Vanilla at Mission Workshop

[pdmtong]

Sacha and the money truck are in SF doing fit sessions so my daughter and I went up to say hello. A plethora of vagens on display - six in total: three road, disc road, disc cx, and ss cx. And three new urban racers one fendered, one non fendered, and one raw. Until today I've only seen 3 vagens (2011 SM road, and two CX at the Bay Area Super Prestige Series) and 3 vanilla in the wild

The disc mount is really clean and the new urban model is crazy cool too
Three speed - lights - fenders - racks - one piece bar stem - coaster brake. Sacha rode one on the paradise loop ride from Rapha this morning

Met Delilah and Jen. My Daughter represented wearing her frame builders collective tee - Sacha noticed it peeking out of her jacket which completely surprised her hahaha!

Anyone else go?

After Greg Lemond yesterday and Sacha White today that checks the box for icon and luminary in a two day back to back

[Ryun]

Very nice
Can't wait to see the pics.
I knew the urban racer would be cool.
I had to pass since Jacksonville is barely urban and I'm barely a racer :)

[pdmtong]

Mission Workshop is in an eclectic part of SF on Valencia Street in the Mission District
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/9f31cf5e3c6d86f16d49ece2e7087f60.jpg

First thing I see? Oooh the new urban racer - in 2014 SM livery
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/8f91f3d38435550d83a7d6acf2a0f28c.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/2389648f8370e4b65bd741026fd0b40e.jpg


Next, a SV CX disc - sorry the flash washed the hollatext. Still learning my NOS Canon S100. Super clean mount. PF30 for the Di2.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/d701443346aca9eaf733d1b475576e85.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/5d4c304e714ead5c1b0ec4596e507395.jpg

Unicorn on the "horizon" (get it?)
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/9d4214d66e37c3701f529d91a1a0045c.jpg

McNally
Left to right: Jenn's Di2 SV, Urban Racer, SV road and the matte green SV Road Disc #1
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/259c1ad3dfcea7718424be739fa4b9db.jpg

Raw Urban Racer.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/58927aa5340a9562a8bcd3d4483d326e.jpg

The goods
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/cb3118ef65acce2780538e11e12fa762.jpg

Sacha in back doing fit. Overhead is a stars and stripes SS SV CX (which the owner let me ride around the lot a few seasons ago at BASPS 'stick)
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/afdd1cd104fe26aead82767a26275499.jpg

[pdmtong]

Urban Racer

It's a SV in tube manipulation and you can see it's built to bomb the city in style with purpose

Fender mounted to Enve disc fork. Very cool attachment points front and rear. Not sure I like how the huge taper is handled
Zoom and you can see the lower bearing is a big platform under the HT here, but less so on the matte green one with the king.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/769538e178d511817967391033e5b3a1.jpg

Raw details. The "chain guard" is bolted through the DT and ST.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/eae0fdab0366f66bedab74e79183b5c8.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/ba842f3afcb3a3be4622782b3729a3a3.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/e5029f93fc02d781b6d74b724dd583d8.jpg

Front fork side rack and lights
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/871f66c18762831d4dec79d2dc87edee.jpg

Hard to see but got a bit of the 2014 SM logo treatment
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/7fec75dd139ebc6250d854dd2a643bd0.jpg

[pdmtong]

Bang!
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/c99e2bcc89a5e7afde0c286e1990016f.jpg

[Climb01742]

Cool stuff. Were these fits for folks who were ordering SVs? If yes, pretty nice service.;)

[pdmtong]

Very nice

Can't wait to see the pics.

I knew the urban racer would be cool.

I had to pass since Jacksonville is barely urban and I'm barely a racer :)

Its super cool but the buyer is clearly someone with plenty of cash and a connoisseur. Yea its way more fun than my trek district belt but its going to cost a lot more - pricing tbd.

I let them know you are stoked about the lugged road. Sacha said he is only doing 10-15 Vanilla a year now so I wonder about the reported 500 people on the list - will some be alive when he sends the letter?

[pdmtong]

Cool stuff. Were these fits for folks who were ordering SVs? If yes, pretty nice service.;)

Sacha said that on many occasions he gets fit dimensions from folks that make him scratch his head. Not everyone can fly to Portland, so this is one way to grease the process (my words there). If I was ready to buy a SV I would certainly have made an appointment. Not sure how the $300 for the fit is handled - I would think credited towards the bike. or not?

[rwsaunders]

Nice pics Paul...thanks for posting. That would be a long drive from Portlandia to SF in an armored car. Rumor has it that it's a fiberglass shell on a Prius frame...

[Climb01742]

Sacha said that on many occasions he gets fit dimensions from folks that make him scratch his head. Not everyone can fly to Portland, so this is one way to grease the process (my words there). If I was ready to buy a SV I would certainly have made an appointment. Not sure how the $300 for the fit is handled - I would think credited towards the bike. or not?

It's great for both sides, buyer gets personal fit and Sacha can ask questions and suggest solutions. Jealous of you folks within driving distance for Sacha to visit your town. Everybody wins.

[beeatnik]

Mission Workshop is on an eclectic part of SF on Valencia Street in the Mission District
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/9f31cf5e3c6d86f16d49ece2e7087f60.jpg



Whoa, Mission Workshop is next to The Rapy. Back in the early 00s I'd visit friends in the City who were working at dotcoms. Of course that meant hanging out in the Mission. At some point we'd stumble by this cool furniture store (not that many in the area back then) and I'd wonder why the kooky owners called it The Rapy. Fast forward to visiting my sister at Cal and hanging out in the Mission sober. Walked by The Rapy and realized the place is called Therapy. Learned something about the power of graphic communication and good (readable) typefaces. Those SVs got nice typefaces.

Oh, how much are the Wall Street, I mean SOMA, I mean 5th Avenue, I mean Tribeca, I mean Queen Anne, I mean Bond Street, I mean "urban" racers?

[feta99]

Its super cool but the buyer is clearly someone with plenty of cash and a connoisseur. Yea its way more fun than my trek district belt but its going to cost 5x what that bike cost retail and 10x what I paid for it off CL. I guess the practicality of me would keep the warchest on bikes I would use the majority of the time.

I let them know you are stoked about the lugged road. Sacha said he is only doing 10-15 Vanilla a year now so I wonder about the reported 500 people on the list - will some be alive when he sends the letter?

Nice pictures of the event. The urban racers look really cool but they must cost a small fortune and weigh a ton. I can't imagine locking it up when out for a cruise.

[xeladragon]

Thanks for the report and pics, Paul. That Urban Racer model looks pretty neat, but it's a niche market for sure.

[JeffS]

I'm missing something. What's the purpose of the frame on the fork?


IMO, the bike would have been much better with a steel fork. I thought this would be for me, but it's not grabbing me yet.

[MattTuck]

Thanks for the pics and reportage. How old is your daughter? I like that you're indoctrinating her with custom frames... double edged sword though when she comes asking for one. :eek:

[bironi]

So Vanilla needs a n armored truck to deliver the precious product? it's the bubble bike. Get out there and ride - anything.

[mg2ride]

So Vanilla needs a n armored truck to deliver the precious product? it's the bubble bike. Get out there and ride - anything.

The armored truck if for the truck load of cash they are charging for them.

I'm not going to go around saying that Vanilla has jumped the shark but word on the street is that Sacha has been seen practicing.

[jmeloy]

The armored truck if for the truck load of cash they are charging for them.

I'm not going to go around saying that Vanilla has jumped the shark but word on the street is that Sacha has been seen practicing.

All I'll say is that their Customer Service,/customer care is outstanding and my SV is a joy to ride.

[Ryun]

So Vanilla needs a n armored truck to deliver the precious product? it's the bubble bike. Get out there and ride - anything.
actually most of the time the truck serves as the team van for the CX team when they travel and race events. I dont recall the race bikes being bubbled wrapped

[bironi]

actually most of the time the truck serves as the team van for the CX team when they travel and race events. I dont recall the race bikes being bubbled wrapped

OK. How's the mpg?

[jtakeda]

I stopped by Thursday to say hi to Sasha and check out the urban gravel grinder.

Definitely a different ride, it was about 2cm too big for me but the coaster brake was something I haven't ridden in a long time.

[weaponsgrade]

Thanks for the pics. How many people showed up for the ride? I would've loved to go to that too, but my weekends are usually busy with kid stuff.

[likebikes]

word on the street is that Sacha has been seen practicing.
practicing...?

[feta99]

All I'll say is that their Customer Service,/customer care is outstanding and my SV is a joy to ride.

I recently took possession of a SV and went to Portland for the fitting. I will have to post pictures of it soon, but can say that it is a fantastic ride. It isn't light(and I went for carbon seat tube), but feels solid and perfectly balanced. I was very happy with the fit Sacha did and would value a Vanilla more since he works on those directly. They aren't cheap, and value is a relative thing, but if you lust after the design details and like a steel frame then you would be very pleased.

[pdmtong]

So Vanilla needs a n armored truck to deliver the precious product? it's the bubble bike. Get out there and ride - anything.

The armored truck if for the truck load of cash they are charging for them.

I'm not going to go around saying that Vanilla has jumped the shark but word on the street is that Sacha has been seen practicing.

Poor form to argue personal taste. All I can say is when you or I plunk down the Benjamins on a custom - beyond the tube manipulation, the fabrication, the overall craft, the aesthetic, the paint - the only thing that really matters is that the ride delivers.

I can tell you my Vanilla lugged road (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=101347)absolutely delivers and rails downhill better than the Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada Ottrott, IF SSR 953 SEC, Parlee Z3C, Moots CR, and Peg Responsorium I have had the pleasure of riding.

[pdmtong]

Thanks for the pics and reportage. How old is your daughter? I like that you're indoctrinating her with custom frames... double edged sword though when she comes asking for one. :eek:

She is now 15.5 and has been riding with me since age 4. She has the fitness, stamina and desire to do pretty much any ride I can do <50 miles whether road or dirt (albeit slower).

This didn't happen overnight. Hours spent with her. Hours. But the kid can shred...from the easier Advanced DH runs at lift-assisted Northstar-at-Tahoe to really technical single track to doing our benchmark 3.3/1300' climb at age 9 and winning her age group twice last year racing CX.

All that said...if some guy ties to date her and has less than five bikes he better go home. If she wants/needs a custom frame she will get one. Not indulgence when the rider has earned proven deserved. In all seriousness...it will prolly be a Di2/Ui2 bike. Electric is the perfect solution for small hands. .

[jmeloy]

poor form to argue personal taste. All i can say is when you or i plunk down the benjamins on a custom - beyond the tube manipulation, the fabrication, the overall craft, the aesthetic, the paint - the only thing that really matters is that the ride delivers.



I can tell you my vanilla lugged road (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=101347)absolutely delivers and rails downhill better than the kodak gallery sierra nevada ottrott, if ssr 953 sec, parlee z3c, moots cr, and peg responsorium i have had the pleasure of riding.


+1

[feta99]

She is now 15.5 and has been riding with me since age 4. She has the fitness, stamina and desire to do pretty much any ride I can do <50 miles whether road or dirt (albeit slower).

This didn't happen overnight. Hours spent with her. Hours. But the kid can shred...from the easier Advanced DH runs at lift-assisted Northstar-at-Tahoe to really technical single track to doing our benchmark 3.3/1300' climb at age 9 and winning her age group twice last year racing CX.

All that said...if some guy ties to date her and has less than five bikes he better go home. If she wants/needs a custom frame she will get one. Not indulgence when the rider has earned proven deserved. In all seriousness...it will prolly be a Di2/Ui2 bike. Electric is the perfect solution for small hands. .

That's awesome. My son is 5 and he currently loves to ride bikes. I'm hoping his interest in it continues as he gets older then I would be more than happy to assist him in getting the "right" bike.

[mg2ride]

Poor form to argue personal taste. All I can say is when you or I plunk down the Benjamins on a custom - beyond the tube manipulation, the fabrication, the overall craft, the aesthetic, the paint - the only thing that really matters is that the ride delivers.

I can tell you my Vanilla lugged road (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=101347)absolutely delivers and rails downhill better than the Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada Ottrott, IF SSR 953 SEC, Parlee Z3C, Moots CR, and Peg Responsorium I have had the pleasure of riding.

I don't think anyone was arguing but I will admit that it is pretty amazing that Sacha has been able to nail it both in terms or aesthetics and performance given that he has no particular pedigree on the performance side.

ATMO, it is the over the top design features, the over the top price and the over the top limited availability that makes it appear TO ME, that he might be on the verge of the jump.

[merlinmurph]

All that said...if some guy ties to date her and has less than five bikes he better go home.

Too funny. I've heard similar stories with skiers, rock climbers, sailors, etc. Hell, even I was guilty of this in my 30's. I'd meet a woman and she would say that she skis. Well, there's skiing and there's skiing, and her version of skiing was that she took a bus trip from Jersey once a year. Uh, no.

Sounds like you two have a blast together. Good luck to her.

[blessthismess]

Missed out this time. My budget will probably never allow me to buy a SV new but it's always nice to check out builders and their wares in person. I dont really see the point in an expesive custom around town bike, I'd much prefer one of their road offerings but to each their own. My experience with the SV group in the past has always been pleasant.

[54ny77]

that bank/security armored van thing is hilarious. and awesome.

[oldpotatoe]

I don't think anyone was arguing but I will admit that it is pretty amazing that Sacha has been able to nail it both in terms or aesthetics and performance given that he has no particular pedigree on the performance side.

ATMO, it is the over the top design features, the over the top price and the over the top limited availability that makes it appear TO ME, that he might be on the verge of the jump.

Aldo Gios' first bike was a kids bike mimicking the EasyRider motorcycle. Head of Brooklyn Gum saw it, hired him to makes bike for the team, including Devlamik.

$10,000 Spec-Eds are over the top. Sacha's frames are not nor is he, IMHO.

[fuzzalow]

I don't think anyone was arguing but I will admit that it is pretty amazing that Sacha has been able to nail it both in terms or aesthetics and performance given that he has no particular pedigree on the performance side.

ATMO, it is the over the top design features, the over the top price and the over the top limited availability that makes it appear TO ME, that he might be on the verge of the jump.

Spoken with the cultivated thought process and diction of a true convert. ;)

SV has sponsored a race team for quite some time now, correct? And repeating somebody else's well worn, trodden-to-death pet phrases makes for great unity inside the clubhouse but sounds unoriginal anywhere else.

Giving an opinion with something to back it up makes for interesting conversation. Lacking that, it amounts to a point made about a favorite color that can't go anywhere in a conversation but to nowhere. C'mon, gimme somethin' to work with here will ya?

Back on topic: Sacha has a right to develop his business in the best way he knows how. And if that means both more SV branding and into more varieties of the Vanilla brand developed into "street" bikes or whatever you want to call them, that's his call. Sacha is clearly a creative person; he will and must find other outlets to express & expand is creativity. He's usually on the mark as I have no doubt he trusts his tastes and artistic sense and intuitions explicitly. I don't view any of these new bike creations as Sacha "jumping the shark". I just told you why.

[pdmtong]

I recently took possession of a SV and went to Portland for the fitting. I will have to post pictures of it soon, but can say that it is a fantastic ride. It isn't light(and I went for carbon seat tube), but feels solid and perfectly balanced. I was very happy with the fit Sacha did and would value a Vanilla more since he works on those directly. They aren't cheap, and value is a relative thing, but if you lust after the design details and like a steel frame then you would be very pleased.

please post your SV in the gallery. Until I had seen a SV in person the pictures did not (for me) betray the level of manipulation on every tube. the craft is amazing. add to that the aesthetic, and then the ride. no wonder.

That's awesome. My son is 5 and he currently loves to ride bikes. I'm hoping his interest in it continues as he gets older then I would be more than happy to assist him in getting the "right" bike.

obvious, but kids like to ride to a play structure or for a snack. they don't ride for a workout. so gotta make it fun. stop a lot.

it helps to be always on the right bike - not too small, not too big. Daughter has had 16 bikes life to date - all but one I bought and then sold on local CL - and I am cumulative $500 positive. these include specialized hot rock FSR 24" full suspension, big hit grom DH, santa cruz Juliana, trek kdr1000, specialized dolce 44 and finally now on specialized safire expert (5" Fox RLC XO/XT) specialized ruby carbon 48cm 105 10sp.

when she was six, I started taking her to the local XC dirt. hike her bike up, let her ride/roll down. practice looking ahead, and weight back and even hand braking. we'd approach an uphill, and I would jump off, grab my bike by the stem, hook my left arm under her right, and start running while she pedaled. fark it used to gas me. but that's how she would get the idea of riding uphill. spend the time - riding with wife and/or daughter - I'll take that anytime over any ride I might do on my own.

specialized or trek, since thats the most out there used. julaina since cheapest full suspension hydro disc 26" in size XS

[pzung]

Very nice pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Where would Sasha hang the lock(s) for this urban bike?



Urban Racer

It's a SV in tube manipulation and you can see it's built to bomb the city in style with purpose

Fender mounted to Enve disc fork. Very cool attachment points front and rear. Not sure I like how the huge taper is handled
Zoom and you can see the lower bearing is a big platform under the HT here, but less so on the matte green one with the king.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/769538e178d511817967391033e5b3a1.jpg

Raw details. The "chain guard" is bolted through the DT and ST.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/eae0fdab0366f66bedab74e79183b5c8.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/ba842f3afcb3a3be4622782b3729a3a3.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/e5029f93fc02d781b6d74b724dd583d8.jpg

Front fork side rack and lights
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/871f66c18762831d4dec79d2dc87edee.jpg

Hard to see but got a bit of the 2014 SM logo treatment
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/7fec75dd139ebc6250d854dd2a643bd0.jpg

[19wisconsin64]

just great!

it's nice to see vintage bicycle designs updated and re-imagined.