The Walker Hour Bike
I won’t hold liking cats against you, but if you don’t like dogs, you’re dead to me. Some things aren’t left to opinions, like whether Star Wars is good or not. You’re free to be an outlier – and I loves me some outliers and I loves me a rebel – but in some cases, being an outlier doesn’t make you clever. It just makes you wrong. Also, the Laws of Physics show that the more lightsabers you have in a movie, the better the movie. Except for Episode I and The Matrix, two anomalies which balance each other out.
Similarly, loving carbon bikes is no crime. They are light, they are stiff, and many (most) are beautiful. My stable is filled with them. But a bike handbuilt by an artisan in a small workshop is something different altogether, and each one’s singular beauty is not a matter of opinion, unless you’re comfortable being wrong. I only have one so far, and it’s the custom steel I had made by NAHBS founder, Don Walker for my failed Hour ride last summer. (I’m planning a rematch with Weather this coming June.)
At this point every bike I own is custom, if only the paintwork. But even then, having a hand in how the bike is finished bonds you to the machine in a way that off-the-peg bikes simply can’t. And my Walker, even though I don’t ride it as much as a practical bike (you know, one with gears and brakes) every time I climb on it, I can feel its magic. There is something about custom in general and steel in particular that feels uniquely magnificent.
We’re in a crisis, my fellow Velominati. The North American Handmade Bicycle Show is only a few weeks away and I just heard from Don that many of the builders who have been stalwarts of the event are struggling to the point that they can’t afford to attend, much less keep a booth there. People aren’t buying bikes as much as they were, apparently, and the bikes that are being bought aren’t custom, handmade ones. We’re buying kittens, not dogs. Cyclists are watching Star Trek, not Star Wars. It’s a fucking disaster.
This isn’t a call to go buy a custom frame, we aren’t made of money. But it is a reminder that there are giant corporations behind some bikes, and there are individuals behind others. And if you’re in the market for a bike, I’m asking you to remember that. And if you aren’t in the market for a bike but love looking at them, I’ll be at NAHBS this year (in godforsaken Salt Lake fucking City no less) and I’ll look forward to seeing you there.
Vive la Vie Velominatus.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@ChrisO
I'm in communication with Tim whom I hold in awe.
@HampCo
You are too modest to post some of your own work. I have lusted after a Strada Bianca for quite a while. I need to work harder so I can afford to order one.
http://www.hampsten.com/bike/strada-bianca/
Go look people, you won't be dissapointed
@Randy C
@GoldenGorilla
I get what you're saying, but the first thing that came to mind was my dad's TT aero bars in a slightly upright position. The main reason has nothing to do with parting a fool from his money, but that he's getting older (78) and he needs to give his wrists some relief. We did a century ride together yesterday. I had to wait for him a long time at the end), but it was still awesome to see him finish strong. I can only hope I'm still doing that at his age. VLVV
@Buck Rogers
I assume that you're headed to one of the Eroica events on the continent, even the original.
If not, and you're coming to Eroica California, drop me a line. I live nearby and would be happy to help with logistics.
@Lukas
Dayuum those are some nice bikes
@Buck Rogers
Such is best in life! May Crom be with you.
100% agree with you, Buck. Unless you're super-competitive, and/or actually involved in competition, marginal gains are meaningless. What does it matter what you ride as long as it achieves the desired effect? Namely euphoria.
I intend to participate in my local track league this coming season on a vintage steel bike and I don't care if I come last every week. At least I'll have a great time doing it.
@DVMR
Good luck in your racing - Elinor Barker won the Amsterdam 6 days on a steel bike only last month, but as you say it's enjoying the ride that counts more than frame material.
@ChrisO
Having just watched the Pedaled film of last years race I'd be inclined to agree about steel. I'd want something a Romanian farmer could weld well enough to carry on with.
@fignons barber
25mm Vittoria G+ on std HED Belgiums (not Plus), with latex tubes - they sound fantastic!
I have a pair of 28's I will try and fit once this set wear out - I am hoping they will fit but will be tight.
Whilst the frame wasn't exactly "local", the wheelset was - Melody Wheels in Fremantle - White Ind T11's on HED Belgiums 32R/28F.
I love the damping effect the steel has on the road surface, as opposed to my carbon bike, plus the thing corners scarily well - I'm very happy with it.
@Buck Rogers
No, I have a Kirk. But when I go in again for a custom Hampsten is on my shortlist.