The incredible story of my stolen Rivendell Road Standard
This is a story about hopes and dreams.
In 2022, I had the opportunity to buy a 1995 Rivendell Road Standard frame—that fit me!— and build it up. I decided to go all out. With the insurance money I got from having my previous gravel bike stolen, I put a plan together with Jay from Scenic Routes.
1995 Rivendell Road Standard taking me to taco trucks and beyond.
Here was the build that we planned together:
| Part | Model |
|---|---|
| Handlebars | randonneur 25.4 400mm |
| Brake Levers | Gran Compe 202 Non Aero Brake Levers, Drilled |
| Downtube Shifters | Dia-Compe ENE Down Tube Shifters |
| Cranks | Rene Herse Double Crank 46-30 - 171mm |
| Pedals | MKS Monarch |
| front hub | Velo Orange 32 hole silver |
| rear hub | Velo Orange 32 hole silver |
| rims | Velocity A32 32 hole polished |
| spokes and calc | spoke calc and spokes and nipples x 64 |
| brakes | shimano 105 |
| cassette | microshift 11-36 |
| tires | 26″ x 1.25″ Elk Pass Tire |
| cables | two brake and 2 shifter |
| front derailleur | dura ace |
| rear derailleur | Shimano deore long cage |
| chain | 9 speed in stock |
After a few arduous months, it was finally done. I rode it, happily, for many months. I even went on a YouTube show with it.
Then early last year, the bike—along with all the bikes in my building—disappeared. My Tesla-driving neighbor had apparently left the garage door wide open, which led to someone coming in and grabbing every bike within sight. I was inconsolable, of course.
A few things gave me hope:
- I was encouraged to post about the stolen bike and its description on BikeIndex
- I also posted on the RBW Owners Bunch mailing list
- I posted it widely on Craigslist, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit (/r/BABike) and elsewhere
A few friends who know a thing or two about used bikes told me they were certain the bike would find its way back to me some day, because my bike was so unique that it would be difficult for the thief to sell; and it would be difficult for anyone thinking about buying it to not know it was stolen.
4 or 5 months passed, and I continued making sure my post about the bike was updated on Craigslist, Reddit and elsewhere.
Randomly, I got a Reddit message from someone who said he had seen my bike at Laney Market in Oakland, and bought it. He told me that he worked in bike industry and that, when he saw it at the flea market, knew for sure it was stolen, so he decided he would try to find me. We met near a BART station and he returned the bike to me (I Venmo-ed him what he paid for it, and a bit more). I had also received a few calls from people who had spotted it at Laney Market, but by the time I made it out there I could not find it myself. I'm thankful to the community and to folks for looking out for this bike for me. I love it to bits.
The bike was returned to me in a really good condition. It was almost as if no one had ridden it at all. Someone had tried to cover its distinctive lugs with ugly markers. That's mostly faded out on its own. I didn't need to do very much when I got the bike back, beyond the flat tires.
I'm now determined to ride the hell out of this bike. Thank you, bicycle gods, for looking out for me!