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 car parking zone take a look at trip of each customized order bike he builds and typically makes a bit video of it?
Effectively he does.
I don’t know if Rivendell exams their bikes equally, although in the event that they do I think about it could contain driving across the car 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 you realize it you’re ditching the derailleur altogether and shifting with physique elements.
I additionally discovered this video which I believed 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 type of needed to piece the entire Riv factor collectively for myself by trying on the workers bikes on their website. So far as I can inform it’s fairly versatile, however there are a number of type notes you’re imagined to hit. For one factor, you need to have at the very least one (1) discontinued half:
You must also do your finest to have at the very least one elements mixture that’s not imagined to work collectively however does anyway, comparable to 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 imagined 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 a substitute you shift together with your foot:
And sure, apparently they nonetheless promote the Modolo Morphos:
I could need to get a set for the Cervino.
And at last, your Rivendell bicycle ought to function 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 ebook:
It’s infuriating and the proceeds and he’s donating $10 for each ebook bought to a very good trigger, so how are you going to go improper?
As for my very own Rivendae, I’ve at the very least taken tentative steps in the fitting route. For instance there’s the Swingline stapler Simplex entrance derailleur on the Homer:
And I’d argue that the double grip state of affairs on the Platypus qualifies as improvisational, or at the very least barely quirky:
Although it may in all probability use another set of grips to actually 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 positive by now everybody’s burnt out on outdated 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 received’t stay low cost for lengthy as soon as individuals understand they open wider for simpler wheel elimination with these fats tires, and so they’re Jobst Brandt-approved:
Higher choose up a Milwaukee whilst you nonetheless can.
