Rivendell vs Crust! Which is Better?

Which is better? The Riv or the Crust? Deep dive into both and why the answer is complicated. SHOP: pathlesspedale...
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[@cuzinmike]

Crust is like the younger, equally eccentric brother to Rivendell. They're both great. Then again, I ride a Jones, which is like the crazy cousin who lives in the woods to both of them.

[@ericpmoss]

The UnaBiker. lol. I like the Jones, too.

[@glennpettersson9002]

L M A O :)

[@scottwistinghausen5026]

Crust is like your aspiring artist nephew who has to explain his neck tattoos at Christmas.

[@stuartdryer1352]

Obviously the one made by elves is better.

[@rodjonsson813]

Because it's a road quill stem, the Rivendell is most likely a 1" steerer. That plus rim brake will permit designing a better flex pattern on the front end, compared to 1 1/8" steerer with overbuild for disk on Bombora.

[@jameszibura]

Hi Rus! Cool video as always! I fell into a 2007ish Trek 520 frame at my LBS. Now I have a touring bike with bike nerdy parts! SimWorks Wendy stem, bubbly pedals, Homage tires 700x43c. Its a smooth bike, im just waiting for handle bar bags to be more available. PS. I hope Ms. Laura is doing well!

[@kymcopyriot9776]

Russ, this is one of your best videos ever. It really defines that gravel bikers are very much a ‘community of individuals’ and there no way that one individual can tell another which bike is best. The riding we do varies so widely along with our expectations. The road and MTB camps tend to have sharply defined rules, rights and wrongs but that’s not me, my ride is my own and I think we gravel bikers share that individuality. I love it. I have road cycling friends actually pressuring me to wear lycra, embrace pain and become a ‘real cyclist’ but I never will. Gravel/all road cycling is a broad church full of wonderful individuals who go their own way. Let’s not be concerned with what’s ‘best’ or ‘better’, the question can only be answered on an individual level. Love your work Russ, well done and I hope that Laura is doing okay.

[@meeatpapaya]

I agree. I love these kind of videos Russ does

[@hammeredscout]

So you're saying Gravel Bikers are an inclusive club👌🏽 Yeah that's how I see them. They throw me the coolest distainful Stink Eye when I say hello the trail.

[@pedaldriven417]

Lovin my Surly .Hillborne would be sweet!But hard to get these days .

[@birthaappleshirt7404]

I’m so happy. just looked for the Rivendell and I just found out I live real close to their location. Random but yay

[@taylerthompson7559]

My opinion on these bikes: why not find an old steel frame that you like instead?

[@tomordr]

I really like this video and I totally get it! Thank you! That’s how I ended up with 5 bikes in my stable. All are uniquely different and fun in their own ways. Some are old school rigid fork, cantilever brake , others carbon full suspension with dropper post and hydraulic disc. Some were new, some used. I agree with something you said in another video about the Sam Hillborne; there’s comfort and joy derived from working on simple low tech old school components. Just noticed though I don’t have a 650b bike with a lovely French bend fork. Hmmmm.........

[@slantedorbit]

Definitely Russ at his best. A diplomat at heart sharing his depth and breadth of experience.

[@causewayeffects7425]

Please do not abbreviate Rivendell or the spell shall be broken

[@owenardal]

It's refreshing to hear someone acknowledging that the shortest chainstays are not fundamentally better and that "better" is relative. This was a great format and was very insightful approachable! Nicely done Russ

[@clairjones9511]

Russ, when are you getting yourself a heater for the studio?! Feel so bad you're out there in the cold!

[@SeanKWhite-lk5zf]

Woodstove

[@slantedorbit]

oil-filled electric radiant space heater is the way to go for that space, you'll be amazed

[@TheBikeSauce]

The level of insight is phenomenal. Totally appreciate the whisky/scotch analogy. This is pure wisdom conveyed casually and clearly! Looking forward to the 100k party

[@edvert1996]

I'll take the Polyvalent....🥳

[@sircrackien]

I think bike comparisons is probably the best way to review bikes. if you crust is your reference bike then its easier to compare from that point

[@BenitoAndito]

The depth of field and the lighting and the fuzzy texture of your hat gives your head an ethereal look. Like your head is kinda superimposed into the picture. Anyone else see that or am I just weird??

[@jfspurlin1]

I'll have what you're having.

[@paulsmarino]

Actually thought the same while watching before seeing your comment. So I hope you're not crazy because it means I am too.

[@adamleibow]

i have owned both of these bikes (in the same colors haha) at the same time too. both great but i let go of both of them for the A Homer Hilsen, which in my opinion is the funnest of the three. to each they own

[@RobertWilliams-ox4hz]

That Rivendell is just classy AF.

[@RobertWilliams-ox4hz]

@@dreyn7780 It is classy AF though

[@hrcollins1]

This is super helpful! I have been admiring Crust and Rivendell bikes for a while now, but it’s hard to evaluate them without being able to ride one at my LBS. This kind of comparison is super helpful in drawing some distinctions between the two.

[@alexlove2502]

Comparing bikes is a great way to explore the bike flavor wheel and highlight key differences and how they matter. Since I don’t have a chance to ride different bikes in person, I enjoy doing it vicariously through PLP. It’s not about which is best or which one would I purchase, it’s just interesting in its own right. How about Jones v. Timberjack?

[@lenkomsa1399]

Terrific now I need 2 more bikes! Thanks Russ;) watched this 3x excellent video

[@zypang1447]

Hydraulic brakes are so damn ugly on steel bikes with external cabling. Hideous. Sorry, but for me, half the reason to ride a steel bike is the aesthetics.

[@zbronstein3901]

My Crust Nor’Easter is my do-it-all bike and I love it! Interesting point about the quill stem! The Crust Romanceur also has a quill stem too IMO What Crust and Riv are doing are selling OTR bikes with the characteristics of a custom bike. Reflect on what features and characteristics you want out of your next bike and go from there!

[@devinfahada4880]

What is the character of custom bike u meant?

[@brianturner1575]

I’m not so sure I’d call anything from Riv or Crust OTR, but I guess that depends on how you define that compared to a bike you’d ride off the floor of your local shop... that’s what I’d call OTR

[@Crusader4633]

Hmmm - what shifter is on that Sam? (And bars.) The shifter looks quite interesting...

[@sohowsoon6652]

in the long run go with the Rivendell

[@sohowsoon6652]

RIVENDELL

[@goodoleme747]

I like all bikes…snappy carbon race bikes, touring bikes, rigid 29ers…hard tails…they’re all fun!

[@Pepin-LB]

hey whats your bombora's frame size in the video ? thanks

[@anielyantra1]

I would pick the Rivendell any day over just about any other bike except a Wabi. Longer chain stays is the way to go with a responsive front end. Steel is always a better choice and a lugged frame is just classier and better construction. I do prefer a hollow tech crankset, 1X drivetrain, and V brakes. I would like to see a somebody do a threadless stem that was as classy as a quill stem but I do not see any advantage to the threadless.

[@jonnyholmes5580]

This was great! Excellent, fair comparison.

[@timleborgne]

Great video Russ, thanks! Love both those bikes so much!!

[@kevinlinares9060]

A very thoughtful way to compare and contrast two great bikes. I did notice more KZbin commercials than usual. That is how you know you are a KZbin sensation, bring in the GCN monies.

[@Quevallyn]

Love this video. Great to hear a comparison that recognises we all have different tastes and wants in a bike.

[@jeffk433]

Sometimes you want your partypace closer to an up tempo dance mix and sometimes your party is along a secluded river with a fly rod.

[@MrYugo6969]

The Riv for light touring and the Crust as a gravel grinder. I'm a big Riv fan, but I'm looking to add a Crust Romanceur to the stable this year. My Atlantis will be a dedicated touring rig and the Romaceuar will be my commuter/gravel ride.

[@jfspurlin1]

Nice discussion, thanks. Recommend you link your individual reviews of both bikes.

[@wesleywright7322]

The whole video i was looking (drooling) at that awesome Patagonia jacket. How is that?

[@samulihirsi]

these days it should also matter where it is made? Always support your local or domestic makers.

[@AlienTrees]

if you have fat pockets, sure

[@jamescassa3080]

I heard somewhere that Riv and Crust are working together on a new bike together. No details except it'll be steel. I remember now, it was riv

[@jamescassa3080]

Oops, it was a Riv note on their blog, or instagram.

[@dianayount2122]

Nice concise, clear review. Love that little flowered bag on the crust..

[@pandaballsocial9828]

What kind of hat is this? I’m loving this hat!!!!

[@WALDO1000]

Ultradynamico's on Velocity Cliffhangers on Riv?

[@chrislonsberry1974]

Excellent video! You did a great job with the comparisons!

[@georgeshoemaker6872]

i don't get why riv insists on rim brakes

[@franklinmiller2772]

Because rim brakes work great in 90% of the situations you encounter. You need disk brakes for carbon rims and fat bikes, otherwise rim brakes get the job done just fine.

[@georgeshoemaker6872]

@@franklinmiller2772 yeah but I don't want to slowly destroy my wheels during normal use. I rather destroy a cheap replaceable rotor and get better modulation while I'm at it. I don't think rim brakes are bad. Just that disc brakes are better

[@Timmeh2Buck]

Retro Grouch

[@mattsysko636]

Great comparison. What about salsa fargo vs vaya or Kona rove vs sutra?

[@yardsalecycles]

So what you are saying is buy more bikes........HHHMMM OK

[@kaiwoolner-pratt9196]

Lol he does make a good case though for it doesn’t he… I was trying to choose between these two and after this short video I feel pretty sure I would like to actually get both!

[@yardsalecycles]

@@kaiwoolner-pratt9196 N+1 is usually the right thing to do lol

[@bjmihovk]

As a Riv owner who kinda-sorta wants a Crust, too, this video is perfect.

[@nicolasreed8002]

Question! Which Bear is Best???

[@MrBaervan]

Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica

[@KillingTimewithStyle]

Beer 🍻

[@mohawkpathology]

False!

[@joyce120860]

I have 22 bikes, racy road bikes, touring bikes, gravel bikes, 80’s tab’s etc, no plastic however ! I love ‘‘em all.

[@DarkoDominik]

When this video Title jumped on my screen when i opened YT i got big smile on my face...I am classic design fun... I own 89 Cannondale st400, 1982 Bridgestone Diamond Road and lately 2009 Synapse....I love them all very much but, i get crisis sometimes when i would like to sell them in order to buy one to rule them all : A Crust / Riv since in all three of them i am missing something.....But, in the end of the day like in this video, i think will keep them all......and buy a new one :) ...It would be a Riv for hipsters The Crust!!! Greetings from Croatia!!

[@craftycounterpuncher2055]

love your work, but question: why do you edit out every end of sentence natural pause? gets a bit dizzying in a faulknerian way at times.

[@cjones7854]

As the owner of a Midnight Special...the fork is a little ugly. I think partly because the head tube is so big. I swapped my fork, but still have the orig one in case I want to use the mounts.

[@msambly5310]

Thanks for the comparisons Russ! Unfortunately, the state of bicycle acquisition reminds me of the Stones lyrics "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you get what you need"...sometimes anyway...hence, my purchase of a Surely Troll frame that arrived last week...that said...if you haven't tried Kilchoman's Machir Bay Scotch, give it a try. light, smoky, sparkles on the tongue, and if you're lucky, there may still be a box set available with two glencarins. Price is mid $50. - a favorite more smokey scotch is the Ardbeg's Uigeadail (oog-ah-dahl) but it's a bit pricier. Cheers!

[@Korina42]

Which tool is better, a shovel or a rake? As with bikes, it depends on what you want to do. Great video, Russ. I'm glad you have a hat (brrr). I'm still waiting for my bike flavor wheel fridge magnet. 😁

[@chagas99z]

F Scott Fitzgerald : “the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” Nice to see such a balanced review and the clarity of thought. Thanks Russ!

[@mikefoster4984]

Hey Russ, Great video. Really enjoyed your articulate descriptions of the qualities of the two bikes. This style of video, and the Cave of Bad Ideas are becoming favourites. One comment. I'm not sure if you're aware, but the audio is quite muted compared to earlier videos. I'm no audio expert but have the feeling that your puffer jacket might be getting in the way of the mic. Cheers

[@paddyredbeard]

Oh man, this video checks so many boxes for me. I'm currently torn b/w the Appaloosa when it arrives later this year, the R. Outback, and the Bombora or Evasion... unless I can just talk myself out of a getting another bike :D

[@danstenis660]

Please do a review of Priority 600 and 600X from the Great Divide trail perspective.

[@dheitz5830]

Any insight comparing these two to the Velo Orange Polyvalent you reviewed a while ago?

[@TheRickurb]

So, crust is bourbon and Rivendell is scotch?

[@TTMOTO888]

Love your videos man, but please up the volume. Its hard to hear your voice over audio.

[@Jon-cw7gk]

I’m sure you’ve been asked this loads, but if you could only have one bike to do all the riding you want, which would it be?

[@johnnydoe66]

Like many people have said, the perfect bike is the one that you want to ride....some time it's two different bikes

[@jp93309]

So true. No way I can own just one bike. Sometimes I want to ride fast, or party pace, or rowdy.

[@automat8]

Thanks Russ. What is the difference in the steel the bikes use for fabrication.

[@matthewoppen1602]

I like the idea of bike battles maybe even do a mad max thunderdome theme lol, two bike enter one bike leaves

[@obrienwspt85]

Great video. Definitely would love to see more content comparing bikes.

[@taylorharmon2086]

Waiting for more bomboras. Can’t wait to build one!!

[@mattmacpherson1033]

Great video. Did ye have a wee dram before ye made this one😜😂😂😂

[@kylehoover114]

Any of these bicycles from one of these companies is a good choice

[@mattdrange4219]

More 'bike battles', please! Would like to hear your thoughts, Russ, on the Ritchey Outback vs. the Soma Wolverine. And: how about some low-trail action?! The Party Pace crowd seems to have a lot of overlap with the BQ crowd, as best I can tell. And yet -- haven't ever seen you review a bike with low trail that I can recall. Keep up the good work.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

The Polyvalent is technically fairly low trail!

[@andrewhamilton3486]

Really nicely considered and articulated russ. Well done.

[@joshuabrown5057]

Whats the weight difference between the 2?

[@mattdelcomyn8012]

Love the idea of head to head bike comparisons!

[@trackjosh]

Crust for sure, way less pretentious.

[@raymondgoodman9148]

subscribed. great reviews. cheers.

[@devinfahada4880]

What is ur stem in the hillborne? Seems like 1" Insert And 31.8 handlebar clamp

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

New Nitto 31.8 to quill stem.

[@stppearson825]

Do more comparisons. Good video.

[@ericpmoss]

Question: when you are really tired near the end of a ride, which bike feels better to you, knowing you still have to do one more climb and one more rough road descent?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Prob the Riv. It’s a slow but distance bike for me.

[@igniaulfsborg8946]

Russ, why didn’t you buy the Ritchie? And can you hook me up with an affiliate link to that hat?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Wanted a steel fork on it.

[@klunker289]

I love the " Bike Battle " idea👍👍

[@chriswatson2407]

I want hat comparisons

[@JimJamDaMan]

I never thought of a quill stem as a suspension component. But it makes sense as long as the quill is made of good springy steel.

[@sammyseagull]

how does springy steel differ from other steels?

[@meeatpapaya]

Hey Russ, what kind of pedals you running on the bombora?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Issi thump.

[@nonchalantgarage]

It depends

[@awesome4330]

Crust sells both! haha

[@andersenhutapea]

In Indonesia, these bikes are made for the kings and bought by the kings. Me? I'm just an average steady job joe, a premium member of the exclusive losers club. I can live my life saving some money for these beautiful bikes until the day I die and repeat the life cycle thru some reincarnation process with the same job over and over again, but still, I don't think I can afford one. My economic privilege can't help me to have one. So I can only pray maybe someday a very generous rich man will give me a free one, whether the hillborne or the bombora or the lightning bolt, the romanceur, I don't care, as long as I don't have to sell my soul to the devil haha and yeah ... that act of kindness would make the world a better place to live with bigger smiles to share. Thank you for the video and for keeping my restless dreams alive! Lotsa love from Jakarta Indonesia 👍

[@riskiawanrules]

Semangat bang!!!!!

[@andersenhutapea]

@@riskiawanrules semongko!

[@paulevans5455]

Where can I get a hat like yours, need it for upcoming winter.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Rivbike

[@Alex_564]

I thought the Bombora could do 27.5x2.3 also

[@ryanduffy33]

The bombora I had barely squeezed in a WTB riddler in 27.5 x 2.25 on a 25mm internal width rim. It’s doable in the dry but not with mud or snow for sure.

[@brianmaldonado3723]

Thank you.

[@maxredburn6610]

Would love to see more "versus" uploads. This was awesome!

[@maxredburn6610]

@@dreyn7780 okay, jerk

[@chucklegg3145]

What about the OTSO compared to these?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

It depends. :)

[@piratechef34]

Is your riv a 51 cm?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

48

[@rebootyourmind]

Hey, thanks for all the lovely videos on this style of riding/bikes I happen to enjoy most as well! I noticed that you’ve changed the brake on your crust bike to the Paul Klampers. I am deciding what mechanically actuated callipers to get for my new dream build atm and after you praised the semi-hydraulic Yokozuna’s, I intended to get those. Could you please put a few words to why you switched to the Paul Klampers?

[@tristanbanville7930]

LHT review??

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Sure. Its on the heavy side and takes time to get up to speed but carries a load well. Feels a little dead when nothing is on the bike, comes to life a little with a load. Prioritizes stability over handling.

[@Noop-Noop56]

Better? C'mon man.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Even watch the video?

[@Noop-Noop56]

@@PathLessPedaledTV yep, not cool bro

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

@@Noop-Noop56 wow. What did you find so offensive? Real question.

[@Noop-Noop56]

Honest answer, I wasn't offended so much as irritated by the title. We all know the answer to that question. Why even ask?

[@Noop-Noop56]

Sorry for being a curmudgeon

[@JeffOehlsen]

I like hearing anyone try and explain difference in bikes they have had a while, considering they will tend to stay in their lane, and having said that, means small differences are described in great detail. Much better than listening to someone repeat, or try and describe off a few rides. Thanks for this.

[@peterforde9513]

Yep, privileged. I am privileged enough to ride both a Riv Atlantis and an IF Crown Jewel and while vastly different bicycles they each add a nuanced splash of flavor to my personality when I ride them. And then there is my Brompton . . .

[@TheGotoGeek]

Try Dalwhinnie 15, if you haven’t already. A really wonderful dram with a unique flavor.

[@rickthatch3556]

That riv uses v brakes... not a lot of road bikes have that. Do you use a jig for increasing pull for that ?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

No. Using long pull levers.