exactly. i have no doubt these chi/tai bikes could take you to the end of the earth and back, just like a wallmart bike can. but as much as you guys repeat that "it's a tool not a jewel" phrase, i call BS. this is coming from a group who who choses components down to the cable, calculates grams in weight savings, and obsesses over perfect bike orientation before snapping a photo. sure some of us don't mind all that, and see a bike as something that gets the job done, but when i ride it's not a job and it's not work. having a nice bike, down to the detail, is something that makes my ride that much more enjoyable.

i just find it really cool that their are companies that can do everything in house, customization. a reason why bill holland is so big around my area. a reason why the new project cali is so damn awesome! all the R&D in house, carbon layups by hand in house, limited because they take time to produce.