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Why Rivendell?
— Bicycle Models —
Sam Hillborne frame/bike
Click to embiggen.
Testimonials at the bottom.
The Sam Hillborne
Our slam-dunk, more affordable, does-everything great bike. If you don't have a good bike, this is the one to get. If you have a bunch of expensive bikes that aren't good, don't fit, don't fit the tires you want, don't fit fenders, don't let you raise the bars high enough, and are made with materials that aren't as tough, safe, reliable, or repairable as steel, then this is the bike to get. Our custom bike customers have Sams, as a second bike, or a bike that does what their custom won't. You can do almost anything on a Sam Hillborne.
Two variants. Let us explain. Thanks.
Our slam-dunk, more affordable, does-everything great bike. If you don't have a good bike, this is the one to get. If you have a bunch of expensive bikes that aren't good, don't fit, don't fit the tires you want, don't fit fenders, don't let you raise the bars high enough, and are made with materials that aren't as tough, safe, reliable, or repairable as steel, then this is the bike to get. Our custom bike customers have Sams, as a second bike, or a bike that does what their custom won't. You can do almost anything on a Sam Hillborne.
Two variants. Let us explain. Thanks.
The plan all along was to have them made in Taiwan at the same trusted shop that's made the Betty Foy and the Blertiot. A top frame shop in Taiwan. We know these people, we know the brazer. When we ordered them, we expected 3 month delivery, and at the time we needed only 56cm and 60cm frames.
The delivery was late. So late that in the interim we'd run out of 48s and 52s, too. And we still didn't have the Taiwan frames.
You know, it's tough to rattle off "Taiwan frames" in this context as though they're sub-something, or we think of them in less regard, or anything like that. Please don't infer that, cause I'm not implying it. Yes, our first choice is American made, but that comes at a price, and we have enough experience with the Taiwan shop to totally trust them.
But in this case, we were short frames, so we contacted Waterford, with whom we have a long history, and said, "Can you make these?" They said sure, but the forks will run you a mint. We said, "We've got forks, you just make the frames." That was that, and for a long time now we've had
56 and 60 Sam Frames from both USA and Taiwan. The 64cm is USA only.
The USA ones cost $1,250 for frame fork headset and have double top tubes. They use cantilever or V-brakes.
The originals (Taiwan) cost $1,000 and have single top tubes. They use sidepulls or centerpulls.
All of the 48 and 52 Sams (the 650B models) are USA only and cost $1250. They have single top tubes and use cantis or V-brakes.
If you're of a suspicious nature and generally mistrusting, you may wonder, "Why do the single top tube models cost as much as the doubles?" Because we didn't want to complicate things any more than they already were.
July 2010: Sam road test @ EcoVelo
ABOUT THE BIKE:
The Sam Hillborne is the replacement for the Bleriot, with some differences. It's a cross between the Atlantis, our cantilever-braked touring bike, and the A. Homer HIlsen, our roadish country bike. "It's a cross..." means it has tubing halfway in between the two (in wall thickness...) and the 40mm max tire clearance (and straight chainstays) of the A.Homer Hilsen.
The delivery was late. So late that in the interim we'd run out of 48s and 52s, too. And we still didn't have the Taiwan frames.
You know, it's tough to rattle off "Taiwan frames" in this context as though they're sub-something, or we think of them in less regard, or anything like that. Please don't infer that, cause I'm not implying it. Yes, our first choice is American made, but that comes at a price, and we have enough experience with the Taiwan shop to totally trust them.
But in this case, we were short frames, so we contacted Waterford, with whom we have a long history, and said, "Can you make these?" They said sure, but the forks will run you a mint. We said, "We've got forks, you just make the frames." That was that, and for a long time now we've had
56 and 60 Sam Frames from both USA and Taiwan. The 64cm is USA only.
The USA ones cost $1,250 for frame fork headset and have double top tubes. They use cantilever or V-brakes.
The originals (Taiwan) cost $1,000 and have single top tubes. They use sidepulls or centerpulls.
All of the 48 and 52 Sams (the 650B models) are USA only and cost $1250. They have single top tubes and use cantis or V-brakes.
If you're of a suspicious nature and generally mistrusting, you may wonder, "Why do the single top tube models cost as much as the doubles?" Because we didn't want to complicate things any more than they already were.
July 2010: Sam road test @ EcoVelo
ABOUT THE BIKE:
The Sam Hillborne is the replacement for the Bleriot, with some differences. It's a cross between the Atlantis, our cantilever-braked touring bike, and the A. Homer HIlsen, our roadish country bike. "It's a cross..." means it has tubing halfway in between the two (in wall thickness...) and the 40mm max tire clearance (and straight chainstays) of the A.Homer Hilsen.
It is a wonderfully versatile bike--functionally halfway between the Atlantis (our full-touring bike) and the A. Homer HIlsen (our roadish all-arounder). But, and this is the key, a Hillborne costs about $750 less.
You can ride your Sam Hillborne self-contained across the country, but it's also super on roads, for commuting, and fire trails. If you have only one bike, you can't do any better than a Sam. If you have a stable of "normal" bikes, this is the one you'll ride the most. The Sam Hillborne is an all-around bike that sacrifices nothing, and will do all you ask of it without a wimper, forever.
The average price of a road bike in 2010 is $1,500--and there are thousands of bikes that sell for four times that. The Sam, at $2900 or so (taxes, shipping, upgrades/downgrades effect the final total) is not only a better bike than anything made of lesser materials, but the biggest bargain alive today.
Five sizes: 48 and 52 fit 650B wheels; 56, 60 and 64 fit 700C. The frame design is "expanded," which is not at all like "compact." The top tube slopes up 6 degrees, and so the head tube grows in height to intercept it. As a result, it is easy, really easy, to get your handlebar high up where it's comfortable.
If you're five-ten, you'll probably be on a 56. Most 6-footers ride the 60. Most five-eighters, the 52. The 48 fits most five-twoers, and most 6-4ers, the 64.
To nail the size, we'll need your height and PBH, and we make sure you get the right frame, the right bars, the right stem. Don't think for a second you're at a disadvantage ordering without a personal fitting. The roads are teeming with mis-fit riders who were sized incorrectly in person, and since we send bikes across the country all the time, we've had to evolve sizing methods that work. We must be more careful; we never get returns. This is what we do, and we do it well.
To nail the size, we'll need your height and PBH, and we make sure you get the right frame, the right bars, the right stem. Don't think for a second you're at a disadvantage ordering without a personal fitting. The roads are teeming with mis-fit riders who were sized incorrectly in person, and since we send bikes across the country all the time, we've had to evolve sizing methods that work. We must be more careful; we never get returns. This is what we do, and we do it well.
We are truly excited about this bike. Nothing's cheap on it. It uses our lugs, crown, bb shell as always. My pick of tubing, my design.
View the Sam Hillborne geometry PDF here.
Homer or Sam? Read this.
Homer or Sam? Read this.
Here's a typical build. Sales tax applies for customers in CA. Shipping on complete bikes is $110-130.
More photos.
Even more photos.
A customer review!
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?
Testimonials
A customer review!
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?
Testimonials
I think I own three of the best bikes in the world. I'm sure I own two of them.
The Hillborne (60cm, double top tube) is great. I mean great. The geometry's exactly what I want. Set up with the Albatross bars, dirt drop 100, love levers, Motolites, Shimano shifters on Thumbies, and dark piney Viva tape with twine and clear shellac. That'll be my standard setupI'm all about the comfort. I rode fifty miles yesterday, to work and back. Complete comfort, no fatigue, no mid-ride adjustment stops, just beautiful. Cycling as it should be. And stunning, too. I got stopped.
Today I put on the Moustache cockpit (Nitto moustache, Dirtdrop 100, Tektro RL-520s, Shimano bar-ends), which is completely different and also fantastic. I go fifteen-to-twenty percent faster and climb way more easily. Normally I ride like Elvira Gulch, but with this I'm bent over a little, which, as I always suspected, gives me some leverage in my rather stout legs. None of this is a surprise, it's just impressive.
Over trail and road, those are each the best of their kind I can imagine.
What I haven't done yet is put on the Noodles (48 cm, again with Dirtdrop 100 and Tektro RL-520s, with Shimano shifters on road Thumbies). That'll be next. Something tells me I'll find that I have a third, long-distance/complete comfort/speed combination that may become the standard. Those Albas set a high bar, though (as it were... Elvira Gulch, remember). They're like Cadillac-meets-BMW-meets-Audi. Total control, total ease, total luxury.
So... two-probably-three great bikes for 120% of the price of one great bike, which by itself was worth 200% of its price. This bike is unreal.
On a down side, I'm probably going to buy only one more frame from you folks; I can't imagine needing a "road bike" or a "mountain bike" or a "touring bike" or a "commuting bike". I've got a bike that does all of those things as well as I could imagine. But I've always wanted and will likely get for my fiftieth birthday (just a few years away) a mixte. And the Betty Foy surely is the Hillborne of the mixte world.
But fear not. I've still got to get panniers (wow... just wow) and wheels (Phil Rivy front? SON/Dyad?) and knickers (still building up the intestinal fortitude) and the hats and shirts and socks and other bags and doo-dads. And eventually I'll run out of shaving cream.
T.S.
Chicago, IL
I got my new Sam Hillborne yesterday, got it set up, and rode it home. It's really a beautyeven my non-cyclist wife is impressed and calls it a work of art, which is good because it resides our living room when not on the road.
Today I took it for a twenty-mile spin near the beach. It's fast and handles very well. I'm very impressed and pleased with this bike. The frame, lugs, and paint have all exceeded my expectations. I think you'll be selling a lot of these.
Thanks again for making a quality product and bucking most of the trends in the bike industry.
T.D.
Long Beach, CA
I received my Sam Hillborne today, and I've already started putting miles on it. It rides a treat, draws whistles from the bike-crowd here in Buffalo, and I'm already planning some cross-Peace-Bridge camping trips. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who talked me through/into ordering it, put it together, sent it. Thanks!
J.C.
Buffalo, NY
I've been riding my new Sam Hillborne for a month now, and I've been meaning to send a note of thanks for working with me on fit and set-up, but I haven't had time. I'm always out on my bike. I really love it. A lot.
The bike arrived in perfect condition. It was easy even for me to assemble. Thanks for phoning to ask if I wanted the fenders installed, because I got to try it out even quicker.
The bike is gorgeouslightweight, responsive, classy lines... I stopped into my local bike shop to buy new lights and a lock, and the guy helping me recognized a good bike and brought out his friends to check it out.
I also want to thank you for suggesting the Albatross bar. It is very comfortable and part of why the bike is a perfect fit for me. I'm glad I went with your advice.
All you guys' work made a very happy customer. I was nervous about buying a bike long distance, but the product makes me glad I did.
B.
I love my Sam HillborneI love looking at it in the garage, love the smooth fast ride, and am using it all the time. My last touring bike I never bothered to ride on Sundays, but this one keeps seducing me away from my mountain bike.
I like the friction shifting, as it gives more flexibility to use more combinations of gears than you can with indexed shiftersthe chain-rubbing problem can always be adjusted away. I was resistant to the idea of bar-end shifters since I was used to riding on the top of the brake hoods all the time, far away from the bar-end shifters. However, I find that on the Hillborne, because the handlebars higher, I ride in the drops and the shifters are convenient and accessible. I shift just as much as I ever did.
Best of luck, and thanks to you guys for making and selling all the great stuff.
S.
Sausalito, CA
I just received my orange Sam Hillborne frame. It was packed perfectly, and you picked a great color for me. I'm planning on putting on moustache bars and a Brooks saddle. It's a winter projectit'll be my spring baby. I look forward to ordering Rivendell components.
R.
I've had my Sam Hillborne four months now, and I'm enjoying it immensely every time I ride. It's one of the most pleasant and fun bikes I have ridden.
I got back two weeks ago from my European adventure. My friend and I rode from Amsterdam through France to Marseille, and then back up to Amsterdam. I am pretty sure that there weren't too many other guys on the top of Mount Ventoux with racks and bikes with threaded headsets. It was about 3500 kilometers in total. Quite a few on a brand new bikeI think the Hillborne had about twenty miles on it when we started riding in Amsterdam.
With those Jack Brown tires, that thing is a heck of a fun descender. This is my first friction-shifting bike, and I love it. I'm happy to know I'm going to have it for a very long time.
C.A.
I just received my Sam Hillborne. I volunteer to build bikes at Christmas for Secret Santa, so I unpack many new bikes but wowI wish every company packed 'em for shipping as well as you do.
C.P.
Charleston, WV
My new Sam is outstanding. It handles great and is a pleasure to ride. I usually have buyer's remorse with large ticket items, but not in this case. Thanks again.
B.B.
Antioch, CA
The Sam Hillborne is the smoothest, most comfortable bike I have ever owned. I am looking forward to creating many good memories on it. The first was a fifty-mile ride to a pumpkin patch outside of Watsonville this weekend. Great ride, got to love the miles and miles of coast riding here.
A.
The Sam looks good. The fenders, kickstand, and everything else fit beautifully. I am amazed at how quiet this bike is. Nothing rattles and the Schwalbe tires are super quiet. Shifting is crisp compared to bike the Hillborne replaced, and I am surprised at how efficiently the bike climbs. It's so stable descending that it
doesn't feel fast, but the wind in my ears tells me otherwise.
T.
I took the Sam Hillborne out for a twelve-mile ride last Friday and a twenty-two-mile ride last Saturday, and also commuted on it this week. All I can say is, what a difference! I have not had any of the usual pains in the hands, arms, shoulders and neck.
Thank you for all your help and suggestions. I hope to enjoy many miles and memories on this bike for years to come.
R.
My new Hillborne came in last week, and it's been a blast. I haven't gotten any work donejust riding and riding. Thanks for all your help. It's a great bike, and I'd pat all of you on the back if I could.
E.
I got my Sam frame yesterday, and I'm absolutely in love. The paint job is lovely. Major thumbs up to all the folks at Rivendell. I think it's safe to say that I'm hooked.
T.
I bought a Sam Hillborne this past summer, and I couldn't be more pleased with it. I needed a bike to commute on and to ride for pleasure. What is really neat is that the commute now counts as a pleasure ride. My old commuting bike was a converted triathlon frame. I couldn't put tires on it that were wide enough to not fall into the clots in Hong Kong storm drains. You can imagine how stressful that made a commute in traffic.
The Sam fit my budget, it's well made, it's lugged and brazed, it's stable and easy to handle, and it's a wonderful ride. I can't say enough good things about it. What a wonderful bike.
I love the bike. I am hoping to do a tour this summer from Hong Kong to Shanghai. I can't think of a better bike for such a trip.
Thanks for producing it.
P.
Hong Kong
I just had my first ride this morning on my brand new Hillborneseventeen miles in a foggy, English-style mist.
It's fantastic. Definitely my dream bike.
H.D.
Chicago, IL
RE: My hillborne almost dialed in
I rode it yesterday afternoon for an hour and a half or so. I can see how the EcoVelo reviewer would say it was his favorite bike. My friend who did the bulk of the assembly called me yesterday afternoon to tell me it's the most comfortable bike he's ever ridden in 30 years. It doesn't get much better than that.
J.T.
Hey Dave,
Took the Hillborne out on it's maiden voyage and had a ball. It is hands down the most comfy, sure footed machine I've had the joy to ride. It's great to know it can take the pumps, pot holes. etc with greater ease than a narrower profile bike...it just feels more sure footed period. Could you send me the following items and run them through the card on file:
Thanks R.O.
Country of Origin
Taiwan
Ways to Use It
- Road/trail riding
- Touring
- Commuting
- In wet weather
- Any road surface
Features
- investment cast lugs
- butted CrMo tubing
- Rivendell design
- Clearance for 40mm tires w/fenders
- Super comfortable. Smart bike
Related Products
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