Too good to pass up?

[Colin Campbell]

I have the chance to meet one of the world's most famous frame builders,
have him personally measure me for a frame, and order the frame this
coming weekend. I'm told that should the measurements indicate a custom
frame, the normal fee for that would be waived. The bike shop is also
offering me advantageous pricing.

There is a ride before the "meet and greet" session, where some of the
builder's bicycles are supposed to be available for a test ride (of two
hours).

I've never ridden one of these bicycles, but I've long admired them, and
thought that I might one day own one. One of my current riding buddies
bought one of this maker's bikes in the spring; he loves it.

This seems like the best chance I'm ever likely to have to get a great
frame, made to fit me, at a good price. Even if I flew to Europe, and
visited the factory, and somehow managed to get the builder to measure
me personally, and ordered a frame, I would end up spending a whole lot
more money for the same thing.

Another fact: I have two very nice road bikes which I alternate riding,
and which cost (for the entire bikes) less than the frame and fork I
would be getting. In fact, by the time I built up an entire "premium"
bike, it might cost more than _both_ of my current machines!

On the other hand, I ride every day, and I'm healthy and fit for my age
(63). How long I can expect this to be the case is anyone's guess. So
maybe I should go for it now....

[David L. Johnson]

Colin Campbell wrote:

> On the other hand, I ride every day, and I'm healthy and fit for my age
> (63). How long I can expect this to be the case is anyone's guess. So
> maybe I should go for it now....

You've probably got two nice bikes. So, you don't need a new one. On
the other hand, if you are not spending the rent money on this instead
of putting a roof over your family's heads, and it makes you feel like
riding more, then go for it.

If you widow has to eat cat food because you didn't have enough saved
up, then this would seem to have been a bad decision. Then again, maybe
she'll like cat food.

--

David L. Johnson

"Business!" cried the Ghost. "Mankind was my business. The common
welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence,
were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of
water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
--Dickens, "A Christmas Carol"

[jim beam]

Colin Campbell wrote:
> I have the chance to meet one of the world's most famous frame builders,
> have him personally measure me for a frame, and order the frame this
> coming weekend. I'm told that should the measurements indicate a custom
> frame, the normal fee for that would be waived. The bike shop is also
> offering me advantageous pricing.
>
> There is a ride before the "meet and greet" session, where some of the
> builder's bicycles are supposed to be available for a test ride (of two
> hours).
>
> I've never ridden one of these bicycles, but I've long admired them, and
> thought that I might one day own one. One of my current riding buddies
> bought one of this maker's bikes in the spring; he loves it.
>
> This seems like the best chance I'm ever likely to have to get a great
> frame, made to fit me, at a good price. Even if I flew to Europe, and
> visited the factory, and somehow managed to get the builder to measure
> me personally, and ordered a frame, I would end up spending a whole lot
> more money for the same thing.
>
> Another fact: I have two very nice road bikes which I alternate riding,
> and which cost (for the entire bikes) less than the frame and fork I
> would be getting. In fact, by the time I built up an entire "premium"
> bike, it might cost more than _both_ of my current machines!
>
> On the other hand, I ride every day, and I'm healthy and fit for my age
> (63). How long I can expect this to be the case is anyone's guess. So
> maybe I should go for it now....

sure, why not? life is short, then you die. buy the frame and enjoy.
it's not like doing so will be spending ferrari money and learjet money.

[!Jones]

On Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:40:43 -0700, in rec.bicycles.tech Colin
Campbell <cmcampb@adelphia.net> wrote:

>Another fact: I have two very nice road bikes which I alternate riding,
>and which cost (for the entire bikes) less than the frame and fork I
>would be getting. In fact, by the time I built up an entire "premium"
>bike, it might cost more than _both_ of my current machines!

Well, I have found that the amount of money I throw into a project is
inversely proportional to the satisfaction I derive from it...
usually. That is my experience; your milage may vary.

Jones

[Bill Sornson]

Colin Campbell wrote:
> I have the chance to meet one of the world's most famous frame
> builders, have him personally measure me for a frame, and order the
> frame this coming weekend. I'm told that should the measurements
> indicate a custom frame, the normal fee for that would be waived. The bike
> shop is also offering me advantageous pricing.
>
> There is a ride before the "meet and greet" session, where some of the
> builder's bicycles are supposed to be available for a test ride (of
> two hours).
>
> I've never ridden one of these bicycles, but I've long admired them,
> and thought that I might one day own one. One of my current riding
> buddies bought one of this maker's bikes in the spring; he loves it.

Man, I wish the government kept secrets the way you do! Why the high
security?!?

[Colin Campbell]

Well, I rode the bike. I got to ride a 59cm frame, somewhat smaller
than the 62cm Trek I ride. It seemed OK, except when I stood to pedal;
then, it was a little wobbly, due to a slightly shorter wheelbase, I'd
guess. Very comfy over road bumps, and noticeably lighter than my
bikes. (Someone pointed out I was riding with one water bottle, no
pump, and no bag.)

The components were Shimano (I'm not sure whether Dura Ace or Ultegra),
and I had to learn to shift, which only took a minute or so, and some
forethought while riding. The gear shifts were quite quick - maybe
faster than my Campy Record components.

The ride got shortened a bit, because the truck with the 20+ loaner
bikes came late, and it was 9:35AM before we could start. Still, we got
into the hills a little bit, and I kept up about as well as I could
expect, about mid-pack. (There were some local racers, and a two time
TdF entrant who works for the bike maker.)

After the ride, several riders got measured on their current bikes,
including me, even though I was undecided about buying a frame. On my
current bike, it was suggested I should remove the bottom ring from the
stack on the stem to reduce stem height slightly, and maybe go to a 10mm
longer stem. The results of my sizing are basically the maker's
standard (non-sloping) 60cm frame, with a 110 mm stem.

Ernesto Colnago signed several of his new and vintage bikes, including a
beautifully maintained dual down tube Carbitubo, brochures, shirts,
jerseys, and even the wall of the bike shop.

Oops, did I let the cat out of the bag? <g>

[Scott Gordo]

On Sep 28, 12:24 am, !Jones <p...@off.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:40:43 -0700, in rec.bicycles.tech Colin
>
> Campbell <cmca...@adelphia.net> wrote:
> >Another fact: I have two very nice road bikes which I alternate riding,
> >and which cost (for the entire bikes) less than the frame and fork I
> >would be getting. In fact, by the time I built up an entire "premium"
> >bike, it might cost more than _both_ of my current machines!
>
> Well, I have found that the amount of money I throw into a project is
> inversely proportional to the satisfaction I derive from it...
> usually. That is my experience; your milage may vary.
>
> Jones

There's something to that. My cheaper, older, chronically mistreated
bikes are all blood and guts, whereas my newer and most expensive
bikes all seem so fiddly and precious.

/s

[Hank Wirtz]

On Sep 27, 10:26 pm, "Bill Sornson" <as...@ask.me> wrote:
> Colin Campbell wrote:
> > I have the chance to meet one of the world's most famous frame
> > builders, have him personally measure me for a frame, and order the
> > frame this coming weekend. I'm told that should the measurements
> > indicate a custom frame, the normal fee for that would be waived. The bike
> > shop is also offering me advantageous pricing.
>
> > There is a ride before the "meet and greet" session, where some of the
> > builder's bicycles are supposed to be available for a test ride (of
> > two hours).
>
> > I've never ridden one of these bicycles, but I've long admired them,
> > and thought that I might one day own one. One of my current riding
> > buddies bought one of this maker's bikes in the spring; he loves it.
>
> Man, I wish the government kept secrets the way you do! Why the high
> security?!?

The frame is one of those famed Daniels Datakolls. Legendary for their
inscrutable fit and absurd handling.

[Colin Campbell]

Bill Sornson wrote:
> Colin Campbell wrote:
>> I have the chance to meet one of the world's most famous frame
>> builders, have him personally measure me for a frame, and order the
>> frame this coming weekend. I'm told that should the measurements
>> indicate a custom frame, the normal fee for that would be waived. The bike
>> shop is also offering me advantageous pricing.
>>
>> There is a ride before the "meet and greet" session, where some of the
>> builder's bicycles are supposed to be available for a test ride (of
>> two hours).
>>
>> I've never ridden one of these bicycles, but I've long admired them,
>> and thought that I might one day own one. One of my current riding
>> buddies bought one of this maker's bikes in the spring; he loves it.
>
> Man, I wish the government kept secrets the way you do! Why the high
> security?!?
>
>
I don't know, I just didn't feel free to publicize the event more than
the bike shop did. I'll probably say more after Sunday.

Am I really fooling anybody, or keeping them in suspense?

[David Bonnell]

> The frame is one of those famed Daniels Datakolls. Legendary for their
> inscrutable fit and absurd handling.

IMO, the paint job on these frames is terrible. The builder randomly
puts cycling-related terms all over the place. It's very confusing.
I get mild vertigo whenever I look at one of those frames...that may
explain the absurd handling.

Whenever I see a Daniels frame, my immediate reaction is to look the
other way.

[landotter]

On Sep 28, 1:27 am, Hank Wirtz <h...@wirtznet.net> wrote:
> On Sep 27, 10:26 pm, "Bill Sornson" <as...@ask.me> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Colin Campbell wrote:
> > > I have the chance to meet one of the world's most famous frame
> > > builders, have him personally measure me for a frame, and order the
> > > frame this coming weekend. I'm told that should the measurements
> > > indicate a custom frame, the normal fee for that would be waived. The bike
> > > shop is also offering me advantageous pricing.
>
> > > There is a ride before the "meet and greet" session, where some of the
> > > builder's bicycles are supposed to be available for a test ride (of
> > > two hours).
>
> > > I've never ridden one of these bicycles, but I've long admired them,
> > > and thought that I might one day own one. One of my current riding
> > > buddies bought one of this maker's bikes in the spring; he loves it.
>
> > Man, I wish the government kept secrets the way you do! Why the high
> > security?!?
>
> The frame is one of those famed Daniels Datakolls. Legendary for their
> inscrutable fit and absurd handling.

Just wait till you add the cast dada fork!

[Bill Sornson]

Hank Wirtz wrote:
> On Sep 27, 10:26 pm, "Bill Sornson" <as...@ask.me> wrote:
>> Colin Campbell wrote:
>>> I have the chance to meet one of the world's most famous frame
>>> builders, have him personally measure me for a frame, and order the
>>> frame this coming weekend. I'm told that should the measurements
>>> indicate a custom frame, the normal fee for that would be waived.
>>> The bike shop is also offering me advantageous pricing.
>>
>>> There is a ride before the "meet and greet" session, where some of
>>> the builder's bicycles are supposed to be available for a test ride
>>> (of
>>> two hours).
>>
>>> I've never ridden one of these bicycles, but I've long admired them,
>>> and thought that I might one day own one. One of my current riding
>>> buddies bought one of this maker's bikes in the spring; he loves it.

>> Man, I wish the government kept secrets the way you do! Why the high
>> security?!?

> The frame is one of those famed Daniels Datakolls. Legendary for their
> inscrutable fit and absurd handling.

Ah. Well then. Never mind.

:-P

[A Muzi]

>> Colin Campbell wrote:
>>> I have the chance to meet one of the world's most famous frame
>>> builders, have him personally measure me for a frame, and order the
>>> frame this coming weekend. I'm told that should the measurements
>>> indicate a custom frame, the normal fee for that would be waived. The
>>> bike shop is also offering me advantageous pricing.
>>> There is a ride before the "meet and greet" session, where some of the
>>> builder's bicycles are supposed to be available for a test ride (of
>>> two hours).
>>> I've never ridden one of these bicycles, but I've long admired them,
>>> and thought that I might one day own one. One of my current riding
>>> buddies bought one of this maker's bikes in the spring; he loves it.

> Bill Sornson wrote:
>> Man, I wish the government kept secrets the way you do! Why the high
>> security?!?

Colin Campbell wrote:
> I don't know, I just didn't feel free to publicize the event more than
> the bike shop did. I'll probably say more after Sunday.
> Am I really fooling anybody, or keeping them in suspense?

Nagasawa? Richard Sachs? Albert Eisentraut? Jon Kendziera? Gene Daniels?
The list of 'famous builders not yet dead' is still pretty large.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[Donald Gillies]

"You really ought to consider reinventing yourself" with one of these
new frames. 'nuff said. You live in Los Angeles, don't you ?? Imho,
he's the Frank Lloyd Wright of modern cycle design, i'd go for it if
the wife would allow it ...

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA

[russellseaton1@yahoo.com]

On Sep 30, 8:46 pm, Colin Campbell <cmca...@adelphia.net> wrote:
> Well, I rode the bike. I got to ride a 59cm frame, somewhat smaller
> than the 62cm Trek I ride. It seemed OK, except when I stood to pedal;
> then, it was a little wobbly, due to a slightly shorter wheelbase, I'd
> guess. Very comfy over road bumps, and noticeably lighter than my
> bikes. (Someone pointed out I was riding with one water bottle, no
> pump, and no bag.)
>
> The components were Shimano (I'm not sure whether Dura Ace or Ultegra),
> and I had to learn to shift, which only took a minute or so, and some
> forethought while riding. The gear shifts were quite quick - maybe
> faster than my Campy Record components.
>
> The ride got shortened a bit, because the truck with the 20+ loaner
> bikes came late, and it was 9:35AM before we could start. Still, we got
> into the hills a little bit, and I kept up about as well as I could
> expect, about mid-pack. (There were some local racers, and a two time
> TdF entrant who works for the bike maker.)
>
> After the ride, several riders got measured on their current bikes,
> including me, even though I was undecided about buying a frame. On my
> current bike, it was suggested I should remove the bottom ring from the
> stack on the stem to reduce stem height slightly, and maybe go to a 10mm
> longer stem. The results of my sizing are basically the maker's
> standard (non-sloping) 60cm frame, with a 110 mm stem.

Huh? A 60cm frame with a 11cm stem? You're BSing us if you think
Colnago would approve that. Every Italian sized frame had a short top
tube and extra long stem. Wasn't it Museeuw who could not get Colnago
to build him a frame with a long enough top tube so he did not have to
use an extra long stem? Either you have a very, very abnoramlly
shaped body so no Trek could possibly fit you, or Colnago was drunk.
A 60cm frame with a 11cm stem?



>
> Ernesto Colnago signed several of his new and vintage bikes, including a
> beautifully maintained dual down tube Carbitubo, brochures, shirts,
> jerseys, and even the wall of the bike shop.
>
> Oops, did I let the cat out of the bag? <g>