Originally Posted by mattface
I'm not going back and re-reading every post, but for the most part I don't think negative responses to this bike are cultish or reactionary. For my own part, I simply don't like the dual chainring setup. That "versatility" runs counter to the simplicity I look for in a fixed gear or single speed bike. The frame is very nice if rather expensive, and I might like to have something like that for a more utilitarian bike, but then I have utilitarian bikes with gears and everything. What we do or don't like is a matter of taste though. We either like it or we don't, and apparently a lot of people here don't care fr the Quickbeam. There's nothing wrong with that, and there is nothing wrong with you or Zonnker loving yours. Of course you love your bike after all you bought it, and presumably spent a lot of dough on it as well.
If anything, the reactionary responses here have been from Quickbeam lovers, not quick beam haters. You seem very defensive. Just because we don't like your bike doesn't mean there is anything wrong with your bike, or anything wrong with US. we like what we like.
Also I think the tone of the responses might have been different if Zonker had said "look at my new Quickbeam" instead of "Look at Rivendells new Quickbeam". Folks here are generally sensitive about not hating on other people's bikes, but when the topic of a new bike from a manufacturer comes up, it's considered fair game to discuss what you love or hate about it. It's a bike for sale, so "I wouldn't buy that" is a fair response.
Yeah, this sounds like some backpedaling to me. You should read those posts, especially if you're going to respond. I have no emotional investment in this, because I'm happy with my bike and so are my friends. But as an outsider, I'm giving you a bit of commentary, and you can take it or leave it. But don't go trying to flip the situation, 'cause it ain't gonna happen. My response was not at all defensive, it was expository.
The frameset was around $800-$900, fairly inexpensive for a new lugged bicycle with custom dropouts. A Gunnar Street Dog TIG frameset is not much less. Both are excellent framesets, handmade by well-paid people in their respective countries. Since the brazing of a lugged frame takes substantially more time than the average TIG weld, this price is reasonable. It doesn't compare to the low cost of a conversion, of which I have a few. I have a $100 Centurion in great shape, although it's not as versatile.
Whether people here like it or not, the SS and FG market will undergo changes and not remain static. The people are sticking to what was "pure" at the point in which they became familiar with the culture can do so, but they will be seen as insular and reactionary if they make snide comments. On the other hand, I'm far more interested in good and exciting ideas and in putting more of my friends on bikes.
