Most fun bikes to ride?
#1
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Most fun bikes to ride?
We all love the look of a sweet old racing bike! But let's be honest, sometimes putting on the chamois and special shoes can take the fun out of a bike ride.
Lately I've been cruising on my 1969 Schwinn, 40lbs, but I upgraded it with a short stem and riser bar and a single thumb shifter. The 27x1 1/4 tires are smooth and comfy and the bike is by no means slow! Plus I love the sprung saddle and the fact that I can wear pants and no need for gloves. Fenders to keep my back dry through gutters. It's fun!
Then today I fixed up a bike I had snagged from a thrift store and put on 700c wheels, some English racer(?) type bars a thumb shifter. A sprung saddle, and it's so much fun!
I like riding my carbon mtb and speedy road bike but I usually find myself thinking about upgrades and equipment. My city is implementing bike lanes in a lot of places this year, but I wonder if the bikes would catch on faster if people knew how fun it could be to ride a sweet old 3 speed instead of a fancy new $800 bike to really save on gas.
So, What do you like to ride and why?
Lately I've been cruising on my 1969 Schwinn, 40lbs, but I upgraded it with a short stem and riser bar and a single thumb shifter. The 27x1 1/4 tires are smooth and comfy and the bike is by no means slow! Plus I love the sprung saddle and the fact that I can wear pants and no need for gloves. Fenders to keep my back dry through gutters. It's fun!
Then today I fixed up a bike I had snagged from a thrift store and put on 700c wheels, some English racer(?) type bars a thumb shifter. A sprung saddle, and it's so much fun!
I like riding my carbon mtb and speedy road bike but I usually find myself thinking about upgrades and equipment. My city is implementing bike lanes in a lot of places this year, but I wonder if the bikes would catch on faster if people knew how fun it could be to ride a sweet old 3 speed instead of a fancy new $800 bike to really save on gas.
So, What do you like to ride and why?
Last edited by Tulok; 02-21-13 at 03:25 PM.
#2
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OK, I only keep the bikes I think are the most fun to ride. But with that caveat, there are two that kind of come to mind at the moment.
First, my Holdsworth Professional has been outfitted to be light, quick, convenient transportation at my office. I can jump on, even if I'm in suit and tie, and zip down to grab a bite to eat or even make short errands.
Second, the International I wrapped up work on a while back is really comfy and makes for great riding with my wife (who doesn't relish the long rides that I do.)
First, my Holdsworth Professional has been outfitted to be light, quick, convenient transportation at my office. I can jump on, even if I'm in suit and tie, and zip down to grab a bite to eat or even make short errands.
Second, the International I wrapped up work on a while back is really comfy and makes for great riding with my wife (who doesn't relish the long rides that I do.)
#3
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Since I use toeclips and straps, I need special shoes only for long rides. Likewise, I can get by w/ unpadded streetwear instead of chamois-lined shorts on shorter rides.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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I always thought these were the dumbest things but then I got one. It can be adjusted to fit every member of the family except me, it's totally maneuverable and really simple. I can even ride it without too much trouble.
This one is the most fun for a quick zip around the neighborhood. It's a little small for me so it's easy to swing a leg over the top tube but then it's got a really long seatpost so it actually fits me. i like a coaster brake for riding around the parking lot with the kids, too;
Then there's the 10' long 75lb monster that I pick the kids up from school with. Dumbest waste of boat anchor fixins ever but it's the bike that see the most use around here;
This one is the most fun for a quick zip around the neighborhood. It's a little small for me so it's easy to swing a leg over the top tube but then it's got a really long seatpost so it actually fits me. i like a coaster brake for riding around the parking lot with the kids, too;
Then there's the 10' long 75lb monster that I pick the kids up from school with. Dumbest waste of boat anchor fixins ever but it's the bike that see the most use around here;
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We all love the look of a sweet old racing bike! But let's be honest, sometimes putting on the chamois and special shoes can take the fun out of a bike ride.
This is the only reason I haven't converted my retro 3-speed beach cruiser into a grownup sized Sting Ray, 'cause I think that would be totally *****in' (I just wouldn't ever ride it).
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 02-21-13 at 05:20 PM. Reason: add an as, perhaps a the
#6
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All of my miles this winter have been on my Fargo.
Throw on some winter layers and have at it.
Maybe the most fun I've had in years on a bicycle.
Throw on some winter layers and have at it.
Maybe the most fun I've had in years on a bicycle.
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For me, fun is a cold beer with friends, playing high school football, wrestling live nude women, playing Stratomatic Baseball, old table hockey, running a 5K on the edge of madness, climbing a water tower, pranking a rival high school, riding a GPz550 on a curvy road, almost anything involving a frisbee, along with a myriad of other things I've done that that I knew I couldn't or can't do forever.
I really don't consider cycling fun. It is simply an excellent thing to do.
I put on the shorts and the shoes so I can enjoy my ride.
Most of you have seen this bike before, but the OP asked.
My favorite rides are long solo rides, in the drops. I can think, feel, and move across the planet.
I consider it contentment, enjoyable, and more so on this than any other bike:
There is, however, a potential rival to this bike in the works, similar in many ways, and if a success, will produce the same feeling.
I really don't consider cycling fun. It is simply an excellent thing to do.
I put on the shorts and the shoes so I can enjoy my ride.
Most of you have seen this bike before, but the OP asked.
My favorite rides are long solo rides, in the drops. I can think, feel, and move across the planet.
I consider it contentment, enjoyable, and more so on this than any other bike:
There is, however, a potential rival to this bike in the works, similar in many ways, and if a success, will produce the same feeling.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 02-21-13 at 05:49 PM.
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I have the most fun on my winter MTB, after (actually during) a good snowstorm .
PS - I just Googled "chamois"... You actually wear goatskin leather to ride a bike?
PPS- IIWY, I'd find a decent set of drops and a Brooks for your thrift store snag!
PS - I just Googled "chamois"... You actually wear goatskin leather to ride a bike?
PPS- IIWY, I'd find a decent set of drops and a Brooks for your thrift store snag!
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Last edited by auchencrow; 02-21-13 at 06:10 PM.
#11
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I never even thought of a 29er until I saw one of these and knew I had to have one.....It's a blast riding right on the beach too!
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The bike I built for winter commuting, but ended up riding pretty much exclusively almost all summer. Maybe because it's my first bike build, maybe it's because I also built the wheels, maybe it's because there's just something about a 3 speed. She's not pretty, she's not worth a dime, collectable-wise, but this is my most fun ride despite also being my workhorse.
#13
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Never forget that cycling is some damn serious business.
But then, it can also be a blast.
Putting the F in fun, although it isn't yet C&V... it would be hard to wipe the smiles of my face with a bat when I ride the Pugsley.
But then, it can also be a blast.
Putting the F in fun, although it isn't yet C&V... it would be hard to wipe the smiles of my face with a bat when I ride the Pugsley.
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Anything with a coaster brake and a bald rear tire
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This is my main ride around town, but it's also nice to ride all day. It gets a tool roll and bottle for longer rides. I'm thinking fenders next. It's 700x32.
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Sweet rides, love the Fargo. My favorite winter ride is a 29er as well. Good ole Tennessee Ti
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Most entertaining: '73 Colnago Super.
Most "classic", '71-72 Cinelli Supercorsa.
Most relive my youth: '73 LeJeune CdM.
Most oohs and aaahs from others who know or were around at the time: '76 Confente. Second would be the '69 Colnago, lots of riders of even mod bikes appreciate that one.
Most "classic", '71-72 Cinelli Supercorsa.
Most relive my youth: '73 LeJeune CdM.
Most oohs and aaahs from others who know or were around at the time: '76 Confente. Second would be the '69 Colnago, lots of riders of even mod bikes appreciate that one.
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I wanted to go for a ti framed 29er, but just couldn't work the funds right now.
I did end up with an El Mariachi, which I can't wait to put through the paces.
Have fun with that great bicycle Vonruden!
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Most entertaining: '73 Colnago Super.
Most "classic", '71-72 Cinelli Supercorsa.
Most relive my youth: '73 LeJeune CdM.
Most oohs and aaahs from others who know or were around at the time: '76 Confente. Second would be the '69 Colnago, lots of riders of even mod bikes appreciate that one.
Most "classic", '71-72 Cinelli Supercorsa.
Most relive my youth: '73 LeJeune CdM.
Most oohs and aaahs from others who know or were around at the time: '76 Confente. Second would be the '69 Colnago, lots of riders of even mod bikes appreciate that one.
What a list.
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I love riding all my bikes but I will say that I probably get the most pleasure from the "mutt' of the bunch. It was a dinged up frame, not wanted by my son so I cobbled together some odd spare parts and set it up as a fixed gear for myself. A very basic, simple bike that has been my companion on many adventures.
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