Alex Singer Cycles and culture
11-07-21, 10:27 AM
#26
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poprad , very enjoyable thread. Thanks. Just in case you worried about 'too many photos' and 'too wordy', cast such worries away. I enjoyed it all. I really like your eye, the details that you photographed and the wee details you added to the story. I'll be watching for more. Having been a part time LBS wrench for a few years now, I wish I could work for Oliver. Great vibe that I can relate too.
Lucky guy!!!!
Lucky guy!!!!
11-07-21, 10:31 AM
#27
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Pretty straightforward really. He fit me using one if his already made bikes, and just took measurements. The discussions about my riding, long term plans, what kind of riding I see myself doing in my 70s...that was more the meat of it I think. He's been doing this for 40 years or so, he doesn't need a CAAD program. I feel like that's what the money is really buying, his expertise. Lots of people can make a beautiful bike...not many can make the exact right bike for YOU.
11-07-21, 10:36 AM
#28
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Oh they're still there... I run through the Bois all the time, usually very early. If it's late because of a holiday I always get more than I bargained for in terms of scenery. Pretty depressing actually....
11-07-21, 10:39 AM
#29
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thanks for this update and great pics. Having a Singer "built for you" is a special thing, like having a custom suit from Bijan or a Holland & Holland shotgun.
It is kind of amazing how primative the shop is, huh? the stories that workbench could tell.
Here's mine, built for me in '03. I might sell it. I respectfully suggest that you let Olivier do the build, let him do his thing. You'll have it for a long time.
/markp
It is kind of amazing how primative the shop is, huh? the stories that workbench could tell.
Here's mine, built for me in '03. I might sell it. I respectfully suggest that you let Olivier do the build, let him do his thing. You'll have it for a long time.
/markp
Yours is gorgeous, I'd be interested to hear your experience and if there's anything you'd have changed on yours? Can I PM you about it?
11-07-21, 10:40 AM
#30
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11-07-21, 11:08 AM
#31
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Sounds ike a fantastic experience. I can definitely see myself wandering into the shop just intending to look around and then finding myself out on the street a couple of hours later, my head spinning and having ordered a bike for an unknown amount of money.
11-07-21, 11:09 AM
#32
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Amazing thread. Thanks for posting.
The bikes are an inspiration. Also I have to say I really dig the tile floor in the shop.
The bikes are an inspiration. Also I have to say I really dig the tile floor in the shop.
11-07-21, 11:22 AM
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Pretty straightforward really. He fit me using one if his already made bikes, and just took measurements. The discussions about my riding, long term plans, what kind of riding I see myself doing in my 70s...that was more the meat of it I think. He's been doing this for 40 years or so, he doesn't need a CAAD program. I feel like that's what the money is really buying, his expertise. Lots of people can make a beautiful bike...not many can make the exact right bike for YOU.
Enjoy your time with the Singer experience, it probably will be better than the bike. (Well, maybe.
)
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11-07-21, 11:23 AM
#34
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Extraordinary! Thank you for sharing your story and the beautiful pictures..... that workshop is a dream space: the combination of precision and creative chaos/mess is just about perfect. Many thanks..
N
N
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11-07-21, 12:16 PM
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@poprad
H**Y CRAP, FANTASTIC!!!
You have been assimilated.
Lucky you.
This is what is largely lost now days on many life experiences, so many are too busy to fully appreciate where they are going, let alone how they are getting there.
Never mind the "I can't believe you spent that much on that!" many people go to when they think they're smarter than you like you should care what they think about this.
Your journey is priceless IMO, the cost of the bike, whatever it ends up to be is a mere fraction of the value, simply the price of admission and a bargain by any measure, again IMO.
Thank you so much for sharing, I hope and can't imagine this won't be one of the best decisions you will have ever made.
Can't wait for the next chapter in this story, your commentary is perfect, please keep it going just the way you have been doing so far.
H**Y CRAP, FANTASTIC!!!You have been assimilated.
Lucky you.
This is what is largely lost now days on many life experiences, so many are too busy to fully appreciate where they are going, let alone how they are getting there.
Never mind the "I can't believe you spent that much on that!" many people go to when they think they're smarter than you like you should care what they think about this.
Your journey is priceless IMO, the cost of the bike, whatever it ends up to be is a mere fraction of the value, simply the price of admission and a bargain by any measure, again IMO.
Thank you so much for sharing, I hope and can't imagine this won't be one of the best decisions you will have ever made.
Can't wait for the next chapter in this story, your commentary is perfect, please keep it going just the way you have been doing so far.
Last edited by merziac; 11-07-21 at 03:02 PM.
11-07-21, 01:33 PM
#36
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Many thanks for your kind comments, I fully intend to document this process as it goes...
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11-07-21, 03:43 PM
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I am in awe. This is, I think, my favorite thread ever, and I look forward to the continuing saga. I'm very happy for you, by the way.
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11-07-21, 04:35 PM
#38
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drool!
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
11-07-21, 04:41 PM
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If Herse was still in town, now that would be a tough decision.
Buy Both is the best answer.
Buy Both is the best answer.
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11-07-21, 06:41 PM
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On the wife’s only bicycle trip to France, we were riding thru the Bois du Boulogne park and one of the ladies, was displayed in a shaft of light between the trees, perfect picture, even the wife thought so. This is a great thread, thanks to poprad
11-07-21, 10:36 PM
#41
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11-08-21, 07:03 AM
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The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier Hardcover – April 17, 2001
by Thad Carhart (Author)
The skill of the telling and the appeal of the characters involved are quite similar. I agree that you have had a life time experience, the price be damned.
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11-08-21, 09:29 AM
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I keep telling myself I am done with buying full-on custom bikes and will happily ride cheesy cheap fun finds from here on out. Then along comes this thread and maybe the ONLY new custom I would seriously consider ... keep the pix and the story coming, please!
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11-08-21, 07:08 PM
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Fantastic, congrats. No amount of photos and narrative can be too much in a story like this. Looking forward to more!
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12-04-21, 12:35 PM
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Thanks for the report and photos. As a pure coincidence, you like likely saw my bike somewhere in the shop as it was completed in early November. If you think you might want one, that itch will probably never leave. The idea first got into my head about 30 years ago….and never left. Congratulations, I think that you made a great decision to get one.
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12-04-21, 02:07 PM
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One must always take into account things that some find humorous, other will be offended by.
12-07-21, 10:23 AM
#49
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Oh...my ...gawd....
Sacrileageous!
Sacrileageous!
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12-07-21, 10:26 AM
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