Gerryattrick

I am still not able to ride so I have been compensating by sorting out my bike workshop, clearing out some stuff that's surplus to requirements and putting the funds to a couple of new rides for the summer.

So far I've sold my 93 Marin Team Issue mtb, a Nitto Crystemblue road stem, and a pair of vintage Maresi cycling shoes and have bought a Raleigh Randonneur tourer and this steel Genesis Equilibrium frame with carbon fork and I am only £50 down on the transactions.

I've read nothing but good reviews on the Genesis Equilibrium and have tried one out at an LBS so when this unused frame came up at half-price on ebay from someone who had bought the bike and changed the frame which was too small for him I jumped at it. I have almost everything I need to build it, but am just looking for a 3-speed Tiagra shifter.

I sometimes wonder why I just don't go out and buy new bikes, as I can afford to, but I get so much enjoyment out of the planning, the search for components and the build that I can't bring myself to buy new.

I keep thinking buying a new bike will be like buying a new car. Feels and smells great the first few weeks, then it's just another used car that I pile my junk into and which has dropped a lot in value. Is it the same for anyone else?

Biker395 

I think the healthy glow you get from retail therapy indeed only lasts a couple of weeks. Bikes a little less so, for some reason. I think they are just a bit more personal ... almost like clothes ... once you have one that works, you start to value it even more and want to keep it for sentimental value.

I totally get the bike assembly paradigm. What you are doing isn't simply retail therapy. You are assembling a new bike from old parts ... putting your stamp on it. Even if you sell it to someone else, you're being productive, and that always feels good.

I get the urge to buy a new bike now and again (my newest is now 7 years old). But I'm completely happy with the bikes I have, and frankly, finding a bike that fits me the way I want it to is a PITA. Besides, the longer I have them, the longer I love them.

I had a bike that I hadn't ridden in years hanging in the garage. I resisted getting rid of it, because I had so many good times on it. And now, it's the one my daughter is riding. Glad I kept it.

OldsCOOL

When I built my Criterium Series, it felt like new until mid-summer.

Rick@OCRR

For me the "new bike" feeling isn't a good thing. It means that I don't have it totally dialed in the way I want it.

When everything is (finally!) right, and this is going to sound weird . . . the bike seems to disappear beneath you as you ride.

It doesn’t really disappear, of course, but everything feels so right that no one aspect is hindering your ride. Everything works as it’s supposed to, the fit is spot-on, no odd noises and all is right with your (cycling) world.

Rick / OCRR

OldsCOOL

Most definately. For me it's the paint, seat, bar tape, tires....that and the nuances of improved geometry as it fits with riding style. I was going to answer "when you ride that first century with it".

Cougrrcj

New bike feeling? My last brand-new bike was almost forty years ago. I've been riding that same 'primary' bike ever since, and over that time it and I have become one. Like a comfortable pair of shoes. The loss of the 'new bike feel' was so gradual that I never noticed it's passing.

My latest acquisition does not 'feel' the same because of the different frame geometry and type of steel. I've pretty much got it dialed-in to my fit, but it still feels 'funny'. Maybe if I ride it more this year, I'll get used to it. Maybe...

OldTryGuy

I have had my Giant for 2 years and after 12,000+ miles it still feels like new. Far superior to my Paramount and CAAD8.

Retro Grouch 

To me buying a new bike is like paying somebody else to have the fun of building it for you.

And the guys who want to keep everything factory issue stock - I don't understand them at all.

BluesDawg

Not if you build your own new bike.

StanSeven

The last three bikes I bought came after lots of research and lots of test rides. I probably test rode a dozen bikes on the oldest over a period of 1.5 years. I was completly open on everything including frame material. When I got it that new bike feel lasted for several years. Same with the second. The third is 2.5 years old and it still looks and feels new.

GlennR

The "new bike" feeling never existed since my new Emonda has almost the exact same geometry as my old Madone which I transferred the fit from. It felt great from the first ride with the exception of better acceleration, handling and shifting.

Now I also bought new shoes and they are taking some time to dial in. So its the "new shoe" feeling that has me down.

Wanderer

Keep it clean and shiny! It tickles me every time I see those spokes gleaming in the sun. It lasts forever!

TiHabanero

In 2012 I got a Habanero road frame and put my 1986 Campy parts on it. The bike has over 7500 miles on it, and every time I ride the thing, which is often, it feels like a new bike. It absolutely amazes me with ride quality and stiffness. A perfect blend. The point is, if the bike is perfect for you it never loses it's new bike appeal.

Of course being the bike weenie that I am, the bike stays very clean all the time which helps with that new bike feel. I love that Habby! She never gets old!

John E

I have owned only three new bicycles; all of the others have been at least several years old when I acquired them.

1. Low-end Bianchi, Christmas gift from my father when I was 12.

2. 1971 American Eagle Semi-Pro, $150 of my own money when I was a UCLA undergrad. It did not take me long to change the saddle and the gearing and to build up a second (tubular) set of wheels for it.

3. 1970 Peugeot UO-8 bare frame in 1973, when I worked at a Peugeot-Nishiki dealership. Building this from scratch for my wife was a fun project. She prefers mountain bikes and gravel grinders now, so that she can ride fire roads, dirt trails, and other traffic-free routes, so the Peugeot is now my commuter.

What I have enjoyed most has been buying new-to-me used bikes, because I like saving money, I like meeting the sellers, and I like the thrill of the hunt. There is something special about finding a Capo for $20 (!) at a yard sale, after having owned one previously, or about buying a patriotic Team USA red-white-and-blue Schwinn mountain bike from a San Diego firefighter, or about finding a Mongoose stunt bike, and later a Specialized mountain bike, for one's son as he grows up.

rydabent

I bought a new Rans Stratus in 2008. I have something over 15000 miles on it, and still have some form of "new bike" feeling every time I ride it. Most every ride I still marvel at the comfort, and the fact that I sit up right and can totally enjoy a wide view.

MinnMan

I guess I don't know what you mean by "new bike feeling". I've owned my best bike for several years and I still get a thrill every time I ride it. Maybe it's because I don't ride it every time - I have lots of reason to continue to ride my other bikes, and when I get on the Felt, I still find it exciting riding a tight-geometry light racing machine with superior components. It's seldom far from perfect condition - I take care of it. And my other bikes never feel like pieces of junk or an old used car - when they are matched well to my ride, they are just perfect. The KHS doesn't get as much maintenance and TLC than the other bikes and I let it get dirty, but then I am quite happy to ride it in the slush or on unpaved roads.

Well, I have to say that my MTB feels like a piece of junk, but that's because I don't take care of it or ride it much any more. I should get rid of it. It's not a bad bike and somebody else would love it.

If you have enough bikes in your stable to match all of your riding needs, I don't see why you would shop for a new one. If there's something missing in the match between the types of rides you do/want to do and the bikes in your stable, then I don't see how it matters whether the bike is new or used. And an older bike that is very well tuned and cared for should be just as exciting or satisfying as a new bike.

Doug64

I was actually thinking about this on a ride yesterday. My bike is pretty well dialed in, saddle is good, and no aches or pains. It was like skiing is supposed to be; you just do it and forget the skis are there. That is how riding yesterday felt; I almost forgot about the bike at times. I have used the same shifters and drivetrain setup for a lot of miles, and don't even think about shifting. It is almost like having an automatic transmission

Rick@OCRR

Yes Doug, That's the way it is for me anyway. I'm heading out on a double-century tomorrow so hopefully the bike will "disappear" for about 15 hours!

2013 Hemet Double Century and Century

Rick / OCRR

BiciMan

I try to re-new myself and my bikes regularly. For example, I'm leaning toward selling my '97 Bianchi; BUT, I just had nice new tape wrapped on it last week, and am installing a nice new saddle today. I know I'll get a reNEWed feeling for it for sure, and who knows, I may wait until its old again.

rumrunn6

I prefer when the new bike feeling passes. new bikes require lots of work tweaking the fit etc. I like riding, and knowing that my bike is ready for me.

qcpmsame 

Don't buy new bikes very often, get set in my ways, and once its set up for me that is going to be it for a while. I keep it well maintained, tires, bar wrap and cables are freshened as necessary. Keeping the drive components cleaned, and replaced when needed, helps it to stay fresh feeling. Agree with rumrunn6 about things, I suppose.

Bill

h2oxtc

For me in some ways bikes are like kids. There's the joy of bringing the baby home, and all the memories of growing up with the kids (rides on the bike). And then there's the experience of a second child (bike) coming into the home (garage), not wanting to play favorites and loving each for who they are. Feeding them, clothing them, it's all part of the responsibility of having children (bikes). Occasionally one of the kids will have a boo boo, a small scratch in the big picture of things, but to the child (bike) and the parent (me), it can sometimes feels tragic at the time. We'll nurture and care for our kids (bikes) as best we can, and hopefully some day they'll be appreciated for who they are by others as well. It's the memories of spending time and playing with the kids that I cherish the most!

ctpres

My fourteen month old Zenetto still makes me feel good and keeps me happy. Don't even bother to look at anything else.

zonatandem

Car has 180,000 miles on it.
Tandem has 40,000+ miles on it.
Quality lasts!

osco53

My exact words If I would have posted first !

I tuned my mountain bike with the soul purpose of making it vanish beneath me on the single tracks,
My Tour Easy Bent, that was,,Easy,, A Teracycle Idler pulley and rear disk brake,,adjusted the seat,,done..
My New Dahon Speed P8 needs nothing, It will stay bone stock, even the seat is good to go..

Had the Tour Easy for several years now, That bike goes in my casket when I die !
My current mountain bike about a year, the folder is brand spankin new...

There is no new bike feeling wearing off with any of them.