In yesterday’s submit I included the Milwaukee, as superb a sporting highway bicycle as one might hope to personal, and over the weekend I fell for it once more:
It first got here to me in, as I recall, 2015:
And nearly instantly it turned one among my most-ridden bicycles, performing each position from proto-gravel bike…
…to be-fendered rain bike:
My elder son even commandeered it for awhile:
…after which I made a decision to bestow Main Highway Bike standing upon it, and despatched it again to Milwaukee/Ben’s Cycle for refinishing in early 2023:
Upon reassembling the bike I knew I had one thing particular, for its look was lastly equal to its efficiency:
A couple of tweaks later (together with maybe probably the most thorough rear derailleur auditioning course of each carried out) I felt as if I had cultivated one thing near the best highway bike:
And so assured was I in it that I even did the unthinkable and returned the Litespeed to Basic Cycle in a well-meaning try to scale back my whole variety of bicycles:
Although this finally boomeranged on me, for simply once I’d come to phrases with not having a elaborate titanium highway bike, Paul of Basic Cycle went and despatched me a elaborate titanium and carbon highway bike:
That is like once you inform your drug seller you’re off crack and he replies, “Congratulations! This requires a celebration! Right here, assist your self to some heroin.”
I maintain telling myself I’m going to ship it again, however then Early-Aughts Me who on the time would have sacrificed a digit for a motorbike like this seems on my shoulder and says, “C’mon, let’s simply maintain it just a little longer, pleeze???”
By the best way, as I’ve talked about, the bike (measurement 57) continues to be technically on the market from Basic Cycle, and as occurred with the Davidson I want somebody would simply purchase it already so I don’t find yourself doing it myself:
Should you’re be at liberty to drop me a line.
See, I’m nonetheless attempting (and failing) to simplify my velocipedal holdings, and I assumed I had all of it labored out. The way in which I see it’s, I’ve bought the Core Assortment of Bikes, these being the Jones because the go-anything, do-anywhere terrain-conqueror:
Then I’ve bought the Rivendae…
…which kind the spine of the entire operation insofar as they’re equal elements comfy, versatile, and visually interesting:
Okay, superb, I’ve bought three of them as an alternative of 1, which isn’t precisely simplifying, however three is an inherently elegant quantity:
Additionally, spiritually talking, three is admittedly the identical factor as one. Simply because the Catholics nonetheless name themselves monotheists regardless of worshipping the trinity, I espouse simplicity regardless of having a trinity of Rivendae and actually consider them as one bike.
Then there are the Highway Bikes. What can I say? I’ll at all times have a Fred inside me. (And sure, I do know what that seems like.) The Rivendae are like beer–positive, you will get fancy about it, however essentially it’s a drink for any event. Highway bikes nevertheless are like whiskey–intense and elating, however will impair strolling and are liable to go away you in numerous ache afterwards for those who’re not cautious. However generally you want a stiff drink. And just like the Rivendae, I’d additionally narrowed the Highway Bikes all the way down to a three-in-one trinity, consisting of The Basic:
The Funky Scorching Rod:
And naturally the Milwaukee, which as I say is the Main Highway Bike, and is to my thoughts is the embodiment of what the trendy highway racing bike can be if it had developed in some kind of alternate dimension by which issues truly made sense and practicality have been simply as essential as velocity:
It’s bought the perfect of the trendy options such because the cassette hub, and the silky-smooth ramped-and-pinned shifting, and the easy and reliable outboard bearing crank and threadless fork, and even the sloping high tube for just a little seatpost compliance and crotchal clearance, however it’s additionally manufactured from metal and makes use of friction shifting and, most crucially, takes medium-reach rim brakes:
Simply as highly effective and responsive as their short-reach siblings, however simply accommodate a 32mm tire with room to spare:
Additionally, regardless of the sparkly end and the premium journey, that is nonetheless essentially a Dirtbag Highway bike. No fancy boutique elements:
And all enterprise:
That stated, I’m not getting any youthful, and I’d be mendacity if I didn’t discover myself additionally considering one thing equally sporting, however perhaps only a bit extra relaxed and upright, and presumably with lugs…
[Via Rivendell]
Somebody actually must invent a bike-specific secure search browser so I don’t have a look at these items.
Anyway, the purpose of all that is that the Jones, the Rivendae, and the Highway Bikes would kind the principle solid, then due to my gig because the Basic Cycle Previous Crap Check Pilot I’d maintain rotating Visitor Stars out and in:
That approach I might proceed to indulge myself in exotica while nonetheless sustaining the mandatory detachment:
And expertise all types of curiosities I won’t have in any other case:
And journey far again in time:
And achieve new perception into what we’ve gotten proper through the years, and what we’ve gotten incorrect…so, so incorrect:
Talking of the Y-Foil, what’s previous is new once more:
It’s even bought “Y” within the title, how do you want that?
However sure, generally I get unduly hooked up to the Visitor Stars, and the LeMond is definitely one of many best turn-of-the-century highway bikes I’ve ever ridden:
And since I’m attempting to keep up this complete Core Assortment/Visitor Star factor, if for those who’ve ever dreamed of proudly owning the ne pas extremely of Fin de Siècle Fred Sleds and wish to purchase your self a Christmas and/or Hanukkah present I’m completely satisfied to assist dealer a deal for it, and I’m assured we might beat the competitors’s costs:
However, due to gravel, the demise of the rim brake, and so forth there’s most likely by no means been a greater time to go Full Cheapo and construct your self a real dirtbag highway bike. For instance, as a Nishiki proprietor, I couldn’t assist noticing this:
In the meantime, this most likely rides 90% as properly because the Tete de Course:
And for those who actually wish to lean into it you may slap a 9-speed group on this child:
It really is the Dawning of the Age of the Dirtbag.
