I don't think it is even remotely possible to say what is the best bike ever. I can't even say what is the best bike I own. "Best" is too much a matter of personal taste, and even a given person probably changes his opinion of "best" over the years.
The Chance is a very, very good bike, but only the best in one man's current opinion.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Brandon Ives <brandon@ivycycles.com> wrote: I may be young, but I've seen a whole ton of bikes. . . maybe even a couple tons. I've seen a lot of bikes that have blown my mind but within 5 minutes I'm back and can start to see the problems and speak objectively about the bike. I remember seeing the batch of Art Stump's bikes at the first VR and I was speechless for a while. I may have even muttered 'that is the coolest bike ever' but that was all just hyperbole. I do think the Chris Chance bike is a nice original handbuilt bike, but I do have to agree with Dale's assessment of the bike. A well executed bike but little in the way of truly original vision and theme. Though I do like the stars in the chainring quite a bit.
To add to what Lou was saying I'm always surprised by looking at the bid history of a well talked about bike on the list. Lot's of folks talking up bike never have a dog in the fight as it were. I build up $5K Cervelos all the time and find it interesting how few stellar examples of classic bikes can fetch this kind of money. LIke Lou if I ever did see "The Best Bike Ever" I'd drop a $5k bid on it and prepare to double it if need be. Like something that is the zenith, or penultimate, or unique there is one one BEST. best or as I used to say enjoy, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives Vancouver, B.C.
On Jan 13, 2007, at 6:05 PM, Chuck Schmidt wrote:
> When a fellow collector proclaims his personal choice of "best bike
> ever" it provides a rare insight into that collector's knowledge
> and taste. Fascinating...
>
> Chuck Schmidt
> South Pasadena, CA
>
>
> On Jan 13, 2007, at 5:46 PM, Jonathanadamgree@aol.com wrote:
>
>>
>> I'd like to add that the seller has an extraordinary collection
>> and there is
>> no doubt in my mine that he believes every bike he owns is the
>> "best ever".
>>
>> Jonathan Greene
>> Oviedo FL
>>
>> In a message dated 1/13/2007 7:49:55 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>> LouDeeter@aol.com writes:
>>
>> I guess I'm perplexed. We have two listmembers who say this is
>> the "best
>> bike ever". One of those has actually seen the bike. So, I
>> have to ask,
>> are
>> either of you bidding on this bike? I mean, if it were my "best
>> bike
>> ever",
>> I'd be either ready with the trigger at the end or I'd already
>> have the
>> bidding so far into the stratosphere that everyone else would
>> just sit on
>> the
>> sideline in awe. I'm not watching it, so if it ends and
>> neither of you
>> bid, I'd
>> be interested to understand why not. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL