Lou,
A true constructuer bike has the parts made by the builder as much as po ssible. Without giving away too much, no one has ever done what I'm doin g right now, and I'm just getting started. The constructuer bicycle is a complete concept from start to finish. Anyone can bolt on parts. To des ign and integrate them into the whole bicycle is a different art form. M ike, Bruce, and Peter are all doing magnificent work and have been for a long time and people need to patronize their businesses. They are all m asters of the custom built bicycle by the single hand of an accomplished builder. I have a tendency to take things to the extreme, which will be evident at showtime.
I have stopped accepting paintwork for the time being. This trend may co ntinue for a long time and even result in only a trickle of repaint work in the future as I focus on building parts and frames.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Mike Kone says: "So its not fancy lugs, its not about being part of a
trend, its about the best tool for the job. It just so happens that th e job these
bikes are best at, is the same job that most people mistakenly purchase
ultra light race bikes to accomplish. They are buying the wrong tool. When this
becomes more understood, contructeur type integrated bikes will gain th e
recognition they deserve."
But, hasn't Grant at Rivendell advocated this sort of bike for years?
The integrated bike on the other hand is more than just a frame with pa rts.
Bruce Gordon's integrated racks, Peter Weigel and Mike Barry's offerin gs
have done it. I'm anxious to see whether that is what Brian is doing o r
whether it is just a touring frame with bolt on parts. A fully integra ted bike,
ala some of the fine French machines with internally routed electrical lighting
cables, would be something that would really interest me.
Lou Deeter, Orlando FL