NAHBS - Part 6 - The Hidden Heart

A few months back, I attended the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) in Richmond, VA. I had planned on blogging profusely about the host of treasures I came across. I managed to get out a handful of posts, but life kinda got in the way and I was forced to scale back my ambitions. However, there was one thing that I witnessed at the show that I simply had to share.

The NAHBS was filled with some amazing stuff, but the following picture that I took in the booth of Shamrock Cycles is what captured my attention and imagination more than anything else.
It's a heart! I know - you're thinking, "Paul, it's a heart - big deal". Yet look at the picture again.
It's a heart, through the seat tube!! I know - you're thinking, "Paul, it's a heart, through the seat tube - big deal". Yet look at the picture again.
It's a heart, through the seat tube, inserted in the lug joining the top tube, seat tube and seat stays!!! I know - you're thinking, "Paul, it's a heart, through the seat tube, inserted in the lug joining the top tube, seat tube and seat stays - big deal". Yet look at the picture one more time.
I ask you, based on the location of this heart, what will happen to it once the bike is complete? It will be hidden. That's right, you will never see it.

Now, from an engineering perspective, I understand that a hole is needed in all the tubes to provide a vent during the brazing process as well as a path for lubricating the ID of the tubes. However, that practical purpose is easily served by drilling a simple hole. Why go through the trouble of carving a heart, where a simple hole will do? Why go through the trouble of carving a heart in a place where no one will ever see it? There are no practical answers to those questions. It's all about the love between builder and bike.

If a builder is that meticulous about that which is unseen, can you imagine the quality of the rest of that bike? Try to get your mind around that and enjoy the rest of the bike.