Don Walker in the New York Times
05-30-06 | 08:18 AM
#1
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From: The City that Works
Don Walker in the New York Times
Look at this guy!
"A custom bike was once a last resort for those too tall or too short for ready-made bikes. Today, small independent bike builders are 'popping up on every street corner', says Don Walker, who founded the North American Handmade Bicycle Show two years ago. Mr. Walker estimates that there are at least 125 professional builders in the United States."
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/bu...r=1&oref=login
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"A custom bike was once a last resort for those too tall or too short for ready-made bikes. Today, small independent bike builders are 'popping up on every street corner', says Don Walker, who founded the North American Handmade Bicycle Show two years ago. Mr. Walker estimates that there are at least 125 professional builders in the United States."
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/bu...r=1&oref=login
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05-30-06 | 08:28 AM
#3
this bike is an aqueduct
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Gainesville, FL
Bikes: Villin custom touring, Medici Pro Pista, KHS Alite1000, Windsor fixed commuter
Neat article.
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Villin custom touring | Raleigh XXIX | Medici Pro Pista | 1978 Schwinn Stingray
Villin custom touring | Raleigh XXIX | Medici Pro Pista | 1978 Schwinn Stingray
05-30-06 | 08:59 AM
#5
this bike is an aqueduct
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Gainesville, FL
Bikes: Villin custom touring, Medici Pro Pista, KHS Alite1000, Windsor fixed commuter
Yeah, even 8K seems a little steep... after 5K we're talking pure vanity, far as I'm concerned.
Not that there's anything wrong with vanity. (ponders flickr account)
Not that there's anything wrong with vanity. (ponders flickr account)
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Villin custom touring | Raleigh XXIX | Medici Pro Pista | 1978 Schwinn Stingray
Villin custom touring | Raleigh XXIX | Medici Pro Pista | 1978 Schwinn Stingray
05-30-06 | 09:14 AM
#6
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From: The City that Works
Originally Posted by EnLaCalle
First that mag article on SunO))) and Boris, and now this. Good times in the nytimes this week...
05-30-06 | 09:39 AM
#8
8K's steep, yes. That price tag refers to a road bike. We don't know exactly what it entailed -- the numerous fittings, the back and forth between rider and framebuilder, specifying precisely what components, titanium prices have gone up (which I assume is what the Seven is since they build with that), carbon (since Seven builds carbon and ti frames), etc. I have a Seven catalog (you can order one from their site) and you can see some of the basic prices but if you're going all out with carbon and DA or Record, then that price isn't unreasonable. Considering that high end road bikes ARE in the 3-10K range, especially. A non-custom Litespeed is in the 7K area.
Consider Chimay's 7K Vanilla for instance. And that's a roadish track bike.
And if that's the bike you love, then who cares. Ride it, love it.
Still cheaper than a car.
Consider Chimay's 7K Vanilla for instance. And that's a roadish track bike.
And if that's the bike you love, then who cares. Ride it, love it.
Still cheaper than a car.
05-30-06 | 09:48 AM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,990
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From: Williston, VT
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-T, Soma Rush, Razesa Racer, ⅔ of a 1983 Holdsworth Professional, Nishiki Riviera Winter Bike
Originally Posted by pathdoc
Don's building a custom for me as I type this and its nowhere near 8K.
05-30-06 | 09:54 AM
#10
72 & Sunny
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,103
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From: Brooklyn
Bikes: '93 Yamaguchi Pursuit track bike, Alan Super Record
Originally Posted by No_Minkah
That's uncanny...Pitchfork today: "So you've seen our reviews of bands like Sunn 0))) and Boris, and you're thinking it's time to try to get in touch with your inner headbanger."
They must have some crazy paranormal promotions people.
05-30-06 | 10:05 AM
#11
jack of one or two trades
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,640
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From: Suburbia, CT
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
Decent article. My big pet peeve is the relentless use of the word "customized". To me, a customized bike is buying one off the shelf and adapting it to your tastes and preferences. A custom bike is what DW does. Calling their bikes "customized" cheapens it, in my mind.
But $8G, that's far from average.
But $8G, that's far from average.
05-30-06 | 10:08 AM
#12
Hey let's ride.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,002
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From: Allen, TX
Bikes: Torelli road bike, Tsunami tandem
Still got my Jackson Messina road bike. Don is building a single speed track bike for me. I decided to go with a local builder so I could be more involved in the process. If I ordered another Jackson I wouldn't see or hear anything for about 3-4 months. Don and I have been in contact weekly and I've had alot more input.
05-30-06 | 10:44 AM
#14
Bow$$
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Bodymore, Murderland
Bikes: Surly Instigator '02, Schwinn Traveler fixed conversion, '02 Fuji Track
I remember when no one knew who sunn was, and sunn amps and cabinets were cheap to buy, now everyone and their mom has jumped ship, now the cabinet that I wanted a year ago for $80 is now $200. Dang it I need two 2X15 cabs, but I definately don't have $400 to drop, but I do have $160... jerk ass jerks.
05-30-06 | 10:48 AM
#15
Rebel Thousandaire
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Hartford, CT
Bikes: Public D8, Yuba Mundo (cargo), Novara Buzz (1-speed, soon to be 2-speed w/ a kickback hub), Xootr 1-speed folder
Originally Posted by absntr
8K's steep, yes. That price tag refers to a road bike. We don't know exactly what it entailed -- the numerous fittings, the back and forth between rider and framebuilder, specifying precisely what components, titanium prices have gone up (which I assume is what the Seven is since they build with that), carbon (since Seven builds carbon and ti frames), etc.
05-30-06 | 12:01 PM
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Los Angeles
Bikes: Custom Holland Ti road bike, Custom track bike I traded a painting for.
yay for Don!
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Ode to the after work nap ( ride your bike instead)
Ode to the nap
The evil, evil nap
It lures
you succumb
But only with good intent
Shortly I will rise
But you do not.
Do not succumb
To the evil, evil nap
Ode to the after work nap ( ride your bike instead)
Ode to the nap
The evil, evil nap
It lures
you succumb
But only with good intent
Shortly I will rise
But you do not.
Do not succumb
To the evil, evil nap
05-30-06 | 12:07 PM
#19
PS NOT STOLEN
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 631
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From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: 57cm NJS Bridgestone
Originally Posted by dustinlikewhat
I remember when no one knew who sunn was, and sunn amps and cabinets were cheap to buy, now everyone and their mom has jumped ship, now the cabinet that I wanted a year ago for $80 is now $200. Dang it I need two 2X15 cabs, but I definately don't have $400 to drop, but I do have $160... jerk ass jerks.
05-30-06 | 12:12 PM
#20
Member
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Originally Posted by adamkell
Weird. An hour ago, a friend told me about his experience at a Sunn 0))) and Boris show. I hadn't heard of either band until then.
They must have some crazy paranormal promotions people.
They must have some crazy paranormal promotions people.
I went to the chicago show, and it was awesome. Sunn O))) especially. They win my award for best use of a fog machine ever.
05-30-06 | 02:08 PM
#21
Happy Cycling
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: SF
Bikes: bareknuckle, bomber pro, 3Rensho SR, nagasawa special
this is the best part...
"Over all, bicycle sales are taking off. Last year was the best year since the 1970's, with more than two million road bikes sold in the United States..."
and wtg don.
"Over all, bicycle sales are taking off. Last year was the best year since the 1970's, with more than two million road bikes sold in the United States..."
and wtg don.
05-30-06 | 02:57 PM
#22
Yay!11! I has!!!1
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,659
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From: Eastcoast
Bikes: Cocaine the white stallion, Custom Witcomb pista, (Being restored) 80's Pogliaghi Track, (destroyed) RAP Round Breeze NJS, Cannondale Jekyll 900, 84/5 Pinarello Montello (all italian)
Ha, my frame cost a lot less than that. And DW, to quote a very special somebody, "You're the man now dog"
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Bloodstains, speed kills, fast bikes, cheap thrills, French girls, fine wine...
Bloodstains, speed kills, fast bikes, cheap thrills, French girls, fine wine...
05-30-06 | 03:12 PM
#23
Member's Only
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From: MPLS
Bikes: Bridgesetone RB-1 fixie, Surly CrossCheck, Surly Instigator, Salsa AlaCarte, Bianchi Timberwolf SS
05-30-06 | 03:16 PM
#24
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From: The City that Works
Originally Posted by HexagonSun
this is the best part...
"Over all, bicycle sales are taking off. Last year was the best year since the 1970's, with more than two million road bikes sold in the United States..."
and wtg don.
"Over all, bicycle sales are taking off. Last year was the best year since the 1970's, with more than two million road bikes sold in the United States..."
and wtg don.
<--been lurking on the alt bike forum
