For Deer Life – Bike Snob NYC

Further to yesterday’s post, ace commenter “sbarner” notes that Lucas Brunelle almost certainly crashed after hitting this pothole:

Oddly he doesn’t mention this in his explanation of why he crashed, perhaps because he has no idea what he’s doing and sort of “wrong-dogs” his way through the world.

Also a YouTube commenter notes that when he does his inane demonstration of how to turn “properly” he executes the entire maneuver with one hand on the lever and the other in the drop:

What a strange man.

Also as I mentioned briefly yesterday, the Platypus presale is happening, and if you want one you’d better act now, because the only thing harder than scoring a Platypus is saying “Platypus presale” ten times in rapid succession.

I should also mention as I always do that Rivendell have not put me up to this, and as usual I only realized the sale was going on because I happened to be visiting the site. So rest assured I’m only sharing this because I’m extremely fond of my own Platypus, which you can see here:

If you’re wondering why the rear derailleur is obscured, I cannot confirm or deny rumors that Rivendell is working on a wireless electronic rear derailleur, or that I’ve been field testing it. I will also neither confirm nor deny that this is the new Rivendell electronic friction shifter that goes with it:

Furthermore, I absolutely refuse to confirm or deny persistent rumors that in field testing all this stuff I have been electrocuted several times, including scranially. I should also note that all the “Did you hear how Bike Snob singed his perineum?” posts on the RBW Owners Bunch group are especially malicious. Plus, they don’t even make scientific sense, because my Platypus is equipped with a Brooks saddle, and leather doesn’t conduct electricity. Worst of all, my family really shouldn’t have to read that sort of stuff about me on the Internet, now should they?

Just kidding, I can assure you my family does not read the RBW Owners Bunch group.

But yes, I love my Platypus and use it often as it’s not only my most comfortable bike but also the one with the greatest carrying capacity, and I even keep a super long lock in the saddle bag so I can lock up the whole family’s bikes when we go to the pub.

It’s also an ideal bike for rambles like this, even if I didn’t happen to be riding the Platypus on this particular ramble:

What was I riding? That’s between me and the deer:

Hey, I’ve got to have some secrets…though I will say I’d fitted a tool roll to the bike just prior to heading out, and I had to backtrack in order to find it after it ejected itself on a bumpy descent:

I’m lucky I found it because it blended seamlessly into the terrain:

These tool rolls are beautiful and the maker used to advertise them right here on this very blog. However I find that they’re best used with Brooks saddles, where there’s lots of space between the rails and everything stays put. For example, the one on my Roaduno hasn’t budged since I put it on:

However, in conjunction with a low-profile racing saddle you can think you’ve got it really tight, only to notice a clinking sound and realize that the roll has jettisoned itself and the empty toe strap is now swinging beneath your saddle and hitting your seatpost. Alas, the equipment of Fred-dom and the trappings of Retrogrouchery are often incompatible. Sure, you can attempt to marry them as I often do, only to find that halfway through your ride your tool roll has escaped from beneath your plastic ass hatchet, your frame pump has shot itself from your pump peg-less frame like a bolt from a crossbow, and your helmetless head has somehow gotten stuck inside your Cervélo V-stem like you’re a brigand in a stockade:

Holy crap is that thing ugly

Speaking of crabon bikes, I’ve still got this one, which is basically the Anti-Platypus:

Which should not be confused with the Australian anarcho-punk band of the same name:

[I asked the AI to generate “The Logo For An Australian Anarcho-Punk Band Called Anti-Platypus” and I must say it did better than I expected. Sure, the spelling isn’t even close, but I doubt an Australian anarcho-punk could do much better.]

Maybe I should try a raffle, maybe that would work…

Plus there are still more bikes and frames where that came from, which I have yet to share, but will in due course, and that’s to say nothing of all the parts.

Meanwhile, a few bikes and frames have found new homes with a few of you so far, and if you’re among those new owners I’m grateful to have met you and hope these new acquisitions give you many miles of cycling enjoyment.

Thanks from all of us here at Tan Tenovo House, your premier destination for auctions and private sales.