Living Car Free - Personalizing/Customizing Your Bike To The Max For Serious Cycling

The Wall Street Journal featured a interesting article recently: "The Rise Of The Designer Bike"-http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704517404576222540051051416.html?KEYWORDS=bicycles (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704517404576222540051051416.html?KEYWORDS=bicycles)

Plus earlier interest in the same (or similar) topic here on Bike Forums: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/348183-WSJ-article-on-custom-bikes-for-the-masses?highlight=Designer+Bikes+WSJ (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/348183-WSJ-article-on-custom-bikes-for-the-masses?highlight=Designer+Bikes+WSJ) on an earlier discussion on custom bikes and the original article, "Custom Bikes for the Masses ": http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119092693639341667.html (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119092693639341667.html)

Now for the clincher. As a body of serious cyclists that use bikes for most if not all, of your transportation needs, is your bike(s) a result of intentional customization (like mine are), or just-off-the-shelf as is clones of everyone else'. ? Would you have it any other way?

I personalize all of my bikes, some require more than others. Most modifications are for comfort or convenience. Unfortunately in the US things like fenders, racks, bags, lights and dyno hubs are not included on most bikes. So those get added. Very few bikes come with decent pedals or saddles...more custom stuff.

Aaron :)

I have two bikes right now. Both built up from the frame and outfitted for my individual needs. There are no other bikes like that. However, neither one is what you'd describe as a designer bike :D

My wife's bike is a Specialized Rockhopper with pavement Schwalbe tires, SKS fenders, a better WTB saddle, a rack and Nashbar panniers.

.....Unfortunately in the US things like fenders, racks, bags, lights and dyno hubs are not included on most bikes. So those get added.



The large majority of the people in the US do not use the bicycle as their main means of transportation, and when that US majority does happen to ride a bicycle, it's mostly for light recreational purposes during fair weather day light hours, making the mentioned accessories as an unneeded added cost to the purchase price of the bike.

A considerable number of the bikes that I've viewed with added accessories, I would have removed or upgraded many of the OE accessories anyway, since they did not suit my personal needs.

The large majority of the people in the US do not use the bicycle as their main means of transportation, and when that US majority does happen to ride a bicycle, it's mostly for light recreational purposes during fair weather day light hours, making the mentioned accessories as an unneeded added cost to the purchase price of the bike.

This is now changing so fast that the bike companies are having trouble keeping up with it. Most of the NEW demand for bikes is for utility bikes, cruisers, street bikes and other everyday bicycles.

Here's a custom bike from Bishop Cycles. I ran across it in Bicycle Times (http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/content/nahb-spotlight-bishop-cycles) Check out the chainguard:



http://www.bicycletimesmag.com/userfiles/bishop4.jpg

I personalize all of my bikes, some require more than others. Most modifications are for comfort or convenience. Unfortunately in the US things like fenders, racks, bags, lights and dyno hubs are not included on most bikes. So those get added. Very few bikes come with decent pedals or saddles...more custom stuff.

Aaron :)

Most of those items are essential for transportational riding. They also cost quite a bit. I have been buying used bikes and adding essentials from online suppliers like Velo Orange. I bought a set of metal fenders from VO (much like in Roody's picture...) and also a cheapo dyno hub and lights. So my old Fuji looks really blinged up for a low-end road bike from the early 80s.

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af346/gervasegallant/bike%20project/IMG_1108.jpg

I even replaced the stem shifters with some nice Shimano 600 downtube shifters from eBay. Gives the bike a slightly Baroque look.

http://www.bike-vintage.com/113-148-large/vintage-shimano-600-ex-arabesque-downtube-speed-bicycle-shifters-sl-6200.jpg

This is now changing so fast that the bike companies are having trouble keeping up with it. Most of the NEW demand for bikes is for utility bikes, cruisers, street bikes and other everyday bicycles.
Please explain, what is "NEW" demand? How is it distinct from old demand? Where did you see any data that supports the idea that the bike distributors/sales outlets in the U.S. are making any serious effort to supply significant numbers of bikes to the sales floor with things like fenders, racks, bags, lights and dyno hub?

Beats me what the picture of the custom made bike is supposed to indicate about "Serious Cycling," though I am sure it is all about Serious Money. Where are the lights, reflectors, rack, bags etc? Wonder what kind of Serious Lock would allow the proud owner to feel comfortable using this mucho $$$$ bike for practical purposes.

Please explain, what is "NEW" demand? How is it distinct from old demand? Where did you see any data that supports the idea that the bike distributors/sales outlets in the U.S. are making any serious effort to supply significant numbers of bikes to the sales floor with things like fenders, racks, bags, lights and dyno hub?

Beats me what the picture of the custom made bike is supposed to indicate about "Serious Cycling," though I am sure it is all about Serious Money. Where are the lights, reflectors, rack, bags etc? Wonder what kind of Serious Lock would allow the proud owner to feel comfortable using this mucho $$$$ bike for practical purposes.

The only thing I would add to support Roody's contention is that five years ago when I was looking at buying a touring or cross-type bike, you had to order them in. A couple of years after that I started seeing "commuters" on the showroom floor.

Nowadays my LBS has the steel utility bikes right up front. You almost trip over them.

Still... to your point... there are more carbon fiber wonders than steel.

The only thing I would add to support Roody's contention is that five years ago when I was looking at buying a touring or cross-type bike, you had to order them in. A couple of years after that I started seeing "commuters" on the showroom floor...

I've seen this happen, too. Recently, most shops began adding a couple commuters to the showroom floor that were never there in the past. There must be some uptick in demand to cause these to be made stock.

To the original point, most of us are likely to add or modify something, no matter how good the original build was. To my every day bike, I added: a rack, fenders, rando bars, mirror, clipless pedals, a bigger chainring, trunk bag, handlebar bag, lights, and a Brooks saddle.

The biggest growth area in cycling is in commuting and utility cycling and manufacturers have taken note and seem to be offering better and better equipped bikes... Breezer nailed it some years back with their Uptown series and even those have seen some improvements like the addition of a full chain case.

Most of my more utility / commuter oriented bicycles have been built up from their frames and I have selected the respective parts to make them the way I want them, optimizing them for their intended purpose.

I wonder if bike manufacturers and designers cruise these forums to crib ideas... because we sure have a bunch of good ones.

You are not going to find a touring frame on 26 inch wheels that runs a 3 speed generator hub with a dual drive in any shop except mine.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/shastadualdrive6.JPG

Please explain, what is "NEW" demand? How is it distinct from old demand? Where did you see any data that supports the idea that the bike distributors/sales outlets in the U.S. are making any serious effort to supply significant numbers of bikes to the sales floor with things like fenders, racks, bags, lights and dyno hub?

I'm basing that on conversations with the two LBSs that I deal with. One shop was started a couple years ago with the purpose of providing practical bikes for urban riders. They have been successful enough that they recently moved to a larger store.

The other LBS is an older establishment that always catered to "serious" riders of race bikes and mountain bikes. At one time, I was one of very few customers who rode a bike for basic transportation. Now about a third of that shop is devoted to utility and street bikes equipped as you describe. The owner told me that most of the NEW cyclists coming into the shop are looking for those "everyday" rides.


Beats me what the picture of the custom made bike is supposed to indicate about "Serious Cycling," though I am sure it is all about Serious Money. Where are the lights, reflectors, rack, bags etc? Wonder what kind of Serious Lock would allow the proud owner to feel comfortable using this mucho $$$$ bike for practical purposes.

It's just eye candy or bike porn. If it offended you, you can complain to Sara Palin.

It's just eye candy or bike porn. If it offended you, you can complain to Sara Palin.
Hardly offends me. I thought that your posting a picture of a custom made bike of little practical value for "Serious Cycling" (i.e. utility or commuting) made no sense but thought maybe there was some relevance that you might explain. However you confirmed with your ignorant Sarah Palin comment, that you are all about Serious Stylin' and Serious Playing to your PC clique. But I'm sure you think your comments are clever.

I suppose that every single bike ever made is a "custom" bike due to owners adding this and that to accommodate their personal needs and desires.

As to "designer" bikes well.......

Like anything else someone will hype an ordinary product with a bit of bling added to crate a "special" product that cost way, way to much money. That's the fashion world for ya!

Please explain, what is "NEW" demand?
I could predict from the thread title you would be here. "Serious" is your "Voldemort" - the word is enchanted to summon you.

What I resent is the term "serious cycling." If you ever saw the stupid grin on my face most of the time when I'm on my bike, you'd know there was nothing serious about it!

I am now car-free, however when I started riding exclusively (i.e. the truck and motorcycles didn't move, even though I had them) I was on an old early 90's Gary Fisher mountain bike with a back pack. Once again, I think articles like this make cycling look unnecessarily complicated and expensive to the average Joe or Joeanne. All that's really needed is a bike and the desire to give it a try!

I now have a Raleigh Sojourn, bought just because it has everything I want already on it (racks, brooks seat, etc) however it wasn't necessary that I bought it. All that was necessary was the bike, the legs and the willingness to try. Most, like me, will get something nicer eventually, but we need, i think, to let people know all of this is not necessary!

Serious Cycling (like you seem to be to me at least, Hippiebrian, even if you don't like the term) is term for distancing and differentiating from Recreational Riding crowd, which most here in Southern California, are. That means that most of the "out for only a ride" sunny riders that will seek shelter/alternative transport if it rains. And a few (but growing) group will ride no matter what.

I ride for limited "fun," but in the end it is very serious for me to get to the hospital in the middle of the night in the pouring rain. Or during times of crisis (man made or natural). Both my present folding bikes were designed/personalized/customized for this main purpose. Bikes that did not live up to my model or expectations were sold/donated off.

I'm a cyclist. Not a "serious" or "recreational" cyclist, just a cyclist. A person who likes to ride. A person who likes to ride so much he doesn't drive. Even when I have to get somewhere in a hurry (I'm on the emergency response team here at work) I'm not a "serious" cyclist. Just a guy who likes to ride.

I'm not car-lite, but... for my transport-oriented bike, it's been an evolution of form and function. What started out as a NOS hybrid,

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/Bicycle08/Picture265.jpg

has become

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/11SportXRS/DSC00183.jpg

It's been a combination of buying what I felt I needed- rack, fenders, lights, and adding want-to-haves as opportunities arise- Brooks saddle, drop bars, better wheels with dynohub. I think as an older Nishiki, it's probably still viewed as a fairly generic bike, and I like the anonymity. My cars- my Elantra and my wife's Taurus- are decent but also fairly mainstream and anonymous.

I had a chance to pick up a Rivendel A Homer Hilsen frame for a great price but passed it up; this Nishiki already does everything I would've wanted the AHH to do. If anything happened to this bike I'd probably just start over with a ca. 1990 frame and go from there.

My bike didn't come with fenders, rear rack, handlebar basket, lights, a bell or flat resistant tires. I added those to my faithful steed once I realized they were important for me. I didn't see bikes that had fenders, rear rack and a basket etc., for ready sale when I bought my bike -- maybe a bike had one or two of the items I added but not all of them.

It would have been quicker to buy a ready equipped bike but I don't know if I would even have appreciated what the additional items would have meant for my car free lifestyle. I did enjoy the learning process and the shopping around for the extra stuff and they do make my bike more unique and personal.

Also, reading the comments made me want to swap out my dull looking handlebar grips for racing red ones! Yeah! Those will help me go faster!!

I could predict from the thread title you would be here. "Serious" is your "Voldemort" - the word is enchanted to summon you.
OK, maybe YOU can explain "NEW" demand, or why a designer fashion statement bike is any kind of "Serious" besides Serious money?

Read a positive and inspiring article about Serious personalizing of a bicycle and bicyclist, as well as positive advocacy for a Serious Cyclist:

The Long Hard Ride of Damian Lopez Alfonso

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/nyregion/cyclists-embrace-a-handless-cuban-who-wants-to-race.html

OK, maybe YOU can explain "NEW" demand, or why a designer fashion statement bike is any kind of "Serious" besides Serious money?


...At one time, I was one of very few customers who rode a bike for basic transportation. Now about a third of that shop is devoted to utility and street bikes equipped as you describe. The owner told me that most of the NEW cyclists coming into the shop are looking for those "everyday" rides.

It's just eye candy or bike porn. If it offended you, you can complain to Sara Palin.

It seems like he answered you well on both counts.

"New" demand means current demand. There was a spike in demand for touring bikes in the 70's, mountain bikes in the 90's, and now, maybe, hopefully, a demand for utility bikes. I searched for hard numbers and could not find them. But, a search reveals a lot of articles about this 'new' demand for commuting bikes, driven by gas prices, green concerns, health concerns, finances, etc.

The hippster bike was just for looking, not offered as a practical solution for most people; no harm in looking.

It seems like he answered you well on both counts.

The hippster bike was just for looking, not offered as a practical solution for most people; no harm in looking.
You might consider Roody's extrapolation from one specialty shop's business to a representation of the U.S. bicycle market as "answered well," I consider it representative of one shop's business.

If I want to see irrelevant OT pictures "just for looking" I can think of a lot more interesting subjects and just as "Serious."

205901205902205903205904205905

Yes, you are correct that his answer was anectdotal. It doesn't prove anything, but he did answer. I don't see why the surprise that someone would offer an opinion without proof, on the internet of all places.

205911205910205908205907205912

Yes, you are correct that his answer was anectdotal. It doesn't prove anything, but he did answer. I don't see why the surprise that someone would offer an opinion without proof, on the internet of all places.

Ah, he's just trying to get my goat. It rarely works because I consider the source. :)

As for a definition of NEW demand, I thought it was pretty obvious. I meant current growing demand, and also demand from NEW riders. What bikes are hot right now? What bikes are currently attracting new cyclists to the LBSs? I have read from many sources, and also heard from two LBS proprietors, that utility, transit, and street bikes are what's bringing in the noobs right now. ILTB didn't offer any evidence to refudiate that claim.

It looks like the upscale portion of the everyday bike crowd is going with the custom-built bikes like the one I showed a photo of. And the "smart-scale" portion of the market--like the posters here-- are going for customizing and/or building up frames that were originally intended for a different purpose.

ILTB didn't offer any evidence to refudiate that claim.

It looks like the upscale portion of the everyday bike crowd is going with the custom-built bikes like the one I showed a photo of. And the "smart-scale" portion of the market--like the posters here-- are going for customizing and/or building up frames that were originally intended for a different purpose.
More babbling from the logic impaired. You, not me, made a claim unsupported by anything substantial. If your "facts" are really just personal opinions or impressions, or just silly talk for entertainment purpose, like your posted picture, you are right on target. Giving the impression that your opinion = the facts, as your frequent claims do, means that you don't know the difference.

You continue the with your guesswork/opinion-is-fact claim process with your vague references to the buying habits of undefined "upscale market of the everyday bike crowd" and the " 'smart-scale' portion of the market," presumably extrapolated from figments of your imagination or unreferenced factoids gleaned from the InterWebs.

Cant we all just get along? Wow,a simple statement of basically "commuting/utility bikes are becoming more popular" has turned so ugly...Well,me and my jamis commuter is going for a ride,and we will probably pass a few "serious cyclists" on the inclines...

You might consider Roody's extrapolation from one specialty shop's business to a representation of the U.S. bicycle market as "answered well," I consider it representative of one shop's business.

If I want to see irrelevant OT pictures "just for looking" I can think of a lot more interesting subjects and just as "Serious."

Once again, no one here is in a helmet! My God, they are all going to die! The carnage, the carnage!

The Wall Street Journal featured a interesting article recently: "The Rise Of The Designer Bike"-http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704517404576222540051051416.html?KEYWORDS=bicycles (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704517404576222540051051416.html?KEYWORDS=bicycles)

Plus earlier interest in the same (or similar) topic here on Bike Forums: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/348183-WSJ-article-on-custom-bikes-for-the-masses?highlight=Designer+Bikes+WSJ (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/348183-WSJ-article-on-custom-bikes-for-the-masses?highlight=Designer+Bikes+WSJ) on an earlier discussion on custom bikes and the original article, "Custom Bikes for the Masses ": http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119092693639341667.html (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119092693639341667.html)

Now for the clincher. As a body of serious cyclists that use bikes for most if not all, of your transportation needs, is your bike(s) a result of intentional customization (like mine are), or just-off-the-shelf as is clones of everyone else'. ? Would you have it any other way?

This article has implications that go way beyond bikes. Yuck. This is definitely a Marie Antoinette moment.

Read a positive and inspiring article about Serious personalizing of a bicycle and bicyclist, as well as positive advocacy for a Serious Cyclist:

The Long Hard Ride of Damian Lopez Alfonso

Great story but does he commute?

OK, maybe YOU can explain "NEW" demand

Here's the information you requested: http://nbda.com/articles/industry-overview-2010-pg34.htm

This report from the National Bicycle Dealers Association says total annual bike sales have been fairly stable for the past few years, but there is a trend away from mountain bike towards road bikes which the dealers themselves attribute to consumers using bikes more avoid high gas costs, and there was also more service work in 2010, which the dealers said was due to people getting out old bikes and having them tuned up for the same reason. This fits with what Roody reported.

When I was a little kid I painted my bicycles and chose the tires, wheels, seats, handlebar, and hand grips. Now I just move the handlebar and add my Thudbuster seat post. Adding a bell was all that was needed for one of my bicycles.

The main drive train modification I want to do to a bicycle is install a NuVinci hub. I haven't decided which one to do it on or if I'd rather start from scratch with a different bicycle. I just like the idea of infinite gears within a specific range.

If I ever move into an RV trailer I'll buy a small folding bicycle and put one on it. I won't be able to store two bicycles inside a small trailer with me living in it full time.

Here's the information you requested: http://nbda.com/articles/industry-overview-2010-pg34.htm

This report from the National Bicycle Dealers Association says total annual bike sales have been fairly stable for the past few years, but there is a trend away from mountain bike towards road bikes which the dealers themselves attribute to consumers using bikes more avoid high gas costs, and there was also more service work in 2010, which the dealers said was due to people getting out old bikes and having them tuned up for the same reason. This fits with what Roody reported.

"Road bikes" are sold equipped with fenders, racks, bags, lights and dyno hub? And are really just utility/commuter bikes by another name? Who woulda thunk it? Better not tell the Serious Cyclists on the Road Cycling List, they might pass out.

Cant we all just get along? Wow,a simple statement of basically "commuting/utility bikes are becoming more popular" has turned so ugly...Well,me and my jamis commuter is going for a ride,and we will probably pass a few "serious cyclists" on the inclines...
Sure we can. Let's all join the Car-Free Solidarity Circle and march in lockstep with every factoid dished out by our would be cheerleaders.

Great story but does he commute?
Are you serious?

I do have paraphrase a concern from ILTB as to what makes a serious cyclists? I do utility cycling, recreational cycling and have commuted but I am not sure one is more serious than another.
The other day two friends and I decided we wanted to take a ride and have lunch together in a little town about 18 miles away. We hardly consider the 3600 foot climb to be insurmountable and just before noon we made it to the town and had lunch.
I have seen loaded touring bikes on that road but if we aren’t serious cyclists then serious cyclists don’t ride that road.

I do have paraphrase a concern from ILTB as to what makes a serious cyclists? I do utility cycling, recreational cycling and have commuted but I am not sure one is more serious than another.
The other day two friends and I decided we wanted to take a ride and have lunch together in a little town about 18 miles away. We hardly consider the 3600 foot climb to be insurmountable and just before noon we made it to the town and had lunch.
I have seen loaded touring bikes on that road but if we aren’t serious cyclists then serious cyclists don’t ride that road.

Don't trust me, I try not to take anything seriously! You never see people describe themselves as serious and smiling at the same time (unless, like me, they are making a joke!). Life's too short...

Don't trust me, I try not to take anything seriously! You never see people describe themselves as serious and smiling at the same time (unless, like me, they are making a joke!). Life's too short...

Yes I should always wait a day or two before responding to many of these posts. I often get caught up in the concept of conversation and forget it isn't that kind of communication.

Don't trust me, I try not to take anything seriously! You never see people describe themselves as serious and smiling at the same time (unless, like me, they are making a joke!). Life's too short...
Serious Cyclists All:

"Road bikes" are sold equipped with fenders, racks, bags, lights and dyno hub? And are really just utility/commuter bikes by another name? Who woulda thunk it? Better not tell the Serious Cyclists on the Road Cycling List, they might pass out.
If you read the article you asked me to locate, you would see that they lumped bikes into only a handful of categories. "Road/700c" and "hybrid/cross" increased relative to "mountain" over the last 5 years. In the text of the article they explained that the dealers told them the increase in the "road/700c" category in the past year was due to people biking more to save gas. Anything else you would like me to explain to you?

Are you serious?

Yes, I am absolutely serious. The OP posed the question:

"As a body of serious cyclists that use bikes for most if not all, of your transportation needs, is your bike(s) a result of intentional customization (like mine are), or just-off-the-shelf as is clones of everyone else'. ? Would you have it any other way?

You posted an admittedly inspirational but completely irrelevant item about a disabled racer. Try to stay on topic.

Or are you asking me if I am a "serious cyclist"? LOL

Yes, I am absolutely serious. The OP posed the question:

"As a body of serious cyclists that use bikes for most if not all, of your transportation needs, is your bike(s) a result of intentional customization (like mine are), or just-off-the-shelf as is clones of everyone else'. ? Would you have it any other way?

You posted an admittedly inspirational but completely irrelevant item about a disabled racer. Try to stay on topic.

My post was far more relevant to the thread topic of personalizing a bicycle, than 90% [estimated] of the posts on this list; Posts which are neither related to bicycling nor living car free nor living car light. Instead the posts are predominately anti car/ anti car owner/ counter culture political and economic rants that are far more appropriate to P&R , Foo, or Trollheim lists.

I did post something positive and inspirational about the good people of NYC supporting a bicyclist in need and helping him customize his body as well as his bike. And YOU raise a Red Flag of Relevancy? On this list? Yours is possibly the dumbest post I have ever read on BF, and that is quite an achievement.

As a body of serious cyclists that use bikes for most if not all, of your transportation needs, is your bike(s) a result of intentional customization (like mine are), or just-off-the-shelf as is clones of everyone else'. ? Would you have it any other way?
I prefer to start with a carefully selected bike and then make some minor adjustments from there. If I look around I can find a bike to suit my needs. From there, any customization or modification is easy.

My main bike is a touring bike. I've added racks front and rear and when I'm riding in town, a rack trunk is a permanent fixture on the bike. I'll use panniers for hauling some items, although for short distances, I can also get by with a backpack and for smaller items, the rack trunk works.

Because of the road conditions in town, I prefer 700x32 tires for most of my riding rather than 700x28 tires which aren't quite as comfortable the broken pavement I'll encounter in some parts of town.

I've also added a bright headlight, a couple of rear blinkies and a bell.

The result is a bike which is a little heavier than stock, but able to handle my day-to-day needs. If I lived in a different area, I may have considered an entirely different bicycle. Out here, this works admirably.

Sure we can. Let's all join the Car-Free Solidarity Circle and march in lockstep with every factoid dished out by our would be cheerleaders.
http://lolblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/1217267352843.jpg

My post was far more relevant to the thread topic of personalizing a bicycle, than 90% [estimated] of the posts on this list; Posts which are neither related to bicycling nor living car free nor living car light.

90% (estimated) of the posts in this thread are not related to bicycling, never mind the thread topic? The questioned posed by the OP after she cited a couple of articles on personalized and/or customized bikes, was whether participants in this forum personalized their transportational bikes. Here's a quick count of how the responses addressed that:

Post #
1 Obviously on topic
2 on topic
3 on topic
4 on topic
5 on topic
6 on topic
7 partly on topic and partly your usual disdainful and grouchy rant
8 on topic
9 on topic
10 on topic
11 on topic
12 partly on topic and partly your usual disdainful and grouchy rant
13 on topic
14 off topic – me pointing out your grouchy rants
15 on topic
16 partly on topic and partly directed at you
17 off topic inspired by you
18 on topic
19 on topic
20 you agitating
21 partly off topic as you as you tried to demonstrate that the rest of us aren’t “serious” to your standards
22 on topic
23 off topic - you
24 off topic in response to you
25 on topic
26 off topic you
27 off topic in response to you
28 off topic in response to you
29 on topic
30 off topic in response to you
31 on topic
32 on topic
33 partly on topic and partly your usual disdainful and grouchy rant
34 off topic – you
35 off topic - you
36 partly off topic in response to you
37 off topic in response to a response to you
38 off topic in response to a response to you
39 off topic – you
40 on topic
41 off topic in response to you

So most of the posts addressed the OP's query, except where you inspired us to deviate. My post #14 was the only one that doesn't mention something to do with bicycling. That's over 97% that do have something to do with bicycling. So your estimate of 90% having nothing to do with bicycling was off by 187%.

Getting back on topic I commute on a used tour bike that came with a rack but I did add fenders. The fit is so tight there is a tiny whisper amount of tire rub that doesn't seem to hold me back. This is because nobody in town sells 27" X 1 1/8" tires so I have to go with 27" X 1 1/4".

90% (estimated) of the posts in this thread are not related to bicycling, never mind the thread topic? The questioned posed by the OP after she cited a couple of articles on personalized and/or customized bikes, was whether participants in this forum personalized their transportational bikes. Here's a quick count of how the responses addressed that:

Post #
1 Obviously on topic
2 on topic
3 on topic
4 on topic
5 on topic
6 on topic
7 partly on topic and partly your usual disdainful and grouchy rant
8 on topic
9 on topic
10 on topic
11 on topic
12 partly on topic and partly your usual disdainful and grouchy rant
13 on topic
14 off topic – me pointing out your grouchy rants
15 on topic
16 partly on topic and partly directed at you
17 off topic inspired by you
18 on topic
19 on topic
20 you agitating
21 partly off topic as you as you tried to demonstrate that the rest of us aren’t “serious” to your standards
22 on topic
23 off topic - you
24 off topic in response to you
25 on topic
26 off topic you
27 off topic in response to you
28 off topic in response to you
29 on topic
30 off topic in response to you
31 on topic
32 on topic
33 partly on topic and partly your usual disdainful and grouchy rant
34 off topic – you
35 off topic - you
36 partly off topic in response to you
37 off topic in response to a response to you
38 off topic in response to a response to you
39 off topic – you
40 on topic
41 off topic in response to you

So most of the posts addressed the OP's query, except where you inspired us to deviate. My post #14 was the only one that doesn't mention something to do with bicycling. That's over 97% that do have something to do with bicycling. So your estimate of 90% having nothing to do with bicycling was off by 187%.

Getting back on topic I commute on a used tour bike that came with a rack but I did add fenders. The fit is so tight there is a tiny whisper amount of tire rub that doesn't seem to hold me back. This is because nobody in town sells 27" X 1 1/8" tires so I have to go with 27" X 1 1/4".

I usually agree with your posts and often enjoy them, but this one gives me pause. I think you have way too much time on your hands, and would greatly benefit from a long ride with lots of big hills.

I usually agree with your posts and often enjoy them, but this one gives me pause. I think you have way too much time on your hands, and would greatly benefit from a long ride with lots of big hills.
I was testifying in court this week so I guess I got into cross-examination mode. I just find ILTB is always accusing people of making unsubtantiated claims, so when he makes a ridiculous whopper himself, like 90% of the posts in this thread have nothing to do with biking (!!!) he needs to have the facts thrown back at him. Plus, I gave him the evidence he asked for that there is NEW demand for bikes for utility purposes and he dismissed it without apparently even reading it.



90% [estimated] of the posts on this list; Posts which are neither related to bicycling nor living car free nor living car light.

I was testifying in court this week so I guess I got into cross-examination mode. I just find ILTB is always accusing people of making unsubtantiated claims, so when he makes a ridiculous whopper himself, like 90% of the posts in this thread have nothing to do with biking (!!!) he needs to have the facts thrown back at him. Plus, I gave him the evidence he asked for that there is NEW demand for bikes for utility purposes and he dismissed it without apparently even reading it.
Before you testify you should check your facts, Jack, before you make a fool of yourself in court too.

I wrote "90% [estimated] of the posts on this list; Posts which are neither related to bicyclingnor living car free nor living car light."

You went into your anal nitpicking routine and threw back stuff (like a monkey in the zoo) because your predetermined bias allowed you to misread and misquote it into "90% of the posts in this thread have nothing to do with biking (!!!).


Plus, I gave him the evidence he asked for that there is NEW demand for bikes for utility purposes and he dismissed it without apparently even reading it.

I read the article and I read what it said, not what you would like it to have said. The article provided NO evidence of increased sales of bikes for utility purposes.

I wrote "90% [estimated] of the posts on this list;
"List" eh? - How quaint.
The article provided NO evidence of increased sales of bikes for utility purposes.
So...what? The dealers were lying when they said: "The increase is being attributed primarily to consumer reaction to high gas prices mid-year as they turned to the bicycle in order to use less fuel and save money"?

Anyway, I am done - help yourself to the last word.

I am the original starter of this thread. Let us get back to what I really wanted all of you to do.....think about cycling. How it affects you. And about your bikes: what really drives your bikes and separates them from the pack. Chatting online here is what I like people to do....it inspires others to really think about-and enjoy-their bikes, no matter how far they are from me.

This thought really makes my day. And all of you that participated up to now, and in the future, a heartfelt thank you.