Friday, June 24, 2005

No. 38, Vol. 4 - Bicyclettes Internationales

As some folks know, U.S. bicycle industry annual sales hover around $5.5 billion. I was startled to read in yesterday's Wall Street Journal that the chicken industry does about $50 billion a year! That's a lot of frickin' chicken! I know several cyclists who love chicken, and just as many that do the vegetarian/vegan thing.

Conversely, there are many cyclists we're getting to know both here and abroad, and it's fun to learn about the wonderful exploits these folks have on two wheels. Eric O., a customer from New Mexico, just ordered a custom Gaansari Scorcher for an epic trip with PAC Tours to Peru this October. Eric tells me he'll experience firsthand what it's like to climb 16,000 feet on a fixed gear. We look forward to his pictures.

This posting isn't meant to boast or brag; folks in the bike biz know how frustrating it can be when the phones don't ring and no one seems to notice the work one does to get nice bikes under nice people. We're in our third year with Gaansari, and it's encouraging to see so many devout cyclists choose our brand over so many excellent choices in the market.

Some recent emails:

"I wanted to compliment you on such a beautiful website and what appears an equally beautiful product line. What nice looking bikes, wow! Someone on the i-BOB list mentioned Gaansari so I thought I'd check it out. Makes me want to get on a plane for Ohio to buy a new bike!!"
~Tom M., Palo Alto, CA
"Which model do I like best? That's tough. I toggled back and forth through the models and I think it'd have to be between the St. Clair and the Flyer, though I have to say, they're all absolutely superlative. I'm not a fixie kind of guy, but I love the aesthetic of the clean, simple look - and the Scorcher exemplifies that beautifully. Your sense of color is fantastic. The St. Clair in that copper and custard is just gorgeous.

"As I was going through them I called my girlfriend over to take a look. She's owned very successful graphic design businesses and has worked with some of Silicon Valley's biggest companies doing brochures, catalogs, stockholder bulletins, that kind of thing. She is very critical and has a very good sense of color. She thought your color selections were great - the bikes look elegant, classy and desireable. From her, this is high praise.

"Moreover, I like your company philosophy as well as the bike design, construction and look. I'm sure this is more than you want to know, but there you go."
~Tom M. (again), Palo Alto, CA

A good friend, Sal R., just picked up his Gaansari Whirlwind, and plans to take it to the Tour de France next week. This is Sal's sixth-and-a-half Tour, and he's excited to see the mountains of France once again, this time astride his new bike, which he's nicknamed JPII, after the late pope.

Spencer K. from Missouri recently ordered a Scorcher to use on brevets, and has toured all over the world. A recent email from Spencer:

"BTW, I have cyclo-toured with a lady from Dayton that now lives in London, England. The whole time I rode with her (Chile, Argentina, China, Vietnam, and Ireland) I heard that nobody makes frames like the English. I am blowing her mind by buying a frame from her hometown. I am sure the frame will blow her away! I can't wait to ride cross country with her husband next year on an American frame. The force is strong..."

Then there's Hap Harlow, an American Major stationed with his family at European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Hap recently ordered the third Gaansari Mudplugger, and is quite the aviation buff:

"Speaking of bicycles, the Paris Air Show was tremendously inspiring! The show is co-located with the French Air and Space museum which includes a fantastic collection of first-generation airplanes--including a Wright Flyer B and many other--all magnificently restored. There are bicycle parts on every one of them! I took some photos with you guys in mind--hopefully they'll stimulate some creative bike-building! (I'll attach a few in a separate email and send a CD with more if you like)."

Another interesting customer, Mark N., an attorney from Columbus, Ohio, ordered two Gaansaris, a Van Cleve for himself, and a Scorcher for his wife Shannon:

"I am looking for a custom steel bike to commute to and from work. I usually take the long way to work which is about 25 mile and return trip is 5 miles. I ride a Redline Conquest Pro and was looking at the Gaansaris online. I do not race and strickly commute. Do you sell complete bikes? What would the price range be for a Van Cleve with ultegra componets, fenders and rear rack? Also, my wife is interested in a 56cm Scorcher. She would like a price on a black one with silver rims and fenders, mustache handlebars and front brake. She is just looking at the basic set up, nothing too fancy."

Enjoy your day, and enjoy the ride.

Gary B.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

No. 37, Vol. 4. - The Copper and the Scorcher

“He was a mounted copper,
Upon an iron steed,
And was laying for the scorcher,
Who rode at lawless speed;
When whizzing 'round the corner,
At a breakneck, lightning pace,
Appeared a reckless rider,
Whereupon the cop gave chase.
"I say there!" cried the bluecoat,
As he humped himself about,
"You're arrested for fast riding."
When the scorcher heard the shout.
He looked o'er his shoulder,
And he didn't do a thing.
But pedal all the harder,
And make the welkin ring.
"I like that," said the "finest,"
As through the thoroughfare.
He started for his victim;
And the crowd that gathered there.
Cheered the racer, jeered the copper,
And wagered ten to one,
On the scorcher as he sped along,
On that exciting run.
In and out among the horses,
And the wagons on the street,
They dodged about most artfully,
Doing many a dangerous feat;
But the bluecoat was outdistanced,
He set too slow a pace,
And his anger gave expression,
In the wrath upon his face.
At last grown weak and weary,
The copper swore he'd shoot,
And reached back for his pistol,
But the crowd cried, "Don't you brute!"
But he aimed it at the scorcher,
If he didn't, I'm a liar; "Bang!"
The scorcher tumbled,
For the cop had pierced his tire.”

~ Author unknown, circa 1897

Gary Boulanger, editor
The Bike Evangelist
305 S. Main St. - BARN
Springboro, Ohio USA
Website
Email
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Phony: 937-748-8862

Cycles Gaansari Store Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10-6 p.m.; Saturday 11-5 p.m. Closed Wednesday and Sunday.

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The 125 Most Influential People in American Cycling
The League of American Bicyclists is accepting nominations for the "125 Most Influential People in American Cycling" to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Racers, journalists, product designers, marketers, bike company owners, industry pioneers and event organizers are some of the folks to consider. To throw in your two cents, submit your nomination(s) today.

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Applicable Products to Ponder (and Purchase)
All products, unless otherwise noted, can be shipped to your home or workplace for an additional shipping cost. Just call 937-748-8862 or email , and we'll take care of your cycling needs.

SADDLES & BAGGAGE

Brooks Leather Saddles
Fine bicycles, by definition, can be used as tools, transportation or tra-la-la-ing through the thicket. A fine bicycle is not complete unless it's shod with a thoroughly designed and proven saddle, like those listed on our site from Brooks (the undisputed king of crafted leather saddles). Made in England.

Carradice Baggage
Every cyclist I know carries a fair amount of emotional baggage (myself included!), and most of our friends are also very practical cyclists, so they usual tote their necessities with handmade baggage from Carradice of England. We stock everything listed on our site, and reorder promptly.

Baggins Bags
Baggins Bags, a product line from Rivendell Bicycle Works, are made out of waxed cotton duck, a very water resistant fabric. Whenever you add zippers and seams to fabric, though, you give water potential entry points. THESE BAGS ARE NOT WATERPROOF. They work well in light rain or damp conditions, but if you ride in heavy rain, we suggest getting waterproof stuff sacks or plastic garbage bags to ensure that your gear stays dry. Made in the USA. At least one of your bikes needs a Baggins Bag.

BIKES

The Gaansari Scorcher is a fixed/singlespeed road bike inspired by the Orville Wright's passion for racing in the 1880s. The Gaansari Scorcher is designed to be ridden with chubby 700c tires, on fast urban commutes or club rides. Lovingly built in the USA, individual in design, and guaranteed to last a lifetime. To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brother's historic first flight on December 17, 1903, a limited production of just 100 Gaansari Scorchers will be available for purchase.

Scorcher frame material: Columbus Zona heat-treated cromoly steel, silver-brazed using cast lugs and dropouts. Frame sizes are measured from center of bottom bracket to top of seat tube collar. All Scorcher steel forks are built with 1" threaded steers to fit the frame's 15mm extended head tubes and PCD fork crown. Single fender eyelet front and rear. Available as a frameset ($1,350) or complete bike (starting at $2,300). Blue Jean paint with French Custard painted head tube and seat panel. Custom colors available. Simple, understated Gaansari decals. Made in Ohio by Jack. Sizes: 50, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64cm. Optional lugset choices: Fleur d'lys for non oversized tubing (add $100); Richard Sachs' OS Newvex lugset and fork crown (add $150). Media reviews: USA Today; 63xc.com: "How We Built The Gaansari Scorcher"; Bike Cafe; Cycling News.

NOTE: Because we've redesigned the Scorcher for 2005, there are two British Racing Green 2004 Gaansari Scorchers remaining in 54cm and 56cm sizes. These are TIG welded Reynolds 725 with 1-1/8" threadless steer. Price: $750. First come, first served. Email or call 937-748-8862.

Fixed Gear Catalog
Products and photos galore to compliment your fixed-gear project, or to provide inspiration on ways to spec your new Gaansari Scorcher.

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The Bike Evangelist is an electronic newsletter developed to keep cyclers informed on the latest goings-on at Cycles Gaansari, including new products, services, events, and anything else pertinent to the Greater Dayton cycling community and beyond. Nearly 1,275 strong! Published by Clutch Marketing Group LLC, Springboro, OH. © 2005. All Rights Reserved. If you like what you've read, tell others. If you don't, let us know and we can unsubscribe you, no problemo.