An excerpt from a recent “What’s New” article by the racer oriented suppliers, Competitive Cyclist:

“There is a certain sort of durability to the stuff we sell — impact-resistant rims, clamp force-impervious bars, framesets with stiffness galore. But durability defined this way shouldn’t be mistaken for permanence. I can’t say we ever sold a Pinarello Prince Carbon or a set of Zipp 404′s with the assurance that 15 years from now you’ll still be eager or able to ride it. Take any of the million recent photos from the Tour of California peloton, and consider the tight fleet of bikes you’ll see there. In their speed, their iridescence, and their technology…Does any of it suggest forever?

“I don’t mean this as a criticism. When it comes to pro-quality bikes, “useful life cycle” isn’t necessarily inversely proportional to performance. Most of the stuff we sell hits a sweet spot with a reasonable life expectancy paired to desirable ride qualities. Given this balance, then, why do I sometimes crave permanency?”

Yes, this ellusive permanency is the cornerstone of Renaissance Bicycles.  From resurrecting vintage road bikes from their murky corners of the attic, to selling high-end handbuilt Moots titanium bikes, we sell bikes with an extended “useful life cycle”.

After all, what good is your next bicycle purchase if it will only be followed by another in a year’s time?  Why expend the time, energy, and money only to immediately repeat?  Sure you might have the latest / greatest for a week or month, but it will soon be usurped by the laterest / greaterest.  In other words, unless you belong to the elite cycling fraternity, the cutting edge cycling technology really has no practical value.

Rather than continue an unfulfilling infinite process, we believe in building high-quality, craftsman oriented, durable products that perform well now, and will contine to perform in the future.  After all, our mission is to build and sell beautiful bicycles that are meant to be enjoyed.

In simple terms, we have found pleasure in time-tested designs, heritage craftsmanship, and the inherent qualities of steel and leather.  We hope you will too.