Re: unabashed plug, Crumpton

On May 7, 3:28=A0pm, Chalo <chalo.col...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

> Funny-- I've been part of the cycling scene here in Austin for over
> twenty years, minus the years of 2001-2006 that I spent in Seattle.
> I've never even heard of Nick Crumpton or his bikes. =A0I guess he must
> limit his public interface to only the scowling plum-smugglers of our
> fair city.

What's a plum smuggler?

> I wonder how much he'd charge for a longtail cargo bike frame? =A0Or a
> sociable tandem?

Why be sarcastic? Yes, these are "race bikes". What's the problem?

> =A0I think handbuilding should be used where it yields
> noteworthy benefits.

Noteworthy benefits seem to be the subject of the review. I've heard
testimonials from an owner or two. Um, professional people who haven't
been hypnotized or drugged as far as I know.

If the objection is to "bike whores" writing pie-in-the-sky
advertising in the form of phony "reviews", perhaps Seven's ad budget
(and general cor****ate largeness, fame, prestige, political clout,
etc. etc.)  should be compared to Crumpton's "one guy in his little
shop" operation in Austin.

>=A0I mean, can't someone buy a plastic road bike
> basically indistinguishable from that one just about anywhere for a
> whole lot less money?

No.

> I guess a lot of folks who are indiscriminate enough to drop $9k on a
> bike must want something just like what they've already got, only more
> expensive.

"Indiscriminate"? That's taking on a lot, frankly speaking.

>=A0If one of the consequences is a guy making bikes by hand
> and earning a decent living for his work, though, then that's OK by
> me.

That price point enables a "decent living", via spending a lot of time
working at making frames and promoting, etc. Which way do you want to
slice this luncheon loaf, Chalo?  --D-y