Originally Posted by joe v
Guys, guys, PLEASE, for the record : I was NOT (repeat NOT) judging any rider, only a bike (read the original post), merely pointing out the - to me - not very pleasing aspect of the bike's geometry. Come on, is it not possible to critisize a bike without threading on someone's toes??? It's very frustrating when a (not even serious - doesn't the title remind you of somebody?) thread goes somewhere so removed from your intention. Isn't the whole point of C&V to talk about what you like AND dislike about vintage bikes? IOW express a personal opinion about how a bike LOOKS, how it can be restored etc... And no, of course a giant stem will not ruin your bike, but IMHO it ruins its looks - am I allowed to say that? Same as someone is allowed in these same pages to say he doesn't like these wheels or that saddle or whatever?
I can see where, if you think the person did it out of choice merely to be perverse or get a reaction, then your reaction is as legitimate as any. But I think it gets trickier once you see it as an adaptation to physical limits. Then if you criticise it, or say get a comfort bike, your reaction begins to look like you're saying that people should hide their disabilities and maybe even not ride any more, if the alternative is to adapt their bike in an unconventional way. Which raises all sorts of questions about good taste, sensitivity, value systems, etc. Which is naturally going to generate a lot of feedback.