In article <[email hidden]>, David Damerell
<[email hidden]> writes
Quoted message said:The Big Baguette said:Sadly, I don't recognise your description of what has gone before. Is English, perhaps, not your
native language? Or are you only too British, and possessed by that dread disease of these isles
that hates seeing other people get what they want,
Huh?
What you want's your name on the machine. You'll get that if you follow the suggestion of having it
repainted. So how can I hate to see that, when I suggested it?
I do think you are reacting rather strangely to the idea that there may be better reasons to shell
for a custom frame than what's written on the side of it.
Your comprehension appears to be adrift. I said I wanted a new bike and that it would be custom
built. Specifically said:I want a new tourer. I've got enough to spend that money's not an issue, I want something that
feels great and looks good and I do rather feel like indulging the obnoxious flash git who is never
far below the surface. It all says custom build.
OK. So who by? Who do I go to?
You see any reference there to having my name painted on the bike? Neither do I.
Tony W suggested a Galaxy. Nothing wrong with a Galaxy, but if I want custom-built then, by
definition, I don't want a Galaxy. Right?
At that point -- and perhaps slightly tongue in cheek -- I said:I'm going to be appallingly vulgar here (never difficult for me). I don't want a Galaxy, because
other people have them. I want something where the maker's final act will be to paint 'Baggy' where
'Dawes' would otherwise go. I want something custom built for me alone. That's the question: who
makes really good custom-built bikes that are absolute one-offs?
Still here? Splendid. So, painting my name is the final act. The key issues are: that it's made for
me alone; and that it's really good. Not really good in the style of the utterly dependable Dawes
Galaxy -- really good as in absolutely ****ing sensational. THAT, and not having my name painted on
it (I'm not actually called Baggy, you know), is what I'm prepared to spend the money on. I've given
reasons for being prepared to spend whatever it costs to get what I want. Those reasons seem good to
me and -- surprise! -- that means they satisfy the only person who needs to be satisfied.
Right now, it looks like being the Follis Paris-Brest. Contrary to gloomy predictions, I'm confident
that bike won't be 'inferior in robustness to something like a Dawes Galaxy', nor will it have
'pathetic wheel clearance'. And I sure as hell won't 'skimp on stuff like proper bags'. Whether I
can summon the nerve to ask Follis to paint my name on it is something I'll think about when I'm
there. In case I can't, will someone recommend a top notch paintshop ?
--
The Big Baguette
