Is/was your bicycle part of your interior decor?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,941
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From: south kansas america
Bikes: too many
Is/was your bicycle part of your interior decor?
Did you, back in the day, keep your bicycle inside your house or apartment? As I was a poor college student, and my bicycle represented one of the most expensive objects I owned (right up their with my stereo, books, calculator, and microwave), I did what I could to protect it from getting pilfered. I didn't have anything else to decorate my apartment with, so my bike had a trusty spot of it's own, where anyone who might drop by would be sure to see it. I now have way too many bicycles, and couches, books, tables, and such to have a specific spot for my ride (my trusty daily ride takes up space in the garage). I wanted my bicycle inside, because I was proud of it, and how it represented a special part of who I was. In fact, almost everyone I knew in college, who road, kept their bicycle in their apartment. So, did you, back in the day, bring your steed inside? Do you now?
(The genesis of this post was a young coworker who's bicycle was stolen from his balcony of his apartment (it was locked up, but stolen anyways). He never thought about bringing it inside.) PS, this was long before Seinfeld, and his green Klein (which, as far as we knew, was never ridden).
(The genesis of this post was a young coworker who's bicycle was stolen from his balcony of his apartment (it was locked up, but stolen anyways). He never thought about bringing it inside.) PS, this was long before Seinfeld, and his green Klein (which, as far as we knew, was never ridden).
#3
"Broke College Student"
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 180
Likes: 8
From: Mid-Missouri, USA
Bikes: 2016 Giant Sedona, 1987 Free Spirit Pinnacle
Currently a college student. I have my 1987 Free Spirit Pinnacle prominently on display in my dorm room. It'll soon be joined with a (not C/V) 2016 Giant Sedona that I purchased last fall.
I had a poll asking whether or not I should keep it inside. Understandably, majority of the responses were yes. Besides looking awesome, I know its protected from the elements and, at night, secure. Which helps since bicycle thefts are not completely uncommon here. (Although, thankfully, bike thefts aren't too bad.)
I had a poll asking whether or not I should keep it inside. Understandably, majority of the responses were yes. Besides looking awesome, I know its protected from the elements and, at night, secure. Which helps since bicycle thefts are not completely uncommon here. (Although, thankfully, bike thefts aren't too bad.)
#4
I have 4 of my oldest bikes on a floor-ceiling stand, two each side, acting as a "screen" separating my finished basement into 2 sections.
So yes, but also no, my wife would never let them be upstairs
So yes, but also no, my wife would never let them be upstairs

#5
Master Parts Rearranger

Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,849
Likes: 2,821
From: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Bikes: 1987 Woodrup Competition - 2025 Trek Checkpoint SL 6 Gen 3 - 1987 Lotus Legend - 2024 Trek Emonda ALR Rim Brake - 1980 Trek 510 - 1988 Cannondale SR500 - 1985 Trek 670 - 1982 Trek 730
As I am but a single fellow, my bikes are of course stored inside my apartment unit. As such, they are by default part of the interior decor. I don't have a bunch of bookcases or an ottoman or a TV on a stand/furniture piece or a large three-place couch...or a dining room table. As a result, all that absent "normal people" furniture is taken up by very lovely bicycles that I have worked hard to obtain, build up, ride, and maintain. To the left of my computer, here at this desk, five feet away, are a handful of bikes. The nearest one, situated so that the drive side faces me, is my 2015 Cannondale CAAD10 Black Inc. Disc--truly a second coming of the original Black Lightning--and it is a beauty to behold. I can't stop looking at it!
#6
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 290
Likes: 10
From: Greenville, SC / Asheville, NC
Bikes: '74 Raleigh Professional, '73 Raleigh Grand Prix, '84 Nishiki Medalist, '85 Gazelle Champion Mondial AB, '81 Peugeot Course, '79 Univega Gran Rally, '85 Torpado Super Strada
Sounds about right. At least they are in the house.
I’ve been trying to convince my wife to let me hang my Raleigh Professional in the house ever since I picked it up a few months ago. I’m losing that battle I’m afraid . But, at least I have a shed for my bikes to live. Things could be worse.
.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 83
From: Salt Lake City, UT (Formerly Los Angeles, CA)
Bikes: 2008 Cannondale Synapse -- 2014 Cannondale Quick CX
My "first after-college" apartment didn't have protected bike storage, so yes, the bike lived at the back of my living room. This had the benefit of making it mandatory that the bike be cleaned up regularly.
#8
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 56
Likes: 1
Yes, i stored my '85 Miyata 912 in the apartment. And yes, my new wife of two years thought it was weird and did not approve.. but it is the only way to keep a ride in near perfect shape. For 5 years my bikes have been in the dusty, damp barn. Saw some rust on a cassette ystdy. And the dust that accumulates and the deterioration of tires is surprising..
#9
Matt Pendergast


Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,421
Likes: 7,996
From: North Bend, Washington State
Bikes: 1937 Hobbs; 1977 Bruce Gordon; 1987 Bill Holland; 1988 Schwinn Paramount (Fixed gear); 1999 Fat City Yo Eddy (MTB); 2018 Woodrup (Touring) 2016 Ritchey breakaway
I have a very understanding wife who loves me so much she allows me to display 2 of my oldest (and most interesting) bikes inside the house.
The 1974 Singer sits in the dining room and the 1937 Hobbs, in the TV room.
Mind you, I am 61 years old. My wife is extroardinary...
The 1974 Singer sits in the dining room and the 1937 Hobbs, in the TV room.
Mind you, I am 61 years old. My wife is extroardinary...
#10
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 999
From: Minneapolis
Bikes: 1960 Carlton Franco Suisse,1974 Peugeot PX10, 1970 Hetchins, 1953 Rotrax Super Course, 1972 and 78 Raleigh Professionals, 1972 Schwinn Paramount, 1972 Motobecane Le Champion, 1965 and 67 Carlton Flyers, 1975 Raleigh International, 1972 Gitane TDF
I have a very understanding wife who loves me so much she allows me to display 2 of my oldest (and most interesting) bikes inside the house.
The 1974 Singer sits in the dining room and the 1937 Hobbs, in the TV room.
Mind you, I am 61 years old. My wife is extroardinary...
The 1974 Singer sits in the dining room and the 1937 Hobbs, in the TV room.
Mind you, I am 61 years old. My wife is extroardinary...
#11
I don't have enough space in my garage, so some of my bikes live indoors out of necessity. From the desk where I'm typing this I have but to turn my head a few degrees and I can see 6 bikes and 3 frames leaned up against the wall.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,869
Likes: 1,108
From: Tallahassee, FL
My bike lived in my living room while I was in college. After that, I didn't ride for 30 years. When I returned to riding, I was fortunate to find a Raleigh Team Pro for sale locally. I thought it would probably reside on the porch, but my wife got a new Salsa at the same time. And she decided that needed to be in the house, so my Raleigh came inside as well.
#14
Senior Member


Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 886
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
College days, some of the best, had to keep Peugeot U0-8 in my bedroom of the tiny house three of us rented, took up way too much room but got me to classes and work. Today I have a hanger and my bikes still take up way too much room.
#15
Bianchi Goddess



Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28,962
Likes: 4,230
From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Ever since I bought my first new Bianchi in '87 I've done my best to keep them inside, unfortunately sometimes that meant just a storage locker somewhere.

My bedroom, for a time, when I lived in PA

First edition of my multi rack.

A later rendition of my rack. Sadly a lot of those are gone now.

The dining room here in Ft Wayne

My bedroom, for a time, when I lived in PA

First edition of my multi rack.

A later rendition of my rack. Sadly a lot of those are gone now.

The dining room here in Ft Wayne
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#17
Senior Member




Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,348
Likes: 9,993
From: Utah
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
I guess so in some way. The bike cave is right by my front door so it's the first thing anyone sees when they come in the house.

I've got a LeMond sign hanging over the entrance.

And the unique LeMond has now been hung on the wall for all to see.

I've got a LeMond sign hanging over the entrance.

And the unique LeMond has now been hung on the wall for all to see.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
#21
Senior Member


Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,368
Likes: 5,254
From: Central Virginia
Bikes: Numerous
The Colnago pic is the dining room of our first house from about 2004. The De Rosa is right now in our current house hanging in an inexplicably large first floor half bathroom. Yes I know it’s not quite level! I had to measure from the floor since my level was still MIA packed away in a box somewhere at the time.





__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
#22
What??? Only 2 wheels?


Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 13,501
Likes: 995
From: Boston-ish, MA
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Yes. My commuter generally lives in the living room but sometimes migrates to the kitchen or pantry to clear space for some activity. Sometimes two bikes if another has been brought up from the basement for some reason. On rare occasions they are all in the basement.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#23
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,941
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From: south kansas america
Bikes: too many
#24
ambulatory senior

Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 6,451
Likes: 4,517
From: Peoria Il
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.

Im 62 and get to do whatever i want now! I have cool vintage stereo stuff that is nowadays cheap compared to when it was new. Vintage bikes likewise. Any and all of it is in the living area at any givin time. My gf rides too so she gets it. She is an artist and very often her artwork/supplies are wherever i look. We live like we live and i love it.



