dtrain

Wow - I'll be darned. The Tete, the one and only 6-year paint job, is up right now on Ebay. Quite a story for those of us who've been around. If nothing else, you need to click and check out Rad's camera work (amazing!).



https://www.ebay.com/itm/290757417425...84.m1423.l2649

blacksquid

Love the Schwinn head badge!

Mike F

That paint job looks excellent!

thirdgenbird

Wow, I know exactly how I would build that one.

eippo1

Wow, can't believe it. The original photos of that build were epic.

James1:17

anybody wanna link the original build thread?

55/Rad

There was never a build thread.

Long story short. Bought the frame used in 2004 wanting to have it painted in a theme. Took it to amazing local guy here in Portland. 6+ years later, after many delays, a lot of yelling, excuses and changes in design, I finally got it back. By then, I had outgrown it.

The first couple years were well documented here on BF. The stuff of legend and inside jokes - many thought it didn't even exist. Many would have handled it differently. In retrospect, I would have too. Before long, I tired of waiting and went on to other projects.

When I finally did build it, I used an old DA 8 speed setup and my Mike Garcia wheels. I spent exactly zero on anything new for it. I rode it for 2 months just to say I did, then retired it. My body was not happy with the race geometry.

Now...it needs to go to someone who will ride it...

55/Rad

hairnet

well, too small for me. It looks great though

UmneyDurak

It was actually done? I am genuinely surprised.

SlowOlympian

My 56 has me stretched out. a 57 and I would look like a TdF rider! And I WOULD ride it! a LOT....but I can't afford it. I would buy an ultegra groupset once I get a job(interview tomorrow!), and a soul wheelset. Are you looking to donate it? Looks sexy, thats for sure!

Matt Gaunt

Rad, the end of an era! The 2004-2006 period of the Tete story got me through a lot of university!

Here's hoping it goes to a good home.

dtrain

Here is the thread from the end of the paint saga:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...e-Tete-is-Done

There are several other mentions in various threads if you search 'Tete' & 'Paint'

Campag4life

Quite a story with a wacky ending and yes a 41 classic...has to be in the top 10.
The Schwinn badge to me is an odd twist...perhaps just desserts to an odd saga...a bit of satire to a ridiculous delay you had to endure. To me that badge defaces the pedigree of the frameset...and I have a soft spot for old Schwinns having grown up riding them.
All the best Rad. Your ebay ad and picture work is pure art.

Juan Foote

I find it a bit interesting that this other builder (Sasha) wouldn't build rad a frame based on posting about an exceptionally slow paint job. Typically people in business try to stay as neutral as possible and not alienate themselves from possible work. Personal dislike and business rarely work well together.

tuxbailey

Well, if you are Vanilla and have a waiting list that is 5 year long you can afford to be picky...

55/Rad

Thanks for the compliment...

I understand your thoughts about the Schwinn badge. I was out on a ride one day and came upon a fellow cyclist who asked about the frame. I was feeling a little chippy that day and I jokingly tossed out that it was a 60's era Schwinn with a unique paint job. He apparently believed me as he continued to inquire and I kept up the ruse.

Later, when I was thinking about a head badge (losing the original was another thorn in the story), I thought about how the frame really never lived up to the vision I had for it and that it had evolved into something different altogether. I didn't connect with it and as such, it was a mystery to me. Then I recalled the conversation out on the road and I thought it appropriate to go find a 50 year old Schwinn badge to put on it.

I know the next owner could care less and as such, I have taken it off. But I wanted it on for the photos as that's what it was to me. Those photos are the only thing I have to document the saga.

Some have written to me asking about the value of the frame. If all I get is the $400 opening bid, then I am happy with that. Truth is, I could get 10 times that much and it wouldn't come close to recouping the costs in terms of time and emotional investment.

Besides, I'm onto another project...

How do you top a frame with a 6 year paint job?

With a Seven.

See what I did there?

55/Rad

BillyD

Oh, it was the Acme paint shop, that answers a lot of questions . . . just ask the roadrunner what he thinks of Acme products.

Rowan

Did you ding the paintwork in the first few rides after the build?

I always seem to ding the paint on any new bike I build or get shortly after hitting the road with it.

55/Rad

No. I built it, put it in the rotation for a couple months, then let it sit. A year later, I tore it apart. There is a tiny chip on the underside of the fork and maybe one or two others - but it's holding up well.

tuxbailey

Great! Which Seven?

Nachoman

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall, watching you pick up your frame after waiting 6+ years.

55/Rad

Not the half Ti, half carbon Elium, which was the inspiration to get the Tete in the first place.

I bought an Axiom SL.

recneps345

Wow. I remember the Tete saga when I first joined around 8 yrs ago. I always thought you must be a saint to not go and choke that guy after the first year or two. I would think someone on BF would love to have that bike given its history and knowing that the bike is in great condition. I would give it a go if it were a shade bigger. I am 6'1". Good luck and enjoy the Seven. The Seven Axiom SL is what I plan to get as my next bike as well. Unfortunately, I can't justify the purchase as my 03' Lemond ADH rides as if it were new. Take care.

formulaben

I was almost a non-believer too, given your sense of humor. Even after that ride when we stopped by ACME a small part of me thought it was a very elaborate joke. Can't wait to see the next project!

Homebrew01

fixed