tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post8562985191173375099..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Sketchy Cycles: the Talk of the TownVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-51139085191956844992011-11-14T16:36:47.540-05:002011-11-14T16:36:47.540-05:00Lauren - Yes on the disconnected feeling. I can im...Lauren - Yes on the disconnected feeling. I can imagine how for some that would be a reason to dislike titanium, but to me it feels like flying.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-75307566963225869222011-11-14T13:10:54.052-05:002011-11-14T13:10:54.052-05:00"On the Sketchy I could feel the road more, b...<i>"On the Sketchy I could feel the road more, but that feeling was springy and cushioned and therefore not painful. On the Seven it was as if I could not feel the road in the first place."</i><br /><br />This has been my experience too when test riding the two different materials. The Ti has a hollow, disconnected feeling (though smooth and by all accounts a nice ride), while steel has a more solid connection to the ground, making you aware of its presence. It was explained to me by someone working at a bike shop but I've forgotten the reason why.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05996199805746563669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37590193514782172282011-11-14T11:16:30.287-05:002011-11-14T11:16:30.287-05:00Sounds like an awesome bike,thanks for the mini-re...Sounds like an awesome bike,thanks for the mini-review on and links to it,I had never heard of the brand.<br /><br />Disabled CyclistAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64390441811240393752011-11-13T20:02:48.018-05:002011-11-13T20:02:48.018-05:00I've tried this rack and considered it for the...I've tried this rack and considered it for the Bella Ciao "Superba." Meant to write a review, but other things got in the way. It is the Tubus Fly and there is also a stainless version, which I love. <br /><br />The rack is light, well made, will fit a variety of road/touring bikes without braze-ons for a rack, and includes both bungee loop attachments and a tail light mount. Weight limitation is 18kg (40lb) if I recall correctly. On the downside, some may not like that the platform is quite narrow - so it is meant mostly for panniers, not to carry huge items on top. Also, it will not fit city bikes with tires 700Cx35mm or larger and chunky fenders. On the Bella Ciao it basically hugged the fender. The Sketchy somehow has a lot more clearance there.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-25172056760457633632011-11-13T19:54:15.026-05:002011-11-13T19:54:15.026-05:00Wondering about this rack, as I'm thinking of ...Wondering about this rack, as I'm thinking of getting the same model. Any insights on strengths or limitations?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-92195862650806420662011-11-13T19:47:04.403-05:002011-11-13T19:47:04.403-05:00Bif - I think the stem is 9cm. The bike has a touc...Bif - I think the stem is 9cm. The bike has a touch of TCO with the wide tires and fenders and I'd want mine to be without, so elongating it would help with that as well. <br /><br />cyclotourist - I don't think Mike has a fixed price list yet, so best thing is to get in touch and ask.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52506819817837148152011-11-13T19:26:41.237-05:002011-11-13T19:26:41.237-05:00Though I have not experienced this myself, I'v...Though I have not experienced this myself, I've heard a number of former or current quill stem users complain about flex, my husband among them. It may depend on your riding style.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18320110678023142842011-11-13T19:09:08.669-05:002011-11-13T19:09:08.669-05:00Quill stems creak and flex and are less than stabl...Quill stems creak and flex and are less than stable?<br />In which universe?<br />Amazing that any quill stem riders are left alive to tell the tale.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4200051415888884662011-11-13T18:20:15.251-05:002011-11-13T18:20:15.251-05:00Thank you for commenting Susan! 4000 miles in the ...Thank you for commenting Susan! 4000 miles in the first year - that's awesome indeed.<br /><br />If I were getting a welded road frame made, I'd go with threadless as well. And I like your handlebars a lot.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59671109231648515312011-11-13T17:52:09.571-05:002011-11-13T17:52:09.571-05:00Cycledote....lovely to hear your thoughts. I rece...Cycledote....lovely to hear your thoughts. I recently tried the compact bars during a custom fit session and agree, they are the bees knees...the cat's meow :) Also, I won't go back to a quill stem, as much as i adore the looks of my stable of Cinelli and TTT stems, the new set-up is so much more stable. Really love your bike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-72689299398736411122011-11-13T17:25:57.517-05:002011-11-13T17:25:57.517-05:00Hi! Sketchy owner here. Thanks for the lovely co...Hi! Sketchy owner here. Thanks for the lovely coverage Velouria! <br />Just a couple of comments, I chose the components and assembled it myself. <br /><br />I agree with the comment about the wiring wrapped around the fork, but at the time that it was built, I didn't think I'd be riding with the dynohub that much, and I also wasn't comfortable-not being in the know- with the idea of internal wiring through my fork. A more suitable solution is in the works in the near future. <br /><br />I also agree that a threaded headset and quill stem might be more suitable for riding with the bars as high as I do, but at the time that the bike was built (this time last year actually), I was "in" to threadless. and I still don't mind it at all. I have ridden quill stems for years, and I remember them always creaking and flexing on me, not that that's a bad thing, but I like the solid feel and the silence of my threadless set up. I also love compact bars, they're the bees knees, and I'll never go back to a traditional long reach, deep drop nitto (which I've also ridden with for years). <br />I think my bike is just awesome! I've ridden it about 4000 miles within it's first year, it's versatility means that it's replaced 2 of my bikes (which I sold this year) and I really do ride it everywhere! I put nobbies on it for riding through Cutler park, or Gran Bois for heading out to Ptown. Just AWESOME! and Mike is also AWESOME.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-75464235145338904522011-11-13T17:07:13.136-05:002011-11-13T17:07:13.136-05:00"So it is like a custom version of a Surly Cr...<i>"So it is like a custom version of a Surly Cross-Check or Long Haul Trucker...or Rivendell Atlantis"</i><br /><br />Hmm I guess the Surly Cross-Check comparison comes closest. But the Sketchy is much lighter and felt faster &more maneuverable than the XCheck I tried in my size.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20255258601308335972011-11-13T17:02:55.409-05:002011-11-13T17:02:55.409-05:00Velouria,
Ah, I think I get it now. So it is like ...Velouria,<br />Ah, I think I get it now. So it is like a custom version of a Surly Cross-Check or Long Haul Trucker? Or if you'd rather a custom TIG welded version of a Bridgestone XO-1 or Rivendell Atlantis.<br /><br />The one-on-one experience is very valuable when springing for a custom bike as is a builder who does the same sort of riding you are planning to.Christopher Stefanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17542828573208066338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83574753042897799612011-11-13T16:53:33.307-05:002011-11-13T16:53:33.307-05:00I like the Scratchy.I like the Scratchy.Peppy (the also, isn't it time to feed me cat)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12749290529234488892011-11-13T16:49:03.916-05:002011-11-13T16:49:03.916-05:00Christopher Stefan - I think it is quite similar t...Christopher Stefan - I think it is quite similar to a Seven, except steel, specialising in on/off road, lower priced, and a one-on-one experience with a small builder. Some prefer that. Royal H is very different in that Bryan specialises in lugged frames, and as a builder he has a track/racing background.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-24827210330866017682011-11-13T16:46:25.616-05:002011-11-13T16:46:25.616-05:00I asked Mike why he calls them Sketchy after I bar...I asked Mike why he calls them Sketchy after I bartered for a frame that was his old cross race frame and he told me because when he made his first a friend said "Dude that looks Sketchy." <br /><br />In response to Christopher, Mike is a welder for Seven he makes these steel bikes for friends and family for fun and the love of making bikes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1249330843321268702011-11-13T15:09:26.378-05:002011-11-13T15:09:26.378-05:00THAT is one BEAUTIFUL bike! It looks well used a...THAT is one BEAUTIFUL bike! It looks well used and capable of anything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17294570501051963102011-11-13T12:44:11.700-05:002011-11-13T12:44:11.700-05:00It sounds like a lot of thought went into that bik...It sounds like a lot of thought went into that bike, both from the framebuilder and whoever assembled it. <br /><br />It's ironic that people are now "discovering" those road-to-trail bikes that were made for decades by the French constructeurs as well as a number of English and Japanese builders. They make a lot of sense for people who don't race and who want to (or can) own only one bike.Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69325025246362404052011-11-13T12:39:32.508-05:002011-11-13T12:39:32.508-05:00How much does a frame/fork cost?How much does a frame/fork cost?cyclotouristhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08432432995861421062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43503279364088215892011-11-13T12:34:49.135-05:002011-11-13T12:34:49.135-05:00Nice machine! The cable hanger is nicely done &...Nice machine! The cable hanger is nicely done & the forks look neat too, although can't help thinking that a threaded headset would be better with a quill stem :>/<br /><br />The narrow rack is tidy too - maybe she may consider having it coated a different colour? Or is there a functional problem with it?Isla...https://www.blogger.com/profile/09569097700652272494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-32073654084358846742011-11-13T12:24:46.814-05:002011-11-13T12:24:46.814-05:00Nice bike, not exactly the component mix and color...Nice bike, not exactly the component mix and color I would choose, but that is to be expected on a custom bike.<br /><br />My only real quibble is I don't like how the wire for the dyno light is wound around the fork blade. As this is a custom bike ideally the wire would be routed internal to the fork blade. At the very least it should be neatly zip tied to the back of the fork with ties that blend into the fork color.<br /><br />To be fair I've seen plenty of factory and custom builds where the headlight wiring is wrapped around the fork like this.<br /><br />I'm still curious why those in the know in the Boston area are choosing Sketchy bikes over all of their other options. What makes it better than a Seven or a Royal H. for instance?Christopher Stefanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17542828573208066338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5427870769114105532011-11-13T12:11:21.910-05:002011-11-13T12:11:21.910-05:00Cool bike, I like it.
Based on your 5th pic from...Cool bike, I like it. <br /><br />Based on your 5th pic from the top, the stem looks short and so hypothetically maybe add a centimeter or two there, and maybe bring stem down a centimeter lower on the steer tube, which could alleviate your feeling too upright and/or scrunched.Bifhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543158648103470697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20727131826162615432011-11-13T12:08:16.207-05:002011-11-13T12:08:16.207-05:00Like this bike, I send it a message of love.
Wh...Like this bike, I send it a message of love. <br /><br />Whatwith "Sketchy" though? In cycling terms, it is the guy you stay away from in group rides because he's, y'know, sketchy. Or when the descent is rilly, rilly gnar. "Tweaker" or "meth head" also come to mind. <br /><br />Furthermore, I had a bike that exact shade of internet pink.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.com