Rivendell Rambouillet Rebuild! Beautiful classic road bike frame adorned with only the best parts!!

[@MoeKateye]

Bike shop manager talked me into a new Rambouillet in 2005. It turned out to be my favorite bike of all time. The most comfortable riding bike I’ve ridden. My go-to bike when the others weren’t working. Several cross Iowa trips on RAGBRAI, commuting in all kinds of weather. It’s never, ever let me down. Thanks for this video.

[@gerlachsieders4578]

what a stunner! this is how touring bikes are supposed to be, spot on! ATB, sven

[@nicktame2108]

"I am in a pit of despair right now...". Brilliant. That really made me chuckle. It's good to know that we all feel the same way now and again. Keep making your vids....

[@klarkolofsson]

Thank you for using the best background music in existence, jazz. Truly a beautiful bike, congrats!

[@dannydirty_life_and_times8916]

“I would give my left arm to be ambidextrous right now” hahaha that’s amazing

[@G60syncro]

Fun fact, when you're born lefty life teaches you how to become ambidextrous.... Funny how you rightys can't get that figured out!!

[@jbikemoore]

Genus.. pure genus

[@ronaldmadican2393]

@@jbikemoore Genius... pure genius.

[@domnortheburninator]

All the joy and frustration of bike wrenching distilled into one video. Thank you. The result is wonderful.

[@tgoodmann]

One of my favorites of your builds and rebuilds and rides. Really appreciate your advocacy for down-to-earth bikes for anyone and everyone. Thanks for your channel.

[@holygeezer3369]

I picked up a blue Rambouillet locally in June of 2023 with the standard Rivendell parts build from around 2004. It is in pretty much immaculate shape with only a few very minor paint scrapes. It is my favorite bike ever and I’ve been through a few over my riding years and I am 69 now. I am so happy to have one now.

[@Crosscreekone]

Kinda fun to watch you fighting it out with the fenders after all the times I’ve done it. 28mm tires would have made it easier, but what’s the joy in that? One thing I always do before mounting fenders is to get the brakes cabled and adjusted first. Then (if it’s going to work), the brakes won’t impinge. It allows easier adjustments at the ends, too, since everywhere you press on a fender messes up the other mounting points…. Nice Rambo, btw. I applaud your re-use of a Dura Ace 7700 GS derailleur. So many out there with little use because of upgrades to newer group sets or newer bikes. I have a 7700 SS on one bike I built with an 11-32 9 spd cassette and 1X crank-works beautifully. Another (on an older Riv Sam H frame) has an Ultegra 6500 GS shifting a 1X 12-34 9spd. It also shifts great.

[@benmayes7962]

I love the sound of light gravel under low pressure slicks.

[@danboss7188]

I’m in awe - thanks for sharing this piece of art with us!

[@davidstewart3868]

It’s a beautiful bike. Makes me want to get my Miyata 1000 back on the road. Cheers!

[@lawrencelibby3607]

At the same time these were available I was working in a shop and I got a custom tig frame with fancier components because I was able to get a discount. The IF Club Racer is a great bike and I'm running 32's with fenders and a triple so all good. I do look at that Riv like the girl I never asked out. I'm so glad you saw the light with the front brake cable routing. I was getting worried...

[@Spanderson99]

If you want to find the coolest bikes in any given bike shop, look past the rows and rows of expensive carbon frames, and find the staff bike parikng! That’s where you can sometimes encounter gems like this one. Truly a bike nerd’s frame. I’ll have this on in the background while I try to get my Surly ready for my upcoming trip!

[@dillroastington]

The lugs on Riv Bikes are truly beautiful.

[@etr9650]

That is a pretty bike for sure. Nothing like candy painted steel and polished aluminum!

[@marcusathome]

I"m gonna call you the BikePhilosopher from now on. Wit, wisdom, mishaps and rewards all in this video, and I can totally relate. Beautiful bike, BTW! 👍

[@ricardosilva-xz1yt]

Perfection. On the ride segment. Relaxed posture not stretched not taught and tight. Just loose. Perfect build right size. Have to say would go index instead of friction. Other than, perfect wheel size, perfect geometry, frame material, even color scheeme is bang on. Kudos Sir kudos

[@petrosspetrosgali]

WOW!!!!! What a gorgeous bike!!! One day, I need to replace my ‘83 Nashbar I had from 1989-1997. I put over 8,000 miles on it, a good part of those miles were from working as a bike messenger in Houston. I can think of no better frame to use as a replacement than a Rivendell.

[@royanderson3478]

Great build. Where is your area? And one question: Did you have a shop or storefront, or you basically run a repair shop. Thank you 😊. Enjoy the journey of life on a bike, such a great 👍 way to explore your city or town 😀

[@blu3ste3l]

Fellow Houstonian here! What part of town are you in?

[@petrosspetrosgali]

@@blu3ste3l I grew up in the champions area from 1988-around 93, I lived there offf and on till 2003

[@jasonm4695]

Beautiful bike and build. Commentary and the background music go hand in hand. Thank you for your channel.

[@NeatSix]

Those screws you mention with the dome head are called buttonhead screws if I recall correctly. But seeing this video gave me ideas for my XO-1 build. Cheers Andy!

[@marxmeesterlijk]

Rivendells truly are the dream bike of every retro bike nerd. Beautiful!

[@FluXxxie]

@@marxmeesterlijk So are Gazelles. Kinda funny how their names are similar

[@bellavia5]

What makes them special ?

[@whostheplum1711]

I keep getting stopped and asked about mine. Like it also has the story of being my father's bike before he died. Truly an heirloom bike

[@davidross8233]

@@bellavia5nothing really other than the fact that they make bikes for people who feel the bike industry has left them behind. I have six bikes and none of them came from a bike shop. There are zero bikes I want to own available at 99 percent of shops. They offer some models with geometry that you can’t find anywhere else. Now if they just offered disc brakes they would be the greatest bike company on earth.

[@bellavia5]

@@davidross8233 I don't feel left behind but I do think the industry has done things that make no sense. Overly complicated tube shaping. Seat stays that are positioned far below the juncture where the top tube intersects the seat tube. This is the MAIN gripe I have with the industry because it makes NO sense whatever .Bike shops will tell you that it's done to create a tighter rear triangle . Yes but a mountain bike does'nt need a real tight real triangle -it needs that nexus supported to buttress against a riders weight landing on that area. Threadless headsets and hollow tech bottom brackets . Not too sure about those. Disc brakes are the ONLY worthwhile thing I've seen in the last 20 years. Of course -we both know that these things are concocted in order to sell more bikes.. Speaking of disc brakes -why don't you install a conversion set up? Sacrilege? Another thing worthwhile I noticed is the "toe-in" positioning of brake levers on road bikes. Creates better alignment of the lower and upper arm .

[@lindajesse8250]

Hello from Georgetown, Ontario. Thanks for the tour of your part of Wisconsin. And of course, the build. Sweeeet.😊

[@tomhorne6172]

Great build!

[@michaelmartino5100]

Very relaxing to watch you work on a cool project with some nice slow jazz in the background. Good start to a Friday! Thanks BikeFarmer! Have a great weekend!

[@patmaweini952]

Beautiful bike!! Solid parts selection!! Great work

[@sank2841]

7:50 "I'm in a pit of despair" struggling with the mudguard ! 😂😂😂

[@slugore]

Beauty. The sound, or lack there of, is wonderful.

[@rcr286]

Beautiful bike in a beautiful part of the country. Wisconsin's Rails-to-Trails network is amazing. You're a lucky guy.

[@JJKahle]

I picked up a Clem Smith Jr. (H) off of the Radavist Bazaar and it’s my new favorite bike ever! So plush, just a pleasure to ride. Thanks for the lovely assembly video. I love the “warts and all” aspect of your builds, and the ride around at the end is such a joy to behold. Thanks! My new favorite bike channel!

[@michaelmagee6428]

Congrats on finding this gem!!! What a beauty!!! The color is to die for! and matching cable housings!!!! I'll bet she rides like a dream too! Great aesthetic build too. A frame this gorgeous needs Rene Herse. ENJOY! And thanks for all the great vids. When things get straightened out around here financially, I'll be sending you taco $$$$. More recently, Uncle Sam has had his hands deep in my pockets. He's scratching my ankles right now.

[@stewartmowatt2337]

Love the colour your new build has soul man I'm a cycle tech from england i love your on vidos and I have big colection of bike more than plus one man

[@chrislang7146]

Keep the Riv builds coming! Got two myself.

[@ScottCopeland-yh9lm]

Elegant build. This was a pleasure to watch it all come together. Enjoy your day my friends. 🧡

[@jmaydelotte]

I have to say it was gratifying watching a professional have trouble with those Honjo fenders. I remember getting to the point of tears trying to get a set to fit on a Rivendell Atlantis years ago - turns out I had ordered the wrong size and they were never going to fit right. But once I'd drilled holes and scratched them trying to fit, I couldn't return them either. Good times! That is a beautiful ride, and I hope you get many years of joy out of it!

[@MrUnderScore81162]

Just putting this out there but @probablyriding and you should do a bike together. He's got a good channel and I think you guys would vibe well together. Anyways, thanks for the awesome videos!!

[@jeffv43]

Did that guy just say “fancy pants?” lol, good guy, good mechanic. Nice job!!! 👍🏻👍🏻🙂

[@asiwiak]

Thanks!

[@sonalmalhotra07]

Nice color on the bicycle.

[@DonAsta007]

I absolutely love what you did there. Amazing!

[@dewittlunsford2527]

Beautiful, I’ll have to say that I’ve really enjoyed all of your non dork disk videos lately. I know that they have been your own bikes and you most likely can’t keep that up all the time. Always looking forward to what you come up with next 👍

[@christopherwebb3517]

I love the color on this bike.

[@plakor6133]

Love my Toyo Atlantis. Lots of adventures on that bike.

[@chrisxshock]

Wow this bike is beyond sick!!! Absolutely beautiful.

[@fossil-bit8439]

Beautiful machine.

[@CameronPriceJ]

Definitely was laughing out loud at some of your monologue 😂 Gorgeous bike ❤ Well done!

[@dinodaniel2237]

Congratulations on the lovely frame acquisition. The build came out very nice. Looking forward to your next video!

[@Mark-c4t9j]

Another great video, thanks for sharing the build. The creamscicle color design is awesome, and the brown leather is perfect. Enjoy it!

[@PoserBallin]

Friction4ever! Also, watching you futz with the fenders is giving me ptsd, glad you got it to all fit.

[@paulwheatland7306]

I watched a video the other day when you said that you normally put the tyre logo at the valve, but should probably put the tyre pressure information at the valve,, I agree with putting the pressure at the valve, also I always start at the valve and finnish at the valve when changing tyres,, I'm old and been doing it for a long long time, hope you agree,works for me 👍

[@robertpeterson8640]

I have one just like this. I think that I spent maybe 3 or 4 hours mounting Honjos on my Saluki. I can recommend the Sheldon fender nuts from Problem solvers. They work as advertised. I have some Velo Orange fenders for my Rambouillet but I have never put them on. They are pre drilled and the 2 sets I have mounted went on great. The Honjos are more substantial though.

[@skylerlovell1780]

Not even a road bike guy and that thing has me needing one 😂 Sweet Build man!

[@DavidSnow-s2r]

Beautiful bike Andy. Keep up the great work and stay safe out there.

[@markcoovelis422]

Beautiful. Thanks for a great video.

[@Daniel-yf9iy]

Very classic. Beautiful build!

[@yugenfocus]

I didn't even mean to watch this whole video but the vibes were so calm and watching you build and eventually ride this beauty was a real treat. I'm just bought a Toyo Romulus, the 'cheaper' version of this bike and I'm excited to ride it and maybe even put some drops like yours on it as well. I really love how your bars look with the gum hoods and the honey leather wrap.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Good score ! There is a a Rambouillet here in So Oregon. Too bad they discontinued it, great bike. I have a Hunqapillar and a Cheviot. There is nothing like a Rivendell.

[@kewelime]

Sheeeeesh. Great work!

[@johnschooley3631]

I have a saluki bought in 2005. I also use bar end friction shifting w 9 gears. Use 38 -42 rene herse 650b tires. Love this bike.

[@Maguiting]

I say, that is quite an exquisite looking bicycle, sir.

[@Roc753]

Nicely done Sir.

[@serendipitous6]

Super stoked for you man! Nice find.

[@satchmojack]

Thanks for all the content! I'm learning a ton. Hope you use this to buy yourself a fancy coffee, because as we all know, you're a fancy boy! Thanks again!

[@malcraghill7]

Very satisfying to watch.

[@SHWELL11]

Im so excited for you! Nicely done.. Thank you for sharing the process. I learned quite a bit from this video. Ive been getting my arse kicked by a bunch of different Brake setups this week..

[@mbarlev]

24:11 "I would give my left arm to be ambidextrous" - a sentence to be remembered

[@BHman841]

1st Production Riv was the Road Standard. Rams are great. I bought mine new in '06 and still love it.

[@alankay9225]

Poetry in motion!

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Fantastic build, beautiful bike. Pragmatic engineering, spectacular. Thanks for the tip on the Orange Velo Pedals

[@MrSandperson0]

Congrats on the dream bike!

[@jrother]

I like the radial lacing on the front wheel.

[@aquietway]

This is my first video of yours I got to watch! So enjoyable. I just got a new-to-me Rivendell Bleriot that is built up in the same style as yours. It was a consolation gift from having my atlantis chainstays crack and losing my crust lightning bolt to a car crash/ fainting while riding. I am shocked at how well the Bleriot feels. I mean, I am not surprised given how smooth my clem L and atlantis are/were. but with the lighting tubing its WILD! Enjoy your bike! It's a beaut!

[@tommyb2129]

Man, awesome bike. 11 speed cassette fit between the rear drops of that vintage bike! I read Grant liked to make room on his bikes. Let there be space.

[@KitBasher1]

Holy sh!t that’s a sweet bike!

[@ashley-tm1uk]

another dynamite build!…have you seen the velo orange hammered silver fenders?…i wish they made them in 29” for my bare aluminum frame…thanks for the tip on cranking down on brakes to set shoes…you probably don’t have the room to use leather washers on fender connections, but they are great for relieving little annoying ticking sounds that amplify in metal fenders…even though they look bad ass, i think the tight fitting fenders are going to give you hell in keeping them aligned… hope she rides as well as she looks…

[@joebretto9768]

That’s sweet!!!

[@FelipeTadeu-ky5iy]

Being an adult is having as much "toys" our budgets can handle hahaha, that's an awesome bike, great find

[@MrManHawk]

I had a brief fling with a Blériot, it left an impression most def. My other bikes that hold my heart are an Bridgestone XO-3 & MB-2, both red, both ride amazing. I subscribed because of this video, thanks.

[@chicomojo]

Need to get a Sheldon Nut from Problem Solvers for those fenders. I sometimes forget that, outside of the Northwest, even extremely experienced mechanics aren't doing twice-daily fender installations. It's simple enough to make your own by gently running a 6mm tap through the back end of a recessed nut, but nothing beats the real thing.

[@jstar1000]

It is a thing of beauty! Congrats, super jelly!

[@DannerPlace]

What an absolutely beautiful bicycle. It surely deserved that fine leather saddles and bag.

[@eugenemcgloin6780]

Beautiful ride! A Riv Homer Hilson is my grail bike, but that’s just not in my budget. I’m converting my old ‘87 Fisher Advance into my “poor man’s Riv” and your videos are providing me with awesome suggestions!

[@SomewhereInTennessee]

That is a dream bike. Such a beauty. ❤

[@tongalizia3175]

Wow,,, every click I make on the internet I find new bike frame manufacturer. You are very informative on the classic bikes ( steel is real) great job……. Ps who makes your apron

[@richardchaney6990]

Friday night with the Bike Farmer……..therapy! Thanks, Ley West Rick

[@richardchaney6990]

Key West Rick……….to much rum already!

[@joaopedrodefreitaslima2936]

Most beautiful bycicle of the channel so far, congratulations!

[@imrevadasz1086]

A while ago, I bought a 5mm fender hole punch from Cyclus Tools to make those fender holes much easier. No issues so far punching through either aluminum or stainless-steel fenders.

[@RoyBramlowe]

what a beauty congrats sir

[@Not_Sure_]

Wow. Lugged tubes. Nice

[@johncarmichael4698]

Art ❤

[@4epatterson]

That gram color is gorgeous 😊

[@jameslynn9913]

It’s not everyday I get jealous over another man’s bike but yeah.. sexy bike man.

[@JohnPilling25]

Andy, that looks gorgeous. I hope you won't be going through the mud! What a classic bicycle.

[@CradleOfBikes]

There's always room for one more. Beautiful bike

[@G60syncro]

When you drilled that fender, first thing i rought was if you put the tab towards the seat tube side maybe the hole would have lined up. Also, if you're drilling thin non ferrous metals, you can use brad point bits meant for wood. The point keeps it from wandering and the cutting edges cut the thin stock cleanly. Try it, you'll be surprised!!

[@demoner1]

Beautiful bike!! 😍

[@PhotoLabMP]

I felt like I was watching Bob Ross restore a bike instead of painting a canvas. The music gave me those vibes.

[@fatrobdouble]

from back when Rivendells still looked gorgeous. Congrats on scoring a "grail" bike; the build is very nice too....

[@irondistance4313]

Love it I just missed out on a rambolette, I thing I’m going to get a rombulus now. I believe that they are very similar in geometry and both brass brazed frames if you know Andy could give a shout out I would really appreciate it. Thanks again

[@irondistance4313]

Looking at a Rambouleit tomorrow wish me luck❤

[@ronaldmadican2393]

I've got the same gear shifters on my Dawes bike. They are like silk on velvet.