It was raining and howling wind yesterday so I rode Zwift:
No, I’m kidding, I stayed in and watched movies about my favourite bikes. Have you learnt Jeff Jones does a bit of parking zone check trip of each customized order bike he builds and generally makes a bit of video of it?
Nicely he does.
I don’t know if Rivendell checks their bikes equally, although in the event that they do I think about it will contain using across the parking zone whereas taking black and white images and listening to banjo music. I couldn’t discover any movies of that, however I did discover some foot shifting:
Friction shifting is only a gateway drug, and earlier than it you’re ditching the derailleur altogether and shifting with physique elements.
I additionally discovered this video which I assumed was entertaining:
Right here in New York you don’t see that many Rivendells, plus I don’t have any associates, which implies I too have kind of needed to piece the entire Riv factor collectively for myself by wanting on the employees bikes on their website. So far as I can inform it’s fairly versatile, however there are a couple of type notes you’re speculated to hit. For one factor, you need to have no less than one (1) discontinued half:
You also needs to do your greatest to have no less than one elements mixture that’s not speculated to work collectively however does anyway, reminiscent of a Campagnolo shifter with a Shimano low-normal derailleur:
And sure, you’re allowed to have listed shifting on a Rivendell, simply so long as it’s one thing that’s not speculated to work collectively however ought to, like a Campagnolo shifter with a Shimano low-normal derailleur, or a Modolo Morphos that’s not related to something and as an alternative you shift along with your foot:
And sure, apparently they nonetheless promote the Modolo Morphos:
I could should get a set for the Cervino.
And at last, your Rivendell bicycle ought to characteristic a extremely improvisational handlebar remedy:
Mainly it’s just like the Velominati on acid.
[All preceding photos from the Rivendell staff bikes section…except the Modolo Morphos shifters, those are from the planet Mars.]
Talking of Rivendell, Grant Petersen has a brand new guide:
It’s infuriating and the proceeds and he’s donating $10 for each guide bought to a very good trigger, so how will you go incorrect?
As for my very own Rivendae, I’ve no less than taken tentative steps in the precise route. For instance there’s the Swingline stapler Simplex entrance derailleur on the Homer:
And I’d argue that the double grip scenario on the Platypus qualifies as improvisational, or no less than barely quirky:
Although it may in all probability use another set of grips to essentially deliver it residence:
In the end although I’ll by no means be able to the sheer insouciance of a Rivendell staffer or an Ultraromance–who, as I discussed, is doing a medium-reach brake highway bike:
This implies medium-reach brake bikes are going to be the brand new factor, since I’m certain by now everybody’s burnt out on previous mountain bikes, and if I see another “gravel conversion” on the Web I’m gonna puke:
[Oh Reddit…]
This implies these medium-reach brakes may quickly command a premium, and single-pivot variations gained’t stay low cost for lengthy as soon as folks understand they open wider for simpler wheel removing with these fats tires, and they’re Jobst Brandt-approved:
Higher choose up a Milwaukee whilst you nonetheless can.