For this bike, I wanted to find a color that whispers instead of shouts. The world doesn't need to know that it's a Sachs, unless I flew by them on the left side of course.

This "giallo ocra", was inspired by a certain icon of the 60's, a symbol of the care-free spirit, of youth — a certain Italian automobile ... but it was not a very popular choice for the car even then. Had Benjamin's Duetto been this color instead of the more popular Farina Rosso, would Mrs. Robinson still wanted a lift home? Perhaps, a different screenplay would have been warranted.

Look closer. Can you see skin break on the edge of a knife? (ok, a file). Shorelines so crisp you can cut your fingers. How JB kept from flinching, pinstriping late at night, alone in the shop, with "Survivors" nubile coeds going for a swim on the tube is beyond me. One would have to look pretty hard to find any traces of "wabi sabi".

Compared to the "Oldvex" aka "NERvex", the new lugs have extended points, larger spoons, and well-defined pincers — all are quite an improvement, but still not over the top . These NEWVEXs conjure up images of bats — bats in flight, bats in repose ... Mickey Mouse ... even ... Elvis ... It might help to see Elvis if you have another tall one. But quit before you see the 'man in the moon' .

That would have to be a Baylis.

Just as one can not imagine an Angelina Jolie or a Denise Richards without lips, Newvex needed lips to look justified and proper, and to carry the lineage. One simply cannot make his point without using the appropriate visual aids, can he?

The bike's fit is NICE, the handling is NICE, the look is just SO. It ranks right up there with my other "Keepers" . It hasn't been very long, but don't think I have any problem finding that ephemeral "jimba ittai" (rider and horse are one) quality with this bike ever. It also fits 650B wheels, but let's keep that a secret.

There are details seen and details unseen, like that toothy (fangs) spade cut-out inside the top tube, and much much more than you and I will ever know. It is possible that it's the unseen details that make a Sachs ride like a Sachs. I can't blame Richard for wanting to keep it for himself. Everything about this bike makes the looong wait ALMOST bearable.

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