Bilenky gets a little national fame
06-11-21, 12:29 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,107
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 809 Post(s)
Liked 1,018 Times
in
664 Posts
Bilenky gets a little national fame
I think many of you already are aware of Steven Bilenky and his team of custom bike builders. He got a some attention today in some national news.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/bi...-20210611.html
https://www.inquirer.com/business/bi...-20210611.html
06-11-21, 03:17 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 4,469
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1827 Post(s)
Liked 3,367 Times
in
1,573 Posts
because every thread needs some photos.. here are a couple from the 2015 NAHBS.
Mr. Bilenky is in the blue cap.
The tandem is quite unique!
Steve in Peoria
Mr. Bilenky is in the blue cap.
The tandem is quite unique!
Steve in Peoria
06-11-21, 04:07 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,107
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 809 Post(s)
Liked 1,018 Times
in
664 Posts
You are right about pictures.
Here is the actual bike from a WHYY story.
Bilenky Cycle Work tried to source all us made parts where possible. The rims are from Velocity.
What saddle is that?
Here is the actual bike from a WHYY story.
Bilenky Cycle Work tried to source all us made parts where possible. The rims are from Velocity.
What saddle is that?
Likes For Velo Mule:
06-11-21, 04:15 PM
#6
Disraeli Gears
What the hell cassette is that? the big cog must have 72 teeth; serious "underdrive". I have to say that as a "prize" bike, it's sort of underwhelming: clear anodized rims, crank and pedals and stainless steel spokes mixed with lots of black components, but not really going either way -- and then going brown/tan for saddle and grips. Just sort of a mish-mash. I realize that the red-white-and-blue color scheme was obligatory, but in that case, I would have gone with all clear ano and stainless/chrome. Also, I'd be surprised if BJ rides around London on a bike with American flag graphics on the top tube. It seems to me that the blue isn't dark enough, either.
Last edited by Charles Wahl; 06-11-21 at 04:20 PM.
06-11-21, 04:51 PM
#7
Banned.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,294
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,823 Times
in
1,709 Posts
Damn that's ugly.
DD
DD
06-11-21, 04:55 PM
#8
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Arizona
Posts: 364
Bikes: Many!
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 186 Post(s)
Liked 206 Times
in
124 Posts
e: To be fair the president asked for a bit of a large discount on this bike. C’mon now, doesn’t the prime minister deserve the finest?
Last edited by SoccerBallXan; 06-11-21 at 05:07 PM.
06-11-21, 05:14 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,995 Posts
PM Johnson is not especially svelte.
the cassette is typical 1x mtb.
SRAM gearing no doubt, not USA produced but USA HQ.
should have found Paul rear mech and brakes.
the paint is interesting.
where is the chain guard and fenders?
USA intel assets used to check frame size?
the cassette is typical 1x mtb.
SRAM gearing no doubt, not USA produced but USA HQ.
should have found Paul rear mech and brakes.
the paint is interesting.
where is the chain guard and fenders?
USA intel assets used to check frame size?
Likes For repechage:
06-11-21, 05:28 PM
#10
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,881
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1452 Post(s)
Liked 2,186 Times
in
961 Posts
My thoughts as well. Every proper English rider has these. They are essential!
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
06-11-21, 05:36 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,995 Posts
06-11-21, 05:37 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,892
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4791 Post(s)
Liked 3,918 Times
in
2,548 Posts
I like this bike! Simple, not an over-done showcase. Yeah, that cassette's hoot but I"m betting it works well and bring the gears back to normality is something any shop can do. The national colors are there but not overwhelming. For a two week rush job? Pretty nice!
06-11-21, 05:42 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,033
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4510 Post(s)
Liked 6,374 Times
in
3,666 Posts
06-11-21, 05:52 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
Joe only paid him $1500 for the bike?
It isn't 1972.
I suppose proper mudguards, lights, and a bell can be added.
It isn't 1972.
I suppose proper mudguards, lights, and a bell can be added.
06-11-21, 06:14 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 924
Bikes: A few
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
I'm only guessing, but think the very low gearing, even though it is a 1x is for the seriously mountainous terrain one encounters in London.
06-11-21, 06:32 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,653
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Mentioned: 156 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2323 Post(s)
Liked 4,936 Times
in
1,763 Posts
06-11-21, 07:34 PM
#17
Disraeli Gears
Really! The State Department probably spent fifty times that much on the hours for a slew of people "managing" the "ideation" and production of this gift. They really couldn't give Bilenky the going rate for the darned thing?
Likes For Charles Wahl:
06-11-21, 07:55 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,033
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4510 Post(s)
Liked 6,374 Times
in
3,666 Posts
06-11-21, 08:04 PM
#19
Senior Member
I thought the same. He is getting way more than $3000 (or whatever) of free advertising, but it is still pretty lame to undercut him like that. Pay him what he is worth.
06-12-21, 09:33 AM
#20
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Seattle
Posts: 387
Bikes: Davidson ’81
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 120 Post(s)
Liked 229 Times
in
121 Posts
The PM’s bike is a little meh.
but that white and green Bilenky tandem picture above is absolutely incredible. One of the most beautiful tandems I’ve ever seen.
but that white and green Bilenky tandem picture above is absolutely incredible. One of the most beautiful tandems I’ve ever seen.
06-12-21, 11:05 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 512
Bikes: 1970s Coppi/Fiorelli beater, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1972 Bob Jackson, 1970 Cilo Sprint-X, 1985 Fuji Touring Series IV, 1969 Legnano Roma
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 217 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
129 Posts
Likely there are State Dept rules about the value of diplomatic gifts, and that's maybe what capped it. For sure there's half a million's worth of mass media exposure coming along for the ride, but I suspect the bigger risk is their phone starts ringing off the hook with folks who don't bother reading the smaller print and now want a Bilenky custom build for $1500.
06-12-21, 11:12 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 2,424
Bikes: Drysdale/Gitane/Zeus/Masi/Falcon/Palo Alto/Raleigh/Legnano
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 977 Post(s)
Liked 626 Times
in
400 Posts
Himalayan gearing? Perhaps should have been painted in Nepalese-flag colors.
__________________
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
06-12-21, 02:07 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,033
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4510 Post(s)
Liked 6,374 Times
in
3,666 Posts
Wouldn't this be International fame/acclaim? 
06-12-21, 07:22 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,995 Posts
For example, Gifts to the POTUS become the property of the United States Government, the President or his spouse can purchase the item at its authenticated value.
Would not surprise me that the UK has a similar regulation for the PM.
And/ or, there is a tacit agreement of the max value of gifts between G7 Summit participants.
06-12-21, 07:32 PM
#25
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,789
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12739 Post(s)
Liked 7,652 Times
in
4,058 Posts