Riv SimpleOne Color/Cream Headtube change Question

[Jason Zakaras]

Hi All, I'm new here, **Shout out to any Riv folks in Omaha.   Anyway, I have been digging into the Riv Blog history and haven't been able to find the content surrounding the rational behind the changes to the simpleone... Initially the description states it would be a "fancier paint" with cream headtube and also a dark red color, then slime green with cream accents, then it was released entirely in dark "slime" green.  Does anyone here have any further insight on the changes?  I am working on a restoration project of a SimpleOne and have chosen to go with the prototype Burgundy color with cream head tube and fork accents.  I am looking forward to it being what may have been the OG intent for the color way of this bike.

Thoughts?

[iamkeith]

I'm almost certain there were more produced in the burgundy color than just a prototype or two.  I think there was a choice between that color and the green, but perhaps not in equal numbers.  You could probably spend some time on the wayback machine (internet archive) and find out for sure.  

As to the lack of creme headtube, it was probably an aspiration that didn't pencil out once the final costs were known.  The thing about Rivendell is that they are very open about sharing details as projects and ideas develop.  It is fun watching the process and is nice in that you get to plan and anticipate,  but can lead to disapointment if you get your heart set on something and become emotionally invested. Details always change.

I'd say paint it as you'd like it.  If it's a quality, professional paint job and in a subdued, tasteful color that works with the decal, it's not like the bike is devalued.  Same with adding the creme headtube and wings and window fill, if that's what you like.

When the quickbeam (the japan- made predecessor and template for the simple one)  was in production, I think there were a couple of one-off versions made, with fancier lugs and/or fancier paint.  In fact, Riv used to offer the option of custom paint

 on production models, at the buyer's expense and in approved colors.

[Joe Bernard]

I remember this process for the Clem, which went the opposite direction. Originally it was supposed to come in a flat black you could bang around on commutes, then touch up with a spray can. I believe the decals were going to be stick-on and come in a baggy so you could leave them off. Somewhere along the line Grant decided Clems were going to be pretty. 

[Doug H.]

Grant gave some insight on color selection for the new Roaduno in a blahg linked here https://www.rivbike.com/blogs/grant-petersens-blog/no-22-december?_pos=3&_sid=4b5f164df&_ss=r . Here is a snippet of the color choosing thought process: 

The thing is, sometimes the color or combo that appeal the most (to me and maybe to other people, not saying you, but maybe) is the combo that seems so close to perfect that the looker looks at it and thinks dang, so close, why didn't we/they just change this little tiny thing? That way, you're more involved in it. I don't know if there's a name for this phenomenon. Sometimes, actually ALL the time, I think that if nobody doesn't like something, there's something wrong with it. We like to like things that aren't exactly the way we'da done them. But...we still try hard to get them perfect, knowing that our perfect might not be yours.

The point is that I don't know if there is ever an "original intent" for colors on Rivendells. It is a process of choosing that Grant let's us in on as most bike makers don't in my experience. He shares his thoughts and iterations and then we all see the final products! It's fun.

Doug

[lconley]

I got a black Clementine 52 frame in the original order. The idea was that Rivendell would let you specify a name instead of "Clementine" or "Clem Smith, Jr., and then that became a plain frame with the letter decals in an envelope, but the maker had put the Clementine decals on already, when the frames arrived. Rivendell offered to send the envelope of letter decals so I took them up on it - I still have them. The bike also came with two Clem headtube badges, a pewter colored one and a bronze colored one. The pewter colored one is on the bike, the bronze one is in the toolbox.

The Clementine forks were originally supposed to be plain, but instead came with the standard Rivendell cream details.

Laing

On Friday, January 28, 2022 at 1:05:33 AM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote:

[Doug H.]

Laing,

What kind of tires and handlebars do you have on there? Are you still riding it and this photo was during some components changes?

Doug

[lconley]

The tires are Rivendell Fatty Rumpkin green, 650B x 41 on VO Touring wheels.

The handlebars are Albatross Cro-Mo 55.

This was the day it arrived and these were the components that I already had on hand.

It is currently is in the process of having a Crust Clydesdale Cargo Fork and Bafang Middrive installed.

Laing