After years of dreaming, months of craigslisting, ebaying, researching, talking with friends, weighing out my options, and d) all of the above... I'm having a custom bike built just for me.
!!!
I'm anxious and excited all at the same time. I spent a Saturday visiting with three different shops in Chicago, consulting with builders on what I wanted out of my bike and what my budget is. Inspired by Rivendell, Velo Orange, Map, Independent, but mainly Vanilla Cycles, I knew I wanted design to be first and foremost, and then function (sad but true).
I approached each store with my dream/statement: My version of the randonee (half touring, half commuter). I want a mixte frame; make the bike fast, light-weight, with a rack and a lamp, that feels/rides like a touring bike, but looks like something Winston Churchill would ride on holiday. And I'm planning on moving to Portland, OR at some point too, so I gotta get up those hills! And make it fit within my budget…
The best match/quote came from a great couple who totally understand where I'm coming from. Alex and Lesley of Roscoe Village Bikes are a husband and wife team from Chicago, and went to school in Eugene, OR, (which peaked my interest), and they know what I want and how to make it happen, all within my budget. They took into consideration the best gear set for my intentions of moving west— and my current immediate need of riding a mere 7 miles to work, plus the ability to make the trek out to the Chicago Botanical gardens too (approx. 18 miles one way).
The mixte frame is coming from Soma, and details for the gears/derailleurs/shifters/etc. I'm leaving up to them. I'm also looking into wood fenders, and shopping around for a bicycle painter.
(How I spend my Saturday nights…) I grabbed an image off the net and spent hours photoshopping how I think the bike might look in the end, with different options on painting and head lamps. And a couple more hours choosing a font for my bike: "Altea" by Paul Lloyd. And I've named my bike: "OISEAU " which means "bird" in French (sounds like 'whaa-zoe'). Did some sketches for a head badge too...
I'm a total dork about this, but I do love geeking out about the whole thing... Here are my concept sketches for my bike with variations on paint (should I paint the rack? should I put stripes on the frame? can we do double head lamps, instead of a single?). Frame is due to come in at the end of the month. Hopefully everything will be ready for Bike the Drive on May 24th. To be continued...
