Rivendell is a company that grew from the head of Grant Petersen. Mr. Petersen was the marketing director of Bridgestone USA during its heyday (in fact many saw Bridgestone as Grant Petersen). Bridgestone was viewed as an anachronism and its devotees viewed as retro-grouches during a time when the bike industry was embracing new technologies. This was because Mr. Petersen appreciated the tried and true technologies over the glitzy appeal of equipment that promised to do everything on the bike short of actually turning the pedals for you. He lead his company by the philosophy that it's more about the riding than the technology. Unfortunately, the market, with it's thirst for the newest technologies, hadn't enough room for Bridgestone Japan (where the final power rested) to deem the US operation worthwhile.
Rivendell started up not long after Bridgestone's fold in the US bike market. Initially, it sold time honored bicycle parts of good quality and dependability. Eventually it was able to offer its own line of semi-custom bicycles (originally built by Waterford). Grant hashed out what he thought bikes should be and with every bike built, there were improvements. The bikes were always handbuilt the old fashioned way using lugs and silver brazing techniques. Always, there was an emphasis to the attention to detail, and Rivendell's lug work is often seen as jewelry among the bike world. As of 1999 (but as early as 1997) Rivendells are more or less custom built by a handful of builders carefully picked by Mr. Petersen.
This bike I was fortunate enough to buy used, but in cherry condition completely built. It was constructed in 1999 by, I gather from its serial number, the now defunct Match! company which was spear headed by Curt Goodrich (still building for Rivendell) and Tim Isaacs (now with Merlin of titanium fame).
Since I've owned this bike, It's componentry has changed about three times. None of the changes has been radical and the spirit of the bike (as I have it set up) has always been of utility and unhurried pleasure. It is the first bike I reach for on small errands and pleasure rides that have no pretense of speed (like cycling with "non-cyclists", or a "no-goofy-clothes" type ride). It is also my touring bicycle.
Current Componentry:
| headset | Suntour XC Pro with GreaseGuard 1" threaded |
| handlebars | Nitto Mustache Bar 26.0 clamp diameter |
| stem | Nitto Technomic Deluxe 110mm |
| tape | Modified Off The Front |
| bottle cage | Blackburn Switchback, Stainless, (x2) |
| brake levers | Dia-Compe 287V Aero & dummy hoods |
| brake calipers | XTR 951 V-brake |
| seatpost | Moxey XC Supsension Seatpost |
| saddle | Brooks B.17 Champion Special |
| bottom bracket | WTB GreaseGuard |
| crankset | TA Zephyr(right)/Mavic(left) |
| chainrings | QBP Engagement Rings 46-34-24 (standard mountain triple) |
| pedals | Trek System3 Pedals with PowerStraps |
| shifters | Rivendell's Suntour Sprint Supermix |
| front derailleur | XTR M953 (traditional TS/BP) |
| rear derailleur | XTR951 (8-Speed) |
| cassette | XT 12-28 (8 Speed) |
| hubs | XTR 950 (champagne colored) |
| skewers | Salsa, silver, stainless |
| spokes | 14/15 butted stainless spokes |
| nipples | DT brass nipples | rims | Mavic 221 | tires | Continental Avenue 1.75" |
| racks | Jandd Extreme front&rear | fenders | Planet Bike Freddy Fender Hardcore | front light(s) | Planet Bike BRT-1 LED & Niterider Niteowl | rear light | Vistalite Eclipse | bag(s) | Carradice Nelson Longflap, Baggins Candybar Bag, Ortlieb Backrollers (front and rear) for touring, Baggins Banana Bag | framepump | Blackburn |
Profile
Front
3/4 Front #1
3/4 Front #2
3/4 Rear
Headtube/Forkcrown
Bottom Bracket Juncture
Seat Tube Juncture
