Certificate Of Unoriginality
If the best things in life are free, Messrs Lennon and McCartney must’ve just been given a huge bag of top-grade cocaine and were off their little chops when they wrote that one. There are plenty of great things in life that are free, the outdoors, mountains, air, but no-one is giving away bicycles, cocaine or bourbon last time I checked (and I did check… was lucky to get away with a warning, on several occasions).
You see, there are things, there are good things, and there are really good things. You can chip in for a case of Woodies with a couple of mates, get smashed down at the footy fields and probably cause some property damage on the way home. You could buy a bottle of Jim Beam, mix it with Coke and drink it from a plastic cup in the shed while listening to AC/DC. Or you could acquire a bottle of Maker’s Mark, drop in an ice cube or sup it straight from a tumbler, while reading Tolstoy in front of the fireplace in your slippers. There is a difference, and usually, you pay for that difference.
I’m sure there is plenty to be gained from riding around the park on a department store bike, for most people. We call these people ‘ordinary’, i.e they are not bike riders. Bike riders will quickly eschew the Huffy and buy a ‘good bike’ to get to work on, ride in local events and maybe tootle around on some trails occasionally. They are happy with their $1000 machine, and why not? There’s not too much wrong with those bikes. But Cyclists don’t do this as a sideline, and having equipment that not only functions, but adds a certain refinement to the activity not only enhances the physical experience, but more importantly the mental one.
This is why companies like Wheelworks exist. While catering to a minority of people who ride bikes, they are sought out by those in the know, whose tastes and requirements go beyond that of just ‘getting around’. They exist because we like things to not only work, but work well, and to add a good helping of form to function, garnished with that little bit of spice that sets the ayahuasca apart from the oregano. Their wheels may be built by hand like many others out there, but as we witnessed, their meticulous methods add yet another dimension to the already personalised touch that machine-built hoops can only aspire to.
No matter what methods are used in production, the taste test always is the true marker of quality. These wheels ride great. You want semantics? You need me to legitimise their quality with terms like “laterally stiff” and “marketably compliant”? Or should I just tell you that they felt great in corners (stiff), accelerated well (but not with the ‘snap’ of ultra-light ‘climbing wheels’), were fantastic at speed in strong winds (aero effect of the 35mm rim, and there’s a 50mm option if you want even more buzzword for your buck) and matched my bike perfectly (prompting lots of questions from other gear geeks). If I had to pigeonhole this wheelset, I’d think it’d be a great crit racing wheel due to the incredible cornering, and a great all-rounder for anyone who just wants a well-made, unique wheelset that is easy to forget about and just ride.
The Maker brand is becoming conspicuous by its presence in these parts, and infiltrating the wider community of connoisseurs off-shore. It’s the same path that Jack Daniel trod all those years ago, from a backwater to the world. Because when word gets out, quality can’t be ignored.
Check out the Maker website for more info.
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View Comments
@ErikdR
I like to think about doing that...but then I find myself topping up my glass again. To be fair, I can make a bottle last a while I have just been out of stock for a while. I drop plenty of hints that whisky is a good birthday or Christmas present. We'll see.
I've got a feeling I might get bike things this year instead...huh...
@RobSandy
Isn't it strange, though, how one manages to adapt one's expenses to the available budget? I was thinking earlier today about how, in darker days - i.e. more than 11 years ago - I used to be a heavy smoker (shame on me). At the time, I would merrily spend up to 1,000 DKK (about USD 150) every MONTH on cigarettes - and yet it never felt as if I had to scrimp on other items like food, booze and the like... Odd, that.
More on topic: as much as I appreciate the beauty of the 'Maker' wheelset (and the way they make that stunning Jaegher look), I'm actually still struggling to live up to/become worthy of the Dura Ace C24's that I bought a few years ago. Apart from the #1 bike itself, that purchase will probably represent the largest amount I'll be spending on bike bits for some time to come.
Department store bikes. Was riding the MUP home from work yesterday and came upon a gentleman walking his road bike. I asked if he was okay. Front flat. I was going to help him...but it had Schrader valves. Only had a Presta spare tube and my pump only works with Prestas. He said he was okay, though he had about a 4 km walk back to his car. I told him he could ride it flat, he was okay with walking.
Just had my Record hubs laced to some Ambrosio Excellent rims with some DT spokes for my Tommasini. Looking forward to the maiden ride.
Ambrosio Excellence, I meant.
Great looking wheels, and I am sure they are fantastic to ride too!
As a wheel builder I get asked about shipping my wheels to Australia and New Zealand often, but the shipping can be prohibitive. I suggest @Oli or Maker Wheel Works for a set of island built shoes for the lady!
@Oli
They build up nice. Have you tried the Pacenti rims yet? Full disclosure: I am the Canadian distributor; BUT, I took them on after realizing how nice they are. If anyone can compete with HED on quality for alloy rims, it is Kirk.
@Dan_R
...or Boyd
I've still never sprung for 'bone rims. One day.
Though speaking of the improvements of a half decent set, I just shoved my old Fulcrum racing ones on (in place of Ultegra SL80s.) What a difference, they're not light, they're not aero but they've got some snap to them. Kind of a 1/3 of a bottle of Laphroaig 10 after a night on the beer type of wheel. With a kebab and a fight with a coffee table thrown in.
@Puffy
who said there was no tubular options?
Does anyone else get a profound sense of disappointment when you see a set of Campagnolo wheels, whether they be Khamsin or Bora or otherwise and then you realise the groupset is Shimano or SRAM? All I can think is buy Fulcrum then (same company). I was looking at replacement back up wheels (for when my 50mm are being trued) and as an owner of a bike with Shimano groupset, I couldn't bring myself to buy even entry level Campag wheels. Not out of rivalry, but out of respect and not wanting to falsely advertise...
...or am I overthinking it?