This is an ongoing project, that really has just begun. For now, it’s a somewhat-complete timeline of Rivendell models, according to the date they became available to eager customers. I have lofty goals to expand it into more of a comprehensive wiki… we’ll see.
1995
Rivendell’s opening lineup of the Road (somewhat customizable), the All Rounder, and the Mountain (also coined the Expedition) are released. All are made by Waterford, who at this time is Rivendell’s sole frame fabricator.
1996
The popularity of the Rivendell Road made keeping up with the small customizations that were being made to each customer’s frame increasingly taxing. So the Road Standard was born, slightly cheaper and with more concrete specifications. The Cyclocross was also born, a race-focused bike with very lightweight tubing.
1997
In an effort to provide a more cost-effective option, as well as curtail the ever-increasing complexity that the customizations of the Rivendell lineup, the Heron project was born. These bikes were built to standard geometry and specification, with no options for customizing. They were fabricated from Reynolds 531, a more cost-effective option than the heat treated 753 tubing used on Rivendell models.
Additionally, the Long-Low was introduced. This was essentially the Road model with about 1″ longer wheelbase, 5mm lower bottom bracket, and utilized the just-released, longer reach Tektro caliper brakes to achieve more tire clearance.
1999
The Atlantis was introduced as a robust touring frameset, notably the first model to be produced by Toyo in Japan. The motivation to work with Toyo was partially for cost savings, and partially due to Rivendell’s demand and variety of models beginning to exceed what Waterford could produce comfortably.
2002
The Rambouillet is added to the roster as the second Toyo-built frame, pushing further into comfortable and versatile design road frames.
2003
The release of longer reach caliper brakes from Tektro helped spur the Romulus, with increased tire clearance over the Rambouillet. The largest sizes were dubbed the Redwood, but the frame was otherwise functionally the same.
2004
This year brought forth the first foray into 650B wheels with the Saluki, designed to be an all-road capable, long distance bike. It also includes the introduction of the Quickbeam, the first (and only!) frame built by Panasonic for Rivendell.
2005
The first mixte frame, the Glorius (also available with the moniker Wilbury, despite being the same frame otherwise) became available. This was an especially ornate-lugged frame, and the production cost reflected this.
2006
The QBP collaboration frame, the Bleriot was released at a pricepoint no Rivendell previous had touched, opening up the brand to a new audience. This is the year that the A. Homer Hilsen joined the fleet as well, built by Waterford to start.
2007
Mark Nobilette was signed on as a builder for Rivendell, with the Legolas being his first production contribution to the brand.
2008
Rivendell has really committed to the 650B platform at this point, both for their more road-ish bikes as well as for the upcoming 650B mountain bike, the Bombadil, despite poor support from the industry for this size.
2009
A big year for Rivendell, the Waterford-built Bombadil is released with never-used-before lugs. A new country road bike, the Hillborne, is released as well as a new step-thru named the Yves Gomez / Betty Foy.
2010
The MUSA Roadeo makes its debut after being in the works for some time. The Bombadil hasn’t been around too long but the Hunqapillar has come to take its place as a lower cost, made in Taiwan alternative.
2011
The latest Rivendell dedicated singlespeed bike, the Simple One, arrives.
2012
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2013
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2014
A less ornate mixte than the Glorius / Wilbury, dubbed the Cheviot (Cheviut) as an ode to the similarly robust sheep, is debuted.
2015
The Clem Smith Jr is made available, utilizing the same fork crown as the Hunqapillar but made from TIG construction.
2016
The Hubbuhubbah tandem came to fruition.
2017
A TIG construction road bike called the Roadini joins the collection, the most road-focused bike in the fleet other than the Roadeo.
2018
Teaming up with Blue Lug, the ornately lugged singlespeeder Frank Jones Sr was released.
2019
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2020
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2021
The Platypus is debuted, the latest Rivendell Mixte. Early batches featured a fillet brazed junction of the top and seat tube which later moved to a lugged joint. Also the hillibike genre is officially a thing now with the Gus Boots Wilsen and Susie Longbolts / Wolbis Slugstone models.
2022
A Rosco version Platypus is made in limited numbers, a TIG constructed step thru style frame with heavier duty tubing than the Platy itself.
2023
No new models released but a number of favourites returned with fresh batches and colours.
2024
The Roaduno is released in the spring, a single speed Homer-ish bike with 120mm spacing but a derailer tab. The Charlie H Gallop is released in the fall, a new interpretation of the road bike with a slightly dropped top tube, long wheelbase, and road-oriented tubing.