Where Have You Been All My Life?

Life is full of surprises. Some you don’t want, like a funnel web in a shoe, while others are completely unexpected but more than welcome, even if you are then left with figuring out the hows, whys and HOW?s of the serendipitous conundrum now presented to you.

This is how I now feel, after fate knocked at my door via a source that doesn’t really deliver much in the way of anything other than frustration at the inanity of it all: Facebook. Yes, that bane of modern life, which at once draws me in and repels me, finally provided a moment, a gift for which I can be genuinely thankful. Playing matchmaker, from out of the blue my heart set aflutter, eyes unable to be pried from the beauty, and a meeting quickly in the planning. Finally, after a long and oftentimes bumpy road, I think I’ve found The One.

She’s black, possibly orange, I’ve not been able to decide as yet, but I’m sure she’ll be either or both. Of course her nationality is Belgian; I’ve had (and still have) successful partnerships with Belgique dames before, and believe that the spiritual connection is strong with the motherland. As with all the finest leading ladies, she’ll be dressed in sensual, dark accoutrements tailored by Italians, the finest in their game. She will deserve nothing less.

I will travel to her hometown and meet her family, those who gave her life and who will hand her to me. I’ve researched her history, all the way back to 1934. The great grandparents, the passion they’ve instilled in their offspring, passed down over four generations. Old world values, carried into the modern day while never losing sight of what is important, what is desirable, what makes the heart sing. The experience, the feel, the beauty of simplicity, the realness only found in the original, that warrants the artisan’s touch and displays the heart openly and proudly on its sleeve. There will be no plastic surgery, none required, none desired.

Her name is Jaegher. Love at first sight does exist. Consummation beckons.

[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/[email protected]/Jaegher/”/]

 

Related Posts

87 Replies to “Where Have You Been All My Life?”

  1. @freddy

    @brett…there’s nothing like inserting yourself into a narrative to enrich your life-go for it!

    I went with the classic red accents on my black Marinoni-which is a little dated now. I’m likin’ your dark grey option.

    Speaking of dark grey, this has caught my eye

    Nice and nice! I love the look of a SS ‘crosser, and that’s badass.

    Ritcheys have always given me Frischbone.

  2. @TBONE

    While we’re on the topic of steel bikes, was over at a friend’s place and noticed he had my old ’97 Vitali. So I bought it back from him for $100. Got in touch with Paul (who called himself Paulo Vitali, he’s British, but not Scottish) who still had some original decals. Got Toxik Harald to paint it up for me, burnt orange. Tracked down a bunch of 8 speed Veloce parts for the ones that needed replacement. Waiting on a carbon fork, threadless Campagnolo Chorus headset, and I’m good to go. A buddy of mine might sell me his 10 speed Record Gruppo, which is mostly carbon, which will look frigging baddassed on this bike. he’s thinking January. I should have the bike built and ready to go in a couple of weeks. Know what? That banged up, 17 year old BB feels better than the Chorus BB I have on my Cinelli.

    1 / 3
    Slideshow:

    Fullscreen:

    Download:

    What a score! If that’s not meant to be I dunno what is… old frames and old Campa just never seem to age.

  3. @brett

    @TBONE

    While we’re on the topic of steel bikes, was over at a friend’s place and noticed he had my old ’97 Vitali. So I bought it back from him for $100. Got in touch with Paul (who called himself Paulo Vitali, he’s British, but not Scottish) who still had some original decals. Got Toxik Harald to paint it up for me, burnt orange. Tracked down a bunch of 8 speed Veloce parts for the ones that needed replacement. Waiting on a carbon fork, threadless Campagnolo Chorus headset, and I’m good to go. A buddy of mine might sell me his 10 speed Record Gruppo, which is mostly carbon, which will look frigging baddassed on this bike. he’s thinking January. I should have the bike built and ready to go in a couple of weeks. Know what? That banged up, 17 year old BB feels better than the Chorus BB I have on my Cinelli.

    1 / 3
    Slideshow:
    Fullscreen:
    Download:

    What a score! If that’s not meant to be I dunno what is… old frames and old Campa just never seem to age.

    I was so happy to sell it, and so happy to get it back.

    @Teocalli

    @TBONE Result !

    When it’s done, which will be

    SOON

  4. @brett

    Steven at Jaegher has thrown another option into the mix… dark grey with orange highlights, which I’m digging. They can do custom V-logos as well, and suggests working on custom paint scheme. I love their customer service and passion, and he’s been trawling through our site and seems to be on the same page.

    This bike is the dark grey…

     

    3 / 3
    Slideshow:

    Fullscreen:

    Download:

     

    No matter what you do, tell me you are NOT thinking of having that seattube in any colour.  For the love of Merckx that is one FUCK’IN ugly seattube!  (and you really need an orange bike … another black bike is sooooo, just so Specialized/blah). 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n8rfFRvIH0

    What the world needs now is another black bike like you need a hole in your head!

  5. @Kupepe

    I bought a carbon bike, then I went to steel using a Colnago frame from late 70s – early 80s. Now I am fixed on making a modern steel bike for my #1. Chorus 11, Campy Shamal Mille wheelet (once they are out), 3T carbon accessories. After a lot of search I shortlisted the following makers

    1) Baum Ristretto ( Awsome builder, amazing paint, graphics exactly on my taste)

    2) Pegorreti Marcelo ( Dario, Dario, Dario and Dario quality – The paintschemes though … trying to like them)

    3) Jaegher ( Nice build, high aesthetics imo, good price if compared to other two)

    The price of Baum or Pegorreti are about 50% higher for me here in the EU. Jaegher has some issues with the paint quality. Chips out easily according to reports over the net.

    A dedicated forum for Jaegher : http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/f11/jaegher-hunt-34056.html

    I love my Peg.  Dario was more understated with the paint in the past…

  6. @Buck Rogers

    @brett

    It’s a fucking conundrum alright…

    2 / 3
    Slideshow:
    Fullscreen:
    Download:

    Really leaning towards black frame, with V orange trim. Not sure about an orange fork, but could work.

    Foook’in ORANGE, MATE!!! There are sooooooooo many black biikes out there. Why add another one. I have a steel LeMan Poprad in Cannibal Orange that is just stunning. Go with ORANGE!!!

    I had a LeMond Sarthe of the same year and color. I sold it and it was the worst decision I ever made bike-wise. Don’t ever sell that Sarthe. I watch fleabay for a 49cm LeMond Sarthe in Molteni Orange and I’ve never seen one in pop up in 5 years. Such a great, beautiful bike. The Sarthe had a fade from orange to back paint job on the fork. God, why did I sell that bike?!

  7. @lokerola

    @Buck Rogers

    @brett

    It’s a fucking conundrum alright…

    2 / 3
    Slideshow:
    Fullscreen:
    Download:

    Really leaning towards black frame, with V orange trim. Not sure about an orange fork, but could work.

    Foook’in ORANGE, MATE!!! There are sooooooooo many black biikes out there. Why add another one. I have a steel LeMan Poprad in Cannibal Orange that is just stunning. Go with ORANGE!!!

    I had a LeMond Sarthe of the same year and color. I sold it and it was the worst decision I ever made bike-wise. Don’t ever sell that Propad. I watch fleabay for a 49cm LeMond Sarthe in Molteni Orange and I’ve never seen one in pop up in 5 years. Such a great, beautiful bike. The Sarthe had a fade from orange to back paint job on the fork. God, why did I sell that bike?!

  8. Well, too bad steel is completely irrelevant as a frame material in the modern age

    sarcasm off.

    Some of the iron in this thread is enough to make my head throb.  I realize that when there is time for n+1+1+1 it doesn’t ever HAVE to be carbon.

  9. @Barracuda

    @brett all very nice.

    but then .

    WOW. I’d not been familiar with these bikes. But I was just at their site and they sure are beautiful pieces of work. Ohhh man… Cheers, thx

  10. Other paint options now in the mix: Belgian kit theme (blue with red/yellow/black), Roubaix Velodrome theme (blue with red/white/black). Or Molteni orange with a lot of black.

  11. @brett

    Other paint options now in the mix: Belgian kit theme (blue with red/yellow/black), Roubaix Velodrome theme (blue with red/white/black). Or Molteni orange with a lot of black.

    I have a hankering for pearlescent white with chrome (or stainless) chain/seat stay and the same for forks.  With a band of subtle abstract colour on the seat tube.

  12. Dammit @brett, I thought I had ‘Project 40’ nicely dialled in for a Legend Fedaia and them you go and post this! Maybe I can trade off the longer trip to pick up my bike from Marco for a shorter trip to Belgium and a few more Euros for the frame…

    @freddy

    As a long time retro grouch about all the Taiwanese tat that bears the Ritchey name these days; to the point where I simply won’t put their components on any bike I own, I’m loving the new Logic frame – almost a return to form, although the cost suggests they’re not welded up by Tom any more.

    @barracuda

    A Baum in Gulf Racing colours. That’s pure bike porn right there… Waiting for my mate’s Coretto to arrive so I can attempt to bride him for a ride!

  13. Man I LOOOOVE Baums. Pure bike porn in my book and I have a number or models rolling over as my desktop wall paper but the price is well, wow. I even had the chace for a factory tour which I am told is always personal and exceptional but I decided I didn’t want to put myself so close to something I can’t have.Hard to justify over any number of other brands such as moots or seven but to me, they just aren’t the same. If I own a modern steel, it will be a Baum. There can be no compromise but I don’t know if the budget will ever stretch that far. I hope it does.

  14. @brett

    @Fausto

    Waiting for my mate’s Coretto to arrive so I can attempt to bride him for a ride!

    That’s some commitment.

    Damn you iPhone autocorrect, damn you back to the hell that begat you.

    *bribe, obviously

  15. I think I like nice bikes too much; I’ve even pumped about them when someone else is planning a new rig.

    Many options, brett. Good luck!

    Love the photoset for these bicycles. All of them look great. As we ponder changing tech (the shifting thread) for me a steel frameset is still at the center of a roadies heart. The ride quality is outstanding and they can be dressed up with low-profile alloy clinchers, deep Carbones, or even those low-profile Boras and still look great.

    I’ve finally convinced the VMH to ride my steel De Bernardi when we road ride together. She’s been on a heavy touring bike with DT shifters, that is a size too large. Ha, she’s finally seen how nice STI shifters and 10-s can be. I’m happy to let her use it.

  16. @Ron

    I think I like nice bikes too much; I’ve even pumped about them when someone else is planning a new rig.

    I suffer from this too.

  17. My list of dream choices is along the lines of Pegoretti, Feather, Rourke, Faggin but I’m going to have to add Jaegher.  My choice is limited by lead time for deliver which probably cuts out two and there was something else, now what was that, ah, oh yes cash.  Doesn’t stop me pulling up their sites now and again.

  18. Hi Velominati people !

    Glad to see you love our work. I noticed a comment about chipping paint; since 2014 we have switched to a new basecoat and our topcoat is the same as Mercedes uses which is the very best.

    Our painter also does paint the helmets for Cavendish, frames for Chavanel, Gilbert, Nys, Niels Albert, Stybar and many other National and World Champions, Colnago,…

    We don’t compromise.

    Steven

  19. @brett

    Other paint options now in the mix: Belgian kit theme (blue with red/yellow/black), Roubaix Velodrome theme (blue with red/white/black). Or Molteni orange with a lot of black.

    Brett, you know my vote!  See my Molteni Orange LeMan Poprad above.  Fuckin head turning, beauty of a steel bike!!!

    @lokerola
    Yeah, she’s a keeper for sure!  Never parting with her no matter what.

  20. @Jaegher

    Hi Velominati people !

    Glad to see you love our work. I noticed a comment about chipping paint; since 2014 we have switched to a new basecoat and our topcoat is the same as Mercedes uses which is the very best.

    Our painter also does paint the helmets for Cavendish, frames for Chavanel, Gilbert, Nys, Niels Albert, Stybar and many other National and World Champions, Colnago,…

    We don’t compromise.

    Steven

    Nice to see you here!  Much appreciated.

  21. @Jaegher

    Hi Velominati people !

    Glad to see you love our work. I noticed a comment about chipping paint; since 2014 we have switched to a new basecoat and our topcoat is the same as Mercedes uses which is the very best.

    Our painter also does paint the helmets for Cavendish, frames for Chavanel, Gilbert, Nys, Niels Albert, Stybar and many other National and World Champions, Colnago,…

    We don’t compromise.

    Steven

    It just gets awesomer!

  22. If you have any questions, feel free to ask !

    You are always welcome for a visit as well, please let us know in advance.

  23. @Jaegher

    If you have any questions, feel free to ask !

    Steven, welcome and nice machines. Looking at the photo of the all black interceptor (with boras) posted above by Brett. Is that bike a custom geometry? If so, what is the st/tt/ht measurements? While weight isn’t really important, just curious what a modern steel bike like that(with campa and boras) can get down to these days. How would one of your Jaegher ride compared to an old steel bike, like the Merckx MXL that I recently posted over on the bikes thread? Lastly, please tell me you still use threaded bb’s!

  24. Thanks for your positive comment ! I’ll have to check on the geo to be sure, but it’s a regular size 56 or 58. I’ll measure it to be sure and get back to you. The frame is only one part of a complete bike and also depends on sizes (a small frame is lighter than a large one). We have build bike between about 6.3 and 8.5kg.

    The MXL was a very stiff bike but extremely heavy. Alloys, tubing fabrication, heat treating, welding, welding materials, precision,… all have changed. Now we can go a lot lighter, the rides will be even smoother (a strong point for steel) and with stiffness we can go different directions from slightly less stiff to extremely stiff.

    BSA threaded brackets only here !

  25. @Gibstone

    Well, too bad steel is completely irrelevant as a frame material in the modern age

    sarcasm off.

    Some of the iron in this thread is enough to make my head throb. I realize that when there is time for n+1+1+1 it doesn’t ever HAVE to be carbon.

    Hear about Ford’s new F-150 going Aluminum? This is the part of the truck that counts. And it is steel:

    cq5dam.web.480.480.jpeg

    Specialized’s Allez bike is a sweet AL alloy frameset manufactured from hydroformed alloy tubes. It’s just not round tubes like old Cannondales. Advanced high strength steels, tailored blanks and hydroforming might just be possible to create some very cool bike frames. Not unlike what automotive industry does with vehicle frames I suppose.

  26. @Jaegher

    Thanks for your positive comment ! I’ll have to check on the geo to be sure, but it’s a regular size 56 or 58. I’ll measure it to be sure and get back to you. The frame is only one part of a complete bike and also depends on sizes (a small frame is lighter than a large one). We have build bike between about 6.3 and 8.5kg.

    The MXL was a very stiff bike but extremely heavy. Alloys, tubing fabrication, heat treating, welding, welding materials, precision,… all have changed. Now we can go a lot lighter, the rides will be even smoother (a strong point for steel) and with stiffness we can go different directions from slightly less stiff to extremely stiff.

    BSA threaded brackets only here !

    Very compelling. So much more panache than the cookie cutter carbons. Just received my 2015 “state of the art carbon wunderbike” as a crash replacement. Its my first experience with bb86 and its in the shop for the third time because the super record cranks want to fall out and make noise. I told said uber maker its coming back for a refund if the glue doesn’t hold this time. If that happens, I will be calling.

  27. @brett

    We’re in motion. Colour pretty much settled on, and today I purchased this…

    Choice selection for the Jaegher in waiting!

    You’ll need a front derailleur, another brifter and brake caliper.

    Looking forward to seeing the new steed!

  28. @sthilzy

    @brett

    We’re in motion. Colour pretty much settled on, and today I purchased this…

    You’ll need a front derailleur, another brifter and brake caliper.

    Going 1x. And a dropper post.

  29. @brett

    We’re in motion. Colour pretty much settled on, and today I purchased this…

    Ohhhhh man.  Perfetto!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.