Frankenstein Bike

[hsmitham]

I'm off on Friday's while the rest of humanity in Los Angeles is madly rushing to get home in petrol-chemical bubbles. I decided to do a ramble over Pasadena way mail some letters go to Vroman's book store and have a bite to eat. While resting a spell a fellow walks up to me and say's that's a great Frankenstein bike but with nice parts. I didn't know entirely how to respond? I could have gone through the litany of what makes this bike special and the Rivendell ethos. Instead I just said thank you.  Interesting perceptions out there regarding bicycles.

~Hugh

[cyclotourist]

I suppose he could have been trying to make conversation, but it sounds like a put down...

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

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[Hugh Smitham]

He meant no offense,  just doesn't have bikey sophistication.

~Hugh

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[cyclotourist]

I don't know a ton about snowmobiles, but I wouldn't walk up to someone and tell them their ride looks like a Franken-mobile. May not have meant to be offensive, but not very thoughtful, either.

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

[Goshen Peter]

Could it be perchance the color? Just trying to give benefit of the doubt.

[Hugh Smitham]

Well if were going  draw some sort of parallel between the monster and a bike.  I submit the following:

And Goshen I doubt it's the color, what you don't like green?? If I was sensitive I might take offence :-P

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

[Hugh Smitham]

​ Sorry a bit larger.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

[Eric Platt]

Or, in seeing the wide tires and M bars might have thought it was a conversion of some type.  Now if it was a double top tube like my Hillborne, that would be something different.

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

[Conway Bennett]

I meant to post when it happened but a week or so ago I was riding by Wrigley field before a game, on my regular commute, when I was approached by a tailgater who made the observation that I must have taken an old road bike and made it hybrid. I was riding a year old 2TT Sam Hillborne.

[Pondero]

My...what a handsome monster you have there!

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Garth]

Likely he was focusing on the bars and bag and red whatever it wrapped around your bars, and nothing to do with the bike itself.  It's younique :)   .... in the way FrankyStein is younique !  

 One sees a monster, another sees a masterpiece , and they are both correct in their assumptions.

[Mathew Greiner]

The green and the bricolage together make a case for Riv aesthetic=frankenbike.

I think your Homer looks fantastic. Meanwhile, it was striking enough that a stranger felt the need to comment, in what I'd see as an unsophisticated, but sincerely engaged way, which is generally well-intentioned. 

I've been riding my bike across campus in my return to grad school and a stout, athletic guy marched up to me in a manner half-menacing. He reached out and swatted at my bars (Albas with cork grips, cloth tape that my daughter has painted, twine, etc.). Then he said, "Sweet bars, dude. You didn't get those around here, huh?" 

[Deacon Patrick]

Ha! Well, Frankenstein was the doctor, so (presuming intelligence on the part of the commenter) he is clearly saying it's a smart bike! Grin. Unless he's referring to Frankenstein's monster and pictures him green, and the assortment of different looking attachments, calls it Frankenstein. Sardonic grin. I'd bet on some version of the later. Either way, a good problem to have!

With abandon,

Patrick

[Jon in the foothills of Central Colorado]

I think he saw your bike in all it's beauty and was at a loss for words.... It's truly a thing of beauty only appreciated by a bicycle enthusiast .

[Mojo]

It's alive! Yes it is. We know that's a great bike.

When in doubt, assume the best of folks.

[hangtownmatt]

Hugh, I think you responded perfectly.

Matt

[Mike Schiller]

a bike only it's creator could love.   I do prefer the white Hetres on it myself, red tires are not my cup of tea.

Who cares anyway,......just ride!

~mike

Carlsbad Ca

[dougP]

That he knew enough to include "...nice parts...." in his comment, but seemed to think the bike itself odd seems weird.  After all, you're not likely to see Sugino cranks or Nitto bars on a MCRB.  Hugh, you were probably along the hipster part of Colorado Blvd.  The guy knew something, just not enough (grin).

dougP

On Friday, September 26, 2014 8:42:06 PM UTC-7, hsmitham wrote:

[Tom Virgil]

Dear friend Hugh,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to use the term "gobsmacked".  I am.

More importantly, I happen to think that your ride is one cool unit and highly optimized for you.

I like your concept of riding over to a nearby city on your Homer for some errand, eating, and having a rest cure before heading back.   I do this between Del Mar Heights and the Swami's or 101 diner restaurants in Encinitas.  It accounts for a lot of miles on the Sam and these are some of my favorite rides.

Best regards,

Tom

On Friday, September 26, 2014 8:42:06 PM UTC-7, hsmitham wrote:

[Ron Mc]

Of course I wasn't there, but it sounds like he meant it as a compliment.  Gotta admit, the color is gorgeous, but it's  also Frankencolor.  

I was on my Raleigh, which really is a Frankenbike, stopping to help a guy on a mountain bike with a flat and no pump.  I don't know what he thought my bike was, he at first commented that my pump had the wrong kind of valves., and of course we both had presta valves.  

Case of market recognition, IMO.  In most cities, you can't go to the local bike shop and buy a Hilsen, or even see anything like it.  

On Friday, September 26, 2014 10:42:06 PM UTC-5, hsmitham wrote:

[Bob E]

He meant well. He's probably gotten used to seeing all those same looking off-the-shelf racing bikes with matched all-black groupsets and no personalization. So, to him, Hugh's bike -- a gorgeous machine, by the way -- looked like an assemblage of parts. Parts all carefully selected based on utility, but not your typical-looking bike by most folks.

[Hugh Smitham]

Man that Raleigh is awesome! 

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

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[Hugh Smitham]

Bob you stated it perfectly he didn't mean it as offensive. I really like the way you broke it down (Parts all carefully selected based on utility) a testament to Grant and company. I think the term "Frankenbike " is now for me both endearing and a badge of honor. I think I'll own it. I have a Green Hilsen Frankenbike. 

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

On Sun, Sep 28, 2014 at 6:51 AM, Bob E <ree...@gmail.com> wrote:

He meant well. He's probably gotten used to seeing all those same looking off-the-shelf racing bikes with matched all-black groupsets and no personalization. So, to him, Hugh's bike -- a gorgeous machine, by the way -- looked like an assemblage of parts. Parts all carefully selected based on utility, but not your typical-looking bike by most folks.

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[Hugh Smitham]

Hey Tom,

Thanks for the compliment. I used to ride for exercise exclusively. These days my favorite rides are those with multiple purpose, camping/touring, errands and visiting friends. I've been remiss, I need to get back down San Diego way.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

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[Joe Bernard]

Yes, I believe the fellow meant Frankenbike, a topic we discussed at internet-bob recently: A bicycle with an assemblage of parts joined together based on "I picked that derailer because I like it, and those cranks sure are pretty." He was complimenting what appeared to be a well-thought-out build as opposed to mounting one generic "gruppo".

Joe Bernard

Vallejo, CA.

[Ron Mc]

thanks Hugh - we went to San Antonio Siclovia today.  It was a hit, and I got a lot of nice comments.  I put about 25 miles on it every week.  

Bought it new in '76 in college and it's on its 3rd rebuild.  Only original components are brake calipers and headset.  

[Ron Mc]

and yes, when you mix it up, it's Frankengruppe.  

[grrlyrida]

I think it's pretty.

[Ron Mc]

it's beyond pretty, that bike is drop-dead gorgeous.  Again, he really wasn't down on the bike, he was second-guessing its pedigree. 

[cyclotourist]

Mary Ann pretty, or Ginger pretty?

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

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[dougP]

One of the neat things about bikes is that once you get a good frame that you like (fits & rides well), it can be re-purposed with different parts as your needs or wants change.  I remember your Hilsen with fenders, drop bars, rear rack (?).  A few bits here & there, and voila!  different bike.  Grant once said something to the effect that a frame is a place to hang the parts you select.  I've taken that to mean the end result is up to you.  The frame is a blank canvas.  Of course, a Rivendell frame is really, really nice canvas. 

dougP

[Ron Mc]

more like Eva Green

[Evan Baird]

Every time I see new pics of it pop up in my flickr feed I respost em. She's a real beaut.