Original "Gravel" Bike? - Rivendell Sam Hillborne

First Ride of the Rivendell Sam Hillborne - a quintessential all-rounder.
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[@tdesmondbrown]

I love Rivendell bikes. I ride an ancient All Rounder, also a Hunqapillar and a Cheviot. A most enjoyable riding experience. No racing, no lycra, just comfort, dependability, beauty, and fun.

[@okarnill35]

wow! They're rare as hens teeth in the UK and I'd never afford one, but I can dream.

[@zu_1455]

Heck yes! Finally a Rivendell!

[@kylehoover114]

The accordion music slaps

[@coasterigh2684]

Oops... edit... I jokingly called you out on accordian music vs. harmonica music, but there was both. I prefer the harmonica nearer the end.

[@YerDad632]

Fuckin A right it does!

[@Korina42]

@@coasterigh2684 it seems to be his standard downhilling tune. I like it too.

[@zepolekul]

Grant and Russ & Laura are my inspirations for the way I ride the last 8 years.

[@kevinryan640]

Agreed!! From Bromptons to Rivs - sweet

[@Darfur64]

The music! The Crocs! That amazing Rivendell!!! Love this review, and rim brakes ain't dead yet.

[@greggr1591]

I've ridden Riv bikes exclusively for 10 years; currently a Sam, a Cheviot, and a new Gus Boots-Willsen. They are easily the highest quality bikes I've owned: simple, time-tested, easy to maintain, solid, versatile all-rounders. Glad you have the chance to ride one!

[@alexmiller1658]

I've been eyeing up the Atlantis and the Homer for a long time now, thinking I might pull the trigger next year if all goes well

[@ronnyd89]

@@alexmiller1658 I've had mine for nearly 6 years and it's pretty much the only bike I ride.

[@bigdavedahl]

I got a Cheviot a couple years ago, and it’s my absolutely favorite now. Rivendell are so good! Getting bars for the Cheviot that suit your riding style makes a great bike just perfect. I’m using a Simworks Getaround with ESI Chunkies. Just the best.

[@earlcraig6995]

I have a newish (7 months now) Atlantis and absolutely LOVE the bike. Set mine up with Spank 25 degree flare drop bars (Vibracore), and 2.2 inch tubeless Maxxis Ikons. Feels like a cross between a touring bike and a mountain bike. Nicest bike I've ever owned. As with all bikes, how you set them up--especially the stem, bars and tires--makes a big difference. The Hillborne that Russ test rides could be quickly and seriously altered with either drop bars or Albastache bars if you're not liking the bar that this one came with.

[@kapapatence6423]

@@earlcraig6995 which brand of wheels do you have? I am looking to change my Sam to tubeless. Thanks.

[@cuzinmike]

Such a modern classic. I love Rivendells.

[@benmaier670]

So cool to see a Riv on here! I also dig the shout out to the Rough Stuff Fellowship. Looking forward to the long term review.

[@earlcraig6995]

Yes hats off to Rough Stuff Fellowship, loved him mentioning them.

[@cvb6089]

Looks like my old student bike back in the eighties. Greetings from the Netherlands

[@cmac7243]

I don't know why people think it's crazy to use V-brakes. They have great stopping power and they're easy to adjust. For MOST bikes they are perfectly fine.

[@barrytantlinger1033]

I hate the over complication of bikes. My rim brake bike is so simple to work on, while I'm always fiddling with my discs.

[@stuartdilts2729]

The Rivendell marketing even claims that disk breaks are better in some cases, but they say that if you need discs while out riding, you shouldn't be on a Riv, as that's not the kind of riding the bikes are designed for.

[@newttella1043]

How aggressive are people charging downhill these days? My days of bike touring in the 90s in all weather conditions I never once thought I couldn't stop.

[@dorigirl7122]

Nothing against rim brakes, but v-brakes? Blech. Ugly 90s mountain bike tech. The "Creed" of brakes. Just spec cantis like someone with some self-respect.

[@newttella1043]

@@dorigirl7122 I wouldn't judge v-brakes by it's appearance. Anyone who does their own maintenance will agree v-brakes (proper parallelogram linkage) are by far the easiest to maintain and work very well.

[@jessetamez7362]

Most fun I’ve had in a while watching a video. Loved the perspective!

[@ralby83]

we are all too spoiled to appreciate a simple machine that worked just fine for decades

[@GordoGambler]

... With a SA 3 speed and drum brakes ....

[@robinheil]

I really appreciated the third person shots in this one. They help show how it looks and feels to ride the bike

[@Ray.J]

You're so blessed to have trails like that to ride. It was gorgeous.

[@bigdavedahl]

Fantastic edit and video!!! I love seeing Rivendell content.

[@wayofthehike]

Great video. So glad to see a Rivendell on review. Very fun!

[@Korina42]

Yay, it arrived! I'm glad you survived the terrifying cable actuated, no-piston, "disc" brakes. Climbing hills, running from bears, and looking classy while doing it. #crocpace

[@fancytyme]

Sadly, it is impossible for someone to descend on gravel with rim brakes. The last few minutes of the video are actually Russ' ghost posting from beyond the grave. Russ In Peace and thanks for all the vids.

[@phalzee]

The only thing worse than the reviewers' smug snarkiness, is that their snug snarkiness is based on ignorance. Their astonishment that "cable" brakes work just fine shows they are dupes of the bicycle-industrial complex. Hydraulic piston brakes are just another way bike manufacturers have figured out to separate you from your hard-earned cash.

[@Korina42]

@@phalzee you know he was kidding, right? All of us; my heart bike is running cantis, along with my other two vintage steel rides. Russ and Laura spent three years touring on rim brakes. The joke is that so many riders claim that disc brakes are so superior to rim brakes, when we know they work just fine. Both kinds will stop the bike, and that's what's important.

[@ahodes5996]

@@phalzee You must be new to the channel. They even had a video last month on the advantages of cable brakes.

[@dougcohenmiller]

So exciting. I hope they start sending you the whole lineup!

[@gilerd77]

Yehuda Moon approved ride! Looks like something the author of "Just Ride" would build 👍

[@ronnyd89]

I can't tell if you're kidding, so I'll jut put this here if you're not, that author and the owner/designer of Rivendell is one and the same, Grant Petersen.

[@gilerd77]

@@ronnyd89 correct. I dont have any of his rides but its a great book!

[@paulkoller8104]

I own three Bridgestones. A T-700, an RB2 and an RB-T. I have a signed poster of Pineapple Bob AND I play the accordian. Up until today, I've just been a huge goober. Now I'm totally daunting.

[@festus76]

Paul Koller How does the T-700 compare to the RB-T? I’ve always wondered.

[@paulkoller8104]

@@festus76 I find the biggest difference is the tubing and the ride quality. (Details too much for here.) T-700 full on touring rig. Sturdy but a bit heavy. RB-T is light touring. Livelier and climbs better. Both are comfortable for hours but I prefer the RB-T as I just do day adventure rides these days. Other than that, it depends on the set-up.

[@tysher7353]

Ah my sweet Rivendell how I long for you so!!!! Such a cool bike, think it may top my dream list! Also digging the accordion👍

[@Thinkrock]

Love the music choices! Goes perfectly with the bike aesthetics.

[@Quevallyn]

Always good to see some alt bar action on the channel and those Rivendell shifters are things of beauty... and there’s nothing wrong with rim brakes. You just need to be a little more measured and thinking ahead with your riding.

[@strokyl]

Personally one dry condition my vbrake bikes break at least as good as any disk brake bike I have ridden so far... Except on the rain, when correctly setup vbrake shine ! Moreover they are cheap and easy to maintain

[@jeffreyardziejewski2547]

Glad to finally see a Riv on here. This bike is so elegant and beautiful. Timeless. I will own one someday

[@Patrickemm]

Very happy to see this!

[@JasonBennett1]

Digging the music this time Russ! Thanks for posting.

[@unchewable1]

Beautiful bike man thanks for sharing

[@650gringo]

Beautiful bicycle! And I really like the clean timeless look of aluminum rims and components. Very classy.

[@bandit1732]

Very stylish ride and love the soundtrack!

[@bikenmike1024]

Loved this video and first impressions Russ! I was a Bosco handlebar user for years until the Velo orange klunker bar came out. Hmmm...those Billies look great though.

[@RediHazbiu]

When did cable brakes became a thing of the past?🤔 I must be so ancient.

[@straight_edge]

Apparently rim brakes are no longer on-trend 😅😉😏 Rim brake bikes look better anyway.

[@kevinryan640]

@@straight_edge Copy That!!!

[@felix-bk7ne]

And when did they become unreliable? That brake-set looks bomb proof.

[@charlificity]

Professional cyclists (stage races and single days) have been bombing down mountains on rim brakes for approx. 100 years. It seemed/s to work for them. Don’t forget cables can’t get air bubbles in them :)

[@robkristoff5394]

@@felix-bk7ne oddly, just when disc brakes became OEM on bikes and available aftermarket, the rim brake stopped working.

[@xjaybirdx309]

Personal favorite video of yours and I've seen most of them. Ride on.

[@lelca]

So glad you got a Rivendell on the channel for review. Truly the perfect bike for #partypace! I'd like to see your impressions of a moustache or albastache bar to keep with the alt-bar trend. Maybe a future gear review?

[@YerDad632]

The brake conversation cracks me up! I used to get rad on 26x2.0’s with canti brakes! Get hip, you whipper snappers! lol

[@Korina42]

I don't get rad, but my heart bike, a '92 RockHopper, is running 26x2.15's with cantis. My '95 Trek 950 off-pavement ride also has cantis, and the funny thing is, they stop the bike.

[@YerDad632]

Korina42 they suuure do! And getting rad is a relative concept. Get your own type of rad out there! 🤘🏻

[@johnschooley3631]

Loved your comments. My 15 y/o Saluki is getting a much needed rehab by a legend in Philadelphia, but my plans to take it to France on the Queen Mary 2 will have to wait. Loved the ascent music!

[@nxross1]

Love the accordion musical choice. Very appropriate!

[@davidburgess741]

Had 20×34 gearing on my touring bike. When it was needed it helped to have a front load to keep the front tire on the road!

[@johngriffith2875]

I know I may be old (57) but I am not a retro grouch ! That being said I really LOVE the simplicity of the Riv. I am 260 and have never had problems w rim brakes! I have had multiple bikes w mech and hydra discs and they will stop you in a sec but are a bitch if ANY part of that system goes off. KISS ! Bikes are best simple IMO ✌️

[@650gringo]

John Griffith, my son insists on the latest technology, like disc brakes, tubeless tires, carbon fiber, dropper seat posts and multiple electronic devices. BUT, his mega dollar bikes keep breaking down, while my old '94 TREK 850 just rolls on and on.

[@ryanm.9197]

Very excited for your review of this bike. I'm not sure if the Sam Hillborne geometry has changed over time but I do know it went from canti posts to sidepull back to canti posts over the years. I had one of the first iterations with cantis and loved the bike. The only small issue I had with it was that when climbing slowly on a steep climb I thought the front end got a little light and wanted to slightly wander. The Sackville bags are wonderful and will last longer than you need them to. I have an Riv Appaloosa now that I just love with the same crankset. (super long chainstays on that bike) It's great having proper gearing after having tried to live with what Giant specs on their gravel bikes. btw Russ, your music choices for this video are spot on!

[@pushiepedlar2942]

That descent looks like loads of fun

[@Nate_K111]

Perfect tunes for this bike

[@thelazyreconnoiter583]

Love the music on this one.

[@seasidenomads2762]

Love the huge bag on the back

[@KillingTimewithStyle]

Coolest bike you’ve tested. Test more Rivs!

[@johnnygunz2300]

Ha I like that.... "It's like having a 1x but two of them".

[@iWillbike]

The most supple award.

[@cujomtb250]

Riding in Crocs? If you know, you know. I too enjoy the pleasures of riding in Crocs. That is one beautiful bike BTW. I love the simplicity, yet functionality.

[@greentube461]

Woot woot ! A Rivendell ! Even better, a Sam Hillborne ! What a beaut'

[@speedikat6822]

Yay! Also, I see geometry charts on the Rivendell website.

[@SIvers-or2ke]

Steel, big clearance, leather saddle and V brakes. What’s not to like? If life was meant to be easy we’d all be riding hydraulic disc somethings but where’s the fun in that?

[@jakeshannon3826]

i dig that bike! a good set of linear pull pull rim brakes could work just as good as cable disks... but, they wet and muddy easily and then don't work at all. that is why i personally prefer disks.

[@gradywright]

I just built up an Appaloosa. My First Rivendell. Having gone through a few bikes over the last couple years it’s my favorite and I don’t miss disc brakes even though I like them. I enjoy the bike so much I’m thinking about getting the Sam as my “Road Bike” with gravel specific geometry. Also the trail is calculated on bike insights which you probably already know. Happy trails Russ and Laura.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I didn’t look at the geos before. Wanted to guess blind. Nailed the trail number.

[@ryanm.9197]

I have an Appaloosa too...great bike and really a smooth ride on gravel.

[@gradywright]

Path Less Pedaled haha! I did have that thought while watching “For not knowing he got it right.” You truly are the bike whisperer. Looking forward to the full review!

[@mikedeal7457]

If ever there was a time for some black and white footage

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Considered it.

[@indemnitypop]

A longer stem seems to smooth out some of the twitchiness of swept back bars for me. I'm sure Riv set it up with a pretty long stem already, but there's definitely a sweet spot on stem length for bars like that, in terms of handling.

[@billmillen29]

I really enjoyed the music.

[@dawnmahrt]

Beautiful

[@BrentZahradnik]

Finally the ultimate retrogrouch marque makes an appearance.

[@RyansuBike]

Are those SPD Crocs Russ? lol love the Sam glad you are giving it some screen time

[@ihbcsomerset6966]

Lovely bike. Just goes to prove that cycling should be whatever you want it to be. Nice!

[@reazulhasan2046]

Finally!!!!!!! Russ X Rivendell!

[@michaelc7937]

Now this I love..

[@kennethdunmire2218]

I remember back in 1979. All my friends had cool bmx bikes, all I could afford was a an ugly brown Sears 10 speed. I took that thing everywhere they could go, including jumps.

[@kymcopyriot9776]

Granny bike? Check! Granny bars? Check! Granny gears, granny bag...check! Pink water bottle, Crocs...check! Russ, you are an island of quirk in an ocean of normalcy. Keep it up. It makes me smile. Oh, P.S...are flat bars actually illegal in gravel? I do all my riding with flat, straight bars and I absolutely love them.

[@markholm7050]

My 2009 Sam Hillborne has Deore V-brakes. The Shimano pads that came with them were terrible. Shards of aluminum tore off the rims and imbedded in the pads, leading to more rim wear. Wet braking was terrible. Changing to Kool Stop salmon colored pads eliminated the excess wear problem and improved wet braking significantly.

[@SIvers-or2ke]

Worth noting. Thank you. I am considering Paul’s MiniMoto. Ever tried those?

[@slowfg2550]

S. Ivers yes they are great! Running them w steel forks can cause some shudder. They work great though

[@SIvers-or2ke]

dante Rubio Cheers. Nice to hear a real world opinion. I always thought that V Brakes were the solution to noisey Cantis

[@maxotterland]

Shimano pads baffle me. Tektro linear pull brakes are $15 an end and come with quite great pads. I love Shimano for the most part but they and Avid can't make pads.

[@rollinrat4850]

This has always been a problem with Shimano brake pads as long as I can remember. (I'm pretty old) I love most things Shimano and Japanese made, but NOT these! Koolstop salmons are the way to go. Use ceramic rims if you can find them. They're an endangered species but theyll last almost forever.

[@phillipcowan1444]

Lovely bike! I see your point about the versatility of the bars. For me I think it sceams out for a Nitto mustache bar. One, because I really like'em and two, so I could have my hands forward in the hooks and have access to the brake levers while on those speedy descents. Also your music game was really strong on this video. Very entertaining.

[@brendonoid6133]

Had moustache bars on my 2013 Hillborne for many years, changed out for Billies when they came out a few years ago. Haven't ever wanted to switch back. Do a lot of descending on loose gravel. There's this forward position half outta saddle with hands back on the grips that is almost impossible to describe but super intuitive when you are doing it.

[@earlcraig6995]

Phillip Cowan -- yes I know exactly what you mean about HANDS FORWARD IN THE HOOKS WHERE THE BRAKES ARE. I have a Hillborne with drops on it and I'm about to put Albastache bars on for this very reason. I want to be more upright, but love the hooks/brakes thing you speak of. It's interesting how much a bar change can alter the ride experience.

[@YerDad632]

Side note, just sat thru a rapha ad. Talk about “wrong room” lol!

[@pwitts]

I just sat through one for testosterone supplements! I don’t know how they choose these things. At least rapha is bike related.

[@robappleby583]

I would love to get a Rivendell, if only shipping and import to italy were not so ridiculously expensive. I dreamed of the Hunqapillar for years and never took the plunge. Now the Atlantis is calling to me. I have their Sackville large bag (from five years or so ago, I think the range has changed a bit) and use it every day. A really great bag, beautifully made and extremely functional. I also have Grant's book on cycling, which is fantastic. The supple manifesto.

[@soterisphoraris4080]

The 'French music' is hilarious. Great videos!

[@musekidd]

Very cool to hear Rough Stuff mentioned... I've cycled with a group of those fellas on occasion. It's not so much about the bike - it's where you go that matters.

[@musekidd]

And I love the Sam Hilborn. Riv Rules!

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

If I didn't mention it, someone in the comments would have berated me.

[@musekidd]

@@PathLessPedaledTV However, they are also a group well-known for being "retro-grouches"... you should read some of the back issues of their mag when mountain bikes were coming onto the scene.

[@frankteneralli3149]

Thanks, Russ. You look like you were having a great time. How does your posture/back and shoulder position compare to your Jones?

[@IronKnok]

I know this isn't something that you do often but I was curious. Would you consider doing some tire reviews. There have been some interesting things come out from many manufacturers lately in the 650B category. I see there you have some Ultradynamico. I watched the in depth interview but would be very interested in some ride comparisons. Ultra Rene Pana Schwalbe WTB Teravail etc... Something more of a side by side. its been years since your reneherse overview. Anyhow, thank you as always for your content. Always appreciated.

[@SIvers-or2ke]

As a fellow tire junkie, I completely get what you’re saying. 😉

[@Korina42]

I'm sure Russ would be happy to review anything people send him. I suspect he's spending all his money on crocs and the Cave of Bad Ideas. 😁

[@ryanpipkin]

On Tuesday, I finally get my Rivendell Homer Hilsen! (Thanks Will!). I can't wait to get off my Cannondale Evo Super Six race bike with 23mm tires, and onto a more city-friendly #TheSuppleLife ride! Great video Russ, thanks for the content.

[@mikec7373]

Ryan Pipkin I’m excited for you, can only imagine the feeling of waiting to get a Rivendell you ordered. How did you decide between Hilsen and hilborne? Today is Tuesday so report back with what very first impression was, super interested!

[@ryanpipkin]

@@mikec7373 oh boy! it is a beauty! So far, each time I've been on it, I have gotten lots of eye turns, and at least one verbal compliment! I assembled it and have been out 4 times --shorter rides in the neighborhood, and one 6 mile ride to Brooklyn Bridge and around the water front. I chose the Hilson over the Hillborne because Will (the Riv sales guy) recommended it. I live in Brooklyn, and what I was looking for is something to more easily move around the city, upright, and potentially commute into Manhattan (if the office ever reopens). Easier than my race bike. It rides like a dream over the pot holes, cobblestones, wooden boardwalks in Brooklyn. And I wanted something that was light and nimble enough to take on the rolling hills, steep bridge crossings, asphalt roads, and the city's parks, but not heavy duty enough for fire trails or single track. I will store it indoors in my basement, with a narrow stairwell, to navigate. I predict I'll ride this "Perfect Bike" daily going up and down those stairs with it twice a day, so I needed to be cognizant of total weight too and wheelbase. I was first considering the Roadeo & Roadini. But after a quick phone call with Will, I realized I probably needed more tire width clearance of around 40mm+, and the neither of those fit that width. He said, "get the Homer; it's light and handles fantastically with upright bars." So I did, and couldn't be happier!

[@simonguard5087]

Loving the accompanying soundtrack, will the album follow?

[@johnbusteed]

Hey Russ, great review! What bag/rack is that? I have a smallish Atlantis and that bag seems to fit your bike.

[@johngulino2651]

I want a Sam Hillborne! 😂

[@CoolDRMONEY2002]

Yo you are guys rock so hard ♡♡♡ love yall

[@pk512279]

Chain stays are 455 or 465mm depending on frame size. www.rivbike.com/pages/geometry

[@tomordr]

So, you bought the bike! I am very interested in the long term review. Looking for opinion on how you feel it would do with a Demi-porteur rack instead of rear caradice bag since you think it mid trail. Also weight and front fork compliance. Dang you for making me want to add a rando (5th bike) to my collection 🙂

[@marvinkamei7007]

I like bike positions that promote good posture like you!! No turtle neck and shoulders!! right bend Handle bars are the key!!

[@Blueyes3131]

Cool Cool 😎

[@TimFitzwater]

Those bars definitely take getting used to. My friend had the same set up on his Riv - I only rode it around a bit but I’m they felt so strange. I would have loved to try a drop bar version to have a better comparison to my bikes. Either way - Rivendales are rad and anyone riding one looks cool - even in crocs.

[@festus76]

I was thinking the whole time, “Crocs?” At LEAST rock some BirkenCrocs while you ride this! Of course, those are open-toed so maybe Russ shies away from those on a “This is NOT a mountain bike” ride.

[@TimFitzwater]

@@festus76 lol

[@alexmiller1658]

Awesome video, glad you finally got a riv. They are my dream bikes, one day hopefully I can spend the money on one. I can't tell if your resistance to cable-actuated rim brakes is sarcastic or not? Hydraulic disc has been on the (bike) market for like five years at best, rim brakes are perfectly sufficient for stopping a bicycle.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Of course its sarcastic. Missed this video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5mze6tje6qFeNE

[@alexmiller1658]

@@PathLessPedaledTV sadly I did miss that one! Sorry I doubted you!

[@astro61362]

Really cool bike! I have disc brakes on my gravel and mountain bike and rim brakes on my roadie. If I were to do it again, I would have gone with Tim brakes on everything. I'm not a racer so I haven't really seen where discs are a big advantage for me.

[@alexmiller1658]

Yeah that's one of the few things that boggles my mind about this video. Needing uber-powered hydraulic brakes seems antithetical to the whole supplelife/partypace ethos lol

[@franka.gundersen3177]

Nice 👍 how about flipping the handlebar upside down? How would that be to ride?

[@plusbonus1165]

Front suspension and that's my baby !

[@orci77]

Uuuhhhh these are enormous disc brakes 😮

[@joeykraut6268]

Not much on the rivendell website about the sam hillborne. I didn't realize it was still available.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

New batch in Sept.

[@acbarnard]

The apologies for rim brakes has me feeling very old.

[@nc4801]

You should review the roadini from rivendell. It's called a road bike, but I'm curious to know if it can be used as an all-road bike, simply because its a really well built steel bike.

[@dimllc]

That Sam Hillborne is a single speed & handle bar flip, from becoming a 1908 Tour de France bike.

[@mikesecrest2887]

I like the accordion music, and if you want to branch out to a little more esoteric, maybe the soundtracks from the Frederico Fellini movies have some appeal. I have fond memories of the music from "8+1/2".

[@josephfarrugia2350]

Geometry charts ARE available for Riv bikes, including this Hillborne. The seat tube angle for the 2019 version is 71.5 degrees across all sizes, combined with very low Reach figures & a high stack. Which means the bike is decidedly designed to be ridden upright. A wise decision choice given the design intent of this bike by Rivendell. Might not be for everyone, but that doesn't mean it's a "bad design". Which is why it feels uncomfortable to ride drop bars: geometry design has greatly improved for road bikes by increasing the seat tube angle to at least 72.5 (even up to 74) in recent years.

[@watertankhikes]

The one issue keeping me away from a new Atlantis or Gus isn't that they use rim brakes, but the lack of availability of wide V brake rims. I haven't found any rim wider than a i25 Cliffhanger, which is too narrow for 2.4-2.8 tires IMHO. In the meantime, I will just keep pedaling my relaxed, upright, long wheelbase Jones Plus.

[@earlcraig6995]

With the Atlantis you wouldn't be able to fit a 2.8 in there anyway. (The Gus does have wider clearances.) I have an Atlantis with 2.2 tires mounted on the Velocity Cliffhanger rims and love this setup. A fattish 2.2 (or a 2.4 that actually calipers on the shy side) is the max for the Atlantis. Those Jones bikes look fantastic, have always wanted to ride one. For wider tires and rims it sounds like you have a dream bike.

[@hogdog567]

The original gravel bike is Matt Chester's Monster Cross bike from around 2001. All Monstercross bikes are gravel bikes but not all gravel bikes are Monstercross bikes.

[@chrisl2285]

Do a Google search for "Secret History of Gravel Grinders". Bruce Gordon and friends were building and riding monstercross/gravel bikes in 1988!! It's a fascinating article.

[@Ey_up]

I have a similar inside leg length to you but I'm shorter at 5'6". I'm seriously saving for a Riv bike, A. Homer Hilsen possibly, with a similar sweep bar set-up. My query is, since Riv/ Grant seem to encourage riders to take as large a size frame as possible, do you feel that the next size up would have been of any benefit to you? Great to see a Riv and can't wait for the in-depth review. Cheers.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

No.

[@Ey_up]

@@PathLessPedaledTV Thanks

[@mattcrane]

Do you have a video about riding in Crocs?

[@seasidenomads2762]

Looks warm there. Hey we are going bikecamping on the iron horse trail (WA), do you think we can do it on 35mm tires?

[@hankamania]

I've ridden it from Rattlesnake Lake to Hyak and back with 700x30 Kenda Kwicks. 35s should work great.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

You'll survive. Its more fun on bigger tires IMO though. Some short deep patches.

[@EnjineerDave]

Can't beat the style of a lugged steel frame.

[@shalomzohari854]

Gotta get a hite rite!

[@reklawrs]

I rode with rim brakes for 11 years on a daily (rain or shine) commute and about every 3 years I would have to replace the rims and spokes. No matter how diligent I was with cleaning or replacing the brake pads the rims would wear out! Rivs are nice rides and beautiful frames but they for weekend/fair weather riders

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

I dunno. Dealing with something every three years for a daily driver seems like good ROI.

[@ronnyd89]

Nah, I bought my Atlantis to do everything. I commute, run errands, go for long rides, short rides, climb slowly, descend quickly, load it up, strip it down, whatever. Summer, fall, winter, spring. I've loaded it up for camping. When I get the time I will hopefully ride across this continent and others on it. I will be riding it 30 years from now.

[@earlcraig6995]

@@ronnyd89 Exactly.