Bombadil

$2300 (for the non-diagatube 48cm) to $3000 for Frame, Fork & Headset.

The Bombadil is a stout-tubed mountain bike for rough riding and heavy loads. It's not Dutch-heavy, but by contemporary standards of expensive, fine bicycles, it's out there on the edge. The frame of the 52cm weighs 5.3 pounds. 5.5 pounds max.

The tubes are extra strong, reinforced, and there's a diagnoal tube and stays to create small strong triangles even on bigger frames (all but the 48 has the second tube, and the 48 doesn't need it). It's a MOUNTAIN bike, and not a frilly-techy one for gram counters who race in their minds but not in the world. It's not for racing, period. It is a modern mountain bike in the spirit of a 1983 model. Maybe '84.



The Bombadil will come in 5 sizes. Here they are, with my best guess of the corresponding Pubic Bone Height and Saddle Height:

48cm (for 650B wheels) For PBH of about 77 to 83cm; Saddle height 67 to 73.
52cm (for 650B wheels) For PBH of about 81 to 87cm; Saddle height 71 to 77.
56cm (for 650B wheels) For PBH of about 84 to 91cm; Saddle height 74 to 81.
60cm (for 700c wheels) For PBH of about 87 to 95cm; Saddle height 77 to 86..
64cm (for 700c wheels) For PBH of about 93 to 102cm; Saddle height 85 to 92.

I/Grant have a PBH of 85 and ride a 58 Saluki, a 59 A. Homer Hilsen, a 56 Atlantis with Albatross bars, and I'm getting a 52 Bombadil as a mountain bike. But the 56cm also fits as a high-bar tourer. That's the beauty of the expanded frame. The top tube slopes up 6-degrees.



How much for a complete bike?
Depends on parts picked, of course.  We're happy to help you figure it out if you feel overwhelmed by all the parts decisions you have to make.

If you want to upscale it here or there, we've done it before and offer great advice. Want top of the bar shifters, a second set of brake levers, STI? We've done it all. We won't let you wreck the bike with a fantasy part that doesn't work, but we're quite flexible if you have a notion you'd like to explore, or just want our opinion about some idea you might have.



Color: Britishy Racingish Green  "What if I want fancy two-color wet paint?" You can probably get it, but it'll take an extra two months and cost you $300 more. That's what it costs us.

Maximum tire size in actual millimeters, accounting for a minimal acceptable clearance: 52mm.

If you live nearby or are in the area, stop by and see it and ride it.

• Our No Warranty Frame Warranty
• It may seem odd for a company that makes such reliable frames to not have a standard instant freebie replacement - warranty, but hold on. Just because something that's defective is likely to break, doesn't mean anything that breaks is defective. Even superbly designed, artfully made steel bikes ridden according to design intent can break. We know that, and go to great lengths to prevent it.
• We're skilled, experienced non-defective designers. We use top-notch, proven, non-defective materials. Within the few but real constraints pricing imposes, we're selective about who builds our frames. When it comes to caring about weight and shooting for lightness, we're super conservative. It's not far off the mark to say we don't care about weight, and it's absolutely true that we never compromise a frame to make it lighter. A good frame weighs what it ought to weigh.
• After all that, our frames are tested and meet strict EN (European Nation) standards, which are tougher than the German DIN standards, and considerably tougher than the American CPSC standards. But sometimes a frame breaks, and that's no more proof of a defect than a broken window is proof of defective glass. It is impossible to tell the history of the frame. It may be impossible for even its owner to know it. Sometimes even good things break, and anybody, or any company who doesn't acknowledge that is not being honest.
• All that said, broken frames are rare. Crash damage, and running into garages with bikes on the roof rack are way, way more common. Tell us your frame's story. We may fix it for nothing, but you pay the freight. Or we may charge a fee for the fix. It is at our discretion, but we're not your enemy, and you are our friend. We keep that in mind, always.
• The great thing about steel frames is they can be fixed. In many cases, the fixed frame can be reinforced so that it's stronger than the original. You want a fresh start, but a fresh start with a beefed up frame can be even better. A thicker tube. An extra tube. Whatever it takes, we can do it. In almost all cases, a fixed frame needs new paint. We'll work with our local painter and get it to you at no profit. A repair may cost nothing or nine hundred dollars. It all depends.
• In any case, we feel beholden to original owners only. No other warranty (or non-warranty) is implied, so don't go inferring any. But no matter how you came upon your frame, we are happy to advise you on how to get your frame repaired at a reasonable cost. We want your bike back in action, too. Fair enough?

My Bombadil handles uneven ground and tight turns very well. It's fantastic. -W. Thanks for making me such a great frame and such awesome wheels. The Bombadil built up perfectly, and I can't wait to get it nicely worn in. - M.G. Stewartstown, PA I want to tell you how wonderful I think my Bombadil is. No other bike has been as stable or comfortable under me. This is definitely the choice for 300 pounds plus folks, no question. I will ride two to three centuries and do a number of tours on this bike this year, and I'm stoked. Thanks for designing and bringing to market such a smart, practical, strong and beautiful frame. - P. My Bombadil has placed a perpetual grin on my face. It's like riding on the end of a whip, in pure comfort. Thanks to everyone at Rivendell for doing what you do. -P. My Bombadil rides great. It has a lively feel to it. I've got 700x47 Schwalbe tires on heavy duty rims, and it still feels light and fast. You suggested top-mount shifters, and they are awesome! Way better than downtube ones off road, and I don't get annoyed by the bar-end cables, or bash the shifter with my knee. -P. I just got a note pinned to my Bombadil, which is locked in back of our warehouse. It says "NICE BIKE!!!" in black magic marker. -P.S. Thank you for all your help with the frame and for answering my questions. I picked up the frame last Saturday and it looks great. Thanks for building the wheels. I expect they'll last me a very long time. - I. The Bombadil is really the best frame in your line up. It's just about unstoppable. I couldn't be happier. Keep up the great work. - P.J. Louisville, KY BOMBADIL did *$@#$ AWESOME! Weighing in at 80lbs w/o food or water (so figure ~95lbs on the trail) she handled and felt awesome (Schwalbe Dura tire you sold me were awesome, too). The Bomba was SO @#$% @#$%^& !!! geometery is killer! Cheers to Grant and all the designers involved! E

Hi K & G,

Just thought I'd drop you a quick line to let you know that I've got my 68 cm Bombadil and C----'s 54 cm Homer finished. They are great, and we both love them. C--- wrote her thanks below.

For me, it's amazing finally having a right-size bike. The 68 cm fits me so well. No time-trial position, no flexy steerer extender. I don't have the bike pedigree to describe the handling, other than to say it feels super stable when cruising along, and not in the least bit slow. It corners well unloaded or loaded, front or rear. The sitting position with high Albatross bars truly is genius for relaxed riding. Haven't quite got used to the hand position but I'm sure I will. No long rides or anything off pavement yet, but I can't wait to.

I was expecting the frame to feel quite heavy because of the description on the RBW site, but I have to say despite the extra tube I'm not convinced the FRAME of the Bombadil is heavier than that of my old 60 cm steel Raleigh from the '70s. The big tyres, dynamo, racks etc. all worked out to (I guess) quite a heavy finished bike but I just don't notice it to ride. It's more than made up for by the functionality of a large comfy bike with plenty of carrying capacity, and it floats along with the fat tyres.

Thanks firstly for making these beautiful bikes, and also for your help and patience getting them to us. Two very satisfied riders!

C---- says:

I know you will have received many letters expressing similar sentiment, but I would still like to add my thanks to you and everyone involved in the construction of our delightful bikes.

I have never had a bicycle like my A Homer Hilsen, and I don't think I ever will again. I am calling the bike Chips Ahoy! after a Hold Steady song.

I could (and hope to) take this bike anywhere and everywhere. It doesn't feel precious, it doesn't feel cumbersome, and it certainly doesn't feel like it's holding me back. It feels like flying, putting a smile on my face every time I climb aboard.

Thanks again,

C & T