rmfnla

I love the execution of the dropouts.

$5000 Gets You Ultimate ?Urban Racer? Speedvagen Bike | Gear Junkie

Thoughts..?

rmfnla

These too, although they are kinda cool:

Cyclists, Be Seen With Light-Up Handlebar Grips | Gear Junkie

jimc101

For the money they could at least give you something other than an basic/mid level chain

ItsJustMe

Meh, it's rideable art, you shouldn't compare pricing to an actual bike. That's a bike shaped object to be used as a status symbol.

Cyclosaurus

Most of the time, when I see some crazy new or custom bike I think at least for a moment, I really would really like one of those. This bike, not at all.

treadtread

I never thought about it before, but body coloured handlebar and stem looks ugly.

Short Cut

I can't say I won't ever spend $5k for a bike, but I can say I wouldn't spend $5k for that bike.

Gresp15C

I wonder if there's some law of physics, that if a bike makes it to a hipster blog, then it's probably an overpriced lead sled, especially if it's marketed as "simple" or "urban."

It can't be a real urban bike if it looks like it's worth stealing.

hueyhoolihan

from the website: "The look is of a fixed-gear urban bike, but super refined. You can get the complete build at a used-car price of $4,895. Upgrades from carbon rims to LED lights add hundreds of dollars more to this “once-in-a-lifetime” ride."

a two speed coaster brake hub with a cheap snap-ring cog worthy of a cheap Sturmey-Archer coaster brake hub can hardly be described as "super refined". i know, i've got one.

Darth Lefty 

It can be done but it depends on the bike and the color. I recall seeing a ladies road bike with a pastel lavender frame and thread less stem. It looked great.

edit, found it https://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2013/...again.html?m=1

qingcai

it's meaningless , 300$ bike is good enough.

plumberroy

I like the looks of this much better (Nickel one especially ) And would have change left to buy a Rivendell
Loft 1 | Electra Bikes

fietsbob

The guy has a Multi Year waiting list so people with Money are Ok with those prices ,

If thats not you, Maxway in Taiwan makes adequate steel frames sold by many importers ..

various names ..

plumberroy

I don't see $5K worth of bike there maybe $2K for being hand built here . I don't spend money just because (insert a name ) designed it . I will spend money because something preforms. I have a $4K garden tiller

fietsbob

To Each their own choices .. its a crowded Marketplace of sellers ..

I got a Used 3,6K for 2K$ bike with a 1.2K Rohloff Hub in it , From someone in NC,

when there are no US sellers of that brand (Koga) at all .

plumberroy

I don't have a problem paying for quality and classic looks I just don't pay big money for a name which is what this bike looks like to me. By the way I would love to ride a bike with the Rohloff hub a couple miles to see what it is like . Only internal geared bikes I have been on are 3 speeds and I like those
Roy

KonAaron Snake 

There was a US seller of Koga Miyata in California at one point, and I think there may be one in Maryland. They may have only done special orders...I'm not sure. They're wonderful bikes...exactly what you'd expect from a Miyata with cooler paint and a few extra flourishes.



I have a Vanilla...I bought the frame used while coalescing from an injury as something to look forward to. It's a BEAUTIFUL bike, the painting is amazing. It's a very good rider. Is it worth the money? It depends on the person...it is beautiful and it's very well made. I like it...it's not my favorite bike, but it's one of the prettiest. I do like the bling/show off factor. I drive a 2004 Ford Escort station wagon (and I was car-less before that for 10 years)...I usually wear a t-shirt for 5+ years. A few are over 10. It's nice to have one fancy schmancy hobby.



If I were to get a custom commuter I'd probably choose Bruce Gordon or Dave Kirk.

mconlonx

There's plenty of ways to flaunt money with a status symbol purchase, and I certainly don't mind that there are a few bikes out there which fit this description. Not what I'd do with $5k, but I'm not going to tell someone else how they should spend their money. If Sacha White can get this money for that kind of bike, more power to him.

KonAaron Snake 

I don't have my Vanilla to flaunt money or status (if you saw the way I dress, you'd understand!), I just enjoy having fancy, beautiful bikes. The hobby has paid for itself for the most part, and I usually buy at a price where I can get most of my money back when needed. Things don't convey talent or status to me...money doesn't in and of itself either. There are some things that I admire and enjoy...and bikes are one of them. I do like when others admire it, but it's not a look at me, I have money thing either. It's about sharing appreciation for something well made or beautiful that others also like.

I'm impressed with ability and achievement. Paris Hilton has money. That in and of itself doesn't mean that much to me.

People with huge money aren't using bikes as status symbols.

jade408

I've got 8 speeds in my hub. Previous bike had 7. (Shimano alfine and nexus)

dynaryder

"Ultimate urban racer";yeah,bomb around a hilly city like DC on a bike with just a coaster and see how long you live. As for it being a "once in a lifetime bike",that's because Vanilla's waiting period is so long,you'd be long gone by the time it was done. Pure fashion.

Dan515

There are lots of boutique custom bikes that are really lust-worthy. This is almost a joke/insult. Creating a bike that one could replicate (minus the boutique and handmade part) for 1/4 of the price but then putting all this stupid marketing jargon along with it and inflating the price tag...

The rest of the Speedvagen and Vanilla bike lineup are beautiful and impressive steeds that seem worth it if you've got the coin to spend, though.

fietsbob

Custom is, by definition.. is meeting your desires.

'Sasha' White has his clientele.

Dan515

It's true that Vanilla/Speedvagen have their own clientele. They do make beautiful bikes and custom does come at a cost. I just think that marketing a product as pedestrian as the Urban Racer as a boutique $5k bike is ridiculous.

ThermionicScott 

Well, the article doesn't pull any punches. $5000 is more than I spent for my last few cars.