Introductions - Karl from France

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Karloman
01-23-09, 06:56 AM
Hi everyone.
I'm Karl, a bicycle fanatic from France aged 42.
My interest goes to mountainbiking and self contained touring on short periods mainly here in France but Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Spain are on the list. While not considering myself a collector, I must confess that I own around 20 bicycle of all kinds which allow me to exercise my passion for wrenching.
I would like to congratulate the people behind this wonderful site. Whatever subject bike related I'm interested in, it has a section here, that's great. And thank you to all the contributors for sharing their experience, knowledge and photos. Their comments are very often sharp and helpful from technical, practical and historical point of view. And sometimes they give food for thought on our human condition, those are maybe my favorite ones. I'm also learning a lot about american culture and mindsets !
There's already so much to read and pretty much every question being already asked that I don't think I'll be posting significantly, maybe a photo once in a while. My favorite sections are Touring, Mountainbiking, Utility Cycling and Vintage Retro Classic so see you there !
Cheers.
Karl, Fontainebleau France
StephenH
01-23-09, 05:27 PM
Hello and welcome to the forums. :)
downtube42
01-23-09, 05:34 PM
Welcome!
East Hill
01-25-09, 10:47 AM
Hi Karl, can you list your bikes?
I am happy to see that you like to visit the Classic & Vintage forum--we do have some extremely interesting discussions in there.
Welcome to BikeForums!
East Hill
Forum Moderator
Karloman
01-26-09, 06:16 AM
Hi East Hill.
Yes it's true, one can spend hours in the VRC section ...
And another hours in the Touring section ...
And another hours in etc ...:D:D:D
Here's an incomplete list of my bikes, the ones that really matter to me. Most of the vintage MTBs were cheap finds. Most of the other vintage came from the dump.
Modern :
Decathlon RockRider 6.3 2006
Vintage MTB :
Raleigh Huascaran 1989, also known as Mountain Tour (train station bike)
Muddy Fox Courier Comp 1990
Marin Titanium FRS 1993 (to be restored)
Marin Eldridge Grade 1994
Specialized Rockhopper 1994
Decathlon RockRider 520 1994 (slick tires for road training)
Giant Terrago 1995 (touring bike)
Vintage miscellaneous
Manufrance Hirondelle 1978, road (mum and dad's present)
Atala 2000 1970's, folding
Peugeot Porteur 650b 1970's
Peugeot Mixte 650b (X3)
I have an album of pictures on my Flickr page here :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28241923@N05/sets/72157606538484675/
Cheers
Karl
East Hill
01-27-09, 10:49 AM
I have an album of pictures on my Flickr page here :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28241923@N05/sets/72157606538484675/
:thumb:
Perfect, thank you!
East Hill
downtube42
01-27-09, 04:53 PM
I love the Peugeot porteur 650b.
Karloman
01-29-09, 02:14 AM
I've already notice that you guys in the US have a special fondness for French Porteurs and Randonneuses.
I have a special fondness for American old shool MTB's (even if they're made in Taïwan) and cargo bikes like Xtracycle, Big dummy, Kona Ute, etc, both being in my opinion the modern equivalent of the French bikes. Very useful and fun machines at the same time.
But there's one of your trends that I can't get to understand is the fixie bike one. Why in hell would someone accept to give up two of the major improvements of the bicycle history ???
Is it masochism ? Is it the expression of suicidal tendencies and the way to ask for help? Is it to show others how purer you are, like a western Taliban ? Mystery.
East Hill
01-29-09, 05:37 AM
I've already notice that you guys in the US have a special fondness for French Porteurs and Randonneuses.
I have a special fondness for American old shool MTB's (even if they're made in Taïwan) and cargo bikes like Xtracycle, Big dummy, Kona Ute, etc, both being in my opinion the modern equivalent of the French bikes. Very useful and fun machines at the same time.
But there's one of your trends that I can't get to understand is the fixie bike one. Why in hell would someone accept to give up two of the major improvements of the bicycle history ???
Is it masochism ? Is it the expression of suicidal tendencies and the way to ask for help? Is it to show others how purer you are, like a western Taliban ? Mystery.
A fixed gear is a mystical experience.
It allows you to become one with your bicycle.
However, I live on a hill, and I like multiple gears :) .
East Hill
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