Conversation with Richard Sachs (Silca blog)

[fiamme red]

https://silca.cc/blogs/silca/convers...-richard-sachs

[Gggross]

Excellent.

[markie]

Thanks for sharing. The enthusiasm for bikes and aesthetics drips off the page. I love the ability to mythologize one’s own life, it makes me wonder if I can do that, too? Can everyone?

[SlowPokePete]

Very nice ... I have so much respect for Richard and hold the frames he builds and the words he chooses in high esteem.

SPP

[mg2ride]

Originally Posted by markie

...I love the ability to mythologize one’s own life, it makes me wonder if I can do that, too? Can everyone?

I certainly hope not or at least that everyone doesn't want to. The goal should be for someone else to mythologize your life. ATMO.

[happycampyer]

SILCA: Is there anything on a full bike build that just drives you crazy if it's not done a certain way?

RS: Unless I assemble the bicycle, every one that I see (sent out as a frame and fork) and built by a shop or a client has more than a few things that offend my sense of style. The wrong balance. Inelegant cable casing paths. Wheels with offensive graphics. Too many headset spacers. Tire valves that are 17 times longer than they have to be. God forbid, a non-setback seat post The handlebar tape wrapped poorly, or backwards. I'm an effete elitist aesthetic slut. That's all you need to know.

Nice interview! Hopefully Richard didn’t find this offensive:

[Philster]

Originally Posted by happycampyer

Nice interview! Hopefully Richard didn’t find this offensive:

Looks great to me. Beautiful bike.

[Gggross]

Originally Posted by happycampyer

Nice interview! Hopefully Richard didn’t find this offensive:

Beautiful

[ERK55]

I daresay all of Bill’s bikes are beautiful.

[jemoryl]

Sachs and Silca (in its current iteration): made for each other!

[TiStar]

This guy has always seemed insufferable to me ha

[jlwdm]

Originally Posted by TiStar

This guy has always seemed insufferable to me ha

He has a style that can offend some people, but has made great contributions to the Serotta Forum, Velocipede Salon and Paceline.

He has developed bicycle frame building materials.

He has supported racing through his hands on sponsorship of cycling teams.

He has personally participated in races.

Just trying to give a perspective from many years on the above mentioned forums. I am not a Sachs fanboy and have never considered a Sachs bike. I do have fit issues and all of my bikes are custom.

Jef

[rice rocket]

Originally Posted by TiStar

This guy has always seemed insufferable to me ha

That's part of his ethos.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by TiStar

This guy has always seemed insufferable to me ha

Quite the comment from a fairly FNG..I think Richard is like a lot of artisans. They like to do it their way and "damn the torpedoes". If ya don't like it, TFBad.

Richard is one of the very few, true frame building craftsmen. His frames are gorgeous, ride like dreams. That's the bottom line, eh? Who GAS about his various 'politics'? I don't.

There are more than few 'unique' frame builders out there. Dario Pegoretti(may he RIP) comes to mind..Ernesto Colnago for another.. I had a screaming match with Paul Sandoff(Rock Lobster) over the phone once. I still think his frames are excellent.

BUT, Richard is in a very small class. Good for him.

[witcombusa]

Originally Posted by happycampyer

Nice interview! Hopefully Richard didn’t find this offensive:

I had a little fun with Richard on my build of an early 'Suburban Cycle' Richard Sachs ('78) frameset. It has a gold Simplex shifter/derailers/guides set on it. Then brought it down to Cirque...

He's way over the top on the aesthetics thing, so it's easy to have a little fun with him.