Sacha White (Mr Vanilla Bicycles) will soon be receiving a deposit from me in the mail. Don’t hold your breath for pics because he’s well on his way to hitting Richard Sachs league for lead times and demand - his waitlist is currently at TWENTY SEVEN MONTHS (yes, 27) and is growing by approximately one month per month. I figure who cares if I don’t have the cash to pay for the bike right now - I’ve got two and a half years to come up with it!
I knew I should have given Ben a deposit on the spot way back in June when I was there…
i don’t know what to say… seriously, i’ve never seen anything like this. where am i going to find the money to get one of these. how much did you have to put down?i’m in love man. Which frame did you order?
Why not a Tiemeyer? I guess the simplest answer would be because I didn’t really want one. I’ve seen them around - mostly at the track being ridden by some pretty fast dudes. But there’s nothing about a Tiemeyer that makes a person crave one deep down in his soul. I’m sure they can go fast. I’d guess that they’re well built. But I’m not looking to shave a few seconds or make the National Team here. Function isn’t the primary reason for choosing Vanilla over any other brand. If it was, I sure as hell wouldn’t be waiting 2.5a for a new ride. Hell - Ves could probably do me up a new steed in a matter of months. A Vanilla is an object to be desired. Yes, it is a bicycle - and when ridden by a fast person they’ve captured their share of victories (esp in the NE 'cross scene).
I’d been planning on a 'cross with S&S couplers - but things may change over the next 2.5 years. Sacha’s always coming out with new, innovative stuff. We’ll see…
$500 gets you a spot in line. The funny thing about Sacha is that he isn’t interested in getting details at this point. He wants to focus completely on the projects he’s currently got “live”, and give yours the same attention when its your turn. He wants to be excited about the project, just like you. After hearing back that my deposit has been received and that I now have a “firm” spot in line, I probably won’t hear from him until 4-6 months out from my expected completion time. That’s when we’ll sit down and work out all the details like fit, style, design decisions, paint, etc. Having said all that, the plan is a 'cross with S&S couplers. Lugged, with those absolutely stunning Vanilla dropouts.
I think Richard Sachs works along similar lines, but I’ve never orderd a Sachs.
Why not a Tiemeyer? I guess the simplest answer would be because I didn’t really want one.
That is the bottom line right there. Getting a new bike when you’re not on a tight budget is not about fit, or value, or what the others ride, it’s about the bike you want.
I’d been planning on a 'cross with S&S couplers - but things may change over the next 2.5 years. Sacha’s always coming out with new, innovative stuff. We’ll see…
Hey Bra, INTERESTING post. Whatever happened to the Ritchey ti breakaway cross plan? I guess it got considerably upgraded!
A 356 speedster, a man after my own aesthetic heart! I’m off to the track on my el cheapo Bianchi Pista, a brother’s gotta practice before stepping onto Burnaby track with ya (how are your plans for BV?).
2.7 years, I should be living in PM when you take possession of it!
The Ritchey Breakaway died when I found out it comes with carbon stays - why would anyone put carbon stays on a travel bike? The whole appeal of ti was for its ruggedness and durability…
After that I (briefly) entertained thoughts of a lugged steel Naked, but in the end decided to suck up the wait and go with my one true lust - Vanilla. Given that building the frame with couplers more or less meant that I’d probably keep it forever, I wanted to have a frame worthy of “forever bike” status.
Ves builds forever bikes too, but he doesn’t like S&S for some reason. He wouldn’t go into it when I asked - saying only that he was happy to let other frame builders work with them. That’s too bad because if I could break down my Yaqui for travel I’d be in absolute HEAVEN!
As for the 'drome, my 1st session is on Saturday. Should be a good time…
A colleague of took delivery on his Vanilla with S&S couplers a earlier this fall. I think it was ~20 months for his, but obviously it was ordered a couple of years ago. He’s a master.
