I tend to disagree w/ stevo and flythebike. A bike at this level (imo) is more than just utilitarian. Part of why I'm doing it is an appreciation for fine craftsmanship. Pushing a builder to the extreme and admiring his work. However, mine at least, will not be hung on a wall only to ridden on Sundays. Frankly, I intend to ride the daylights out of it. If it gets a scratch or whatever, so what. In the end it's just a bike. It will be my pride and joy, but it's still what it is. And bicycles are meant to be ridden. Granted, I will take good care of it. Raining days and dirt roads, no. I'll just exercise reasonable caution with it to protect my investment. But it's gonna get a lot of miles.