilla, Hampsten) for light, classic steel road bikes with modern components and medium-reach brakes running "gravel" friendly 28-32mm tires.  It would certainly not overlap with current production Rivs.  If you like Grant's design philosophy and the ride quality of a Riv and serious fancy lugs and fancy paint to last a lifetime, why not order a custom? 

Esteban

San Diego, Calif.

On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 11:00:58 PM UTC-8, Michael wrote:

[William]

"If you like Grant's design philosophy and the ride quality of a Riv and serious fancy lugs and fancy paint to last a lifetime, why not order a custom? "

That's EXACTLY what I'm going to do!  I'm going to win the raffle and go crazy.  Woot!

[Allingham II, Thomas J]

Has Riv announced a second custom raffle, Bill?  Cuz I’m going to win the first one!

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[Alex Zeibot]

Hi Jim!

With beautifully lugged 2-3k$ frame with superfat tires riding in the snow on Minneapolis/St. Paul streets and getting it infested with rust.  No thanks, man!  In my opinion those fat tires are overrated, slow and compromises the frame's integrity and geometry making it uncomfortable.  The Q factor is wide, way too wide.  I had a Pugsley, rode it for an hour and felt like I was giving a birth.... sold it next day!  On technical side, with Riv's current bottom bracket lugs it's not feasible to make wider seat/chain stays to make more clearance for those wide tires.  TIG is is only a way to go, which in my opinion I highly doubt Riv will do it.  

[Noah Deuce]

I have, and love, an A. Homer Hilsen.  I bought it when I was 27, and four years later it's still the best ride I've ever had.  I've commuted on it, ridden it 200 miles in a day on gravel roads, climbed over Lee Hill Road in Boulder (just like the USA Pro Cycling Challenge!...Uh, only slower), and done all the general road riding that I can.  It's a great bike - don't hesitate to buy it when you have the chance.

[Michael]

@Noah,

Your Hilsen is a 700, or 650b frame?

[Michael]

@Esteban:

 

I would like a custom, but the $$ are so high for them these days.

I think I would want to test ride my next Rivbike purchase as I am gonna look for something a little quicker than the Bleriot I have.

It handles great and is very stable and I love it, but want to find something that is easier to pedal for my next ride. 700c, so that would mean a 55 Hilsen if I had to buy tomorrow.

 

I like the 650b idea, but too limited in tire choices to get something "just right" that I am looking for. Also, I live in a non-650b LBS territory. I live in 700cville.

[Noah Deuce]

Michael,

I have a 700 Hilsen.
As a side note, don't be afraid to follow Riv sizing conventions. I'm 5'8", 30" inseam, not oddly proportioned, and I ride a 61cm. And I'm riding clipless with my cleats shoved all the way back in the slot, so my saddle height isn't artificially high.

Noah

[Peter Morgano]

Why not get the San Marcos if you are looking for a roadie 700c bike? Save yourself 1k to put towards a ultrega light weight build.

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[grant]

On the mid-back burner is a model of limited appeal because it'll come only in a 67cm with a 6-deg upsloping TT---a Sammish bike but a hair beefier and in a few ways NOT a Sam. Working name, which I won't have the cajones to go thru with, is the Clem Smith Jr. (the  "Smitty"?)  At this stage of development, that is what I'm calling it. It's like a superbeefy Sam for the tall and beefy hillbilly who doesn't sell enough pelts and gin and baby pigs to afford a custom. But it will be a super neat bike---with differences that make sense in a hugey, and still with the normal stuff we gotta have in all our bikes. Yes, lugs, etc.
It may be a year and a half out. We aren't sure where it makes sense to make it---Taiwan or WF or Nobi---cost varies, and there are mins to consider and cash flow and timing and all the fun stuff that rule our world here---but BIKEWISE, it'll be neat.  This is a "roadish" bike, but here that means any road, even road that aren't "country maintained."

[Toshi Takeuchi]

I have a 31" or 79 cm PBH (30" inseam pants) and ride a 54 AHH. My
saddle height is 69 cm. With a 61 cm seat tube and 170 mm cranks that
amounts to 61+17cm=78 cm of crank length to the top of the seat tube,
which would give me a 1cm seat + seatpost height (impossible for me).
Does your 30" inseam translate to a ~86 cm PBH?

Toshi

[Noah Deuce]

@Toshi: Yes, my 30" inseam gives me a saddle height of about 78cm, and a pubic bone height of about 86cm.

[Toshi Takeuchi]

Ha!

Maybe we have the same inseam but differ in PBH by 7 cm because I wear
my pants over my belly and you wear yours gangsta style. :-)

Toshi

On Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 12:07 PM, Noah Deuce <ipru...@gmail.com> wrote:
> @Toshi: Yes, my 30" inseam gives me a saddle height of about 78cm, and a pubic bone height of about 86cm.
>

> --

[David Hays]

Noah,
I live in an area where I will probably never get the opportunity to site on a Hilsen to check for size and I'm confused by your post.
In their description of the Sam he says most five-eighters ride the 52.
I'm 5'8" with a 30-31 inseam.
You say you're 5'8" and ride a 61cm???
Thanks.
David

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[Dan McNamara]

I am 5' 9" with a 83.5 pbh and about a 31" inseam and I was sized to a 57 or 58 AHH at RBW. The 61 might be fine as a road bike but  I would not want to take it out on a trail ride.

Dan

Marin

[Michael]

I had talked to the Riv peeps before about what size for my 82 pbh. They said 54, 55, or 56.

 

So 55  it will be when the time comes because of 700c and my short reach. Don't wanna push it with a 56.

 

Just wundrin' if something roadish was coming down the pike but sounds like no.

I remember Grant writing me that he felt the Homer was the finest bike they have ever made, if I remember his wording corectly. So sounds like it is here to stay, which is great.

 

Now I'ma go get me some hogs. Ku-ku!