Grant Petersen
Grant Petersen is a bicycle designer and the founder of Rivendell Bicycle Works.[1] He was U.S. marketing director for Bridgestone Cycle (U.S.A.), Inc. during the 1980s and 1990s, where he designed the XO series of bicycles.
He is known for opposing complicated design. He gives priority to tradition, comfort, and durability instead of speed, weight, and racing-led fashion. The company specializes in bicycles intended for all sorts of riding outside of competition. In addition to lugged steel frames, signatures of this trend have included leather saddles, downtube or bar-end shifters in place of brifters, and the use of "moustache" and "cruiser" type handlebars.[2]
Additionally, Petersen has authored four books. The first, Roads to Ride - A Bicyclist's Topographic Guide to Alameda, Contra Costa and Marin Counties, written with Mary Anderson, was published in 1984 (the dedication reads "Dedicated to B.F. Skinner - who must be the most misunderstood person of all time - and Bob Dylan. It's the least I can do and the only thing I can think of.") The second, Roads to Ride South - a Bicyclist's Topographic guide to San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties, with John Kluge, was published in 1985. The third was titled Just Ride and was published in 2012. The fourth was titled Eat Bacon, Don't Jog and was published in 2014.
References
- ^ Grant Petersen Interview, Cycloculture, August 19, 2008
- ^ "Rivendell: Against the Wind". Ebykr. March 14, 2016.
External links
- RBWs official site
- BikeRadar Petersen interviewed by Gary Boulanger, July 2007
- [1] Men's Journal article on Grant Petersen by Kolby Yarnell, July 2012
- [2] Book Review: ‘Just Ride’ by Grant Petersen, July 2012
- [3] 5 Reasons Why He's Grant Petersen and You're Not, May 2013
- [4] Drinks With: author Grant Petersen, December 2014