Pacific Northwest - My new Vanilla is so F-ing cool!

Somewhere angels are singing...

Yep, click on the links and weep fellow velo nuts. The Vanilla has been delivered. In a word...beatific. I've never owned a custom before, and having a bike that fits like a glove just can not be described. It's almost too much a work of art to ride...almost. I'm going to ride the wheels offa this thing. I have only been able to put 50 or so miles on her so far (long story, got a staph infection in my elbow from a fall while climbing S. Sister Mtn a few weeks ago), but in my judgement she's worth every penny and every minute of the not-unsubstantial wait time. Sacha is worth every accolade he has earned, this bicycle is a true work of art. From the smallest unseen details to the overall fit and design, I could not be more pleased. Check the cool details like the slick internal front brake cable routing and the custom stem. Unfortunately I have an extended business trip until mid-October, so my newest best friend is going to sit for awhile. This sure will give me a bunch of reasons to come back and ride through the winter rains though.

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:eek: NICE

What's up with that front brake...never seen that before.

That's a hot bike. No question.

Wow

Wow! That is one of the nicest bikes I have seen. The mixture of an old school look, combined with the efficiency of disc brakes is brilliant. Well done.

What a beauty, and clearly made to ride and hold up through our rainy seasons, not that I'd expect any less of a Vanilla... Those disc brakes are such a nice touch. You'll be able to put zip ties around the rims for the 2 days a year you'd need studded tires around here to bike. Awesome. :)

That is a beautiful bike. I love it!:D

Gorgeous- I like the brakes!

You'll be able to put zip ties around the rims for the 2 days a year you'd need studded tires around here to bike. Awesome. :)Great tip for a newbie who probably never would have thought of that. Thanks. :beer:

Great tip for a newbie who probably never would have thought of that. Thanks. :beer:
You can only do that on a bike with no rim brakes...

Very nice. The matching frame pump and fenders are a nice touch.

About those brakes - I'm not familiar with them, do they work better than rim brakes?

Disc brakes are the absolute best during the rainy season, so I hear.

Wow

your new vanilla IS so f-ing cool! how long did you have to wait?

Is the wait still about 5 years? And are you seriously going to ride that work of art in the rain? For the price of that drop-out add-on you could buy a complete fendered rain bike.

But Sacha White makes them for the rain.

But Sacha White makes them for the rain.

Ya, Ya, I know. I always get a twinge when I see Shannon Skerrit's Vanilla totally muddied up after cross races though. Too damn pretty!

Hopeless. :rolleyes: ;)

Very nice bike. What are the fenders made of?

The fenders are metal

I waited 2 yrs almost to the day, but I got on the list in 2005.

Yes, I will ride it in the rain...I would ride it on trips to Spain, or even on a trainer on a plane. I will ride my new Vanilla every chance I get, I think gaining the patina of hard use is the highest compliment one can make to a custom builder. I don't want to be buried beside a brand new looking bike, I want one that looks like it rode a few 100,000 miles but is remarkably well maintained. If I didn't have some wierd work things I would commute on it, too.

Thanks for all your replies. I'm in NY but can't wait to get back and RIDE!!!

Do you know who made the fenders?

Sorry Skinny, no idea. You'd have to check with Sacha on that one. He may have pounded them out of the recycled steel of ancient British Raleighs for all I know. The bags, BTW, are these cool numbers from Berthoud that clip right off so you can carry your stuff in with them. Very cool.

nice duder! you must be about 7 feet tall!!!!!!

Stunning!! Thanks for the pictures and happy riding!!!

That is one gorgeous bike. I can't get over how cleanly the frame is built. Fabulous.

Do you know who made the fenders?

I believe normally Sacha uses Honjo fenders, which are painted to match the bike. IMHO the best you can get - I'm installing some smooth ones right now. You can see more on Vanilla's website. On second thought, I've never seen smooth Honjos without creases - maybe these are Berthouds?

If you're in Portland you may be able to pick them (Honjos)up from his shop. Veloce also carries them. I ordered mine from here:http://www.velo-orange.com/fenders.html

Chris runs an awesome business.

Another sourse is Jitensha studio in Berkely
http://www.jitensha.com/eng/e_index.html

If either has what you want - order them, because when they run out, it's months before they are back in stock:eek: - they're handmade by a small Japanese shop.

Gorgeous Bike!!! I saw a number of sweet Vanillas at Krueger's Saturday - lust fills my heart:p
Donnamb - thanks for the slick road tip - I do have disc brakes and enough clearance for big fat ties if I need them:D

Do you know who made the fenders?
I think Sacha normally uses Honjos painted to match the bike, but these lack the creases I've seen on smooth Honjos, so maybe Berthouds?

I'm installing smooth Honjos I got here:
http://www.velo-orange.com/fenders.html
Chris runs a great business.

Jitensha in Berkely also carries them
http://www.jitensha.com/eng/e_index.html

If either has what you want - get them, because when they're gone it's months of waiting; they're handmade by a small shop in Japan that's perpetually back-ordered:eek:

In Portland I've seen Honjos at Veloce, but only the hammered finish.

One gorgeous bike!!! Sacha's touches are stunning - love the chromed disc brake mounts. I saw at least 4 Vanillas at Krueger's saturday - lust fills my heart:p
Don't forget Vanilla will show in Portland at the local framebuilders show Nov. 11, and the national show is in Portland in March - are we lucky or what;)?

donnamb - thanks for the tip on slick road riding - I do have disc brakes and tons of clearance for big burly twist ties:)

That's a stunning ride!

Psst: I saw a couple pairs of Honjos at the Citybikes repair annex about a month ago. ;)

How tall are you? The bike looks Gigantic...

I'm not that tall, only 6 01, but have a long inseam (34). That, and I wanted a much more comfortable position than what's popular now. You'll note that the saddle height and bar tops are on the same plane. It does look big next to a modern carbon bike with today's longish seatposts and sloped top tube, but I prefer the older look.

I finally returned from a long trip to NYC, and have at last been able to put some miles on her...this bike rides every bit as sweet as it looks. Viva la Vanilla!

Oh, one other note; had a few VERY small niggles and brought it back in to the vanilla shop, where they addressed my concerns while I waited and sent me on my way. Their post-sale customer service, even in the face of a mountain of orders pending, is admirable.

I'm 6'3 w/ a 34" inseam, but I usually ride a 56-58cm road frame. As long as my handle bars are directly above the front axle and my legs are comfortable, I consider that a good fit.

Wonderful looking bike by the way ;)

The fenders are metal

I waited 2 yrs almost to the day, but I got on the list in 2005.

Yes, I will ride it in the rain...I would ride it on trips to Spain, or even on a trainer on a plane. I will ride my new Vanilla every chance I get, I think gaining the patina of hard use is the highest compliment one can make to a custom builder. I don't want to be buried beside a brand new looking bike, I want one that looks like it rode a few 100,000 miles but is remarkably well maintained. If I didn't have some wierd work things I would commute on it, too.

Thanks for all your replies. I'm in NY but can't wait to get back and RIDE!!!

Poprad,

Beautiful bike. I ordered a Vanilla in Oct. 2005. I want a fixie/single speed. Sent in the deposit ($500) and talked by phone (and emails) with Sacha about design specifics. In April of '07 he emailed me that he was about to start my frame. Despite numerous calls and emails I have had no updates etc. Anyone know how to reliably get a hold of him? I'm assuming he is too busy or has no help with correspondence, etc. I don't want to badger him but some reassurance that I am still on the list would be good. Enjoy your bike in good health.

AC

Hey BE, thanks for the comments. I never had trouble calling them at the number on their website; I always get an answer (usually Scott). Also, I live in PDX so I can shoot over to their shop anytime, but I usually call ahead to ensure someone's there first. Not sure how to go about contacting him if the number's not getting answered, but that seems wierd given that I always get a pickup. Maybe you're calling after hours (not sure your location)?

I live in Fort Worth, TX, but have been calling during work hrs. He may be too busy to check email. I'll keep trying. Perhaps my bike will just pop up at my doorstep someday! He may be busy building his line of single speed cross bikes. Thanks for the reply, AC