RiddleOfSteel

You are describing a [threaded to threadless] stem conversion, like I was. Threaded HS, then a straight piece of metal that clamps into it (and extends above the HS), then the stem element clamps to that.





Looks real familiar. This Nitto unit is for threadless 1" stems, and there is one for 1 1/8" stems as well (a number of companies make these). Expanding cone (Cinelli et al) or wedge, doesn't matter. Anyway, I'm done talking about this, but I just wanted to clarify that the common terms I was using was what you were also trying to say, just with different vocabulary.

ThermionicScott 

There's a good discussion on the iBob group, with a reply from Jan about some of the questions (like the SRAM vs Nivex options.) I think the main objective is to ensure that the bikes will be ridden and not just immediately hung up in the trophy room. Rene Herse and other builders would also chat with a prospective client first to see if it would work out, so I think maybe the process is just more visible and open to scrutiny today.

I agree about the self-promotional aspect... when you have a company, a magazine, and a blog that are all sort of connected, word of a new product or feature can get tedious in a hurry ("Noise-cancelling" tires? Hmm, okay...)

Jan keeps denying this possibility, but I think it would be kinda cool if this turned into a regular side-line for RH. They could turn out a couple bikes a year, as much in the spirit of RH as possible but obviously not originals.

scarlson 

Right, I got ya. Alls I'm saying is there's no expander, it's brazed in so it's a few g lighter than a traditional threaded-threadless conversion. It's not like the later Herse quill stem you posted above, because it clamps to a brazed-in piece, hence the lighter weight. But yeah sure, splitting hairs.

Heh, yeah, I was thinking about his patent compared to Rivendell's old "speedblend" tires patent. And based on his latest post, he's probably reading this thread.

GhostRider62

Pot calling the kettle black.

A $13k bike with inferior DT shifters and inferior brakes could only be loved by a retrogrouch. I understand the applications are due August 15 and interviews commence August 25. I heard the qualification exam is open book. Thank God.

tricky 

This was the part that rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, I guess it's irrelevant because a $14k bike is the opposite of egalitarian by its very nature, but it just ratcheted up the pretentiousness and gatekeeping to the next level.

tiger1964 

Thinking of all the beautiful restored or original Cinellis, Colnagos and DeRosas I've seen offered here on the For Sale sub-forum, i could get quite a collection for the purchase price of just this one bike.

gugie 

Or a real Rene Herse.

repechage

Ouch. I bet a legit offer to buy of a real period RH at the current asking would get one or two replies to sell.

The market for these might be a subset of the fellow who collected the Gucci CF road bike ($5k, with Veloce) that was on offer on the Orange County craigslist and the 70's repainted Cinelli with a 50th anniv group with a torn up Super Record headset for $11,250 currently, price has come down a bit.

scarlson 

True facts!! Can vouch.
My French friends all think I'm crazy.

nlerner

Yeah, that discussion on the iBOB group w/ Jan weighing in is quite entertaining. What I find particularly odd and consistent is that Jan is pitching his favorite bike to ride under the assumption that 8 or however many others would share those proclivities. That's essentially why I stopped subscribing to BQ: I wasn't interested in reading how test bikes compared to what Jan liked best or to Jan's Singer (which was the constant comparison for a long time). Jan is likely 100 times stronger ride than I am, hopefully doesn't have the pinched nerve in his neck that I've been living with for over forty years, and mostly rides on roads over 3000 miles from where I live, so I really couldn't relate. Yes, beautiful bikes and wonderful craftsmanship, but as many others have noted, there are a host of small builders around the world who can give you that for less money.

This morning, I went for a very pleasurable ride on my custom Ti Waltly, likely brazed by Chinese robots. Yeah, it's not a looker, but I have old bikes for that purpose, one that seems to come into play for me less and less often these days.

bikingshearer 

My guess is that it is a way not to pay scrupulous attention to who is in what position in the queue - I can see how that could become a nuisance. Of course, if there are no teeming hordes, meaning 80 or fewer customers, all will get one. It is perhaps also a way to avoid the "blues lawyer" phenomenon mentioned above, if they are so inclined. And if it adds a certain mystique/.cache that helps drive sales, so much the better. Hey, Jan's gotta pay the bills, too. And I bet it's a fantastic bike.

But at $14k, it's not going to be my fantastic bike. I hope all get sold to people who will ride the heck out of them and love them to pieces. The fact that I will not be one of them does not and should not diminish the pleasure of one of those folks. I wish for them the same I wish for all of us: tailwinds, and keep the rubber side down.

52telecaster

guitar owners

ThermionicScott 

I've heard the term "dentist bike" plenty of times.

bargo68 

There's gotta be quite a bit of crossover. Conspicuous consumerism.

bargo68 

Ahhh, yes. Looks like there are.

microcord

If I possessed one of these, I'd want to use it for (among others) solo rides. If I then wanted to make a quick stop at a loo or convenience store, I'd want to lock it to an immovable object. What kind of lock would I use, how would I carry it, and how much would it add to the total weight?

I imagine that news of this bike/frame is intended to provide additional cachet for the brand, in order to sell more tyres. But Panaracer Gravelkings have been good enough for me.

Much of the Quarterly is about Herse tyres, Berthoud saddles, and other expensive goodies that Compass sells (and I've never bought); but it's a pleasant read all the same.

repechage

I thought about the beauty contest to earn a position to buy one of these eight.

I think best would be a lottery, submit your complete bike deposit, ( very close to excluding tire kickers), Ms Heine draws the winners, return the deposits to the also-rans.

This Fulbright application is just silly.

not implying the bikes are not worth the price.
just the drama to get rewarded to win the right to purchase is just askew.

but maybe Jan has been invited loved in a real estate transaction recently where he received “we are more worthy buyers letters” where they cannot come up with the scratch but hope they can prevail otherwise.

microcord

But it hardly sounds like a beauty contest, Fulbright application, or whatever. Indeed, if one has sufficiently deep pockets to buy one of these, the description of the application process sounds very reasonable. It seems that you answer the questions that a conscientious frame builder might ask you, no more.

52telecaster

all I know is music stores would not stay in business for musicians alone. We don't buy much and we can't afford to overpay.

52telecaster

I love the protected gravel kings but the originals were incredibly flat prone.

Wildwood 

This thread needs pics.

I like simplicitty (and this pic is handy)
Never checked the price. Or the availability.

Trakhak

Remind me again why it's OK for Jan to buy and market a dormant trademark but not the BikesDirect guy. At least the latter used to participate actively on this forum until he decided that the BS had gotten too deep to wade through.

I sold plenty of Motobecanes back in the 1970s, and they were great bikes, but the only ones I ever bought were from BikesDirect. They're also great bikes.

Doug Fattic 

This new version Rene Herse shows how most top quality bicycles are really undervalued. It's true it is a lot of money compared to competitors but not so expensive some people can't still afford it. It takes a lot of skill and work for Mark to recreate the Herse style of lugs from scratch (starting with plain tubing). I'm sure I could do it too but it would take me 2 or 3 days to get it right. Of course with practice the time can come down. Just think what your bill would be if you hired a licensed plumber to take that amount of time make those lugs.

Bicycle forums often have wrist watch subject themes. Top mechanical watches can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And they might not be more accurate (and likely less accurate) than a Timex quartz watch bought at Walmart. And enthusiasts have to get in line and wait for the latest models. So the price doesn't seem unreasonable to me because are only a limited number of builders in the US that can duplicate such a bicycle.

repechage

the process from the site is, $100 deposit, basic stuff on preferred size, which might be reviewed, then statement of why one should be chosen. At some point the selected interested individuals will be selected, process a bit open. If only eight pay, it’s a strict business decision. If there are more, some sort of culling. It was referenced as similar as how Herse way back decided on sponsored riders, a stretch today as at that time the RH business was actively attempting to keep sales volume going.
If selected you send the big down payment, refundable if the builder cannot produce.

so, my Fulbright analogy works if there are 9 or more interested. I am not questioning the price , the bikes will most likely be good. The Reproduction Nivex rear mech is a bit of an open question I think, last I looked only a service spring was listed as an offering.
perhaps the customers will be like the early Miura buyers, friendly customers to tolerate follow on development.

repechage

a reference, the link you embedded shows the product description and marketing notes.
one has to navigate to the order page for the actual process. Inferred and mentioned here and there is Jan’s view on position, in a rephrase I read it as he bases the handlebar mount point should be reasonably high, near level with the saddle and stand over ability is not that important as at a stop only one foot is down.

reminds me of my first road bike, 49 years later I still ride a bike 3 cm smaller.