I think one thing that will hurt Rivendell's collectibility is the uncertainty over who built them. Grant seems to be constantly changing the production location and builders. Fortunately, in the case of the top model, nearly all of the half dozen or more guys who have built them have been really top builders. But it seems that the bikes most sought after in KOF circles are those built by the hand of just one guy who the customer knows, like Baylis, Sachs, Gordon or Fattic. Also, the lesser models built in in the US and now in Japan have probably undermined the Rivendell image just a bit.
The one hope for really great Rivendell collectibility is that, like CA Masi, their story involves an incredible number of top builders who in future will be legendary if they are not already. But Masi also has the European mystic and link to a marque that supposedly supplied Merckx and Tom Simpson, not to mention the tragic and romantic saga of Mario. Not sure Rivendell can ever match that. So it may be that Rivendell will be more collectible than Baylis in the same sense that Raleigh Pro, Paramount and PX-10 are more collectible than Masi. That is, there will be far more Rivendells in future collections simply because far more were made, especially if you include Heron and its Japanese heirs. Rivendell is no doubt a very important bike in the same way as PX-10 or Paramount, in the sense that they changed an industry and a little piece of society overall. But will Rivendell ever command the same kind of price as Baylis or Sachs or Gordon? Highly unlikely.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
"brianbaylis@juno.com" <brianbaylis@juno.com> wrote: Michael,
A well thought out prediction and many obvious observations about Rivend ell and their marketing and whatnot; but I suspect you will be wrong abo ut the future collectability of the frames. Without the original paintjo b, a Rivendell will fade into obscurity and be recognizable only by the hedious lug patterns; not enough to make it a collectable in the future compared to many other frames being built today. The craftsmanship is up there with many of the "custom" builders who are just using IC lugs and putting nice bikes together; but there is plenty of that out there, mos t with better styling than Riv (like Dave Kirk for example). I'm not say ing a Riv will have no value in the future; but I heartily disagree that they have what it takes to top the collectable market in the future.
Needless to say, many may disagree with me. Perhaps hedious lugs will be hip in the far distant future. Fine by me. It's just my professional op inion based on my experience as a restorer and collector-type person.
Nothing personal against Rivendell; they got a great thing going and wha t they do benifits all of us if we choose to capitalize on it.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Don made some interesting observations, Joe's comments about American Ic on not withstanding. To me it sounds a lot like Rivendell's model, tongue firmly in cheek!
Rivendell fights, survives and becames a market 'power' based on style.
All the while this was going on, gifted KOF Stylists like Joe Stark and Curt Goodrich were working on customs for Rivendell.
The customizers fed off the Rivendell marketing machine, and Rivendell f ed off the customizers effectively creating concept bike after concept bike
that stimulated new interest in Rivendell.
Rivendell encouraged the customizers.
Rivendel fosters iBOB, the Bobish Owners Group, that promotes fanatical consumer loyalty.
Rivendell has competitors, bike makers that make a great opponent/villai n, because of the lack of soul and simple design in their bikes.
Rivendells styling kept the emphasis on simple paint, ornamaent, chrome and detail.
Rivendell promotes accessories out the kazoo.
Rivendell pursues, cultivates and promotes the gotta have it factor.
Ok, seriously. This is why I think down the road Rivendell will be the m ost collectable of the KOF bikes out there ;)
Mike Wilkinson
Castle Rock, CO