Unlike many of the other custodians of Richard Sachs bicycles, I did not know for decades, or even years, that I wanted one!  I have known for more than 35 years (after I crashed my Raleigh roadster for the final time) that I wanted a really great bike, but it was only within the past 18 months that it became clear to me that the bicycle I wanted was a Richard Sachs.  First I thought of it as a nice-to-have-some-day-in-the-future-bike, and then I thought maybe a previously owned one (and just missed out on a couple that were advertised).  Finally, after an unexpected bit of income, it was "Let's do it."  I didn't want to wait, so I wrote an e-mail to Richard and asked about shelf stock he might have in my size.  He replied that only an Anniversary Model frame was available.  After an exchange of e-mails on the specs and a phone call about downtube shifters and shifter bosses, the frame was on its way to me.

It is now built up on Campagnolo Shamal Record HPW, 12-spoke wheels with Continental Supersonics.  The drive train is a Y2K Campagnolo Record titanium 9-speed EXA drive, with DT shifters.  We decided on the downtube shifters to preserve the classic beauty of the headtube.  Following that theme, the brake cable housings are looped up over the handlebars, and the housings are the same color as the headtube; nothing competes with the headtube for the eye's attention.  The Richard Sachs bicycle is thoroughly modern with a timelessly classic profile.

Standing still, this bike takes my breath away, but on the road it is a wonder to ride.  Its low bottom bracket and short wheelbase make it stable and smooth.  Either spinning through a straight and long passage, or pushing aggressively through tight turns, it feels "just right."  To borrow a phrase from car parlance, it is tossable.

Although this frame is number 25 of the 25 anniversary models crafted between 1997 and 1999, and was not custom built for me, it is of the same specifications as the ideal frame defined for me by two of the on-line fitting programs.  And because everything came together so fortuitously to bring this bike here, I know it was made for me.  The fit, the feel, and the ride of my bicycle are all perfect!
 

I just got in from a 50 mile ride, and wanted to write this.  Last January I joined the Classic Rendezvous mailing list to ask about rehabbing my early '70s German-made Kent, and now (although I have all the parts necessary) it stands neglected in the workshop.  Since last January, I have acquired a Raleigh, two Bianchis, and two Richard Sachs — a late '70s and an Anniversary model.  I like all these bikes very much, including the Kent, but when I go for a nice ride (we try to do at least one 35-50 miler every weekend) I want to ride the Anniversary Sachs.

Two weekends ago, I pedaled the Anniversary Sachs 105 miles up and down the river side and over several of the Inland Waterway bridges (our pretension to hills around here).  The bike is beautiful and rides wonderfully.  It has a nine-cog cluster on the rear, and twelve-spoke Shamals, but the rest of it is very classic: non-aero brake levers and cables, downtube shifters, toeclip and strap pedals, and a Brooks saddle.  I love the way I feel at the end of a ride.

The late '70s Sachs looks like it came out of a time machine: not a mark or chip on the paint, and no wear on the drive train or brake pads.  It came with an eclectic mix of Nuovo Record, Super Record, and what must be very early C-Record parts.  It had gone back to Richard in January of 1980 for braze-ons and was built up sometime after that and then hardly ever ridden. 

The Wheelsmith-built wheels were very true, and the Vittoria sew-ups held air for three days, so I decided to take it out for a spin and compare Sach vs. Sachs.  The glue, however, was so dried out that the tires started to squirm and roll on the rims (lots of base tape showing) and I had to cut short the test ride.  A more complete comparison of the two generations is still in the plans.

The two bikes look different (old RS logo vs. new, as well as different lugs, top tube diameter and cable routing, seat tube angles, wheels, and saddles), but standing next to each other they share a look and a bond across the decades that reflects their craftsmanship and elegance.  Sometimes at night, I will just look at them, and they are beautiful to look at: function forcing form.

So I am looking forward to more years just like this past one.