It seems they're more popular, but the Riv mindset isn't to grow, it's to remain sustainable. So rather than maximize sales potential, but possibly sit on product for months or years, it's better to order just enough to mostly sell out.
I get that it's frustrating not to be able to order one of any size of any frame at any time, but the companies that keep that kind of stock also have to charge enough initially so they still make money when they close out last year's model for 50% off before they pay taxes on anything they don't sell by year's end. I think it's easier to manage cash flow, expectations and all of the plates they're spinning if they can be intentional about quantities rather than having them sit around and having to figure out how to sell them. They used to have a lot more frames available when they had a lot more sizes of each frame and had a bit less of an audience. I don't think quantities have been reduced, I think variables (like number of sizes per bike, custom paint, etc.) have, which make them easier to sell. Sustainable business practices don't always feel "good for the consumer" but I'd rather have Rivendell Bicycle Works around than have the option to buy a frame in my size at any time if it meant they went buh-bye. $.02 Best, Eric Indpls On Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 10:45:04 AM UTC-4 Andy Beichler wrote: > Doug, I don't have any insight but perhaps someone here, does. Has > Rivendell started making smaller orders or are they just more popular? > Either of those could cause low inventory situations. As someone who has > bought parts but never a frame from Rivendell, the main issue for me with > low inventory is that I can't endlessly do the pro/con rundown in my head > on buying an available frame or complete. :) > > Back on topic-I won't be buying an Atlantis today but I will log in later > to see if there is one still available in my size. > > On Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 3:57:25 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote: > >> Your points make sense, Collin. Ordering to meet unreasonable, >> unsustainable demand would be a mistake for sure. Ordering enough to have >> inventory available would be nice, as a consumer. But, I am in no way >> knowledgeable about how to run a business successfully. I was just offering >> my observation. >> Doug >> >> On Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 3:52:18 PM UTC-4 Collin A wrote: >> >>> Doug, what you describe as being frustrating to the consumer is kinda >>> what happened during COVID - a HUGE demand for bikes early in the pandemic >>> encouraged a lot of companies to over-order parts and bikes (in hindsight) >>> and now those same companies are stuck with all the overstock and are just >>> losing money hand-over-fist...so I'm very happy Riv isn't going down the >>> path of ordering to meet demand and focusing on designing good stuff that >>> folks want and making sure the company holds on for the long haul. >>> >>> Collin, Overstocked in Oakland >>> >>> On Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 12:46:33 PM UTC-7 Doug H. wrote: >>> >>>> This business model of having presales and keeping framesets somewhat >>>> scarce is interesting. People know if they don't act quickly their chance >>>> may be gone for a year or more. Or, they can try to get a frame/bicycle of >>>> choice in the used market. I must say it is aggravating as a consumer but >>>> as a business practice it seems to work! >>>> Doug >>>> >>>> On Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 3:45:42 PM UTC-4 der_amerikanische_freund >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> I am planning on getting one in Atlantis classic color. I was kind of >>>>> disappointed it is being offered in a color other than the classic >>>>> Atlantis >>>>> blue. I think that was part of its appeal, the original (albeit very >>>>> different to the original model) bike in the Riv line-up that was only >>>>> offered in one color, true to its principles blah blah blah. Also with >>>>> Sergio green also being the color of the Appaloosa, and those two bikes >>>>> being so similar, I would even be tempted to merge them, effectively >>>>> discontinuing one of the two, and offer more intermediate sizes of the >>>>> resulting "Appa-lantis". >>>>> >>>>> Another thing I am not too enthused about this year's model is the >>>>> pump peg in the seat stays. I do prefer the less conspicuous pin in the >>>>> head tube underneath the top tube. I think that if you are not planning >>>>> on >>>>> carrying a large pump in the seat stay (either because you have a mini >>>>> pump >>>>> or because you large pump lives in a frame bag), the peg itself is a bit >>>>> of >>>>> an eyesore that ruins the straight line simplicity of the seat stays and >>>>> rear triangle. >>>>> >>>>> El lunes, 17 de marzo de 2025 a las 12:39:24 UTC, Doug H. escribió: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi Kat, >>>>>> I agree that the original Atlantis color is classic and to my eyes >>>>>> just suits the bike. But, I really like the Sergio Green which would >>>>>> make >>>>>> it a tough choice for me! I have always been a fan of shades of green >>>>>> anyway including the Lime Olive green that Riv has used. I wonder if the >>>>>> Atlantis bikes will sell out and/or sell quickly during the presale? It >>>>>> is >>>>>> always fun to watch but even more fun to participate. >>>>>> Doug >>>>>> >>>>>> On Monday, March 17, 2025 at 5:42:37 AM UTC-4 Kat wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Just days now until the 2025 Atlantis sale! Who's planning on >>>>>>> getting one? What colour? I'm interested in hearing people's thoughts >>>>>>> on >>>>>>> the Sergio green - I do feel much of the appeal of the Atlantis is that >>>>>>> gorgeous blue. Interested to hear people's plans. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>> Kathryn >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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