Judging other people's bikes
11-03-15, 04:48 PM
#52
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You would hate me.
My brand new 2016 Cervelo S3 is plastered with reflective tape for next weeks 24 hour World TT championship.
My bar tape is full camo....mossy oak and the saddle is old school leather....white leather.
Are tires really cheap? Good ones are over a 100 bucks each. Yes, mine are mismatched for purpose.
My brand new 2016 Cervelo S3 is plastered with reflective tape for next weeks 24 hour World TT championship.
My bar tape is full camo....mossy oak and the saddle is old school leather....white leather.
Are tires really cheap? Good ones are over a 100 bucks each. Yes, mine are mismatched for purpose.
Listen to the Huffy guy starting a thread about judging other people's bikes 
On a serious note, I am serious about the look of my bicycles and I am a maintenance freak. When checking out other bikes, there are certain thing that turn me off and I wanted share them with you and hear feedback from other people. Don't get me wrong. I love seeing other people ride bicycles no matter what. It's a good thing regardless of the bike. Here are what I dislike on other people's bikes........
1) Mis-matched tires. I don't mind different tread patterns front to rear, but a gumwall on one wheel and a blackwall on another wheel is a major no no in my book. Tires are cheap, so match them up! And them fixies with the different color wheels/tires are just ewww!
2) Bar tape/Saddle/Tires. These items in my book should match or compliment each other. White bar tape and a black saddle and gumwalls look horrible together especially when there is no colors matching the overall bike. Brown bar tape, brown saddle, gumwalls = good. Red bar tape, green saddle, and whitewalls = bad.
3) Drop bar conversions done wrong. The reason to switch to drop bars on a hybrid or mountain bike is to use the drop bars for the intended purpose and that is to get aero. If you have a 9" long stem with the drops of your bars higher than the saddle, then why bother? The front of your bike should not look like ET's neck.
4) Noisy drivetrain. Nothing urks me more than seeing a nice bike and hearing a horribly loud, squeaking chain and drive. Hearing the chain rubbing the dork disc when in the largest cogs and listening to skip shifts and clanking gear changes makes the entire bike seem like a piece of junk regardless of what it is.
5) Over use of reflectors. I have nothing against reflectors or safety. My commuter and road bike have them, but overdoing your bike with numerous reflectors and reflective tape looks hideous. Especially yellow, white, and red reflectors on the back and front of the bike. This confuses some people on your direction of travel. Wearing hi-viz/reflective clothing and having good lights is the way to go. Don't fugly up the bike like grandpa's old van.
I'm done here. Share yours if you got them!
On a serious note, I am serious about the look of my bicycles and I am a maintenance freak. When checking out other bikes, there are certain thing that turn me off and I wanted share them with you and hear feedback from other people. Don't get me wrong. I love seeing other people ride bicycles no matter what. It's a good thing regardless of the bike. Here are what I dislike on other people's bikes........
1) Mis-matched tires. I don't mind different tread patterns front to rear, but a gumwall on one wheel and a blackwall on another wheel is a major no no in my book. Tires are cheap, so match them up! And them fixies with the different color wheels/tires are just ewww!
2) Bar tape/Saddle/Tires. These items in my book should match or compliment each other. White bar tape and a black saddle and gumwalls look horrible together especially when there is no colors matching the overall bike. Brown bar tape, brown saddle, gumwalls = good. Red bar tape, green saddle, and whitewalls = bad.
3) Drop bar conversions done wrong. The reason to switch to drop bars on a hybrid or mountain bike is to use the drop bars for the intended purpose and that is to get aero. If you have a 9" long stem with the drops of your bars higher than the saddle, then why bother? The front of your bike should not look like ET's neck.
4) Noisy drivetrain. Nothing urks me more than seeing a nice bike and hearing a horribly loud, squeaking chain and drive. Hearing the chain rubbing the dork disc when in the largest cogs and listening to skip shifts and clanking gear changes makes the entire bike seem like a piece of junk regardless of what it is.
5) Over use of reflectors. I have nothing against reflectors or safety. My commuter and road bike have them, but overdoing your bike with numerous reflectors and reflective tape looks hideous. Especially yellow, white, and red reflectors on the back and front of the bike. This confuses some people on your direction of travel. Wearing hi-viz/reflective clothing and having good lights is the way to go. Don't fugly up the bike like grandpa's old van.
I'm done here. Share yours if you got them!
11-03-15, 05:35 PM
#53
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The only time I will ever comment on another's bike is if I happen to see something hazardous to the point that they may wreck. And then only because I don't want to see someone hurt. Or worse. Other than that, I keep my trap shut.
11-03-15, 05:46 PM
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Not much about other people's bikes bothers me. We all need to follow our own paths.
11-03-15, 05:47 PM
#56
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Egads! That looks like some fiddle playing hippie gypsy's concert tour bike.
11-03-15, 05:50 PM
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Any bike that has a triple chain ring, 9-10 speed cassette and a derailleur turns me off.
YUCK !!
YUCK !!
11-03-15, 06:27 PM
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Sure I judge bikes, though I'm really judging their owners. 
Mainly, I like to look at bikes, and it saddens me when I see a decent bike that's being neglected.
Mainly, I like to look at bikes, and it saddens me when I see a decent bike that's being neglected.
11-03-15, 06:43 PM
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11-03-15, 06:49 PM
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This says a lot. We judge the actions or inaction of others, their moral behavior. Bikes, like all the things we use or have, are subject to our behavior. Wouldn't it be nice if we kept things in good order so that the next person can enjoy using it too?
11-03-15, 07:26 PM
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Well, crap. About a month ago I had to replace a damaged rear tire. It was a Schwalbe. Put a Conti Gatorskin on. Front tire still fine so I was going to wait until the regular annual maintenance time, this winter when bike's not in daily use, to put on a matching tire up front. I realize now that was just totally slacker wrong of me bad and I'm properly shamed.
11-03-15, 07:37 PM
#62
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Here are just 2 examples that are current and recent on the drop bar conversion thread. These mountain bikes were converted to drop bars and one user took the extra effort to make the bike awesome..........
I don't know what the hell this is.............
I don't know what the hell this is.............
11-03-15, 08:34 PM
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My goal is to get from point A to point B on my terms, not yours so you can suck my seat post. This is exactly why I hate and avoid group rides as much as possible and why I was hesitant to come back to riding after a layoff. As Kacey Musgraves says...So I'll just do me and honey you can just do you
11-03-15, 09:02 PM
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well hello there
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It's good to have goals.
Reach for the stars.
that sounds selfish.
that sounds rude.
hate seems a bit overstated.
sometimes a group ride is just not avoidable.
to avoid being judged?
I stopped there.
Reach for the stars.
that sounds selfish.
that sounds rude.
hate seems a bit overstated.
sometimes a group ride is just not avoidable.
to avoid being judged?
I stopped there.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
11-03-15, 10:07 PM
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Judging others is a normal human condition, we all do it. Ever hear of first impressions? Near instant judgement based on a few details.
11-03-15, 10:10 PM
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11-03-15, 10:15 PM
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I thought this was a show-and-shine. I thought there'd be more bikes. 
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Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. - Henry David Thoreau
11-03-15, 10:52 PM
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My goal is to get from point A to point B on my terms, not yours so you can suck my seat post. This is exactly why I hate and avoid group rides as much as possible and why I was hesitant to come back to riding after a layoff. As Kacey Musgraves says...So I'll just do me and honey you can just do you
11-03-15, 10:54 PM
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They only thing that makes me judge someone else's bike is a lack of lights and reflectors and when tires are too low. Beyond that, I don't care what other people ride. As for my own bike, I like having it be aesthetically pleasing to me. Matching saddle and grips. Matching tires. Clean. Useful bits in the right places.
No way, that looks like a bike that is ridden daily with love!
No way, that looks like a bike that is ridden daily with love!
11-03-15, 11:06 PM
#71
Interocitor Command
11-04-15, 05:28 AM
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When I say "Judging other people's bikes" I don't walk up to them and say "Hey! That thing looks horrible with one gumwall and one blackwall tire. And that bar tape is hideous!"
These are just the things that go through my head when I see a bike. Trust me! My bikes look awesome (in my opinion), but once some people find out they are made by Huffy, then I get judged for being weird. Here is by commuter. It's a cheap Huffy and pretty much worthless, but at least it matches and looks decent.........
This is my other Huffy. It's a road bike with upgrades and I took the time to purchase replacement parts that match the theme of the bike. Sure, I might have $90 invested for matching tires, bar tape, and saddle, but it was worth it. Peoplesee this bike and at first think it's an expensive bike or a brand new bike, but it's just the opposite...........
Here is my only non-Huffy bike I own and to me what caught my attention and helped me decide to buy it or not was the way the colors compliment each other. The cables matching the labels and the overall matching/complimenting colors.......
These are just the things that go through my head when I see a bike. Trust me! My bikes look awesome (in my opinion), but once some people find out they are made by Huffy, then I get judged for being weird. Here is by commuter. It's a cheap Huffy and pretty much worthless, but at least it matches and looks decent.........
This is my other Huffy. It's a road bike with upgrades and I took the time to purchase replacement parts that match the theme of the bike. Sure, I might have $90 invested for matching tires, bar tape, and saddle, but it was worth it. Peoplesee this bike and at first think it's an expensive bike or a brand new bike, but it's just the opposite...........
Here is my only non-Huffy bike I own and to me what caught my attention and helped me decide to buy it or not was the way the colors compliment each other. The cables matching the labels and the overall matching/complimenting colors.......
11-04-15, 06:44 AM
#73
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Hypocrite!! That red Huffy road bike has both black and white cables! Too cheap to get more white cable housings?? 
Obviously (I hope) just kidding.
Your commuter is about the best-looking Huffy I have ever seen.
But ... it is a Huffy.
Had bad personal experiences with really cheap bikes, which obviously you have not, so congratulations for making it work---you found good rides for less than most people spend for a set of tires and tubes.
As for the color coordination--if and only if I have no other bikes to work on, no other projects other than bikes to work on, and too much cash, would I consider devoting time and energy to all that--so that never happens. If I can keep my bikes clean and tuned I am pretty happy, and as for matching ... I'd rather buy parts to make my bikes work better than look better.
I use the saddle which works best and hurts least---I don't care what color it is because saddle sores never look pretty.
No reason not to pay a few hundred dollars for custom paint, right? Or to have the rims anodized in a matching/contrasting color--or to have all the metal parts anodized. One could easily spend thousands just on the appearance, and it would still ride the same.
Note: I am splurging on some colored cables because I might be able to get them at the same price as common black cables--and bar tape is about the same price regardless of color. if I could get any saddle in any color I would, but ....
Anyway, nice stable.
Obviously (I hope) just kidding.
Your commuter is about the best-looking Huffy I have ever seen.
But ... it is a Huffy.
Had bad personal experiences with really cheap bikes, which obviously you have not, so congratulations for making it work---you found good rides for less than most people spend for a set of tires and tubes.
As for the color coordination--if and only if I have no other bikes to work on, no other projects other than bikes to work on, and too much cash, would I consider devoting time and energy to all that--so that never happens. If I can keep my bikes clean and tuned I am pretty happy, and as for matching ... I'd rather buy parts to make my bikes work better than look better.
I use the saddle which works best and hurts least---I don't care what color it is because saddle sores never look pretty.
No reason not to pay a few hundred dollars for custom paint, right? Or to have the rims anodized in a matching/contrasting color--or to have all the metal parts anodized. One could easily spend thousands just on the appearance, and it would still ride the same.
Note: I am splurging on some colored cables because I might be able to get them at the same price as common black cables--and bar tape is about the same price regardless of color. if I could get any saddle in any color I would, but ....
Anyway, nice stable.
11-04-15, 06:56 AM
#74
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I built my bikes for function over fashion and it shows! I love bike watching. One of the things I am most excited about with RAGBRAI next year is just checking out everyone's sleds!
11-04-15, 07:06 AM
#75
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What's wrong with racing bars with the tops above the seat?
