Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

What Makes Your Bike "Fun" To Ride?

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

What Makes Your Bike "Fun" To Ride?

Old 05-12-14, 12:04 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Velocivixen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
Posts: 4,525
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 400 Post(s)
Liked 37 Times in 26 Posts
What Makes Your Bike "Fun" To Ride?

I have 6 bikes, one modern one & the other's span from the mid-1970's to the early 1990's. All different geometries, different wheel sizes (27", 700c, 26"). Also all different types of tires. So yesterday I was riding my 1992 Hardrock Ultra around (I replaced the bottom bracket with a new Shimano UN55 and installed my, new to me, Shimano BC124 crankset, and adjusted the front dereilleur). I intended to just ride it around to test the shifting. When I was "done" I'd pull up to the house, slow down, then go for another loop. After I was sure I was done, pull up to the house, slow down then think "Just a little more". I kept riding and riding - not far but around the park and the neighborhood. I finally realized that riding this particular bike is FUN! It wasn't fun for any particular reason - it didn't bring back any particular memories of having fun on this specific bike (I've never owned one of these before), it wasn't the weather, it wasn't my pre-existing mood. It was just simply fun.

I know many of you have multiple bikes, and that many serve particular duties (touring, commuting, etc). So....What makes riding your bike(s) Fun? Is there a particular one that is more fun? What makes it fun?
Velocivixen is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 12:38 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
squirtdad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,856

Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque

Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2304 Post(s)
Liked 2,742 Times in 1,499 Posts
I ride three bikes and I love them all, the all put a grin on my face....but here is my synopsis

89 Miyata 1400.....upgraded to 9 spd sti. This is my go out and ride fast bike, 99% of the time with full bike clothes (no team kit, but work related jersey Artix, Kintex, zynq) great handling goes as fast as i can (not very )

Nisihki converted to upright commuter/utlity bike. water who cares I have fenders, Smooth, sitting up straight just cruising, lots of carrying capacity. Big smile of the chlll sort.....

but the one that puts the big excrement eating grin on my face is:

84 torpado, with Postino bars and a wald front basket. Don't know what it is the simplicty (down tube campy shifters, but I treat it more like a single speed, flat pedals, no fenders, no cyclometer, no kickstand), the irreverant use of a front basket, the italian soul, but this bike is just fun, it is agile, and just getting on it makes me feel like a kid.
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)



squirtdad is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 12:53 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
SJX426's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,580

Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8

Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1601 Post(s)
Liked 2,187 Times in 1,092 Posts
I have two and half bikes I ride with a third on the way. The Colnago I save for the special fast rides with distance. I don't ride it often but when I do it feels really special. I get nervous at times because it is special to me as it replaced my 72 Moto LC which was destroyed in an auto accident. I think there is a residual feeling about being an a nimble fast bike and crashing that hasn't gone away yet. BTW the Colnago is a much more fun ride.

The second is a Specialized RockHopper that is my commuter. I bought it as a way to get off road. Haven't really done that but it is my "truck" that I use most often. I still have to get the gearing right before I feel at home on it, but it is comfortable.

The half bike is a new experience for me, a tandem. This is a lot of fun! It is great for the two of us to ride togther. I never have to worry about her in any way and she is always right behind me. Yeah there is a little back seat driving but that is going away. We are getting stronger and more stable as a team and enjoying the riding more.

Bottom line, it depends on the purpose. The Colnago is great for single hard rides, the Rockhopper is good for commuting using the 2.3 inch tires as suspension and the Tandem is a great couple ride.

The one in the works is a Trek 610 intended for more relaxed rides than the Colnago. It is less aggressive geometry and I see it as being more of a sport tour bike. It will also be a platform for trying different drive trains and components. It is getting the parts off the Moto LC to begin with.
SJX426 is online now  
Old 05-12-14, 01:45 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
dailycommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: RiverRoad, ME
Posts: 798
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 71 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
I find old bikes fun b/c often you have fixed them up to a useful purpose again after languishing. Commuting day after day on bicycle can become a grind but mostly I try to have "fun" by enjoying the scenery, listening to the sound of tires humming down the road, looking down at 30 year old lugs and wondering if the person who brazed it is still alive, etc.
dailycommute is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 02:10 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Velocivixen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
Posts: 4,525
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 400 Post(s)
Liked 37 Times in 26 Posts
@ dailycommute - I totally get that & find it true. I've purchased 5 of my bikes off CL. The cheapest was $40 (Sekai Bigfoot - early-mid '80's) and the Hardrock was $45. I go over then head to toe, grease, repack, replace, adjust, etc. and it's very satisfying for me to take an "ugly duckling" and make it into a swan (well almost). But for some reason this bike feels "just right". It's fun so I'm gonna keep riding it a lot.
Velocivixen is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 02:38 PM
  #6  
What??? Only 2 wheels?
 
jimmuller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,452

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

Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times in 232 Posts
That's a hard question to answer, and hard to separate from the different questions of what each bike might be good for or what might be good about each. Fun is a state of mind. Riding my UO8 is fun because of our long history together and the knowledge that it is a classic that is becoming rarer, and rarer still because no "serious" cyclist would ride one. Riding it is a way of thumbing my nose at the establishment! Riding the Raleigh is fun because it rides so well and is, well, oldish and gets compliments at bike shops. The Centurion and Bertin are fun because of the paint, purple/yellow, and orange. The Bianchi is fun because it is bad-black and so very competent. The Masi and Motobecane just like to fly, no doubt about it, plus they are good lookers too and often generate comments. They are all fun to ride. But the ideal choice of bike depends on the ride.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
jimmuller is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 02:52 PM
  #7  
Get off my lawn!
 
Velognome's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Garden State
Posts: 6,253

Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times in 48 Posts
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.. ......

I don't know how it works, just does.
Velognome is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 03:10 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Velocivixen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
Posts: 4,525
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 400 Post(s)
Liked 37 Times in 26 Posts
@ jimmuller - I know it's a hard question to answer. What makes one bike fun might likely be different than what makes a different bike fun. It's a state of mind for sure. I'm trying to figure out what made riding the Hardrock fun - maybe geometry? maybe the wild color scheme (fuchsia to purple fade)? I've had "fun" fixing it up. But I'm not sure.
@ Velognome - yes....exactly.
Velocivixen is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 03:23 PM
  #9  
smelling the roses
 
seedsbelize's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,428

Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5

Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7081 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times in 612 Posts
I have two regularly ridden road bikes (with two more in process) and a dedicated city bike. The 92 Paramount is just plain fast. Quick. No frame flex that I can discern. When I step on the gas, that bike goes! Right now. It's so much fun to be able to accelerate on a dime simply by deciding to do it.
The 87 Prelude is the gentler cousin. It takes the less than perfect surfaces which are so prevalent around here and makes them enjoyable, if not completely smooth. When I'm on one of them, I wonder if I will ever again ride the other.
seedsbelize is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 03:48 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
due ruote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,707
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 903 Post(s)
Liked 524 Times in 318 Posts
Originally Posted by Velognome
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.. ......

I don't know how it works, just does.
Pretty much sums it up.
They are bikes, and bikes are fun, especially when you ride them.
due ruote is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 03:52 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
rootboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 16,755
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 132 Times in 78 Posts
My bikes seem, these days, to want to go faster than me. That's probably a remnant from my younger days when I rode faster than I do now. They seem lively and almost like they're wanting to leap out from under me. That's what makes them fun for me.
rootboy is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 03:54 PM
  #12  
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
 
KonAaron Snake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 17,229

Bikes: Two wheeled ones

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times in 174 Posts
My most fun bike over all is my MAX Marnati. It rides like it was made for me...and it was. It's just a bit more comfy and feels more responsive. I love the components - ergo 11 - and I love the zippy Veloflex tires.
KonAaron Snake is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 03:57 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
OldsCOOL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317

Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 313 Posts
The Cannondale Criterium Series I just finished really cranks me up. First, it fits me perfectly. It isnt one of those bikes I had to get used to or have it "grow on me". The features and characteristics that define this bike are what I love. Fast, very light, stiff and it has the personality I imagined it would have during the winter build.
OldsCOOL is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 06:02 PM
  #14  
Banned.
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: on the beach
Posts: 4,859

Bikes: '73 falcon sr, '76 grand record, '84 davidson

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 59 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times in 16 Posts
if even one little thing is out of adjustment or squeaky, i worry.

usually, everything is quiet and perfectly adjusted, and my mind is at perfect ease, like in a zen state.

only traffic and weather can interrupt that, but only if i let it.
eschlwc is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 11:28 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Lascauxcaveman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 8,016

Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.

Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 629 Times in 355 Posts
Originally Posted by Velocivixen
What makes riding your bike(s) Fun?

Me, that's what.

I'm basically a fun guy!

Or maybe just a fungi.
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●

Lascauxcaveman is offline  
Old 05-12-14, 11:31 PM
  #16  
bicycle snobs stay away.
 
casio04330's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: AUGUSTA MAINE
Posts: 187

Bikes: 26" Huffy Cranbrook Men's Cruiser Bike with allen sports trailer

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Fenders... Everything is better with fenders...
casio04330 is offline  
Old 05-13-14, 12:24 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Velocivixen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
Posts: 4,525
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 400 Post(s)
Liked 37 Times in 26 Posts
@ Laxcauxcaveman - I vote fungi! Lol. Don't worry, I've got moss growing on the north side of my nose. (That's from an "Oregon" joke).
Velocivixen is offline  
Old 05-13-14, 12:42 AM
  #18  
No one cares
 
-holiday76's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Yardley, Pa
Posts: 6,147
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 226 Post(s)
Liked 105 Times in 64 Posts
The wheels. When my bicycles dont have wheels, it takes all the fun out of riding them. Same goes for the saddle.
__________________
I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .


-holiday76 is offline  
Old 05-13-14, 06:09 AM
  #19  
rhm
multimodal commuter
 
rhm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,852

Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...

Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times in 339 Posts
Nothing beats a good tail wind.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
rhm is offline  
Old 05-13-14, 06:22 AM
  #20  
weapons-grade bolognium
 
thinktubes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Across the street from Chicago
Posts: 6,335

Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981

Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 984 Post(s)
Liked 2,353 Times in 882 Posts
It fits.
thinktubes is offline  
Old 05-13-14, 06:26 AM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
auchencrow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 10,327
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times in 31 Posts
I feel secure in the knowledge that children are learning a good lesson when their parents point to me saying, "See that man riding that old 10-speed bike? That will happen to you if you don't listen to your parents/teachers!"
__________________
- Auchen
auchencrow is offline  
Old 05-13-14, 06:33 AM
  #22  
All Campy All The Time
 
CroMo Mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 1,425

Bikes: Listed in my signature.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 175 Post(s)
Liked 114 Times in 63 Posts
Every bike is the sum of its parts. The result is responsiveness, sure-footedness, reasonable comfort, and a quality feel. Add to that some aesthetic appeal, heritage, and unique character. Not a cookie-cutter bike. Others can admire it but they can't "have" it.
__________________
My C&V Bikes:
1972 Bottecchia Professional, 1972 Legnano Olympiade Record,
1982 Colnago Super, 1987 Bottecchia Team C-Record,
1988 Pinarello Montello, 1990 Masi Nuova Strada Super Record,
1995 Bianchi Campione d'Italia, 1995 DeBernardi Thron









CroMo Mike is offline  
Old 05-13-14, 06:36 AM
  #23  
Still learning
 
oddjob2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: North of Canada, Adirondacks
Posts: 11,620

Bikes: Still a garage full

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 847 Post(s)
Liked 66 Times in 44 Posts
Originally Posted by auchencrow
I feel secure in the knowledge that children are learning a good lesson when their parents point to me saying, "See that man riding that old 10-speed bike? That will happen to you if you don't listen to your parents/teachers!"


In Detroit, they would be lucky to have a 10 speed. Most of the beaters ridden without lights in the cloak of darkness appear to be guys on women's MTBs, Huffy/Next/Mongoose.
oddjob2 is offline  
Old 05-13-14, 08:10 AM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
SJX426's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,580

Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8

Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1601 Post(s)
Liked 2,187 Times in 1,092 Posts
Originally Posted by rootboy
My bikes seem, these days, to want to go faster than me. That's probably a remnant from my younger days when I rode faster than I do now. They seem lively and almost like they're wanting to leap out from under me. That's what makes them fun for me.
I resemble that remark WRT my Colnago. The last ride was impressive because it wanted to accelerate UP the hill! I was forced to try to catch up and felt like being dragged up the hill by it. Only problem was there were too many people on the MUP at the time.
SJX426 is online now  
Old 05-13-14, 08:32 AM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,298

Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 65 Posts
My 1990 Team Miyata with DA is fast and stiff and fits well. It's a joy to push.
My '87 Miyata 310 reminds me of the Trek 660 I had in the early to mid '80s. It's not as fast as the Team and it's a more plush ride.
My 1991 Schwinn PDG Series 70 fits me perfectly and handles well the rather tame off road stuff I ride.
My 1990 Stumpjumper dropbar conversion is the perfect communter/all around. More upright, solid, but still responsive.
My 1986 Miyata 610 is maybe my favorite. It feels like no other bike I've ever ridden. It's Plush+. Trying to find a trading partner for a better fit (it's a 58, so if you need that size and have a 56 let's talk!).
__________________
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
revcp is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.