In hindsight I wish I had never ordered this bike

blakcloud · #1 01-03-2021, 12:13 PM

This was to be a dream build that was to immortalize my identical twin brother’s death. Unfortunately, the whole experience of getting this bike to me is not one I wish on anyone. I am not ready to tell the story because I am not sure it will help anyone but myself and the way these threads devolve makes me hold back.

My emotional side says sell the bike, but my pragmatic side says you are going to lose a lot of that $10,000 US that was spent. I need to think this through and maybe actually ride the bike once more, but it is winter (pun unintended) before I make a final decision. Please no PM’s on selling the bike or parts. If I do decide I will post in the appropriate forum.

If you take everything above out of the equation and just look at the bike for what it is, you might find it interesting, so I am posting a few photos for eye candy.

Classic lugged steel frame, 1" fork, disc brakes. Custom stem (not used). Dura Ace derailleurs with Ultegra shifters. White Industries cranks and bottom bracket and Phil Wood headset. Wheels are custom painted Stan's carbon rims built on White Industries CLD hubs. Compass Babyshoe Extralight tires. Please disregard the bars and stem, they are placeholders until I figure out what to do with this bike.

charliedid · #2 01-03-2021, 12:22 PM

Nice bike.

What's wrong with it?

mtechnica · #3 01-03-2021, 12:23 PM

Seems fancy, you should ride it!

BlueHampsten · #4 01-03-2021, 12:29 PM

This bike is very nice. I particularly like the red and gold paint.

Did you buy the frame and build the bike yourself? The choice of components show that a lot of thought went into the planning phase.

Hope it all works out for you.

mg2ride · #5 01-03-2021, 12:38 PM

Sorry to hear about your bother.

This is just a bike and you are only out money. You 100% will get over losing either of those. If this in ANY way tarnish your memories, drop it like it's hot.

XXtwindad · #6 01-03-2021, 12:39 PM

Lovely bike, as others have mentioned. Condolences on the circumstances prompting the build. Perhaps the “custom bike” thread is a more appropriate place than the “GD?”

Also, I’ve never been a fan of passively or obliquely criticizing a vendor. If the circumstances warrant criticism (enough for you to post about it) then say what needs to be said. Short of that, it seems unfair to the other party involved.

See here: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...light=Starbike

My 2 cents.

William · #7 01-03-2021, 12:43 PM

Sorry to hear about the loss of your brother.

It looks like a really sweet build, but if anything about it leaves a bad taste in your mouth maybe move it on its way. Ultimately only you can decided.

W.

R3awak3n · #8 01-03-2021, 12:44 PM

What is this thread about?

Its not a or sale but also not a Buyer Beware... well it kind of is but offers no explanation of what happened.

I get it you want to vent but then at the same time you don't want to vent. I say delete this thread and when you are ready to do so then do so. This post just feels a bit passive agressive and I do not think it will help anyone here but also not help you deal with whatever happened.

I would say ride the bike BUT I had a bike that had bad juju right from the get go and that bike was one of the worst bikes I ever had, it just never was right, I never enjoyed it and the best day was the day I bought it and the day I sold it so I say maybe sell it.

I am sorry if I am coming out harshly, that is not my intention and I am sorry the process was not a good one. It seems more and more common with bike builders (not all though, I can think of a few good ones... and also a few not so good ones).

I am sorry to hear about what happened to your brother.

prototoast · #9 01-03-2021, 12:49 PM

No reason to let a bad bar tape job sour you on the whole bike. Any shop can fix that up for you for less than $50.

windsurfer · #10 01-03-2021, 12:50 PM

I thought Eric (winter) wasn't currently building bikes.

William · #11 01-03-2021, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windsurfer

I thought Eric (winter) wasn't currently building bikes.

His website currently states he is on a hiatus from building during his move.

W.

Hilltopperny · #12 01-03-2021, 12:58 PM

Condolences as it must be difficult to lose a brother. Especially a twin.

I have certainly moved along perfectly good bikes when something rubs me the wrong way or doesn't jive. That being said your bike looks very nice from the component spec to the frame itself. Shedding some light on what went wrong in the process would help the collective give suitable advice.

William · #13 01-03-2021, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

What is this thread about?

Its not a or sale but also not a Buyer Beware... well it kind of is but offers no explanation of what happened. ...

Quote:

the whole experience of getting this bike to me is not one I wish on anyone

True, the comment can lead to all kinds of assumptions. But nothing really has been said, could have been just a shipping issue. Agree, more info would be helpful to understand exactly what the op is saying. But it also isn't helpful to make assumptions.

W.

Morgul Bismark · #14 01-03-2021, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William

His website currently states he is on a hiatus from building during his move.

The move to Ft Collins was in 2019

XXtwindad · #15 01-03-2021, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William

True, the comment can lead to all kinds of assumptions. But nothing really has been said, could have been just a shipping issue. Agree, more info would be helpful to understand exactly what the op is saying. But it also isn't helpful to make assumptions.

W.

I’m with Paulo on this one. While being sympathetic to the OP’s loss, why not just list the bike in the “custom” section or “classified” section? Or perhaps write a “GD” thread about how idealized expectations can fall short of reality.

But the vendor is already under a cloud of suspicion. Perhaps it’s warranted. But it doesn’t seem fair to not elaborate.