one bike to rule them all - my custom della santa

I decided to do a paring down of bikes and consolidate into one bike what seemed to be redundancies in various rides I'd accumulated over the years.  My idea was to take my Gunnar Sport as the basic idea, with it's roadworthy ride characteristics as well as it's dirt abilities, and upgrade it, so to speak, with a locally made bike by Reno legend, Roland Della Santa.  In the end this bike is to replace and consolidate several different in my stable with one bike that is even nicer.

I knew what I'd end up with would be nice, but after the first real ride out to the Verdi loop, I realized that I'd gotten even more than I'd bargained for.  A road racing bike that takes a 35mm tire and still feels zippy.  But more than that, I think I may now own the prettiest bike I've ever seen.  And in my decades of bicycle obsession, I've seen a whole lot of amazingly beautiful bikes over the years.  Forgive the many photos...I went a little crazy.

The Paul Medium Racer brakes are backordered but that will be the last addition

40th Anniversary Chris King Headset

Those are 35mm Compass Tires that fit in there...not the best angle but there is plenty of room.

I've wanted a lugged stem for years and this seemed like the right bike to put it on.

Almost a shame the Fleur de Lis bottle bosses are being covered up

Pretty to look at even while riding.

It's the little things...cables

Santa Baby

First real ride!

Good beer, good dog, good bike!