Festka Scalatore: My Dream Bike Build

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

The search for a dream bike started with a fundamental question. Which bike works the best for me? This was not an easy question to answer. As it often happens, even after the search to fulfil a need begins, it is not surprising to find that the mind is as yet unclear about the parameters of the search. My case was no different when I started asking myself some fundamental questions. Should I buy one of the mass-produced mainstream brands? Is it better to go in for a frame or a completely built bike? How about aero vs light weight? Will electronic groupsets be better than mechanical? Rim or disc brakes? And the list kept on increasing. There is no dearth of information on the internet. There are channels galore that bring out reviews with unerring regularity. But as I devoured the content in giga byte loads, certain things became evident. There seemed to be some kind of hesitation amongst websites and channels to go against the grain of thinking of big brands, with a few exceptions.

It all started with the desire to buy my dream bike. For those who are brave and if I may add rather presumptuously, foolish enough to tread on such paths – Beware. For such journeys can prove to be quite the adventure. An expensive and treacherous adventure. This is obviously not true for the thoroughbred cyclist geeks, who can all at once embarrass the procurement and engineering department of bicycle companies with their knowledge. I intend to address the larger majority that aspires without the requisite experience. That hopes for redemption without equipping themselves with the necessary understanding that is needed to make the right choice. That prefers to focus on cycling as a hobby rather than pour over heavy engineering gibberish that confuses more than clarifies. That has long divorced simple English and is in a lifelong relationship with jargon. The world of social media has been rather helpful in cutting through the clutter. There are videos explaining most facets of bi