Festka Scalatore: My Dream Bike Build

Broadly speaking, a bicycle is divided into the frame, groupset and wheels. The other parts, like the handlebar and seat, contribute to make the bike rideable. As I began my search for the components, it seemed like simply ordering the parts and putting them together. But little did I realise that each part was interlinked with the other and this required a comprehensive approach, rather than a piecemeal one. No wonder, purchase decisions for each part often become a debate on discussion forums. If cost were not a factor, it would be relatively easy to just go in for the bestest and brightest parts from the best builds. However, despite it being a dream build, it was by no means a no holds barred one. At each stage, and with each part, I sometimes spent days if not weeks, repeatedly placing components in the shopping cart, trying to evaluate the cost benefit ratio across different websites. Head over heart. Logic over desire. It was not easy to take decisions, with costs piling up thro

I was re-introduced to cycling after a couple of decades when sanity and logic that had departed me returned. I realised the practical advantages of commuting to the office. This led me to the Brompton folding miracle. And I have not regretted the choice one single day since it came home for the first time. I just wish I had done this earlier; it would have saved me a packet on buying a car, which I no longer need now. This blog is not about my Brompton. However, let me take this opportunity to reinforce how it became the reason for a happier and fitter me. In addition, the folding flexibility of the bike is unmatched. It's simple yet robust engineering that has more or less remained the same with some evolutionary improvements. Its functional build also suggests that there is only as much  we need with our bikes. Unless there is a dramatic shift in technology, a mechanical bicycle can be one of the most reliable machines on the road. The Brompton testifies this claim. I gained t