Strange New World: Picks of the Week
The X Games starting this weekend will be broadcast in nearly every medium.
Aug. 2, 2007 — -- It's finally August. Hot. Humid. And let's be honest, ain't much happenin' here in the strange new world of technology.
The whole industry basically takes the dog days of August off. So that means geeks like us can turn our attention to the usually ignored world around us … and save a little money. Our best-of list this week includes custom-made bicycles for the masses, real value in flat panel TVs, and even more reasons to stay home and stare at that big screen.
A custom suit makes you feel like a million bucks. It's cut to your exact measurements. It fits you just so. And it hides all your little flaws. Now you can get that same feeling on a bike. Well, maybe not the exact same feeling -- a linen bike frame would stain pretty easily.
A slew of custom bike makers are making their presence known on the Web and on the street. These makers take exact measurements of your legs, arms and torso, and then build or match frames, handlebars and other components to your specs. The result is a bike that is more comfortable to ride. And with comfort comes performance and more all around fun.
We did a little research while watching the Tour de France and munching Funyuns, and discovered that the custom bike is no longer only for the rich, famous and European. Now there are custom makers for the rest of us.
Our faves right now are Independent Fabrication up in Somerville, Mass.; the ultra-hip Vanilla Bicycles out in Portland, Ore.; and our favorite little maker: Oregon's own Ira Ryan Cycles, who, we kid you not, make the coolest pink bike ever.
Now none of these rides is exactly cheap. Ira can get you into a custom bike for around $1,500 if you ask him nicely, and the others cost more. But with better factory bikes getting so pricey -- the Trek Madone 5.2, which just won the Tour de France, will set you back at least $5,000 -- custom rides are now comparably priced.
And besides, think of all the money you will save on gas as you ride your fancy new bike to and from work. That will be the way to hold onto the summer.
