Jim writes: "People think "single-speed" and in the same thought they think "beater" or "winter bike" or "bar bike" or whatever other utilitarian, un-romantic category applies."
I figure Jim's dealt with way more folks buying bikes than I have so I wouldn't take issue with him about what "people" in the aggregate think. But I sure don't think that way. When I got my first ss/fixed bike (after grade school that is), I was concerned about winter in the midwest. I didn't want rear derailers freezing up packed full of slush. I wanted fenders so I wouldn't get covered with slush. I thought the 1/8th inch chain would lower the loads and wear better. But I wasn't particularly thinking cheep. I got campi track hubs, moderate weight tubular rims, suntour superbe cranks, lyotard platform pedals (ok they weren't expensive but they were nice), and chinelli bar and stem. If I could have afforded a better frame I think I would have. I understand fear of theft driving a desire for cheep. But not fear of the elements. I have never hesitated to take a nice bike out into the rain or snow because I was afraid it would get wrecked. I also see no conflict between utilitarian and aesthetics/elegance/beauty etc. Have you ever used snap-on tools? Clearly not enough people will pay 1k for a dedicated SS frame and fork to support the SO/QB in the marketplace. I just find it odd if thats not because almost nobody (outside of hipsterdom which, as noted previously, has a different aesthetic) really knows they like riding em. Of course I think lots of things are odd. On Apr 9, 3:16 am, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery <thill....@gmail.com> wrote: > Also, in reference to Ted's comment about the Cross-check being more an > analog to the Hillborne than to the SO: > > That's definitely true if you're talking about the Cross-check as a geared > bike. In that case, the two bikes have a lot of similarities, except one > looks fancier and costs $600 more (for the frameset only). The price > difference is more profound if you compare the CC stock complete bike to a > similarly equipped Hillborne, which is not available as a mass-market > complete bike. But lots of people, for various reasons, think the price > difference on the Riv is plenty acceptable. Lots of people are willing to > shell out for a special bike. Cool. > > But single-speeds are different. People think "single-speed" and in the same > thought they think "beater" or "winter bike" or "bar bike" or whatever other > utilitarian, un-romantic category applies. In that case, you look at that > $600 price difference and you think about rust and dents, and that Surly, > what it lacks in panache, it makes up in ruggedness and, ultimately, in the > worst case scenario, replaceability. In the case of single-speeds, the > preciousness that many of us assign to Rivendell bicycles is a drawback. And > that's why I say more mundane frames like the CC make it hard to sell the > QB/SO. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
