Chr0m0ly 

Who has a grail bike, or just came across a prestine complete vintage build that's almost too nice to take out.
Your Sunday Driver, the one that stays in if there's a hint of a cloud.
Bikes that you take out but then don't want to lock anywhere longer than a half hour are accepted. As will be bikes that just make you a bit worried about paint etc.

(Fine print: obviously an unridden bike is a wasted bike, and we all understand that even garage queens DO get exercised on occasion.)

Narhay

Several of them in this thread.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...l#post19723336

RiddleOfSteel

All my bikes are riders and I suppose fail, in part, the "too nice" qualification, but my '74 Paramount is very much looked after by me. Found in a bike co-op, nearly two axles into its grave, I rescued it, had the fork (steerer) repaired (plus a few other things), and repainted it myself (satin black), dressing it in Suntour Superbe. Blood, sweat, and fears. The paint durability, albeit better than a regular aerosol can job, is still below a professional paint or powder coat job (it's also a bunch cheaper). So it goes from a 'very protected Point A' (my apartment, resting away from my tight row of other bikes) to 'very protected Point B' (work, but at my desk and not down in the communal bike room). Sometimes B is a LBS. No U-lock or swiveling lock (like my Abus) or chain will ever touch it. I have no problem riding it, and it's a very good ride, I just plan where it stops.

3alarmer 

.
...I would probably ride it more if I didn't have so many others less problematic.

Chombi1 

My 1972 Line Seeker CF race bike.....
It's already 45 years old and I have not seen any other surviving examples in as good a shape. I only know of one possible rideable example out there owned by a fellow BF member. the one other I've seen out there is a dead frame, owned by a bike museum.
I've ridden it a couple of times and I just don't want to risk damaging it on the road, plus the Fiamme Ergals do not seem to want to stay true for any good amount of miles anyway. All I need is for them to potatochip on me while riding and dump the bike and me on the tarmac.
Maybe if I get to change the rims again to something more reliable, I might change my mind about keeping it mostly as a wall hanger.

GordoTrek

my '62 Carlton franco-suisse, the gearing is tough, 54/50 front chainring at 151 bcd. tough to find replacements. plus she's so pretty i like to just cruise on her for now.

John E

I love that Carlton, but if it were mine, I would look for a 46T ring to use with the 50.

I am not posting any bikes here, because all of mine get ridden. The UO-8 beater admittedly does get the most use and would be by far the least loss in case of theft or collision.

dunrobin

All of my bikes are riders...but this one's the prettiest
20170101_102834.jpg
so much so she defys convention

corrado33

And defies gravity as well hu?

dunrobin

rides so nice it feels like your flying....?!
Haven't taken a new picture in a while...maybe it's time now that I know which ways up.

calamarichris

non-fixie 

Too small, too big, too crappy, too far back in the garage? Yes, plenty. But too nice? No.

50voltphantom

I legitimately love the fact this bike has SPD's on it.

LouB 

For me, this one is close. Gitane Super Corsa '71. Essentailly no wear on the bike. I dont believe she has been riden more than 50 miles in all of her 46 years. When I do ride it, it will be a cool, dry day.

nlerner

The only thing I've owned that remotely approached too nice was a Peter Weigle. I rode it a while, and then sold it when I realized that someone else might cherish it far more than I would.

SJX426 

Kinda wish I owned one!

Duke7777

Yes, this is a problem I have with a couple of bikes. It's why I avoid doing restorations and like to find frames that already have a dent or two. But sometimes I've found really special bikes with paint that is completely gone. Then, because they are special, I spend a lot of time and money restoring them correctly. Then I find it too stressful to ride them. So they sit in my basement collecting dust, and after a while I wonder why I did it!

jamesdak 

Hmmm.....

I ride them all but I have two that are so nice I take special care and consideration of them.

First is this repainted Basso Gap:





The other is this wonderful Fuji Opus III sporting Superbe Pro and all.

RiddleOfSteel

Thanks! Means it's a rider! It also allows me, IMO, to get a more direct feel for the frame and the entire build--how it feels and reacts to my inputs on the road. I'm not against regular shoes, and I will skip the hassle of toe-clips/cages (tried them), but if my other bikes get the clipless pedal "power transfer" treatment, then this one does, too.

texaspandj

I tend to view my bikes as tools. Tools that get me in condition to race and to race on them. So I ride them all. However, admittedly there are two that I don't ride as much. One I acquired with only 25 miles on it (now frame only) and the other had only 300 miles or so on it. So probably not a coincidence that I don't ride them as much.

Sir_Name 

This one sees mostly good weather. Always a blast.



This one is close to being not un-ridden... It's further along, need to update some pics.

50voltphantom

Wow.

bertinjim 

GordoTrek-

I love that Carlton! Have you tried Bespoke Chainrings out of Australia? That 54/50 is just brutal.

steelbikeguy

wow, wow, and wow!

We definitely need more info and photos on these bikes! The paint on the top bike certainly needs some details. Is it flamboyant/candy, or metallic/pearl? It certainly looks flashy in the photo, and is a good match for those flashy hubs!

I can certainly sympathize with the sense that the bike is too nice to risk on the road. Seems like these bikes might be worth showing at next year's gathering of the Classic Rendezvous crowd.


Steve in Peoria

clubman 

I spent too much restoring this CCM Road Racer 25 years ago. Now it hangs on a wall in the cafe. It's pretty but not a great ride anyway.