I have.

I also own a 1974 Richard Sachs, and a 1974 Schwinn Paramount.

If it wasn't for the fact that I already own 12 bikes, I would LOVE to have a Vanilla custom built for me. My bikes are daily riders, they are not kept for Sunday best. Both the Sachs and the Paramount have been drafted into service as commuters.

Bikes are meant to be ridden, and I love riding.

East Hill

Just came back from a week in portland. The Vanilla CX bike in the "Oregon Cycling Display" window at the PDX airport looked fantastic. That is a Speedvagen right?

Now.. there is builder.
Bling.. Bling.. Is nice for a few nights on the town..
Long haul.. give me strong design from a skilled craftsmen..

But then.. 50K on my 25 year old Colnago Mexico makes me picky.

Good pick

That's pretty condescending.

I wouldn't get a Vanilla because A. Can't afford it, B. Couldn't wait that long, and C. I wouldn't be comfortable riding something worth that much in the city or locking it with anything less that a bank vault.

That said, I'm a Vanilla supporter 100%. The company adds variety to the the bike community and promotes a tradition of craftsmanship. These are good things, even for those of us who might not want one for ourselves.

It's also a great company to hate for those who live to publicly distance themselves from anything that moderate to large groups of other people might like, lemmings that they are. Even the harshest critics, who apparently find being critical in online forums a good time well spent, should be thankful for having an object of their insatiable and misguided scorn.

Ever notice that non-conformists all seem to adhere to the same standards of non-conformity?

Word.

I know folks in Portland and Vanilla bicycles are a fairly common sight there as Sacha doesn't only build a beautiful bikes of exceeding quality, he builds a bike you can ride the ever loving hell out of.

If I owned a Vanilla I'd be out there riding the ever loving hell out of it too and if Sacha ever needs someone to field test anything I'd be happy to help him out.

As an aspiring builder and unrepentant bike fiend I am really looking forward to meeting Sacha when I get down to Portland.

D. I'm fickle--what I order today probably won't be what I'm into five years from now. (Although I know there's probably a follow-up process once the bike is about to actually hit production and changes might be allowed.)

I like bikes like Vanilla in the same way I like looking through ArtForum or Fine Woodworking to see what cool custom furniture builders are making. They are fun to look at and dream about, even better if you can see them in person, and given a chance to, say, sit in a a custom built chair or run hands over an over-the-top armoire... woah. And then we go furniture shopping... at yard sales.

Same thing with bikes. Ultra-high-end custom stuff like this is truly drool-worthy, but nothing that I can afford at the moment. Great to see them, would love to swing a leg over one someday and take it for a spin, but when it came time to buy a frame, I checked my bank account... and found a great $65 Shogun (lugged, double butted Tange tubing, Shimano 105 components) just down the street.

Plus, I'd just feel way too self conscious and conspicuous on one of them. Not to mention too nervous to take it anyplace where I'd need to leave it locked up, out of view. Actually, not even that--I'd be all freaked out about accidentally putting a chip in the paint or a scratch in the chrome. For me, getting a bike like a Vanilla, would be like getting that Ferrari pictured earlier--would be great to have, but since we don't even have a garage, kind of silly to own.

Sweet deal!

Seriously?

LOL . go away....

Are you ****ing kidding me? Who the hell are you?

I'm Daniel Williams. I don't post here very often. So?