from this point, it might get ugly

[mimitabby]

and who is this Reynolds person anyway?
no kidding, Steel is the only way for me

[KnottedYet]

and who is this Reynolds person anyway?

LOL! Mimi, you are a hoot! Can't wait to see you at the Bike Expo!

[mimitabby]

come early on sunday..
darn I was hoping that you were going toanswer my question.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mimi, I know it's been awful for you....but it could have been way worse too. I've heard stories of people who waited YEARS for their custom frame- and when it came it was all wrong. Happily you only lost a couple of months in the timeline of life on this project, right? And now you have added experience and knowledge that will ensure everything comes out right this next time.

I am curious, however....I certainly understand the wanting a steel bike (steel rools). But why exactly is it that you want an Italian frame? What is it specifically about Italian frames that you can't get in other frames?

[mimitabby]

Lisa
there is a considerable romance surrounding old world Italian craftsmanship.
Take a simple thing, like a hook to hang your clothes on, or a plate, or a knife.
It's not enough to make something functional, it must also be sublime and beautiful. The knife will have a beautiful line to it, and maybe a handmade design. The hook might have a fleur di lis on the top of it, and it will be strong enough to hold your painting.
Take Campagnolo. These campy parts are made with elegance. They are designed beautifully, and unlike shimano parts, most of them can be rebuilt.
(ask Deb about this )
Clunky is the opposite of Italian. The lines are sweet, they are well made, and for the most part,they are practical.

Now for the downside of Italian craftmanship. Since they are very much in
demand and they HAVE been doing this for hundreds of years, they are the experts, and they are not going to take too well to suggestions.

I have spoken to various LBs's about the Bianchi line for example. I ask them
don't you ever suggest to these guys that we need space for fenders?
I get eye rolls.

so that's the conundrum. I guess when I move to Italy I will buy an Italian bike because it will be adapted to the climate.

So Lisa, does that make sense?
And who pray tell set the standard for the Violin? It wasn't someone from
(add random country here) it was an Italian.

[mimitabby]

When people with lots of bucks buy a Ferrari or a Lamburghini, no one
says "why Italian?"

They know.

[Bluetree]

My weakness is for Italian shoes.

Oh, and a certain young climber recently signed to the Discovery team...

[indysteel]

Mimi, if you do go with a local builder please let me know what you think of the process. My dream, assuming I keep riding, is to eventually have a custom steel bike. My fantasy is not Italian-specific, but I agree that there is something very beautiful about steel and that the Italians have been doing it beautifully for a long, long time.

Admittedly, I love the cache of custom steel, but I also know--after spending a lot of time trying to tweak the fit of my Bianchi--that it's likely the only way to get a bike that really fits me. Unfortunately, I will likely have to work with a builder over the phone. People like Carl Strong have wonderful reputations for walking you through the process. There are also builders like Serotta, Waterford and IF that have reps here in Indianapolis that do the fittings. Either way, it will require a leap of faith.

Anyway, good luck with it all.

Kate

[KnottedYet]

Mmmmm.... Waterford.....
www.waterfordbikes.com

Reynolds steel (Waterford's rep Dave Hellekson told me Flossie was made of Reynolds 753 when he gave me her history)
Scroll down a little, and you'll find a nice summary of some of the Reynolds bike tubing.
http://www.worldclasscycles.com/JACKSON-HOME.htm

Mimi, I totally understand wanting the Italian bike. It's the same (but different) as how I felt about my search for my road bike. And then Flosshilde appeared! Miracles never cease...

Your bike is out there, and you will find it.

I'm just sorry Mr. Dumpster pimped that poor innocent Mondonico.

[spokewench]

Chris has a loyal following in the SF Bay area among women for a reason. He is NOT like Mr. DumpsterDiver. He's a bike geek, a real nice HUGE nerd who loves bikes. He treats women like cyclists, not like easy-marks for poor service.

He got Trek onto the bike of her dreams, and she's TINY. He fussed and fiddled with that bike until it fit her so perfectly that she can do the AIDS rides multiple times!

If Mondonico cannot make a brand new frame to meet your needs, Chris will tell you so. He won't "bend the truth" just to make a sale like Mr. Dumpster.

Chris Robinson is the best bike shop owner that I have ever known. He used to live in my house when he was getting his shop started. He is honest, smart, knowledgeable and will be helpful at all times. He is and was a friend obviously when we lived in California. I would recommend his bike knowledge and honesty to anyone. He will be able to answer your questions and if he can't he will find out.

Now, yes, he might be a big huge bike nerd now as Knotted said, BUT I remember him when he was just finishing being a VERY GOOD RACER and deciding to open his shop, and he was nowhere near as big. That's what a bike shop will do to you. He is knowledgeable in all areas of cycling.

[KnottedYet]

Ooops! I didn't mean "huge" in the physical sense, I meant "huge" in the bike-nerd/loves-bikes sense.

(it was a compliment, as nerds and geeks are very cool in my worldview)

[mimitabby]

Ooops! I didn't mean "huge" in the physical sense, I meant "huge" in the bike-nerd/loves-bikes sense.

LOL ah... the visuals...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

So Lisa, does that make sense?

Well, it makes sense to me in certain ways, but maybe not in others. But that's OKAY- we all have our own special preferences, and that's good! I hope you will figure out what to do and that you wind up with a bike that truly suits you in every way- you DESERVE it!!

[Triskeliongirl]

Hey Mimi- just to have closure did the bike make it back safely, and has your credit card been credited yet? Just let us know when its all straightened out. What about the wheels? Were you able to stop the order or had he already started building them? -e

[silver]

Mimi, if you do go with a local builder please let me know what you think of the process. My dream, assuming I keep riding, is to eventually have a custom steel bike. My fantasy is not Italian-specific, but I agree that there is something very beautiful about steel and that the Italians have been doing it beautifully for a long, long time.

Admittedly, I love the cache of custom steel, but I also know--after spending a lot of time trying to tweak the fit of my Bianchi--that it's likely the only way to get a bike that really fits me. Unfortunately, I will likely have to work with a builder over the phone. People like Carl Strong have wonderful reputations for walking you through the process. There are also builders like Serotta, Waterford and IF that have reps here in Indianapolis that do the fittings. Either way, it will require a leap of faith.

Anyway, good luck with it all.

Kate

Hey, Kate, do you know about Spicer here in Evansville? I'm pretty sure that they will build you a steel one. A fellow in my team just got one built there. He's probably 6'8" they built him a 65cm. But I'm pretty sure his is aluminum.

http://www.spicercycles.com/index.cgi