Brian, I personally think it is way out of line and in very poor taste to call a fellow KOF's bikes or lugs "hideous".
Rod (No Riv's in my stable yet) Kronenberg Fort Collins, CO
> Michael,
\r?\n>
\r?\n> A well thought out prediction and many obvious observations about Rivend
\r?\n> ell and their marketing and whatnot; but I suspect you will be wrong abo
\r?\n> ut the future collectability of the frames. Without the original paintjo
\r?\n> b, a Rivendell will fade into obscurity and be recognizable only by the
\r?\n> hedious lug patterns; not enough to make it a collectable in the future
\r?\n> compared to many other frames being built today. The craftsmanship is up
\r?\n> there with many of the "custom" builders who are just using IC lugs and
\r?\n> putting nice bikes together; but there is plenty of that out there, mos
\r?\n> t with better styling than Riv (like Dave Kirk for example). I'm not say
\r?\n> ing a Riv will have no value in the future; but I heartily disagree that
\r?\n> they have what it takes to top the collectable market in the future.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Needless to say, many may disagree with me. Perhaps hedious lugs will be
\r?\n> hip in the far distant future. Fine by me. It's just my professional op
\r?\n> inion based on my experience as a restorer and collector-type person.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Nothing personal against Rivendell; they got a great thing going and wha
\r?\n> t they do benifits all of us if we choose to capitalize on it.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Brian Baylis
\r?\n> La Mesa, CA
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n> -- "Michael Wilkinson" wrote:
\r?\n> Don made some interesting observations, Joe's comments about American Ic
\r?\n> on
\r?\n> not withstanding. To me it sounds a lot like Rivendell's model, tongue
\r?\n> firmly in cheek!
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Rivendell fights, survives and becames a market 'power' based on style.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> All the while this was going on, gifted KOF Stylists like Joe Stark and
\r?\n> Curt
\r?\n> Goodrich were working on customs for Rivendell.
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n> The customizers fed off the Rivendell marketing machine, and Rivendell f
\r?\n> ed
\r?\n> off the customizers effectively creating concept bike after concept bike
\r?\n>
\r?\n> that stimulated new interest in Rivendell.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Rivendell encouraged the customizers.
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Rivendel fosters iBOB, the Bobish Owners Group, that promotes fanatical
\r?\n> consumer loyalty.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Rivendell has competitors, bike makers that make a great opponent/villai
\r?\n> n,
\r?\n> because of the lack of soul and simple design in their bikes.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Rivendells styling kept the emphasis on simple paint, ornamaent, chrome
\r?\n> and
\r?\n> detail.
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Rivendell promotes accessories out the kazoo.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Rivendell pursues, cultivates and promotes the gotta have it factor.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Ok, seriously. This is why I think down the road Rivendell will be the m
\r?\n> ost
\r?\n> collectable of the KOF bikes out there ;)
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Mike Wilkinson
\r?\n> Castle Rock, CO