In yesterday’s publish I included the Milwaukee, as positive a sporting street bicycle as one may 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 virtually instantly it grew to become one in all my most-ridden bicycles, performing each function 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 Major Street 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 essentially the most thorough rear derailleur auditioning course of each performed) I felt as if I had cultivated one thing near the perfect street 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 complete variety of bicycles:
Although this ultimately boomeranged on me, for simply once I’d come to phrases with not having a flowery titanium street bike, Paul of Basic Cycle went and despatched me a flowery titanium and carbon street bike:
That is like whenever 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) remains 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 happy to drop me a line.
See, I’m nonetheless making an attempt (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 received the Core Assortment of Bikes, these being the Jones because the go-anything, do-anywhere terrain-conqueror:
Then I’ve received the Rivendae…
…which type the spine of the entire operation insofar as they’re equal elements snug, versatile, and visually interesting:
Okay, positive, I’ve received three of them as a substitute of 1, which isn’t precisely simplifying, however three is an inherently elegant quantity:
Additionally, spiritually talking, three is actually 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 Street Bikes. What can I say? I’ll all the time have a Fred inside me. (And sure, I do know what that appears like.) The Rivendae are like beer–certain, you may get fancy about it, however essentially it’s a drink for any event. Street bikes nevertheless are like whiskey–intense and elating, however will impair strolling and are liable to depart you in a whole lot of ache afterwards when you’re not cautious. However generally you want a stiff drink. And just like the Rivendae, I’d additionally narrowed the Street Bikes all the way down to a three-in-one trinity, consisting of The Basic:
The Funky Sizzling Rod:
And naturally the Milwaukee, which as I say is the Major Street Bike, and is to my thoughts is the embodiment of what the trendy street racing bike could be if it had advanced in some kind of alternate dimension wherein issues truly made sense and practicality had been simply as vital as pace:
It’s received the perfect of the trendy options such because the cassette hub, and the silky-smooth ramped-and-pinned shifting, and the straightforward 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 Street bike. No fancy boutique elements:
And all enterprise:
That mentioned, 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 protected search browser so I don’t take a look at these items.
Anyway, the purpose of all that is that the Jones, the Rivendae, and the Street Bikes would type 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 means I may proceed to indulge myself in exotica while nonetheless sustaining the mandatory detachment:
And expertise all types of curiosities I may not have in any other case:
And journey far again in time:
And acquire new perception into what we’ve gotten proper over time, and what we’ve gotten improper…so, so improper:
Talking of the Y-Foil, what’s outdated is new once more:
It’s even received “Y” within the identify, how do you want that?
However sure, generally I get unduly connected to the Visitor Stars, and the LeMond is definitely one of many best turn-of-the-century street bikes I’ve ever ridden:
And since I’m making an attempt to keep up this complete Core Assortment/Visitor Star factor, if when you’ve ever dreamed of proudly owning the ne pas extremely of Fin de Siècle Fred Sleds and need to purchase your self a Christmas and/or Hanukkah present I’m joyful to assist dealer a deal for it, and I’m assured we may beat the competitors’s costs:
However, due to gravel, the loss of life 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 street 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 when you actually need to lean into it you’ll be able to slap a 9-speed group on this child:
It really is the Dawning of the Age of the Dirtbag.
