This Chris Chance would have to be in the running were a competition held. It IS the most beautifully elegant bike I have ever seen. This man took minimalist elegance to another level with this bike. The paint scheme is brilliant and so is the construction. I even like the stars and I'm not normally a fan of such details. 120074566094
Below I have copied the seller's summary. It needs to be in the archives. I hope someone on CR gets this piece of rolling art. It makes me proud to be an American just looking at the pictures.
Don Wilson Los Olivos, CA USA
"The Bicycle Exchange was New England's leading seller of high-end cycles, components, and sundries for over 50 years, and launched many careers of competitive amateur and professional cyclists. Ben Olken, the founder, was considered the Godfather of the regional trade.
This track cycle was hand built by framebuilder Chris Chance as a special gift to Ben Olken, to commemorate 50 years in the business (1934-1984). It is built of Columbus SL tubing, custom detailed HJ lugset and crown. 55 cm center to center seat tube and top tube. Finished in metallic amethyst with black enamel rear triangle, fork blades, and headtube. It is a rare and stunning example of Chris Chance's work. As many know, Chris Chance was a graduate of the Witcomb school of framebuilding, and launched his business in the mid 70's, initially concentrating on high-end racing cycles, before launching the FatChance line of mountain bikes, SlimChance production racing cycles, and finally selling out his business to retire in Vermont.
Complete cycle is NOS, and has never seen a road or track surface. Best track bike at Lars Anderson. Details includes stainless steel badge embellishments, such as the headbadge, BiEx 1934-1984 commemorative badge on the seat tube, "Ben" badge on left side of top tube, "star" fork crown badges - all jewelry-like in detail. The bike is absolutely stunning, with many custom tuned component touches. Show, concours condition, completely original, unadulterated. Component group includes:
* Campagnolo Record HS/BB * Campagnlo Record crankset, 170mm, with milled crankarms, milled spiders, Star chainring cutouts * Campagnolo SR seatpost * Campagnolo SF 28/28 Pista hubs, DT spokes, Vittoria Pista CX tubulars * Campagnolo SL Pista pedals with ICS clips, Cinelli straps * Cinelli Unicanitor black suede pista saddle * Nisi Pista Speciale "For Professional Use Only" rims, black anodized * Cinelli Pista handlebars (old logo) with milled old logo 1A stem, Benotto Tape/plugs
D.C. Wilson dcwilson3@yahoo.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Note: This message may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the addressee or authorized to receive this for the addressee, you must not use, copy, disclose or take any action based on this message or any information herein. If you have received this message in error, please advise the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation.