Latest Crush

Vanilla Bicycles
I couldn't exactly title it "New Love," (that'll come later) as I have yet to even ride one of their products. So how can I, in all honesty, already be doting on these bicycles and list them under TSTWKT? Let's just say that there a lot of folks out there who have never ridden in a Porsche or in a Ferrari, but know they want one!

Unfortunately, since most of my friends aren't cyclophiles (and as one of them said recently, "that's why we've got you around.") they aren't able to distinguish between a stock bike (your massed produced bikes) and a custom made functional piece of art (from a craftsman who might obsess over the minute details). Depending on whether you're a glass half full or half empty person, these craftsman are a burgeoning, albeit tiny subset of the cycling community (if you already envision the bike industry as being a small subset of the population, then imagine how small the group of frame builders to be).

Sacha White, owner and builder of Vanilla Bicycles based out of Portland, OR (which probably boasts the highest number of frame builders per capita), is in that glorious minority. He started building frames in 1999. Although many link him to apprenticing under Tim Paterek, he didn't, but he did build his first frame with Paterek.

As I've never met Sacha White, nor have I been to his shop, most of what I know of him and Vanilla comes from those who have had direct contact with him or have had the experience of owning/riding one of his frames (like my friend Pip, above inset). However, what I've read and seen about White and Vanilla (below; both from the company's website) are indicative of the type of person that "just gets it," and the type of bicycle that may not only be your latest crush, but also your last one.


I started building bike frames with a lust for fine craftsmanship and a developed eye for detail.
This passion is what drives me still. Whether I am meeting with a customer and discussing the design of their new frame, sculpting a brass joint, or polishing stainless lugs on a frame for 10 hours straight

I go for perfection
I would never say that "At Vanilla we make the finest bicycle in the world" That's pompous. I can say, however, that I build the finest vanilla bicycle, with out question.

If you see another bike out there and it makes you want to freak out and do what ever you can to have it then that's the bike for you.

Like music, clothing or fantastic coffee it is all about you and your taste.
Vanilla Bicycles have a flavor unlike any other on earth!