The enviable bike thread
06-17-11 | 05:54 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 16,748
Likes: 138
From: Wherever
06-17-11 | 06:07 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,579
Likes: 6
From: Pearland, Texas
Bikes: Cannondale, Trek, Raleigh, Santana
aixaix, I guess it's a perspective item. While there is some blurring in the middle, the collector might be envious of someone else's bike whereas the rider will simply admire. So, with that:
1. No bike I ride is a cosmetic accessory nor will a fancier bike change anybody's impression of me.
2. I'll admire a well maintained/restored upper tier bicycle the same as a well maintained/restored lower tier bike. Perhaps more so if appearances indicate it's been rode a lot.
Brad
1. No bike I ride is a cosmetic accessory nor will a fancier bike change anybody's impression of me.
2. I'll admire a well maintained/restored upper tier bicycle the same as a well maintained/restored lower tier bike. Perhaps more so if appearances indicate it's been rode a lot.
Brad
06-17-11 | 06:10 AM
#28
Photographer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 102
From: The other Cape, Cape Ann
Most of the cyclists I see on the road in my area are too busy admiring themselves to notice what I'm riding.
Scott
Scott
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06-18-11 | 03:51 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: Centurion Ironman Master, Motobecane Jubile Sport, Mongoose ATB
When I park my ironman master that is properly fit to me, I often marvel at how damn good it looks fit so well, and in my size especially. Call me snobby and I'll remind you I ride an old 80's Japanese bike, but I look cool as hell on it that's for sure. 
06-18-11 | 05:15 PM
#32
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,135
Likes: 6,360
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Don't sneer at the fat grey-haired guys on expensive bikes. I did once, and the guy pummeled me on the road. I trailed him for a mile and then gave up. I was so tired my stomach ached. Shame on me for my snobbery!
I do ride a bike to create an impression sometimes, but only to create a reverse-snobby impression. I rarely even clean my nice bikes, so they're all dirty. I ride an English three-speed to show I'm not a bike snob. My McLean has no decals, so I don't know how many people know it's a fine bike. Though I have gotten compliments from guys on the road who are riding modern, mid-level bikes who I might guess don't know one bike from the next. Maybe it's the sleek paint job that lacks decals. Or something else. I don't know.
Last year, my daily rider was a 1971 Raleigh Super Course. It's pretty ugly, and I liked it because it was a sleeper bike. It rode much better than it looked.
You know, for the shallow questions in the OP, the responses here have been very well considered and expressed!
I do ride a bike to create an impression sometimes, but only to create a reverse-snobby impression. I rarely even clean my nice bikes, so they're all dirty. I ride an English three-speed to show I'm not a bike snob. My McLean has no decals, so I don't know how many people know it's a fine bike. Though I have gotten compliments from guys on the road who are riding modern, mid-level bikes who I might guess don't know one bike from the next. Maybe it's the sleek paint job that lacks decals. Or something else. I don't know.
Last year, my daily rider was a 1971 Raleigh Super Course. It's pretty ugly, and I liked it because it was a sleeper bike. It rode much better than it looked.
You know, for the shallow questions in the OP, the responses here have been very well considered and expressed!
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
06-18-11 | 07:58 PM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, MO
Other than the guys I volunteer with at the co-op and a few dudes at the LBS, I generally get ignored on my old steel POSs. Every once and awhile an older guy on a group ride will strike up a conversation...reminiscing as it were.
Heck...it's one of the only things that keeps me from buying a Look 585!
Heck...it's one of the only things that keeps me from buying a Look 585!
06-18-11 | 08:47 PM
#34
Larger Chainring
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 1
From: Corvallis, Oregon
Bikes: 1988 Schwinn Circuit. Bike-Boom-Puegeot. First "real bike" Trek 720 Hybrid in gross disrepair.
The bike that I ride that turns the most heads and gets the most comments is definitely the Motorola Merckx. I suspect people think something along the lines of "that fat bastard sure has a nice bike." I usually am riding the Koga-Miyata or the Marnati, and since no one knows what those are, they generally ignore me. I imagine others reacting the way I reacted to people like me when I was young...a mixture of snobbery and jealousy. I used to LOVE blowing by the dude that was out of shape with his fancy bike on my Shimano 105 Sirrus. I like when folks stare at my bikes and chat with me about them, but I'd rather be back to the level where they were talking about how strong I am riding. I think the bike that best reflects my personality is the Koga-Miyata - reliable, practical and heavy.
I just love looking at rare, interesting bikes and I love watching them on the street. Usually I try to talk to folks with interesting things and have had some great conversations that way. Generally my thought pattern is: wow, what a cool person who shares my common interest. I'm definitely more interested in chatting with folks who have more odd ball stuff and I've found they typically know more about their bikes and riding. A lot of it depends on the build, the person riding it and how they're riding it. I really dig seeing updated classics, and my general approach to those people is - wow...they appreciate good steel and quality, but they actually ride and want it to work well.
I just love looking at rare, interesting bikes and I love watching them on the street. Usually I try to talk to folks with interesting things and have had some great conversations that way. Generally my thought pattern is: wow, what a cool person who shares my common interest. I'm definitely more interested in chatting with folks who have more odd ball stuff and I've found they typically know more about their bikes and riding. A lot of it depends on the build, the person riding it and how they're riding it. I really dig seeing updated classics, and my general approach to those people is - wow...they appreciate good steel and quality, but they actually ride and want it to work well.
06-19-11 | 01:13 AM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: California
1. My first thought to this question was that I don't try to create any impressions when I ride. But then I realized that isn't exactly true. My main reason for riding is because I truly enjoy riding. Although, I do like the idea of being seen as the guy blowing by on a 30 year old steel bike.
2. When I see others on C&V's I think how cool, someone else is rocking an older road bike. I then go on to think that he/she must have others and that they must have an interesting story about their bike. And let's be honest, we all like to talk about our bikes.
2. When I see others on C&V's I think how cool, someone else is rocking an older road bike. I then go on to think that he/she must have others and that they must have an interesting story about their bike. And let's be honest, we all like to talk about our bikes.
06-19-11 | 01:26 AM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: California
Noglider:
I too have a similar story of a gray-haired guy who rode hard. I was coming back from a ride to the beach when I saw an older gent turning onto the same highway with me. He was on a hot carbon bike and I thought I'd leave him in the dust. I ended up riding the last 15 miles of my ride at a hard pace only to turn on my block with him still a few bike lengths behind me. He then rode by and effortlessly said "good riding" and I said "yes, thanks" while trying to mask my heavy breathing.
I too have a similar story of a gray-haired guy who rode hard. I was coming back from a ride to the beach when I saw an older gent turning onto the same highway with me. He was on a hot carbon bike and I thought I'd leave him in the dust. I ended up riding the last 15 miles of my ride at a hard pace only to turn on my block with him still a few bike lengths behind me. He then rode by and effortlessly said "good riding" and I said "yes, thanks" while trying to mask my heavy breathing.
06-19-11 | 10:05 AM
#38
occasional cyclist
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 141
Likes: 1
Is this thread supposed to raise awareness for bike-based narcissism?
Well, I don't know how I ended up here.
The Miyata 312 I've been riding a lot in the last 6 months, while it is a dependable charmer to me, is relatively unassuming in all black, and to the majority of bike trail people it just looks like some kind of big standard classic old steel gas pipe road bike, but still shiny and well cared for. But like anything thats that old it probably has lost most if its value. It's 2 sizes too big so the seatpost is an inch and a half from slammed, bars at least at same height as saddle. Not quite fast enough to keep up with any packs of rabid roadies, but it has a fast sport-touring look that doesn't really turn heads. It also can be surprisingly quiet and stealthy.
I had a 60 year old guy riding one of those fast new down on the ground trikes try to sell me on how great those (frame-made-in-USA) trikes are and then he had the nerve to tell me that I should watch out for the awful quality of Chinese bikes, like the one he thought I was riding. Didn't look at all those little decals: triathlon triangles, the spline triple butted Miyata chrome moly, the thru the top tube brake cable routing, the Mangalight forks, the Sakae bars, Sugino crankset, and the Panaracer-shod Araya rims with Sansin hubs. He did not see made in Japan to the highest quality standards. To him had I had a generic cookie cutter bike of indeterminant origin and he slagged me for it. He was one certain brand of bike snob.
That said as a well into his 40's guy who's getting gray under the helmet, who can now pretend to be that guy with the Pinarello, now that I've got the new to me Miyata Team on the road. Not enough enduro from me anymore to reel off 90% for mile after mile, and having ridden the Team over the 312 it only seems to be worth 1 or 2 mph for a few miles mainly due to the lower bar position, and eventually, did I mention, my lower enduro kicking in and all the crouching likely to have a toll on my back.
That bike's minty shine and Dura Ace bling seemed show bike awesome to some LBS mechanics. They all fantasized about riding something made from super steel. They - envied my bike.
On the street, people tried to ignore looking at it - maybe its loud color scheme screams "poser" to to the average person.
I've now been exposed to both sides of it now, but it always comes down to the perception of the beholder. Some are quite ignorant, others more knowledgeable.
Well, I don't know how I ended up here.
The Miyata 312 I've been riding a lot in the last 6 months, while it is a dependable charmer to me, is relatively unassuming in all black, and to the majority of bike trail people it just looks like some kind of big standard classic old steel gas pipe road bike, but still shiny and well cared for. But like anything thats that old it probably has lost most if its value. It's 2 sizes too big so the seatpost is an inch and a half from slammed, bars at least at same height as saddle. Not quite fast enough to keep up with any packs of rabid roadies, but it has a fast sport-touring look that doesn't really turn heads. It also can be surprisingly quiet and stealthy.
I had a 60 year old guy riding one of those fast new down on the ground trikes try to sell me on how great those (frame-made-in-USA) trikes are and then he had the nerve to tell me that I should watch out for the awful quality of Chinese bikes, like the one he thought I was riding. Didn't look at all those little decals: triathlon triangles, the spline triple butted Miyata chrome moly, the thru the top tube brake cable routing, the Mangalight forks, the Sakae bars, Sugino crankset, and the Panaracer-shod Araya rims with Sansin hubs. He did not see made in Japan to the highest quality standards. To him had I had a generic cookie cutter bike of indeterminant origin and he slagged me for it. He was one certain brand of bike snob.
That said as a well into his 40's guy who's getting gray under the helmet, who can now pretend to be that guy with the Pinarello, now that I've got the new to me Miyata Team on the road. Not enough enduro from me anymore to reel off 90% for mile after mile, and having ridden the Team over the 312 it only seems to be worth 1 or 2 mph for a few miles mainly due to the lower bar position, and eventually, did I mention, my lower enduro kicking in and all the crouching likely to have a toll on my back.
That bike's minty shine and Dura Ace bling seemed show bike awesome to some LBS mechanics. They all fantasized about riding something made from super steel. They - envied my bike.
On the street, people tried to ignore looking at it - maybe its loud color scheme screams "poser" to to the average person.
I've now been exposed to both sides of it now, but it always comes down to the perception of the beholder. Some are quite ignorant, others more knowledgeable.
06-19-11 | 10:31 AM
#39
Wrench Savant
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,316
Likes: 113
From: 61 Degrees North
Bikes: Yes
I get alot of flack from most bike people who know me. I have a garage full of "enviable" bikes, but I do most of my riding on a 1985 Schwinn Sierra. These are the reasons:
1) The Schwinn is bullet proof and can carry anything I dare.
2). The Schwinn is super comfy, and I have changed the gearing to suit me, not whatever Giant/Schwinn thought was appropriate in 1984.
3). I am not that concerned that the Schwinn will still be parked where ever I leave it upon my return.
4). I do nto care if it snows, rains, or the planet is beseiged by Martian-cow-dung storm when I am on it...well, the latter may not be all that great.
5). A wise man once said: "If you have more than one bicycle, you always have one operational bicycle, and a bunch of others that need something fixed". I actually have two "operational" right now, but I have a bunch which need at least 20-minues worth of work.
1) The Schwinn is bullet proof and can carry anything I dare.
2). The Schwinn is super comfy, and I have changed the gearing to suit me, not whatever Giant/Schwinn thought was appropriate in 1984.
3). I am not that concerned that the Schwinn will still be parked where ever I leave it upon my return.
4). I do nto care if it snows, rains, or the planet is beseiged by Martian-cow-dung storm when I am on it...well, the latter may not be all that great.
5). A wise man once said: "If you have more than one bicycle, you always have one operational bicycle, and a bunch of others that need something fixed". I actually have two "operational" right now, but I have a bunch which need at least 20-minues worth of work.
06-19-11 | 10:49 AM
#41
No Money and No Sense
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
From: Anderson, MO
My 3-speed is crankless right now because the crank happened to have the right number of teeth for my SS conversion, I'm still gathering parts for my hybrid, I need a tire for my BMX, and I have a mountain bike stripped for parts. My single speed is rideable, so that's one out of five.
06-19-11 | 11:13 AM
#42
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,462
The only impression I ever try to create is that I'm able to keep up, despite the old bike I'm on. Like most of us, I'm always willing to talk bikes, but I know so very little about modern stuff, I generally just listen. I may ask about the group or the wheelset, or the saddle.
2. As an observer, I'm almost always going to say something, because I want the other rider to know I appreciate their bike. I'll ask questions if I'm curious. Like others here, that often means I have to run the bike down.
Not long ago, I was on my Cinelli/Centurion, riding with a girl on her Cervelo. We chased down a trio of Cervelos, and caught up. We joked about the Cervelo mafia....and then the oldest of the other riders realized I was on a Cinelli, and explained it to the others as "back when bikes were bikes..." We had fun, the younger folk exchanged emails on their smart phones, and I got to pull 4 aero-tucked Cervelos for 17 miles, until we split up.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 06-19-11 at 11:27 AM.
