I enjoyed watching a TV programme about cycling journalist, Robert Penn because of the infectious enthusiasm he obviously had for his dream bike.
It felt like watching a young child opening presents on Christmas Day. – Picking up a handmade leather saddle from Brooks, a groupset from Campagnolo in Vicensa – all gave Robert great joy for being able to go to source of the famous brand names in cycling.
In an era of mass production, off the peg bikes, it is nice to see such enthusiasm for a handbuilt frame and customised parts. The interesting thing was not so much the bike components but, the human interest and the passion the cycle manufacturers had for their profession.
I couldn’t help feeling he lost it at the end choosing orange and blue. But, who am I to judge having an orange bike (off the peg) myself.
Robert Penn has an interesting story himself. Working a high pressured City job, he was earning a lot of money but not satisfied. He threw his successful job and took to cycling around the world. He’s never looked back.
The Dream Bike
- Frame – Custom Reynolds 953 lightweight steel tubing. Custom fitted by Brian Rourke in Stoke. – Cost £1,500
- Groupset – Campagnolo – Record I think – Cost £1,300
- Forks – Columbus Carbon – Cost £125
- Handlebar Stem – Cinelli – Cost £300
- Headest – Chris King Components Portland, Oregan.
- Saddle – Brooks, Smethwick, Birmingham. Brooks patented their leather saddle in 1896 and have been producing ever since. Cost £120
- Spokes – stainless steel by Sapim Beligium
- Tyres – Continental
Overall Cost £4,000
With a steel frame, Robert says:
“It rides beautifully.. It’s perfectly balanced, really strong and climbs well. And it’s incredibly stable on the descents at 45mph. It’s also comfortable to sit on all day, which is probably most important.”
Robert Penn wrote a book about his experience – It’s All About the Bike
I love the combination of accessories on the dream bike. bit pricy but whats money compared to happy faces?
Ditto the above comment, though he took an hour and a half and still couldn’t decide, if I remember rightly, so just went for it because he had no better ideas.
£4000 is beyond me at the moment but it really isn’t much for a dream bike. I went to the Cycle Show last weekend and there plenty of ‘off the shelf’ bikes at that price with one or two getting up to £8500.
I saw that show too Tejvan and totally agree with you about the paint job!