Our Reader’s Rig of the week comes from Tunitas Creative founder Jessica in San Francisco, who shares the lovingly built Rivendell Sam Hillborne that she plans to continue riding forever. Get to know Jessica and check out her one-of-a-kind Bay Area cruiser here…

Words by Jessica Chan, photos by Miles Arbour

Hi, I’m Jessica, though most people call me Jess. I’m based in San Francisco, the sole person behind Tunitas Creative, and a long-time bike person. Being in the Bay Area allows me to do a wide variety of riding, from road to gravel, bikepacking, and mountain biking. It’s pretty amazing, and I’m very lucky to have it.

Rivendell Sam Hillborne

I always wanted a Rivendell. My partner fixed up and gave me a 1990 Bridgestone MB-3 when we first started dating. I jokingly thought of it as my “poor girl Rivendell.” After many years on my beloved Bridgestone, I finally decided it was time to upgrade to a Rivendell and chose a Hillborne.

  • Rivendell Sam Hillborne
  • Rivendell Sam Hillborne

I was going to wait for the next batch of Hillbornes, which might have taken a while (this was 2021, after all…), but a friend (thanks, Axton!) knew I was looking and put me in touch with someone selling theirs. I pulled a lot of parts off my Bridgestone to build up the Hillborne, and have, over time, changed some things here and there.

Rivendell Sam Hillborne
  • Rivendell Sam Hillborne
  • Rivendell Sam Hillborne
  • Rivendell Sam Hillborne
  • Frame/Fork: Rivendell Sam Hillborne, size 51cm
  • Rims: Soma Weymouth Rim, 650b
  • Hubs: SON dynamo (front)
  • Tires: Maxxis Rambler, 650b x 47mm
  • Handlebars: Nitto Wavie
  • Grips: Ergon GA3
  • Headset: FSA
  • Crankset: Sugino Double, 170mm, 40/26
  • Pedals: Race Face Chesters
  • Cassette: Shimano 9-Speed, 12-36
  • Derailleur(s): Shimano Deore DX (front) / Shimano Deore XT (rear)
  • Brakes: Shimano XTR with Paul Love Levers
  • Shifter(s): Microshift 9-Speed Thumb Shifters
  • Saddle: Specialized Oura
  • Seatpost: Origin 8 Pro Fit
  • Stem: Soma Sutro Quill Stem, 80mm
  • Front bags: Tunitas Basket Tote 137
  • Accessory bags: Tunitas Stowaway Stem Bag
  • Front rack: SimWorks Potluck Rack and Tanaka stainless basket
  • Lights: Busch & Müller IQ-X front light and μ Taillight
  • Other accessories: Ghooost Twist Flowers, Spurcycle Bell, Safety triangle made by my friend Steffie using my fabric scrap

I love my Hillborne so much. I could spend a whole vacation having the time of my life riding some of the sickest mountain bike trails. But coming home and hopping on the Hillborne is really why I fall in love with riding bikes over and over again. For me, it’s cycling at its simplest and most joyous form. I reached that pinnacle in finding my forever bike, and I plan to ride it for the rest of my life. Or as my partner says, until I’m too old and not flexible enough to swing my leg over the top tube.

Rivendell Sam Hillborne
  • Rivendell Sam Hillborne
  • Rivendell Sam Hillborne
  • Rivendell Sam Hillborne

You can see more from Jessica at TunitasCreative.com and on Instagram.

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