Rivendell Bicycle Works

Category:	Bicycle Store
Address:	2040 N Main St # 19, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA
Phone:	+1 925-933-7304
Site:	rivbike.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 10AM–4PM Closed

Location

Photos 11

Reviews 14

Kyle Hale

I want to start this review by stating I am not a bicycle expert in any way. Im not looking to get into aluminum/carbon fiber bicycle racing. Thats a completely different crowd and RBW makes this very clear in their literature (see Unracing). I just wanted a quality bicycle that would last me for years to come and may even turn into an heirloom. A bike to commute to work on, to ride around town and get grocery/coffee and maybe even a little light touring. I rode bicycles around my neighborhood as a kid growing up with friends and it was such a great childhood memory. I just moved from Georgia to California and the first thing on my list to do was to secure a good bicycle. Ever since a few bicycle friends back at home had introduced me to Rivendell BW, I had been lusting over their bikes online. I could instantly see that this wasnt a mass produced bicycle for the masses, but for people who cared about longevity and craftsmanship. I was a little taken back by the price, completely due to my ignorance of quality bicycles, but once you see the craftsmanship and process involved with these bikes, you realize every penny of your investment is well made. I decided I wanted to visit the Walnut Creek shop and test ride a bike before blindly ordering online. I walked into the store and my senses were immediately filled with a campfire/pine tar scent. The store was decorated so well, with wood stumps, slick watches, cool apparel and even a section for finely made Swedish axes (which I purchased one!) I was greeted by Vince who has to be one of the nicest, welcoming people Ive ever met. He completely walked me through what the company stood for and set up a Sam Hillbourne for me to test ride. I took the bike a few blocks down, jumped on a bike path and felt like I was riding on the Porsche/BMW 5series/Mercedes of bicycles. Everything was smooth, functional and pleasant to use on the bicycle. I was smiling ear to ear on this bicycle. When I came back to the shop, there was never any pressure to buy the bicycle, no sales pitches. I think this company knows they have a quality product and they dont have to oversell it; the quality speaks for itself. I had the chance to meet Grant Peterson (the owner) later that evening and he was such a great guy. We had a really pleasant chat about bicycles and vintage cameras. I cannot express how cool, relevant and just bad ass in general this company and shop is. There is not an ounce of pretentiousness. Grant and his employees genuinely want to build an incredible product and share the joy of riding bicycles with everyone and their community. I highly recommend you drop by and say Hello and even take a bike for a test ride!

Henrywildeberry

I was in the area today, and having browsed the Rivendell website enough times, I knew I wanted to see the bicycles and shop in person. I wasnt there to buy a bicycle, but just a few odds and ends I had been planning to pick up when the time was ripe. Mark and his staff made me feel comfortable right away. All I wanted was a set of bar end shifters, but Mark insisted I test right a few of the bikes to get a feel for the various bar end shifters they offer. Mark took his time and explained the technology used in manufacturing the levers and wasnt at all in a rush to hurry me through, even though all I needed was bar end shifters! Does service like this really exist, or was it all just a dream? I even mentioned it right away, so he wouldnt waste his time on me if he had better things to do. This is the kind of retail service one only dreams of, in a utopian world, but never actually get to experience it first had. Sure, sending me out to ride the bikes was a good marketing ploy, because admittedly I now want a custom made frame, they make such wonderful bicycles.

Drew W.

I’ve ordered various products from Rivendell over the years. Everyone is friendly and they’ve helped me out when I needed a part sent in for warranty work. It’s nice to get friendly voices on the phone to help resolve issues, or to ask for clarification on items found on their website. Their selection is not what you’d expect at a “normal” bike shop --which is part of what makes them great. This isn’t a place where they just sell a bunch of bike-related stuff in order to call themselves a bike shop. Rivendell designs much of what they carry, and you can tell they actually USE much of what they carry. It’s rare to witness a business that is not trying to be trendy, and actually contributes to the very industry that they’re part of.

Allen Morris

My wife and I stopped by Rivendell to see if she could fit on any of their bicycles. A very nice young man measured her and found the 47 cm Atlantis model that would almost fit her. It turned out that she was comfortable on it and we took it for a long ride on the trail that is a few blocks away from the Rivendell shop. I borrowed a Rivendell Rodeo to ride with her. After our ride we looked at more bikes and and found a nice pair of gloves for my wife. We where then off to start saving up to get an Atlantis Frame.

George Millwood

I have bought stuff off Rivendell since 1995, including an Atlantis frame from the initial batch. Their service has been impeccable. I live in Australia and the one time I had to return something - the contents did not match the box - the whole affair was handled promptly and with out expense to me. Cannot recommend them too highly.

Timothy Orr

Anything you find on the Riv site is going to be a funcitional, good looking product. It might be spendy, but it will be long-lasting and worth the cost. Just got my first Rivendell bike and Im in love. Ive been dreaming about one of these beauties for a while now and Im glad I finally made it happen.

A Private User

I had a Rivendell in 1998 and really wanted to like the bike, but it was just too big a frame for me. I just browsed his website now and all I can say is....Wow! Rivendell is sure going in a different direction. Best of luck to them.

A Private User

A treasure! Stumbling on Rivendell made me a happier, more comfortable cyclist :) I feel so lucky to that I live near enough to visit the shop sometimes; the staff is always super helpful & nice.

A Private User

Very unprofessional. The workers are unfriendly elitist jerks, and the place looks like it is run in a back alley in Mexico. I do not recommend.

A Private User

This place is pretty cool. Very helpful, if a but unprofessional. Expensive, but, here, you get what you pay for.

A Private User

Great bike manufacturer, ask Grant for an extra coating of shelac.

Aaron Holby

Expensive steel stuff.

Erik Strong

Luv a MUSA tight

Bruce Gates

Riv Rocks!!!