In a message dated 2/27/04 8:00:43 PM, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org
writes:
>Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 14:12:47 EST
>From: BobHoveyGa@aol.com
>To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: [CR]Re: Willing to wait
>Message-ID: <1cb.1acd7978.2d70f0af@aol.com>
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>Message: 2
>
>Grant Wrote:
>
>>Ok, so what's the longest you'd be willing to wait for
>>a "keeper of the flame" frame? Does anyone know who
>>has the longest queue?
>>
>>
>>Baylis ?
>>Columbine ?
>>Bill Davidson ?
>>Eisentraut ?
>>JP Weigle ?
>>Richard Moon ?
>>Alex Singer ?
>>
>>recently checked:
>>Richard Sachs 24-36 months
>>Roland Della Santa 24 months
>>Mariposa 6-12 months
>>Nagasawa 10-12 months
>
>I heard Richard Moon's wait is up over several years and is probably not
>accepting orders (anyone know for sure?).
>
>
>>others?
>
>How about Peter Johnson and Chris Kvale? Also, has anyone on the list
>ever>
>ordered a Toei? Would like to know what his wait would be. In fact,
>I
>really like to hear ANY details about him that are current... I've heard
>tha>t he
>is no longer a single builder but rather a small multi-person shop and
>his
>frames aren't what they used to be... Any truth to this?
>
>Bob Hovey
>Columbus, GA
>
Bob,
This waiting business comes from the taste level of the average CR rider (and others) being quite high and the quest something unique and special. Most of us are collecting off the peg production bikes (even though top of the product line) or custom bikes previously built for someone else.
True made to measure (for you or others) or high style, form or function machines are not only beautiful to own and use but also very valuable. Unique features are always conversation starters with other cycling enthusiasts.
The joke around our shop is if you don't wait 6 months or more for a bike it's probably not worth having. Then again there is some merit to this is if they were easier to get they might be quite common or ordinary. I always like the folks that want a real custom bike but want to ride it first (like it's possible before it's actually built).
Some of my own experience and records.
Rene Herse demontable, Camper, randonnuse: Delivery 9 months after payment (not bag)
Mariposa Constructed front Carrier for above Rack with Chrome by Rolls Royce (2-3 months)
Alex Moulton Touring Classic north road Spec, Fastest 5 weeks. Slowest 7 Months.
Alex Moulton Stainless New Series North Road Spec, Fastest 15 weeks, slowest 29 Weeks.
Alex Moulton Stainless New Series with many custom features, Slowest 11.5 Months.
Pashley traditional 5 Speed Internal Hub Fastest, 3 Weeks Delivered; Slowest 20 weeks.
How about service: I once had may tandem extensively modified with construction low gravity low rider carriers and platforms front and rear. I was all completely chromed including carriers in 6 days without an appointment in Belgium. Very Slow.
54 year old restoration slow start record: 14 Months in house but we have it scheduled this week. The customer was not in a hurry and we tried to turn them away multiple times but they wouldn't here of it.
Quality take time and rushing rarely make things better. The delays from start to finish sometimes have transport delays, extra engineering time, finish subcontracting, parts or component sourcing and of course the biggy; workload backlog.
Slower is not always better, sometime it just makes things possible.
Yours in Cycling,
Gilbert Anderson
North Road Bicycle Company
519 W. North St.
Raleigh, NC 27603
USA
Toll Free Ph: 800\u2022321\u20225511
Local Ph: 919\u2022828\u20228999
E-mail: cyclestore@aol.com