How Soon Is Now?
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.
Jaegher indeed make some beautiful bikes…as much as I tend to gravitate to all the U.S. based builders (as that’s where I live) there is something to be said for a bike made in Belgium. If they came out with a CX frame I’d have a hard time keeping my money in my pocket, but I do like that they’re very particular about what they make – road race bikes (and a track bike).
Waiting for a new frame is such sweet agony.
Damn, that’s sweet
So what did you go with for fork colour? Not the amazing orange in the photo above? I am confused by your statement about colour scheme above but with colour matched fork. What is the frame colour in the photo? It looks awesome!
Until recently I’ve thought that a contrasting color fork made a bike look cheap – like it was simply an aftermarket fork tossed on rather than something being intended for the particular frame, but I’ve changed my tune. I definitely like what Jaegher have done from a design standpoint with the non-color matched forks, especially that gorgeous champagne color.
I find it so odd that those in NZ persist with carbon road bikes for the weekly bunch ride. Finally, someone realizing that steel really should be the material of choice for the rough/ gravel road porn that NZ has to offer.
It always surprises me that so little bespoke bike building happens here. Although a bike shop in Wellington should soon be offering it.
Also the least stylish cyclists ever! SOOO much fluro….. Hopefully you are leading from the front for the steel bike and looking fantastic revolution!
@Buck Rogers
The colour is called Gritty Grey… the fork will be that colour with orange inside legs…
@pink
You know it. I’m not a savage.
I have tremendous respect for folks willing to commit the resources and time to sorting out a custom build. The world is a better placed with these kinda bikes on the road. And craftsman around that’ll build them. Outstanding. Something tells me that that was an “instant” decision that had actually been brewing for more than a few years ? Cheers !
@Buck Rogers
The British Commonwealth called, they want their spelling of “color” back!
If anyone out there is of the belief that getting a dream bike will put an end to the N+1 problem it does nothing of the sort. In fact in my case it really was just pouring gasoline on an already roaring fire. However, I do think that it is a great tactic to get the bike in the door, but you really need to rehearse the “But this will be my last bike for years” line with a totally straight face …
That colour scheme in the photo. WOW. If it looks that good in a photo imagine how it looks with said accompaniments.
I cant have, but want !
So beautiful. Love the colors and finishes.
@Nate
I’m in these throes presently. You speak truth.
This weekend I was thinking about golf. Not in the “it’s not a sport because you can drink booze and smoke while doing it” way but whether or not anyone gets custom, handmade things of beauty like this.
Jesus. Go to the Jaegher site and look at a close-up of one of their dropouts. You’ll wet yourself. I’m not talking about some sort of little sex wee. I’m talking about soaking your fucking trousers.
fizik has an arione vs with orange “wings”. have only seen it @ online retailer nashbar, but it does happen to exist…
@Ccos
Not sure
Gonna be an awesome bike! Maybe worth pointing out that going custom build does not necessarily mean going top dollar. You only have to replace a few components on a stock bike to raise its price above a comparable quality level custom, especially when starting with a steel frame. I made my main road bike from a carefully selected Gunnar frame (same construction as Waterfords if stock sizes happen to be right for you) and built it personally except my LBS shop pressed the head and faced the bottom bracket.
That was more than 5 years ago. Very happy with the ride, and having built the bike makes working on it easy. I expect many more years of solid service from it. Only things I have changed since (excluding things that wore out) are the saddle and water bottle cages.
@brett
Wheel of choice ?
Very nice, Bretto!
Hot enough to pull a comment from Oli.
(For the Lexicon?)
@Barracuda
Campagnolo. Which ones, well not sure just yet, but I’ll definitely be rolling on something Italian.
@Oli
Thanks bro, I thought you might approve!
@gaswepass
I have one of those. It was way to fluorescent when it was new but has toned down over time. Now the shade of orange is about right. But now it offends the Principle of Silence. Fucker.
@brett
There are also some really nice handbuilt options here in Welly from my mate Tristan at Wheelworks… check out Cycling Tips’ impressions of his fine work here… he’s also built some sweet, fat mtb hoops for us at Spoke…
I too was in a similar situation of thinking I needed to wait a couple years for a dream bike. Then I went and snatched one up long before I’d agreed with myself to grab it. I haven’t regretted it for a second. In fact, now I have something to look forward to at the end of the week – riding it this weekend.
Congratulations on going for it, Brett. April will be here before you know it. Heck, the countdown is already on for the Tour Down Under.
Speaking of wheels, check out this sweet little video made by our friend Joshua at Campagnolo (with his lovely wife)…
Mister Ghibli from Campagnolo Srl on Vimeo.
I’m not going to read the article or the comments yet, but I just need to say that seeing the Prophet in a suit like that is awesome. I wish I could look half that cool, just once in my life.
@ Brett – you have totally disrupted my N+1 sequence. I had resigned myself to a winter trainer upgrade / workshop investment and put off the dream carbon steed until next year.
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.
Love your steel frame. I was blessed with the arrival of this Super Acciao earlier this year. It’s a dream!
Love Mister Ghibli’s work, hands, skill, and video. Argh, makes me wish I worked with my hands and not at a computer all day. I guess writing is working with your hands, but not as rewarding as building a blazin’ fast wheel.
@harminator
YES! For the win and I agree, definitely for the lexicon. “That bike is hot enough to pull a comment from Oli.”
@Oli
OLI!!! Missed you around here!
@VeloVita FYI we do make cx frames. In fact every type of frame we build (Phantom, Interceptor, Ascender) can be ordered as a road, track or cx version.
@brett
FUCK’IN perfect (colour–that’s for you Nate!!!)
@Jaegher
You’re an EVIL Bastardo Jaegher!!! Just when I start to think that my stable is looking good, you come along!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPw-3e_pzqU
@brett
Just have to say that I LOVE my HED Belgium C2’s with Chris King R45’s on them. Just saying. (and they would go gorgeously with that fuckin amazing bike!)
@brett. Mate, that is simly stunning.
@RobSandy
This.
Although it doesn’t hurt to stand next to Harry Highpants. (Don’t mention the ears!)
@harminator
Yeah, it is clear the man spent as much time barking at his tailor as he did his mechanic. High pants is a sight to see, but the second thing that struck me about the picture was the woman child to his left. Is that a little girl, or just am impossibly short woman?
@Ccos
Having been a golfer for much longer than I have been a cyclist I can confirm that they do. Wooden putters (that come in handcarved cases) are probably the most common, and then there is of course the endless clothing and shoes. It all depends on where you want to put your money, and of course how much of it you have…
@razmaspaz
Don’t know, don’t care. As far as I’m concerned there’s only one person in that photograph.
And maybe a bike.
@VeloVita As far as I know, there is a CX frame available from Jaegher
@brett
Oh, I’m sure you can wait just a little while, can’t you Bretto!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M5eG-aywZQ
I made some quite special experiences with Jaegher. It was more like: When your dream bike becomes nightmare
My only local hand-builder (that I’m aware of) is Annoura, who I keep meaning to check out. The guy was a S1 catagory keirin racer for like fifteen years. I currently don’t have a track bike but I think if I ever get the urge for one, he’s getting a call – his bikes look nice and it seems like he would know what makes a track bike work.
http://samuraicycleworks.com/
@Buck Rogers and @Nate
Love the color and name (Gritty Grey). The orange accents are mahvelous. Oh, and I’m ok with color and colour as long as someone doesn’t append “way” of “ways” to the noun in question!
@brett good god that’s going to gorgeous. Is it OK if I live vicariously through your bike?
@harminator
hmm. i have several arione vs’s, havent had sound problems, yet. time for a witch hunt?
@razmaspaz
Is it Axel going through that awkward pre adolescent chubby stage? Or a sister we never have heard of because she has gone into a nunnery due to the fact that women can not race the tour?