The other day I was depositing some money into the bank, money that for the first time in as long as I can remember wasn’t needed immediately to pay bills or alleviate some emergency. Money that should probably sit patiently in the bank waiting until I need to buy a new car in a year or put a new roof on the house or some other practical purpose. But this money really wants to become a custom frame.

I’ve been thinking about it, and I really want a frame with S&S couplers. Something that packs into an airline acceptable case and just goes with you without a lot of drama. Sure, it might cost $25 to get it on board depending on the airline and destination. But that’s a heck of a lot cheaper than shlepping a regular bike box. When I saw Jake’s bike at my first SSAZ, I was intrigued. Now it’s perhaps within my reach.

One of my guiding principles is to enjoy riding my bike is as many various places as I can. Due to my job, I can’t really take off on 3-week tours by car. But I do get to travel all over the country to cool places. Imagine if my bike could just come with me. Instead of dealing with the rental situation in Tahoe City for one day on my August trip, I could have ridden three days right from the hotel.

Anyway, so now i’m obsessed with looking for someone to build me a bike. It’s an exciting concept, to think i could have a frame that takes into account my freakishly long torso and short, stubby legs. My love for fast handling, twitchy frames AND bottom brackets that aren’t too low. A frame that packs into a suitcase to go with me. I’m thinking steel, because I’m not quite Ti flush. Leaning away from belt drive, because i’m just not sure it’s mainstream enough. 29er. Singlespeed with EBB, option to run it geared if I’d like.

I’ve been researching frame builders as listed on the S&S coupler site, trying to find a good match. There are tons of cool frame builders out there. I’m looking at a Retrotec, recommended by Deejay and when Deejay recommends it’s my experience to be right on. Also found this frame builder in Santa Cruz that looks really cool. And still keeping my eyes open. I’d love to find someone on the east coast and be able to visit my frame under construction, but not sure that will be a reality.

Add to this excitement, scheming a summer mountain bike trip with Emily. I’m totally unfocused on the rest of my life now.