The notion of the Finest Bike ever is a bit of a turnoff to me. As if there could be one standard. The finest achievement of any craftsperson is to realize a complete expression of technical skill and artistic vision -- a very personal goal -- rather than win a subjective competition. And then there is the matter of the customer, whose own needs, skills and measures of satisfaction are idiosyncratic. Further, with a piece of sporting equipment, functionality and performance are additional variable standards. A fine piece of craftwork must work on all those levels: as an expression of art, in relation to the consumer, and as a functional piece. To boil that down to a single definition of finest is a pointless. Of course patrons are important in giving a craftsperson a market and encouragement to stretch, and generous patronage in the right cultural environment can fuel high art, but money alone does not create the ideal environment or product. One could create the most expensive bike ever by throwing costly materials -- bejeweled movements perhaps, like a watch? -- and endless busywork onto a pair of wheels -- but what would that mean -- a baroque "Pimp My Bike Ride?" Isn't it enough for frame makers to continually strive to do their expressive best and for customers to encourage them within the context of a personal relationship? There are enough soulless bikes out there. I vote for personality and character rather than some money-fueled quest for status.
Randall Mikkelsen
Rockville, MD
(Chris Kvale '78)