Every once in a while, I get a new desire for a new bike. For whatever reason, this is the season to want a Rivendell Hunqapillar. I can almost guarantee you that this will never happen. But I'll continue to dream about it. Click on that link and check out how beautiful it is. Seriously stylish and functional bike.
My dreams the past few weeks include a Moots Frosti...which is a beautiful titanium fatbike, and as of last week an Ellis Strada Fango. Dave of Ellis Cycles will be showing his new Strada Fango concept bike later this week at the NAHBS show. I've already told him it's on my "want" list.
Funny. When we came back from CA in 2011 there was nothing more than I wanted than a Hunqa. It just seemed right. RBW's price is prohibitive now, but perchance to dream.
I decided a few years ago I wanted an Atlantis. But after more and more thought I finally decided I'd never be comfortable riding such an expensive bike around and having to lock it up in public or transport it on my car. I guess if 4 grand were pocket change to me I'd be okay with it, but reality is its not. But still, to dream...
Yeah, that's why I don't think it would ever happen. Especially since it's more of an aesthetic thing. My Troll is technically the same type of bike... just not as perty.
I've owned two custom-made frames. Two really, really beautiful ones. Perception is a funny thing. Because those two bikes were so lovingly crafted, and painted with such skill, I kind of felt weird riding them around town. I felt like they were too nice, or too fancy for me. When I scratched them, it pained me. When I locked up, I fretted over someone trying to steal them. Eventually, as I spent more time on "sensible" bikes, I rode the custom ones less and less, then eventually I took parts off those bikes to use on other bikes that I rode more often. In the past year, I've sold those bikes off and invested in more affordable frames that serve very specific purposes. I now have an everyday cargo/grocery hauler, a country ride/touring bike, a mountain/trail/camping bike, and a polo bike. They are all Surlys. I've decided that these bikes fit more in line with how I ride bikes and what I want out of a bike, and instead of spending a lot of money on a pretty, custom fit frame, I feel better on a frame that fits me pretty darn good for being stock, and I invest in the best components I can afford - ones that will last years and years because they are made to. Truth be told, a few of these are probably worth as much total as one of those custom bikes, but I enjoy riding these, and I enjoy getting them dirty, scratching them, and when they fall over, I know there's no damage done that I can't live with.
That's what I keep thinking. For the kind of riding I do, I think I would be nervous. I like treating my bikes like they're pick-up trucks... not Bentleys.
My dreams the past few weeks include a Moots Frosti...which is a beautiful titanium fatbike, and as of last week an Ellis Strada Fango. Dave of Ellis Cycles will be showing his new Strada Fango concept bike later this week at the NAHBS show. I've already told him it's on my "want" list.
ReplyDeleteThat Moots looks amazing!
DeleteFunny. When we came back from CA in 2011 there was nothing more than I wanted than a Hunqa. It just seemed right. RBW's price is prohibitive now, but perchance to dream.
ReplyDeleteI've considered selling off every bike. Owning a Hunqa and a rain bike may eventually be an option...
DeleteI decided a few years ago I wanted an Atlantis. But after more and more thought I finally decided I'd never be comfortable riding such an expensive bike around and having to lock it up in public or transport it on my car. I guess if 4 grand were pocket change to me I'd be okay with it, but reality is its not. But still, to dream...
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's why I don't think it would ever happen. Especially since it's more of an aesthetic thing. My Troll is technically the same type of bike... just not as perty.
DeleteI've owned two custom-made frames. Two really, really beautiful ones. Perception is a funny thing. Because those two bikes were so lovingly crafted, and painted with such skill, I kind of felt weird riding them around town. I felt like they were too nice, or too fancy for me. When I scratched them, it pained me. When I locked up, I fretted over someone trying to steal them. Eventually, as I spent more time on "sensible" bikes, I rode the custom ones less and less, then eventually I took parts off those bikes to use on other bikes that I rode more often. In the past year, I've sold those bikes off and invested in more affordable frames that serve very specific purposes. I now have an everyday cargo/grocery hauler, a country ride/touring bike, a mountain/trail/camping bike, and a polo bike. They are all Surlys. I've decided that these bikes fit more in line with how I ride bikes and what I want out of a bike, and instead of spending a lot of money on a pretty, custom fit frame, I feel better on a frame that fits me pretty darn good for being stock, and I invest in the best components I can afford - ones that will last years and years because they are made to. Truth be told, a few of these are probably worth as much total as one of those custom bikes, but I enjoy riding these, and I enjoy getting them dirty, scratching them, and when they fall over, I know there's no damage done that I can't live with.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I keep thinking. For the kind of riding I do, I think I would be nervous. I like treating my bikes like they're pick-up trucks... not Bentleys.
DeleteI agree though... the Hunq has got to be the coolest bike to come out of Mr. Peterson's noggin - aside from the Bridgestone XO-1, of course!
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
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