rootboy 

I've found the small debate that comes up from time to time, usually interjected into other threads, that since it is a bicycle, it must be ridden.
Usually the proponents of this view eschew the idea of a bike being "hung on a wall". But I don't think I've ever heard anyone say why they believe this.

So, which camp do you fall into? It is a bike and therefore, it must be ridden? Or, it is OK to not ride a certain bike, for whatever reason.

Chime in with your thoughts but, please, no attacking those with the opposite viewpoint. I'd just like to hear your reasoning for your view, not why you think others are wrong.

I have my own views on this subject, but won't include them here just yet. I'm interested in what others think. Thanks.

rhm

There are bikes that are too obsolete to ride, but too nice to throw away. If there's a place where they can be hung on the wall and enjoyed that way, that's fine with me.

There are also bikes that are really not obsolete at all, but old and fragile and too nice to risk damage. Those, too, if there's a place where they can be hung on the wall and enjoyed that way, that's fine with me.

thinktubes 

Don't know about wall-hangers, but many moons ago, I was really into vintage balloon tire bikes. I built up a nice custom with a spring fork, racks, horn tank, etc.... The problem was I was afraid to lock it up anywhere because stuff kept disappearing. This was in a college town so YMMV.

Eventually, I sold it and bought a beater which I didn't have to worry about. Ironically, someone stole the beater off of my porch.

Popeyecahn

No different than guitars. If you can afford to hang them on a wall, who am I to argue. I can't, so what ever is in my possession is to be used for which it was designed. I don't own any museum pieces nor do I intend to, I leave that to the wealthy.

itskohler

I think some people look at the nicer bikes as works of art, I certainly do. Therefore they are displayed to be enjoyed visually. But I also agree with Popeye too.

due ruote 

I don't really care one way or the other what others do. If someone hangs a bike on the wall, it's going to outlast them, so someone else can always decide to ride it in the future.

If I'm honest, when I get a pang from seeing someone's classic race bike wall hanger, it's a reflection of the fact that I would like to ride it, not really any philosophical ideal that it must be ridden.

For me a bike would have to be pretty darn special not to ride it at all (the latest from Daveyates comes close, but I don't think I could resist at least a few miles on it). Really the only thing that would hold me back would be the risk of serious damage - either mechanical or economic. This is all academic, as I don't aspire to own bikes of that caliber, nor do I have the means.

Daveyates

I think they should all be ridden especially the really old bikes as they feel unique to ride.
But if someone wants to hang a bike like a piece of art then that's cool as well.
As for my latest thread the only reason i'm not touching it is purely to not effect the value with my clumsy hands.

rumrunn6

I have some old classics and I try to take them for a spin every couple of years. I hate seeing them sitting there, dormant. but I have no problem riding my new (to me) bike cuz the newer better bike must be ridden!

zrossiter

I have a friend that owns a shop and they have several bikes that are showpieces and not ridden, some of which have never been ridden.

I'd love to hang up a bike that demands that respect

guzziee

I think bikes are meant to be ridden, but I do have a "trophy" cinelli supercorsa(full super record) wall hanger I found at a flea market which was "free+nice profit" after selling the spray painted paramount that came with it. I just like to admire it from time to time.

Popeyecahn

Now I would have flipped that around and be riding that Paramount by selling the Cinelli to restore the Paramount, if of course the Paramount fit me to a reasonable degree... If neither fit, they'd be gone and I'd be riding whatever I bought with the proceeds ;-)

puchfinnland

I have learned in life not to collect trinkets, souvenirs from places(and boy have I traveled!)books are also on the list...
As for bikes, I have far too many, I think it is 10 and I was worse before.

but I use them all..or will find use for them.

My Puch Ultima many people dont believe I ride, in the perfect world I would hang it on the wall and ride it also.

Nelli's F. Moser Junior will become a wall hanger as she is unfortunately not here to enjoy it,and by next summer she will be ready for a bigger bike.
it is doomed to become a wall hanger because it is a white elephant, its just too rare and nobody would pay me for what its worth.

guzziee

Paramount was small for me. I've had several paramounts in the past 7 years(around 5-6) and only 1 cinelli. I sold all the paramounts except a newer one that's still hanging around(1988)

eschlwc

i just think others are wrong.

himespau 

I don't have the room to display something as large as a bike for artwork (leaving aside whether or not my wife would go along with calling a bike art), nor do I have the money to buy a bike worthy of that title whether or not I chose to ride it. If you do, more power to you.

The Golden Boy 

There's a point in which you're a "caretaker" of your nice stuff.

I used to firmly believe that all my guitars were "players." Meaning I played whatever instrument I wanted to. Somewhere after the turn of the century, "vintage" guitars got all stupid priced- and suddenly I started thinking of the responsibility of owning a desirable piece. I still play out my old and nice stuff- but there's venues and situations that are accounted for that make me bring the 'not quite so nice' stuff.

I don't have any pieces that are "wall hanging" worthy- but if I did, that piece would be such a grail worthy piece. I recall a thread from a guitar forum about a guy who bought a new 1958 Les Paul Reissue. A nice guitar- but not the "top of the line" nice guitar. He talked about playing it at home- but I was struck by the amount of shock and surprise he appeared to have when people actually played their R8s at gigs and at practice and how he would NEVER consider taking it out of his house. It reminded me of a troll huddled up and stroking "precious."

Back to my initial point- if I had something that was a historically significant piece- yeah- you have a responsibility in your ownership. The use of that item becomes irresponsible.

crank_addict

From being around rare vintage cars, some pre 1910, drive and enjoy them for what they are. If a classic car breaks, so what? Same with a two wheeler. Look at it, feel it, use it, it's all good. The problem I see are some having paranoia of patina. It's one thing to preserve the decals, paint and a little corrosion, but I prefer a clean frame and components. If you like dirt as décor, whatever floats your boat. Properly cleaned and done as it was supposed to be from the day it was built is just fine in my book. It's a great day and age to have the net bringing like collectors and interest together, many who are new to it. This goes for all kinds of collectables.

randyjawa 

Most of my vintage stuff now hangs on the wall, and I spend my riding time on either my Cyclops, which I upgraded to New School components, or my brand spanking new Trek Crossrip. I see aboslutely no problem with someone wanting to hang his, or her, bike on the wall and then appreciate the aesthetics of the machine.

I might even hang the made in China Trek on the wall and just look at it, now and again. I am impressed with the quality of the bicycle's construction, the overall appearance and more than impressed with the ride quality it offers.

I do like the ride quality of the older bikes, but I do not, necessarily, like the poor down tube shifting and the poor stopping capabilities. I make those comments as comparisons to riding newer school stuff that jut plain works better for me.

aixaix 

I write this at a desk in the office of my shop, where I spend far more time than I do riding (or almost anything else). Directly above the monitor on which these words appear hangs a 1962 fillet-brazed Ephgrave track bike. Next to me is a Dahon Helios that I fold up and throw in the trunk of any car that gets dropped off locally so I can return to the shop without needing a lift. On the wall outside the office hang two Cinellis. In the shop itself are seven other ride-worthy vintage bikes and a 1901 Linwood which is unrideable. Of these bikes, I regularly ride two, though I've taken long rides on all but one of the rest.

Being able to admire the bikes while working is part of what gets me through my day. If I'm stuck inside, at least I can look at them and think about what else is in my life besides work. I'm fortunate to have the space to display them and don't feel the need to justify owning them by riding them all a certain amount. Unlike cars (and people), they don't deteriorate over time, if they are kept in a warm dry place.

Needless to say, I don't see anything wrong with having bikes you don't ride, or don't ride much. They are beautiful and evocative, which is enough justification for me.

Italuminium

"Why did you climb the mountain?" "Because it is there."

This discussion is perfect for a good deepity.

20grit

I have guitars worth 20x the value of my bikes that I still take out and play. Functional objects are fine as art, but part of their beauty lies in their functionality. Once stripped of their functionality, they lose part of their appeal. If I own something that works, I'm going to use it, no matter the value.

daihard 

+100.

randyjawa 

Thanks goodness this is not an atomic bomb forum!-)

Velognome 

Bikes hung on walls are like birds in fish tanks...just ain't normal

ScottRyder 

Root, you have a couple of bikes I'll hang on my wall for you! They'll be nice and safe!

That said, I have quite of few that I ride and quite a few that I hang.


Scott