Yes, someone had disputed my earlier statement that Rivendell has changed the industry, but I, like you, do believe that it is Grant's missionary efforts spreading the gospel of lugged steel frames that is in large part responsible for their resurgence. I was not aware until the recent postings that Rivendell now has a Taiwan-made model. I think this is mostly a good thing, as it makes lugged steel frames available to those who can't or won't buy a custom Rivendell. I say this despite sharing Bruce Gordon's concerns over exporting manufacturing jobs. But I don't think there has been a $700 lugged steel frame made in the US for many years, and I don't see anyone here trying to make one. One might argue that these undermine the market for KOF frames, but I don't really think so. I think these are more likely to compete with lower midmarket TIGed oversize tube AL bikes, and I think having a bike that will last longer and can actually be repaired will better serve the customers. They might even be good for the KOF builders in the end. I can't see many customers who would have seriously considered a Gordon or Weigle or Sachs buying the Taiwan Rivendell because it is cheaper. I think those guys would have been buying the Japanese-made Rivendells or similar frames marketed through other channels. On the other hand, once you get someone riding lugged steel there is the hope he will eventually move up to a KOF frame. Of course, I'd like to see Rivendell making all these frames in the US, but that clearly isn't realistic. Grant did try with Heron, but he couldn't make money selling them at $1100, even back then. So maybe it's better to have more lugged steel bikes, even if the cheapest ones are coming from Taiwan.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Tom Martin <fatcogtom@comcast.net> wrote: Just coming back from Taiwan, I can tell you there is a definite interest in the details of bikes and culture that Riv has promoted for years. You will be surprised at what brands are venturing into lugged bikes once again, and which smaller makers are producing in Taiwan. Other parts too- nice racks, bottle cages, all the other parts and accessories that we get misty eyed over. People (other than yourselves) are buying these bikes. And not just the frames- the brooks saddles, Carradice bags, non plastic jerseys, etc. Grant has made an impact on the industry- not like Tom Ritchey, Steve Potts, and Gary Fisher, but there is an impact nonetheless.
Many of you will poo poo this change as a Horrible Problem- oh noooo- it's made in Taiwan- thats not a 'real' producing country with pride in workmanship and a history of bike culture. I say get off the pulpit and start to look at reality- take a trip to Taiwan and see where they have come and where they are going. Long Shen is making your misty eyed past accessible and affordable once again; same with Massload, Alex, Tektro, Lotus, etc.
I think the largest impact he has effected is disclosing the country of origin of what he sells in his catalogue and website. Dirt rag has begun to print this in their product reviews. Will others follow- I think so.
Tom Martin
Publicly attributing to Grant a small change in bike industry and bike kultur.
Oakland CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Starck [mailto:josephbstarck@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 2:16 PM
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]KOF: Rivendell is the new H.D. "Actually, Nagasawa is
more"H-D" than Rivendell." - Joe Starck
> --- Jerome & Elizabeth Moos
\r?\n>
\r?\n> wrote:
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Rivendell is no doubt a very important bike
\r?\n> > in the same way as PX-10 or Paramount, in the
\r?\n> sense
\r?\n> > that they changed an industry and a little piece
\r?\n> of
\r?\n> > society overall.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Other than this post here, who in the industry has
\r?\n> publicly attributed change in the industry to
\r?\n> Rivendell? Where's the cause-effect proof? What
\r?\n> are
\r?\n> the changes and where's the evidence?
\r?\n> Joe Starck
\r?\n> Madison, WI USA
\r?\n>
\r?\n> __________________________________________________
\r?\n> Do You Yahoo!?
\r?\n> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
\r?\n> protection around
\r?\n> http://mail.yahoo.com