Dyermaker

My mother's good friend, who has been an avid cyclist his entire life, has become more and more ill in the past few years and has been forced to stay off of his bicycles...

A while ago, for my birthday, he sent me some old retro style jersey's and some other cycling gear... He also had mentioned that he has a bicycle that he would want me to have if he didnt end up riding again. Its exactly my size and even moreso a fit because of the shortness in the top tube... I have long legs and a short torso...

Im saddened by the circumstances, but truly honored and elated to have been given such a beautiful bicycle ( one that would fit into my even most extensive fantasies).

He told me he had bought the frame from a friend of his, then sent it to Gios for repainting. Then built it up with NOS 8speed Dura Ace with Isidis tubulars and never rode it once.


Here are some pictures of the process and the build, so far. Sorry for how terrible they are, cause unlike the bicycle, the camera is a total POS.













All of my Mom's little knick knacks and treasures are kind of distracting, but they are also pretty cool. : )


Until I buy some Tubular tire cement progress will be at a halt, which shouldnt be long because I am already just dying to get on this thing.


Needles to say I am extremely happy, alot to think about and appreciate. : )

noglider 

Goodness, that's a heck of a gift. Do whatever you can for this man.

Steve530

That's a beautiful bike. You will remember your friend every time you ride it.

longbeachgary

Honor your buddy by riding the heck out of that bike.

junkfoodjunkie

Great story and bike.

Jake

jan nikolajsen 

Look at the 'container' it came in!!

Rabid Koala

What a nice gift!

Holokai

Gorgeous! You'll need to send him some shots of you around town on it.

EjustE

It sounds like Santa came early over there Enjoy it, appreciate what you got, give kudos to the one who gave it to you and follow his example...

Great bike, ride it hard!

rat fink

Holy effin' crap! That's a sweet deal. Take care of it, but most of all, ride it.

Bianchigirll 

that was very nice of your friend. I certainly hope he recovers and demands this back from you. in the mean time enjoy your friends fabulous gift.

yes that is the best packaging job I hve seen for the mail

Citoyen du Monde

I'm so happy for you! I really felt bad when the Grandis deal fell through all those months ago. So much so that I didn't dare post other Grandis photos. Now I can post photos of my recently assembled Grandis without feeling bad about it ;-) (I still have a second Grandis frame still to build up)

Dyermaker

Oh yes, this bicycle is definitely getting ridden as soon as the glue dries...I'm going to be a nervous wreck about chipping the paint though, haha .

Bianchigirll- He is a die-hard packager, the top photo is only after I pulled out enough foam to fill a gymnastics pit, on top of the frame and forks being held down by quick release mechanisms inside the box. He also sent the wheelset, bars and seatpin / saddle in a completely separate box. I gladly and willingly paid shipping, it was the least I could do.

Citoyen- Its funny you should mention the Grandis... Its hard not to believe that everything happens the way it does for a good reason, in this case things just seem to have fallen full circle. Dont worry about me, post pics of your beautiful Grandis'!


There will be more pictures when the tubulars are ready and the brake cables routed, and when I go on the first ride Ill post it up in "Where did you ride today."

Thanks everyone, for appreciating and sharing this with me.

Dyermaker

With the last few weeks of rain here in California I have had the time to get the Gios dialed and ready to roll...

There was a break in wetness for a few days, I got in about 100 miles on her before it started up again. I wanted to take my camera but seemed to forget to grab it before each ride this week, too bad really because the clouds and light were beautiful... The green grass out on the countryside this time of year is really something else also.

The ride is really quite amazing, swift and reactive. The short top tube really does me all kinds of favors. The gearing could be a little friendlier on the climbs around here, which sometimes reach 20% grade, But I am young so there is no problem with that extra kick in the ass up the hill... On the way down is another story, this thing goes FAST.

Other then that it is by far the most fitting and comfortable bicycle I have ridden to date. I'm looking lavishly forward to a long and healthy relationship.



















*THANKS EVERYONE*

randyjawa 

Stunning, to say the least. Though the circumstances are less than one would hope for, at least this lovely old bicycle was passed on to a good home.

khatfull

Wow.

I'd wager a bet that it brings the greatest joy to that gentleman to know that the bike has gone to someone who will appreciate it, care for it, and honor it. I'd also wager that he'd really like to see it all built up and in riding condition....even if he can't ride it.

Dyermaker

Yes the conditions of me getting this are extremely sad, and personal as well. The whole story will not be given out of respect. He is a really great guy, but I will say that being talented and successful and having all the nicest things in life wont make you healthy or happy necessarily...especially in the long run.

I am so grateful, for this and everything I have...Bicycles are great for that, but it is always easy to forget such happy feelings and get lost in the sadness of the world, or the loss of people you love.

ilikebikes

That bike is beautiful, I'm sure you'll do what you can for your moms friend. Be ride the bike like the classic that it is and clean her up after every ride! not only will it keep the bike in tip top but it will help honor not only the bike but the kind man that gave it to you.
I truly hope your moms bud has a full recovery. =0)

Poguemahone

What knick knacks? I can't see them, that bike is in the way and too distracting.

Man, that's not the best way to get a bike, but it's also cool. The guy wanted it to go to someone who would ride it and take care of it. Remember to do both... it's a beauty, in more ways than one.

Tigerprawn

Ohhh my... Dyer, bittersweet moment, but I'm sure he'd want someone to ride the heck outta that thing. So prettyyyyy

RhodeRunner

Wow that is a gorgeous bike. Suddenly my centurion build leaves something to be desired....

frpax

That is truly a treasure! Don't EVER sell it. Whatever you do. To do so would not honor the man that gave you this treasure. And for him to give it to you, means that he is a man among men.... we, lesser mortals.

Dyermaker

I wouldnt dream of it...

I am hoping that both me and this bicycle make it long enough to enjoy to the fullest extents, then pass on to another deserving young person... Who knows, maybe Ill have a son by then.

Monkey Face

Make it your duty... to paraphrase one of those fancy watch adverts: "You never truly own a [GIOS], you merely look after it for the next generation."

SoreFeet

Good stuff. That old Dura Ace is light and precise shifting. Don't forget to go inside and repack the hubs. The old grease is likely a little dry. Go for the Phil grease...she deserves the best.