Mechanics often use Snapon tools which cost roughly 10 times as much as Craftsman tools. They spend a lot on their tools because they use them every day to make a living, and it is worth it to them. If you felt a Snapon wrench in your hand, you would know why people are willing to spend so much for them. I'm not a professional, and I can't afford Snapon, so I use Craftsman, and they work fine.

I imagine the same is true for many people who work on their bikes. riding the thing day in and day out it should be more than just durable and functional. I can't afford those pants, or a Vanilla either for that matter, but I can certainly appreciate why a working class person who works on his bike would be willing to spend more on bikes and cycling clothing than I can justify for myself.

I think it's too bad that bikes are apparently considered high priced toys rather than tools. People in all income brackets spend an absurd portion of their income on cars, and justify it because they need their car as a piece of transportation. People don't bat an eye when someone spends half their annual income on a new car, why should it be so absurd for a bicycle messenger to spend one sixth of their annual income on a bike especially if they don't even own a car?

My touring bike and gear cost around 3K, because I live off the ****er for months at a shot. The bike's comfortable enough that I did about 80 miles this past weekend (sans computer) and then realized, oh wait, that was 110 miles. Of course, I could have done 110 miles on any bike, and could (now, at least) build a bike for less than a grand that would work almost as well.

I just bought the Rapha jacket because I had a rain jacket for a couple years (Marmot Precip) which was great, but after that time I wanted something that was cycling-specific, even if not 100%-****off waterproof. I knew and know exactly what I wanted, and while I was happy with the product I had, when I lost v1.1 it was time to step up.

I ****ing love every one of my bikes, what they do, where and how they can take me. As snarky as I am often am, I am not at casual about this ****.

Using "hipster" so near and so easily to someone's--one person's!--work implies that it is as similarly trendy and casual. Nevermind that "hipster" is an inaccurate and silly term; we all know the connotations. You could have used Kierin/NJS to a much more accurate effect, but instead listed a highly visible competitor.

Just sayin.


Christ, I'm drunk and it just got dark. WTF.

Sacha, that's fine, others have accused me of dissing on Vanilla when I wasn't, so my response is to appease them as well as you. I'd prefer to keep this out of here myself, but when people attack my views and don't understand what I've said, I reserve the right to clarify.

Honestly this is pretty ridiculous though. When 165 introduced me to this forum and those bunch of guys predominated the forum, we coulda said "hipsters riding Vanillas/Thylacines/Sachs/Nasagawas/Whatthe****evers, wearing 160 buck capri pants and having a half decaf half caf soy latte at Starbucks", had a little chuckle and moved on. Heck, I copped my fair share and laughed along. Now however, it's all indignation, defensiveness, and paranoia.

Sure, I could pander, have no personality, and only do what I need to do to sell bikes, but honestly, I frequent BBS' mostly to have a bit of fun, share what I know, and poke fun at the absudity of it all. It's fun, it's a national institution over here, and if you can't have a little dig at others or laugh at yourselves then there's something seriously amiss.

Anyway, I'm sure the 'Half Decaf Half Caf Latte Society of America' is about to call me and abuse me, so I should probably move along and polish my responses for that now, too.

Anyway, back on topic.....Here's a scoop for you, Raphas new glove. Left hand only, available in 5 sizes, 100 quid -



Matthew, it's only 11am here, is that too early to have a drink with you?

Meh, they're just shants - nice ones at that. I may save up for a pair of Raphas and Chromes just to have some nice dedicated cycling clothing. As it stands, I just hem old pairs of pants (when the cuffs have frayed too much). Pay a bit more for items dedicated to the task. They'll last longer and do the job better. This makes sense.

i'm a Pista riding, $140 capri pant wearing, sit on my ass and listen to people whine about how their code doesn't work, non-messenger but has been mistaken for one on more than one occasion and chuckled and also mildly flattered, dude. i live in seattle and i don't even patronize starbucks. nothing but black coffee from a french press, b1tch.



say what you will, i like my Rapha pants, and i'm drooling over that jacket. i like being on my bike, especially my beater SS conversion, i don't feel bad about spending money on something i really, really, really (are we getting it yet?), enjoy. i also enjoy the ribbing on this forum because it's funny seeing people talk **** and then go have a beer.

Yeah, why would ya? Starbucks is dependable, I understand that, but Seattle has Good coffee coming out it's arse from indies all over. I had many while hanging out at the CMWC yall had there in '03. Even the restaurants had outstanding coffee, there was oneplace near the races, 13 Coins? 12 Coins or something, had a great cup o joe after a good steak, best meal I had on that trip and the coffee topped it off perfectly.

What I'm seeing from you is a bunch of lame excuses demonstrating a serious lack of class. You are a framebuilder. Sacha is a framebuilder. I'm sure you see can the wider implications of this fact, and yet you chose to act in a most facile manner regarding answering for your comments.

On a more positive note, at least you haven't been making anymore of those ridiculiously crass and embarassing self-promotions of your frames as of late.

Warwick,

whatever.

I asked you a simple question in private, and was interested in having a genuine conversation.

I do come to the defense of my company, because I built it from nothing, and it is my responsability take care of it and keep it headed in the right direction.

I would appreciate it if you would give me the professional courtesy of not ****talking my bikes for no good reason at all.

Cheers mate

-Sacha

Correction : Sacha is a framebuilder. Warwick is a marketing guy that employs a framebuilder.

this kind of thing is why i hate the text-based interface. i have enough trouble conveying sarcasm and an otherwise quirky sense of humor in person, let alone online. it's seems like a lot of posts can be interpreted in two or more ways, a problem exacerbated by the fact that there are no hemmingways here.

i like bikes, that is all.

Did someone mention Starbucks?! Yeah, that's rant #372! Starbucks is Duncan Donuts with a pretentious film. they call a small a "tall" and play up their Seattle roots while insisting on writing their menus in Italian. Is Italian the official language of Seattle now? What is wrong with calling a small a small? People don't order a small coffee at Starbucks to be cheap, they order it because they don't want to drink a large. Why not say double espresso? What's this doppio bull about? Their coffee is ok, but nothing special, and their pastries are as mass produced as they come. Frappuccino??? Try Coffee Coolato! If you order a "hot cider" you'll get hot apple juice which goes beyond marketing hype in my book to straight out false advertising. They are not alone in selling cupcakes and calling them muffins.Apparently consumers don't like t admit how much they like cupcakes these days. They want you to think you're getting something "fancy" when you go to Starbucks, but really there is not much that separates their coffee and sugar from Duncan Donuts besides marketing. It's ridiculous, it should make me laugh, but for some reason I get pretty riled up about it. I guess it's because as ridiculous as their marketing seems it's apparently quite effective. I suppose I shouldn't comment on marketing anymore, because I clearly don't get it. I just can't understand why people want to buy crap wrapped in lies. It's like we WANT to be lied to so much we will pay twice as much for the privilege.

g'day mate! it'd be different if you were the least bit funny. which you're not. please quit bein' a self-promotin' tool, ok?

thanks!

Apparently, yes.



Haven't slept in 26 hours; was apparently pretty chipper in the ambulance. So some apologies for the ****-talkin, I was (am?) 100% (14%?) blotto.

Blizzow! Painkillers!

Oh and the cops brought the bike home, handlebars parallel to the front wheel.

The jacket, the BRAND NEW FANCYPANTS BRITISH EURO-DICK CYCLING JACKET, is well-nigh untouched.


I don't get it either.

Good god man looks like you were pretty lucky. not just that your shiny new "euro-dick" jacket came out of it OK, but that you still have a face and stuff. Glad yer OK. Maybe you shouldda had a doppio espresso before you got on the bike

That's good! I'd be pissed if I had one of those fine jackets and one of the first times I rode it got durfed. Nice pic btw, conveys perfectly the quality state of mind obtained with painkillers and other additives

Heal well & fast

Wow Matthew. I hope you're OK. At first I thought the photo was the guy from Six Feet Under.

As for Thylacine, I think he's just taking a dig. C'mon people. You have to laugh at the Michael Jackson glove. That was funny.

Good christ.. I'm glad you're ok, but I have to admit. When I look at your expression in that photograph, it pretty much confirms my belief of what everyone in Florida looks like.

Heal up soon man!

we don't have Dunkin' Donuts here we do have this place called Top Pot though. if my memories from being five are at all correct (last time i had Dunkin' regularly) it's about the same quality. mmmm donuts ::drool::

glad you're OK matt, that looks like it stings a bit. it's cool though, chicks dig scars... right?

Top Pot is so great it makes me want to cry. Worth going to Seattle for alone... well, that and the Six Arms.

Seattle is a damn great town.

Seattle is on my short list of places I'd like to visit. Guess I'd better brush up on my Italian if I want to be able to communicate with the locals.

i don't normally go to starbucks, but a friend of mine works there and he says you get health benefits if you work more than 25 hours a week. acupuncture is even covered.

Finally, the voice of reason.
Anyway, enough of this crapage. I have to reply to an e-mail from Michael Jackson who was offended I dare imply that Rapha would copy his gloves.

jim-bob, you have absolutely no idea who I am, what I do, or anything. I'm not a marketer, never was and never will be. Get your facts straight before you start insulting marketers, okay? Maybe you'd like to give me a call and I'll set you straight?

Matthew, what can I say but

atleast Vanillas are pretty