THE bike build

I was round at the inlaws yesterday, and their neighbour has just received his 50th birthday present from his wife – a 57-year-old MGA. Lovely looking thing. My wife then says “Is that the kind of thing you’d be interested in for your 40th?” (It’s 2 years off yet) My reply was a predictable one involving 2 wheels and pedals, to which she looked thoughtful (woohoo!) This got me thinking about what I’d choose if this became a reality. I think the choices are probably:

– Enrollment on framebuilding and wheelbuilding courses, end up with something really nice, and built by me. I’d be aiming for something fast and fairly racy. 853 steel (don’t think you can use 953 on a training course, guess it’s too tricky to work with) with a nice paintjob, probably Campag (Shimano would seem wrong on a bike like this), nice wheels.

– A ‘lifetime purchase’ frameset like Ti, 953 or something, with everything else to make it a complete bike.

– Just take advantage of the opportunity to buy something quick and pricey, like a Cervelo or Colnago or whatever.

So, thoughts? Reckon I’ve missed out something? What would you choose?