Being a greedy hog, I jumped at the chance to obtain another Stan Pike when it was offered to me off list a few months ago. After all, the baby blue racing Pike frame introduced to the list this summer instantly became one of my favorite machines, with impeccable handling, lug work and a sublime ride. The new Pike needed some renovation work, so the seller sent it to Bob Jacksons for me, who fixed and resprayed the new Pike into a fitting state of forest green metallic glory. I've had it for three weeks now, and the only bikes that are getting ridden this fall are the Pikes. Some pics of the bike and some local scenery and some clumsy studio shots of both Pikes together are at:
or
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/
The new machine is a touring/audax style frame. I built it up with some personal favorite highly functional parts, both vintage and modern. The idea was for the frame to be the focus, not the attachments. Modern heretical parts include the Ritchey triple crank, pedals seatpost, and Mavic MA3 rims. The Vintage category includes the 100% Suntour shifting system featuring 1st gen Cyclone mechs and Suntour Barcons. Shimano parts include the 1st gen Dura Ace low flange hubs, Deore wide straddle canti brakes and 600 brake levers. Campy bits are the brake cable clips and headset (Triomphe, maybe?). The English bits are a Brooks small rivet Pro and GB Randonneur bars and stem.
I was afraid that the racing Pike had been a fluke, and this bike would bring my illusions crashing back to earth about Stan Pike's wizardry. But no, the touring Pike rides every bit as well as the racer. Compliant ride, but a solid hanger bracket, no hands stable, but turns with ease and refinement. And, once again, the lugs are sublime statements of restrained elegance. As I said before, Stan Pike's frames remind me of a Silk Hope. The first shakedown ride was supposed to be 10 miles, but it turned into a 45 mile jaunt, and I had a big grin on my face the whole way. Both Pikes are so nice I'm even contemplating dumping the rest of the fleet. What other bikes do I need or want? (Don't worry, I'm sure it will pass).
Many thanks to the seller who wishes to remain anonymous, Bob Jacksons' for the renovation, Steve Willis at the Bike Stand in Scotch Plains NJ for his expert frame prep and an effortless remedying of my laughable attempt to set up the cantilever brakes, Steve Maasland for the red Gaslo bar tape and everyone who's contributed miscellaneous parts to the stash that helped me get this baby on the road.
Rule Britannia!
Tom (anglo) Adams, Shrewsbury New Jersey