Jerry Moos wrote:
> But as I said in an earlier post, one thing I don't like about
Rivendell is that you don't know who built it, even though you know it
was someone good. Is Curt currently the only Rivendell custom builder?
I know that a few year ago there were two or even three builders and
Grant made a point of saying in the Reader not to even ask about
specifying which builder you wanted to build your bike. I personally
would have had a problem with that. I agree with Doug that if I wanted
a bike built by Curt Goodrich, I'd go to Curt directly. As Doug points
out, this frees you of the limits which Grant might impose. I've never
negotiated a custom order with Grant, but I know he has strong opinions.
And I'm guessing he could be pretty adamant about things like fork rake
or wanting a different lug set. He also seems to dislike chrome and
tubing decals, both of which seem legitimate customer requests to me. I
presume dealing with Curt directly would make it easier to get just what
you
> want. Plus I just like having a frame that bears the name of the man
who built it.
_________________________
Jerry, so would I.
In 1999 I bought a Rivendell, custom built by Joe Starck. Not only did Grant ask me rather thoroughly of how I wanted the bike (which was no problem as the reason I went to Riv was that I - after some time of searching - had found somebody who looked upon bicycles in much the same way as myself), but he also asked whether I wanted Joe or match to build the bike (well, if I would accept that match did it). Later we negociated on a bike for my wife. That bike was never built - for other reasons - but Grant went quite out of his ordinary designs to accomodate.
My own bike was signed by Joe and I admit I like that very much. And being a jaded period of his life or not, the execution is absolutely super. Besides, I like both extension and lugs!
I have also heard at least one person who got his bike in the transition period between match and Curt that he had a very pleasant surprise when he heard who had built it. Maybe no choice, but also no secret? Still, of course, it was no xx, it was a Riv which leads to the difference between designer and executor which may or may not be the same person.
If you buy directly from Curt Goodrich you negociate with Curt who also designs and builds the frame. It is a Curt-built Curt, no doubt very nice. If you buy from Riv you negociate with Grant who designs the bike that somebody - e.g. Curt - builds up to a standard set by Grant and guaranteed by him. In that case it is a Curt-built Riv, no doubt very nice. In both cases you negociate with a designer you know and trust and have the bike built to the design you agree to. If you doesn´t agree it doesn´t help if you negociate directly with the builder. And I have heard of adamant builders! One way is not necessarily better than the other even if it still is nice to know the executor as well.
But I have not the experience of being left to unknown whims when talking to Grant, nor that he wouldn´t listen to your opinions.
your obedient servant
Olof Stroh
Uppsala Sweden