Eddy waits for his Jaegher
Waiting has never been my strong point. I’m anxious, but don’t really suffer from anxiety. Good things come to those who wait isn’t at the top of my list of proverbs to live by. Do What Thou Wilt always has been, though; kind of a Just Do It for early 20th century Satanists, and me.
It was with this mantra in the back of my mind that I made the instant decision to build my dream bike. The rationale went something like this: ooh that’s nice, I’ll have one of those. Before I knew it I was increasing my credit card limit and damned with the consequences. Actually, there was some rational thinking behind such a rash decision, but thinking that came after the decision. I think that’s called justification.
I’d had enough of talking about the dream bike in a manner which suggested that said dream would in most likelihood never come true. “When I build my dream bike” had a date set sometime in, well, fucking never. How long should one wait to do something that would presumably make one complete, or bring one joy? Simple answer, my friends, is now. If I waited another ten years, or even five, would I still get the same satisfaction? Why be an old guy riding around on a nice bike when you can be a slightly less old guy riding around on a stunning bike?
The waiting doesn’t seem so bad now. Hell, I’m even keeping the master who will be creating my steel fantasy waiting. But it’s all part of the process. This has to be right. And having the patience, knowledge and experience that my co-conspirator Steven has is a boon. From the very first excited email, to god knows how many hundreds later, every step of the journey has been carefully considered, over and over and then once more to be safe.
First, the thing that maybe should have been last was discussed, debated and dilly-dallied over until we (yes, I feel this is a team decision) settled on close to what you see in the above photo (with a colour-matched fork for my build). The gruppo was of course a no-brainer and a box full of Super Record gorgeousness stares at me from my desk. Already in Belgium await other boxes with the best of the rest; fizik for the cockpit, Chris King to make the steering sing, and cages from their namesake, beautiful bits of bent titanium.
The artisan’s hand of Diel now awaits the numbers game, before he lets any tube join another. All part of the process. The waiting is turning out to be an unexpected pleasure, but April still can’t come soon enough.
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@Rob
I think it might be Merckx's daughter Sabrina. Axel was/is blond.
Brett: brilliant bike man! Great colors, love the fork and the components are fantastic stuff
Steel....that is such a perfect choice. So many people avoid it like its an outcast, but steel is such a good material, and like aluminium its not anything like the tubes even 10 years ago. The carbon crowd will inevidibly drop the conversation at the very outset because it isn't contemporary, but whatever. Carbon is ok, don't get me wrong, I've had them, but love steel, and love aluminum for some frames. Overall though, for the all arounder, for the long haul trucking, the gentlmens rides, one to do your daily grind...steel is choice
let us know the most important thing, how it rides after 1500km
@Rob
There is another Merckx. Axel has a sister.
@Oli great to see you around mate!
@brett I have some Shamal tubs, they are tits. But I am sure Tristan can set you up too.
@rfreese888
Oh my, that's a beauty. Always loved the Condors, @minion used to own an orange steel beauty when he lived in Wellington. I think he regretted trading it for carbone as soon as he did.
I see/hear this a lot, having to justify the outlay to the VMH. I guess that's why I'm VMHless! Much easier to convince myself that it's a good idea...
@Owen
Go right ahead... I'll be doing the same until April!
Considering that current fashion seems to dictate that one try to look as stupid as possible (faux hawks, fake eyeglasses, loud colors, blah blah blah) I was wondering how long it'll be until Harry Highpants and his look comes back in style.
I still can't believe how many people I see around town in slippers. Fucking bonkers.
Small world: Steven, my guiding light at Jaegher who has been amazing every step of the journey so far, introduced me to Joshua at Campagnolo. First thing Josh says is "I remember meeting some guys in V-kit a few years back in the Roubaix Velodrome." Yep, that was us on the first day of the first Keepers Tour... Josh was working for Trek and they were launching the new Domane, and we had a chat.
So with his kind help, it looks like my wheel decision is made...
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Thought about the tubular route, but keen to try out tubeless and the practicality of clinchers helped tip the scales to these beauties. @Rigid has been running his Shamals for over three years without so much as a tweak. And the black graphics on the Mille... the tits!
Nice wheelset! All black trumps black with silver brake track BIG time.
While I have a VMH these days, I made the smart move and picked up all my bikes when we were dating, I was only living with her part time, and I was in grad school making decent money as a teaching assistant. Now that I have a "real job" all the money goes towards things like the house, students loans, health care, the pet vet/food bills, etc.
Thank goodness I was smart enough to pick up so many nice steeds before the wedding date. Tommasini, Casati, LOOK, and DeBernardi were all acquired pre-June 17, 2012.
@brett
I did, it was a square Italia, steel frame, 1 inch steerer, Campy groupset, Record hubs with DT Swiss R1.1 rims. It was my first real road bike that fitted me, after my Cannonade, (Too big: also regret selling) and the more bikes I ride, the more I realise how good that bike was. I want another one now.
BTW Italia meant it was handmade in Italy. I would happily own one again.
@rfreese888
Since reading your post I have been playing with spreadsheets and possible year end bonus scenarios / scripts to justify outlay to the VH. I have also scheduled an N+1 consultation with one of my Sensei.
My God this is science. I need to get my N+1 now. How could I not see.