My mission for the Perfect Single Speed Bike began Sunday, October 17. Actually, let’s rewind: my mission for the perfect single speed bike really began the Fall of 2005. That was when I broke up with my beau - he of the almighty track bike and he who both built and took away my former, almost perfect single speed bike.* The Former Beau instilled in me a love of bike-riding with our treks around Philadelphia, 19-mile trip to Fort Washington, and ?? kilometer trip in Xishuangbanna, China, where we got bypassed by pineapple trucks and lost amongst rice patties. But this isn’t a story about faraway travels with the ex. This is a story about My Perfect Single Speed Bike!!
Anyway, I was forced to look for a new bike upon the dissolution of our relationship and with the bike still in his parents’ storage. I managed to beg off the mission for 3 years before my friend Lauren rekindled my love of bikes with rides to Williamsburg and Manhattan Beach. Upon my return from vacation in September, I was determined to find myself a bike. Jeff, a fixed gear enthusiast himself, set out with me to Brooklyn Flea. After testing used bikes ranging from $300 - $500 from Shane da Bikejack, we ultimately passed to get a Shiny New Bike as a long term investment.
In the mean time, we lusted after these:
Shepherd Fairey’s Limited Edition Fuji Fixed Gear Bike
Perhaps I am a latent hipster, but bike aesthetics were very important in this search. I wanted a single speed bike for its minimalist look and feel; while my eye is best trained for fixed gears, I know my legs are not. So after:
- Three committed weekends
- Test riding 4 bikes
- Visiting 5 additional stores
- Calling several local bike shops for my bike in the perfect size
I bought:
A Bianchi Single Speed San Jose Bicycle in Dark Green, Size 49.
!!!
Words could not express the glee and freedom I felt riding this baby over the Brooklyn Bridge back home. Not even the pedestrians walking on the wrong side of the divide could get me down. (Spoken like a true NYC urban bike warrior.)
In fact, as if to affirm my purchase, while I was taking cheesy pictures of my bike and me outside the shop, a French couple paused in front of the Bianchi, pointed to it, and said to each other - Ca c’est tres bien, n’est pas?
N’est pas, indeed!
Tomorrow I will be giving it a test ride to work, dinner in the city, and home. I am nervous yet optimistic about what the future holds. Now, baby just needs a name…
*Almost perfect because it had quick release wheels, one of which got stolen and would permanently ingrain a fear that any future bike purchase will always be so compromised.
