insane place for a party...

[slowSSer]

so, here in portland at the end of my trip and i got a chance to meet up with my best friend. things are fine, we head for dinner, grab some brews and he suggests our next move: calling his buddy who is a budding frame maker- Vertigo Cycles. Vertigo comes and picks us up and mentions that we're off to a party. we end up at Sacha White's place (vanilla cycles) in the outskirts of Portland. what a trip!

for those not familiar:
http://www.vanillabicycles.com/

Vertigo:
http://www.vertigocycles.com/ (not much yet)

another person seen at the party:
http://www.pereiracycles.com/

what a crowd! the boutique bicycle industry is doing well up here apparently. all were abuzz about the north American hand built bicycle show which is here in Portland this year.

the odd part: the Vanilla shop was ridiculously clean- everything had its place. it looked a little on the silly side, if you ask me- Titus wasn't this clean, and neither was Yeti when they were in Durango.

sorry, no pics. time to catch my flight from Portland to Seattle to orange county (yes, you read that right- it was the only way to get back to OC midday. fug)

[Pain Freak]

I want it....



Nope, changed my mind, I want this one...



And yes, CC it comes with a kickstand!

[GP_pilot]

Cool, my friend here in SD has had a Vanilla on order for just under 2 yrs now. Last fall he went and got fitted, and the frame is in build now. I think the original order time was like 12 mo.

[Schecky]

Vanilla bikes are amazing. I'll take the first one - you'd get some big momentum going downhill with that front bag!
GC has a nice one with disc brakes.

Lucky you to go to such a cool party.

[Marshall Willanholly]

Originally Posted by GP_pilot

Cool, my friend here in SD has had a Vanilla on order for just under 2 yrs now. Last fall he went and got fitted, and the frame is in build now. I think the original order time was like 12 mo.

Those Vanilla bikes are just incredible looking.

The current wait time listed on their site is 5 years. I don't know if I could be that patient!

[Pain Freak]

Vanilla's are the shiznat! Like I said earlier I got a chance to ride one that was around my size. I want it, I want it, I want it!!!

[jcampbell]

Originally Posted by Marshall Willanholly

Those Vanilla bikes are just incredible looking.

The current wait time listed on their site is 5 years. I don't know if I could be that patient!

5 Years, that guy who builds him must think his S(*&^ smells like roses too. For any business to have a 5 year wait time for a bike is crazy. A little Pompus maybe? Hire someone you idiot.

[Liquid55]

Originally Posted by jcampbell

5 Years, that guy who builds him must think his S(*&^ smells like roses too. For any business to have a 5 year wait time for a bike is crazy. A little Pompus maybe? Hire someone you idiot.

Seriously, and how much do they cost? Its a bicycle not a hand made supercar

[Schecky]

Well they are handmade, and they are super!:

[Marshall Willanholly]

Originally Posted by Liquid55

Seriously, and how much do they cost? Its a bicycle not a hand made supercar

They don't exactly tell you:

Originally Posted by Vanilla website

As of December 1st, 2007 the wait for a custom Vanilla is over five years.


It is impossible to predict how the cost of things like steel, silver, paint, even the utilities in our shop will fluctuate in the coming months and years. For this reason the final price of our bicycles will be subject to change as the markets change.

They do go on to say they can provide a clear and detailed estimate as well as give some basic prices. Looks like close to $3,000 is the starting point.

The frames are stunningly beautiful. But I would have a hard time feeling good about riding it like a mountain bike should be ridden after waiting that long and spending that much.

[roadkillross]

yeah hook it up with a fixie frame

[Pain Freak]

We have two in the roadie club I'm in. But they bought these a while back.One was built as a fixie (he says the first) and the other is just one of the most beautiful road bikes I've ever seen. Jeff paid 2400 dollars for his 3 or 4 years ago. Steve bought his from the guy who used to run Bicycle Kitchen in LA.Won't tell us what he paid for it, says it's embarassing.

[Keith B]

I like that first one with the 2 headlights. Not sure I could wait 5 years though!

[jcampbell]

Originally Posted by Liquid55

Seriously, and how much do they cost? Its a bicycle not a hand made supercar

Long live my Zion frame... very elite if you ask me.

[GP_pilot]

Originally Posted by jcampbell

5 Years, that guy who builds him must think his S(*&^ smells like roses too. For any business to have a 5 year wait time for a bike is crazy. A little Pompus maybe? Hire someone you idiot.

I as I understand Sacha is a one man shop. His workmanship shows he enjoys his trade and he's happy building <200 custom frames/year. Does an artist have to hire employees simply because he has a backlog of commissioned work? No, unless they're strictly focused on $$$, which would then affect quality and desirability by the consumer. If I want an original Thomas Kinkade, do I want someone else painting it? Hell no. Yes 2 years ago the wait was 12-18 mo, but more people have noticed Sacha's work (art) and have gotten in line. Yes, many people don't have the patience or desire to spend that much money on a personalized piece of rolling sculpture. That's why disposable bikes at Wal-Mart and mass produced boutique bikes at LBSs exist.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by GP_pilot

Cool, my friend here in SD has had a Vanilla on order for just under 2 yrs now. Last fall he went and got fitted, and the frame is in build now. I think the original order time was like 12 mo.

the wait time these days is three years.

Originally Posted by jcampbell

5 Years, that guy who builds him must think his S(*&^ smells like roses too. For any business to have a 5 year wait time for a bike is crazy. A little Pompus maybe? Hire someone you idiot.

actually, Sacha is one of the nicest guys that i've ever met- and his wife was super cool as well (Indigo- and her hair was dyed blue at the time!). the wait time is due to demand of art that you can ride. and from what i've seen in person, if you've got the cash, it's worth it.

on the same line, ever seen the wait for a Jeff Jones? he had to sub out to merlin to make things work.

[SheDevil]

Nice bikes....I'd like a touring bike...as mine isn't exactly built for CC riding.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by SheDevil

Nice bikes....I'd like a touring bike...as mine isn't exactly built for CC riding.

the stuff is more beautiful in person- that white SS cross bike was right by the front door.

cool signature, btw!

[.8down]

the Vanilla bikes are more art then bikes..

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by .8down

the Vanilla bikes are more art then bikes..

quite true. I'd have a personal issue riding a vanilla MTB down most of our trails here in socal. and it's not the money- it would be due to the potential of doing anything bad to ding the frame.