Fifty Plus (50+) - I'll confess: All bikes look about the same to me

All those "Show us your blue (red/white/yellow/whatever) bike" threads have finally pushed me over. I've been cycling for 40 years as an adult. There's probably $8000 worth of bikes and bike parts in my garage. For several years, cycling was practically all I did.
Still, if I never see another picture of a bicycle, it's fine with me. They've all got a wheel on each end, tubes in the middle and a seat on top, and not enough of them are orange. What else is there to see?

Going to make the popcorn, BRB...
http://webpages.charter.net/yospiff/Images/Smileys/popcorn.gif

Wow - I think I'll go out and buy a new pair of bike shoes:

http://craphound.com/images/shoebike.jpg

Going to make the popcorn, BRB...
http://webpages.charter.net/yospiff/Images/Smileys/popcorn.gif

Save some for me, OK?

Please seek help. You are losing it. :)

I'm that way about cars...but bikes!?:eek:

That's racist. . . .

Yo Velo Dog!!!
I certainly can understand where you're coming from.
I say we head on down to the local tavern and talk about guitars and the blues!!!

i have to agree. especially carbon frames. i have been cycling since 1977, I am now 60 and i just don't feel that wow factor on looking at bikes like i use too. I have 1 carbon, 2 custom steel made frames and now a custom aluminum by tiemeyer and that is the one i ride the most now,however i am just not as impressed with bieks like i use to be

My three favorite bikes all look somewhat different to me!

All those "Show us your blue (red/white/yellow/whatever) bike" threads have finally pushed me over. I've been cycling for 40 years as an adult. There's probably $8000 worth of bikes and bike parts in my garage. For several years, cycling was practically all I did.
Still, if I never see another picture of a bicycle, it's fine with me. They've all got a wheel on each end, tubes in the middle and a seat on top, and not enough of them are orange. What else is there to see?

That would buy one Ellis bike. Maybe. You have no idea until you've seen one in person. http://www.elliscycles.com/

Having said that, all I care about is the ride of my bikes. But I do have an orange(ish) jeep. ;)

Yes, they all look the same

http://cache2.artprintimages.com/p/LRG/17/1749/BGN3D00Z/art-print/the-penny-farthing-bicycle.jpg

There's lots of innovation going on around the edges of the standard diamond frame bike- recumbents of all shapes and sizes, racing trikes, velomobiles, quads, front wheel drive bikes, and homebuilts of every description. Not all of them will work well for a given person, but it's intriguing to follow all the designs that come (and go).

It's called the Cognitive Redundancy Principle: Every conversation about banjos is the same. Except it can be applied to bikes too.

Wow - I think I'll go out and buy a new pair of bike shoes:

http://craphound.com/images/shoebike.jpg

Thanks for the picture, which was worth a good laugh. I am now 67 and if God gives me 1 more day or 30 more years I hope I never get tired of looking at Women, Airplanes and Bikes. (In that order) Been married to the same woman for 50 years and they all got the same equipment but I still like to look at a pretty woman. My wife doesn’t worry because she knows I am not going to do anything but look. My 3 Bikes may have something to worry about because I may do more than look. Don’t have an airplane anymore and I can’t pass the medical but I still like to look at them.

As far as bike colors go, orange is a long way down on my list of favorites. However, if orange makes someone else happy, I’ll smile with them. :)

3 road bikes and other than colour and components and shape of the frame-Not much difference.

But they each ride differently and have their own uses.

http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj566/VolKS47/Cycling/DSC00185-1.jpg

Pass me that popcorn please, Velodog has gone over the edge. Someone post an orange bicycle quick!

I agree that most upright bikes look basically the same. Recumbents have a lot more variety, though. Unless you're saying that the one in my avatar looks indistinguishable from the ones in Stapfam's collection.

I stick to looking at road bikes. It's like looking at custom or exotic cars. A Kia or a Focus doesn't really do anything for me, but a Lotus or a Ferrari ..... that's a different story.

That's racist. . . .
THAT is funny!

They've all got a wheel on each end, tubes in the middle and a seat on top, and not enough of them are orange. What else is there to see?

I sort of agree. I'm much less interested in gear than I used to be. I'm much more interested in actually doing rather than thinking of doing (which seems to include lots of pondering gear).

I can ride by a group of riders and not notice any of the bikes unless it's something distinctive like a Bianchi celeste colored frame.

My cycling thoughts are much more about the weather and finding/planning time to ride. I have all the stuff I want. But occasionally it's interesting to see what others here are riding and photos can be fun.

I'm much more interested in actually doing rather than thinking of doing...
But occasionally it's interesting to see what others here are riding and photos can be fun.
I agree that the riding is the whole point, though tinkering is a fun activity if one's inclination inclines that way.

The various "Did you ride today?" threads could interesting because they focus on the riding, not the bikes. But they suffer from one big problem. Posts that are just "37 miles today" are devoid of life. That could be 37 miles anywhere.

I agree that the riding is the whole point, though tinkering is a fun activity if one's inclination inclines that way.


Absolutely, tinkering/acquiring/planning is some folk's primary enjoyment. It never was mine, even though I worked in bike shops and owned one. Mechanics, for me, was only an end to get the bike back on the road.

Like most here, I also participate in other hobbies. Mine is primarily music. This, like cycling, attracts folks with varied ways to enjoy the activity and for many, acquisition, collecting and maintenance (for lack of a better word) brings the most joy.

For me, it's about doing, but I don't say/write that with any superiority or judgement. I thinks it's cool to like to participate in all ways.

3 road bikes and other than colour and components and shape of the frame-Not much difference.

But they each ride differently and have their own uses.

http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj566/VolKS47/Cycling/DSC00185-1.jpgLet me guess.The Pinarello is on the left!Right?

One brand of bents, the Bacchettas, honestly do look all the same, and they're not lovely to behold. My bent is the most utilitarian bike I've ridden. It's also not that much fun to tinker with. It is the one I've enjoyed riding the most.

When it comes down to it all road bikes are about the same. But small differences can make big differences.

I think it's kind of like kids. Truthfully, other people's kids don't interest me very much but I'm totally into my own kids.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/arvoncycle/arvonworldtourist1.JPG

Wow. Bet that takes forever to turn...

Let me guess.The Pinarello is on the left!Right?

Possibly correct but remember we ride on the other side of the road.

The name Pinarello occurs 11 time on this frame. Not a record I know but you keep being reminded of which bike you are cleaning.

BigbadW, Try Mtn biking. Endless changes in bikes and terrain. Or not!

Wow. Bet that takes forever to turn...

Not really... the handling is actually pretty quick as the front end has a relatively low rake.

This is an even longer bike... it does not handle like a road bike but can still outmanoeuvre a bus.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/2010winterstretch1.JPG

BigbadW, Try Mtn biking. Endless changes in bikes and terrain. Or not!

He rides MTB most often. He is very familiar with that experience both bicycles and dirt bikes.

He rides MTB most often. He is very familiar with that experience both bicycles and dirt bikes.

Note to self, Don't assume roadie's only road... Offroader here, should know better.

s'okay mate, BBW rides some road too I believe. it is all good in the 50+. Just remember what happens when you Ass-u-me.

I haven't been able to ride much this year cuz I hurt my knee (it's getting better) but I've been totally getting into working on bikes. There are plenty of different ways to get back into something once you've gotten burned out on it. This thread needs an orange bike: 250747

Trying to double - cross us, eh ?

Did you say something about orange bikes?

I agree - most bikes do look about the same. Maybe because they all seem like a blur as they pass me!