Grant Petersen


Grant Petersen is a bicycle designer and the founder of Rivendell Bicycle Works. He was U.S. marketing director for Bridgestone Cycle, 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.
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 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.