The Italians – Bike Snob NYC

Schools are closed for Midwinter Recess and that means this blog is too. However, since 2024 is The Year Of Paring Down, I am taking advantage of the downtime to inventory and assess my velocipedal holdings as they currently stand. So between Monday and Friday I will make a thorough accounting of all my bicycles, not including the ones belonging to other members of my immediate family, or parts and frames stuffed deep in a storage unit, which is to say it won’t be very thorough at all. Nevertheless, it will be a more or less complete picture of all fully-assembled bicycles currently owned, operated, and regularly ridden by me. This will allow me to determine whether or not I need to continue divesting or acquiring as the case may be, and is entirely for my own edification. So while you’re welcome to read and comment don’t expect to be entertained, though honestly you shouldn’t be expecting that anyway.

See you back here Monday, February 26th.

I Love You,

–Tan Tenovo

1982 Nishiki Cervino

Use: Road rides

Clothes: Bikey, wooly

Miscellaneous notes: At least 75% of the time Paul from Classic Cycle sends me a bike to try I end up falling for it. I fell for the Cervino because it’s such a beautiful example of a classic road bike, and despite the tall gearing it’s very comfortable and a joy to ride. It’s the only bike I keep inside my actual home, and while I’m liable to choose it any day of the week it’s my favorite bike for a Sunday ride. The Sunday road ride is an act of devotion, and to don the traditional Fredly vestments and lash my feet to the pedals just as generations of cyclists have done before me makes me feel at peace with myself and at one with cycling dorkdom.

The Faggin

Use: Road Rides

Clothes: Bikey

Miscellaneous notes: If riding the Cervino is a ritualistic act of communion, then riding the Faggin is very much a worldly, carnal affair, like indulging in rich food and drink and all that comes with it. Don’t let the pink paint fool you; this thing is a race bike, and with the long and low cockpit it certainly acts like one. Like the Cervino it’s also a classic, but unlike the Cervino it’s nicked and dented, with little rust spots and a hodge-podge of components from deep in the parts bin. Two sides of the same coin, yin and yang, the angel and the devil on each shoulder, Abbott and Costello, yadda yadda.

Overall I think the paring down went pretty good!