Rivendell frame geometry in other bikes?

[email hidden] (Aaron) wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar geometry?

The Specialized Roubaix series of bikes has a tall head tube and short top
tube like Rivendell. This series has both expensive and cheaper models.

Giant may have some models like that, as well.

Aaron said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar geometry?

http://www.heronbicycles.com

The Road and Touring frames are right around $1000, about $300 less than
a Rivendell. There may be non-brazed or non-steel production frames out
there with similar geometry for less.

--
Warren Block * Rapid City, South Dakota * USA

Quoted message said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar geometry?

TIA,

Aaron

Specialized Roubaix 27 $1300. Old fashioned geometry that is raceable.
Even has a way to attach a rear pannier to the seat stay, if you want to go
that route.

The UK still makes high quality frames at reasonable prices. Take a look
at http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/. You can specify precisely what you
want. There are others builders, but Mercian has been around a very long
time. I have two of their frames which I bought 25 years ago. They are
things of beauty. I don't know about duty, but I suspect that you can
get one of these for about $700.

Aaron said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar geometry?

TIA,

Aaron

--
Bob Wheeler --- http://www.bobwheeler.com/
ECHIP, Inc. ---
Randomness comes in bunches.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

In article <[email hidden]>,

Aaron said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar geometry?

_ Not exactly the same and not lugged, but both Soma and Surly
make frames with similar geometries.

http://www.somafab.com/extrasmoothie.html

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly-pacer.html

_ Booker C. Bense

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: 2.6.2

iQCVAwUBQSZWEmTWTAjn5N/lAQFbEAQAnIBRba3s7275OFOJ0tLouz2S/E1wUE30
O82bpxLVeu6qHI4KOc5h8F4vwE2wRLT3UEMFr+5kNK2dPJ4hHgyjKqoETM59zBJm
5d9y8QYFZuUYf10mp6zFAQ4nFpg2yY4Xx52hapTv3VCwFfhxs+qbvvMPJciaLDkw
sSbH2dAFpZY=
=u4fR
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

"Aaron" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar geometry?

Since Riv's geometry is based on the 80s Japanese sports-touring bike,
arguably one of the cheapest ways to fine something "similar" to a Riv is to
find a nice lugged steel frame from that era. Tons were sold, so something
in your size should be available relatively cheaply.

For new, check out Soma/Surley (both tigged, not lugged), the previously
mentioned Merican Cycles, Waterford, Vanilla and many other small frame
builders offer something that might be in your price range, which you don't
provide.....

"bfd" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Aaron" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are

there

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

other vintage or current production frames that have similar

geometry?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Since Riv's geometry is based on the 80s Japanese

sports-touring bike,

Quoted message said:

arguably one of the cheapest ways to fine something "similar"

to a Riv is to

Quoted message said:

find a nice lugged steel frame from that era. Tons were sold,

so something

Quoted message said:

in your size should be available relatively cheaply.

For new, check out Soma/Surley (both tigged, not lugged), the

previously

Quoted message said:

mentioned Merican Cycles, Waterford, Vanilla and many other

small frame

Quoted message said:

builders offer something that might be in your price range,

which you don't

Quoted message said:

provide.....

9 out of 10 "club racing" bikes from the '70s would have similar
geometry, too. I saw a NOS Raleigh Pro on eBay that fit the
bill. An old PX10 also would work -- except that you would have
to cope with a bunch of French threads. My Raleigh Pro track
bike has touring geometry by today's standards. -- Jay Beattie.

(Aaron) said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar
geometry?

Not entirely, but many bikes from the late 70's had similar geometry.
The pickings are much better for recent productions bikes- contrary to
popular belief, lugged steel frames are abundantly available! Of
course, the less expensive Rambouillet, Romulus, Redwood and Atlantis
frames that Rivendell produces have very similar geometries. Many of
the frames by Waterford share some of the same design philosophy, and
are excellent well made and wonderfully riding bikes (Waterford was
initially the builder for Rivendell). Even their "cheap" line of
frames, Gunnar, are great bikes. And last but not least, Heron frames
(still built by Waterford as a joint venture with teh owner of Heron)
are similar to Rivendell's and Kogswell's latest frame designs are
right at home in the same mode.

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/bikes_rambouilletframes.html

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/bikes_atlantisframes.html

http://www.waterfordbikes.com/

http://www.gunnarbikes.com/

http://www.heronbicycles.com/

http://www.kogswell.com/

The short answer is that you have *lots* of options for bikes with
similar aesthetics and geometry, without paying the cost for a full
custom frame.

Warren Block said:

Aaron said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar
geometry?

http://www.heronbicycles.com

The Road and Touring frames are right around $1000, about $300 less
than a Rivendell. There may be non-brazed or non-steel production
frames out there with similar geometry for less.

Have you checked Rivendell's prices lately? ;-)

Check out http://www.curtlo.com/. This is the lowest priced custom
steel frame builder I have ever found. Photos of his work and
feedback have been excellent. You won't get lugs for his $695 price,
but a custom tigged steel frame built to your specs could be the
ticket. The possible downside of the Specialized if you are looking
for Riv-like geometry is that the chain stays and seat tube angle will
still be of the racer variety. They create comfort by relaxing the ht
angle and having fairly high fork rakes. Seat tube angle is still
fairly steep. Not bad, just maybe not a comfy as Riv geometry.

[email hidden] (Aaron) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar geometry?

TIA,

Aaron

"bfd" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Aaron" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar geometry?

Since Riv's geometry is based on the 80s Japanese sports-touring bike,
arguably one of the cheapest ways to fine something "similar" to a Riv is

to

Quoted message said:

find a nice lugged steel frame from that era. Tons were sold, so

something

Quoted message said:

in your size should be available relatively cheaply.

I picked up an early 80's Nishiki Century at a garage sale up the street for
$10 and I absolutely love it. Its a 62 with a 57 cm top tube, 72 degree
head tube, and really long chain stays.

Tim McNamara said:

Warren Block <[email hidden]> writes:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.heronbicycles.com

The Road and Touring frames are right around $1000, about $300 less
than a Rivendell. There may be non-brazed or non-steel production
frames out there with similar geometry for less.

Have you checked Rivendell's prices lately? ;-)

Just before posting that, actually. A Rambouillet or Atlantis frame is
$1300, according to their web site.

Another option just seen from that other thread about touring bikes:

http://ucycle.com/bikes/item.php?name=urbtour&cat=urbanite

Not quite the same thing, but maybe close to the same riding position.
Unknown Q-factor, but $425 Canadian ($350 US!) for a steel frame and
fork.

--
Warren Block * Rapid City, South Dakota * USA

RE/

Quoted message said:

Check out http://www.curtlo.com/. This is the lowest priced custom
steel frame builder I have ever found. Photos of his work and
feedback have been excellent. You won't get lugs for his $695 price,
but a custom tigged steel frame built to your specs could be the
ticket. The possible downside of the Specialized if you are looking
for Riv-like geometry is that the chain stays and seat tube angle will
still be of the racer variety. They create comfort by relaxing the ht
angle and having fairly high fork rakes. Seat tube angle is still
fairly steep. Not bad, just maybe not a comfy as Riv geometry.

I've got one of his hard tails. The local Seven dealer looked at it and opined
that it was a really nice piece of work.
--
PeteCresswell

Quoted message said:

http://ucycle.com/bikes/item.php?name=urbtour&cat=urbanite

Not quite the same thing, but maybe close to the same riding position.
Unknown Q-factor, but $425 Canadian ($350 US!) for a steel frame and
fork.

I was just in that shop admiring those frames last week. It's a good shop, a
worker co-op, so they claim, and the geometry has been thoughtfully tweaked.
The welds looked good to me. They are made in Taiwan. They have 3 frame
models from which to choose. Can't beat that price!
Blake

Warren Block said:

Tim McNamara said:

Warren Block <[email hidden]> writes:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.heronbicycles.com

The Road and Touring frames are right around $1000, about $300
less than a Rivendell. There may be non-brazed or non-steel
production frames out there with similar geometry for less.

Have you checked Rivendell's prices lately? ;-)

Just before posting that, actually. A Rambouillet or Atlantis frame
is $1300, according to their web site.

Yup, but they are differentiated from Rivendell frames, which are full
custom jobs and cost lost and lots more than the Rambouillet and
Atlantis frames. They are marketed as different brands. IMHO both
offer 95% of the Rivendell frames at half the cost, making them a
great deal if you're looking for that kind of bike.

I'll happily ditto the Heron recommendation, BTW. My wife has one that
I gave her for Christmas 1999, after her XO-1 got run over and smashed
to death by someone parking their car and confusing the brake and gas
pedals. It's a great bike. I'm very much intrigued by the Heron
Randonneur, which looks like a great bike for most of the riding I do.
However, I'm learning how to build frames so buying a new frame seems
a bit silly... ;-)

Warren Block said:

Just before posting that, actually. A Rambouillet or Atlantis frame is
$1300, according to their web site.

I'd want mine made by Lord Elrond himself for that sort of cash!

Quoted message said:

"Aaron" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I like the idea of Rivendells but can't afford the price. Are there
other vintage or current production frames that have similar geometry?

bfd said:

Since Riv's geometry is based on the 80s Japanese sports-touring bike,
arguably one of the cheapest ways to fine something "similar" to a Riv is to
find a nice lugged steel frame from that era. Tons were sold, so something
in your size should be available relatively cheaply.

Bingo. While the Rivendell Rambullet frames sure look great, I think
their biggest appeal is marketing and filling a niche that has been
largely ignored since the 80s. Check out specs of the so-called sport
bikes put out by Trek, Fuji, Univega, Bridgestone and others.
Google for the Classic Rendezvous site.

Deals exist. I was able to pick up a '82 vintage Trek for under $100.
I've probably put another $100 into it getting it going again but very
servicable.

-- Dave
==============================================
"It is impossible, or not easy, to do noble acts
without the proper equipment."
Aristotle, <<Politics>>, 1323a-b, trans Jowett
==============================================