Yard Art
#1
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: May 2008
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Yard Art
I was wondering what people's opinions on bikes as yard art are. I really don't like seeing bikes that could be used for there intended purpose rusting away with flowers on them. I just wondered if I'm odd that way or if others hare my opinion.
#2
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 194
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From: Illinois quad cities (Colona)
Bikes: Trek Marlin 6 29r - Scattanti road bike w carbon fork - Trek 6500 - Univega Alpina 503 - Specialized Sworks M4 made in USA
We have a lot of yard/garden ornament bikes in this area. Most seem to prefer older balloon tire bikes with bad paint, lots of rust and preferably a basket on the front.
I really don't care one way or the other. Not my bike or yard. If I seen a gleaming $15,000 bike with vines growing up it I would be surprised but not care.
I really don't care one way or the other. Not my bike or yard. If I seen a gleaming $15,000 bike with vines growing up it I would be surprised but not care.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,869
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From: Tallahassee, FL
I haven't seen a real bike used for that purpose. I've seen a few planters made to look like old cruisers, but smaller than the real thing.
Old school buses, toilets and all manner of other things I see regularly. One guy arranges a wide array of junk in an arrangement that I assume means something to him. The material changes regularly and once included a bike with a bottle of pink lemonade in the bottle cage. Last week it included three old riding mowers propped up on their back wheels. Sometimes it's all accompanied by a large crudely painted sign that's religious in nature. It's art to him and over the years I've come to appreciate it.
Old school buses, toilets and all manner of other things I see regularly. One guy arranges a wide array of junk in an arrangement that I assume means something to him. The material changes regularly and once included a bike with a bottle of pink lemonade in the bottle cage. Last week it included three old riding mowers propped up on their back wheels. Sometimes it's all accompanied by a large crudely painted sign that's religious in nature. It's art to him and over the years I've come to appreciate it.
#8
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,457
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From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
I have a neighbor who is a long time wrench and has an old Crackandfail frame for his mailbox. I think it is neat AF. I wouldn't cut up a perfectly good frame but something that is no longer rideable safely sure make it art. Plus some bikes are better as lawn art then actual bikes.
I have an old Fuji frame I was going to convert to a stool and never quite finished (and by that I mean installed a seatpost and wide saddle for comfort.) I wanted to do something with the front derailleur as well but I don't know what it could actuate.
I have an old Fuji frame I was going to convert to a stool and never quite finished (and by that I mean installed a seatpost and wide saddle for comfort.) I wanted to do something with the front derailleur as well but I don't know what it could actuate.
#10
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,756
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From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Our local bike collective drops off gobs of bikes and parts to the local recycler/dump due to them not being repairable or in too far gone condition.
repurposing one of those for yard art seems perfectly fine.
Who is using roadworthy and valued bikes for garden art?
#13
I like it just fine. I've seen a few towns that use several painted up bikes on sidewalks in front of businesses.
#16
It's the ghost bikes that get me. I'm glad they do it but kind of chilling and realizing as you ride by.
#20
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2008
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Thanks everyone for the great responses. I would like to say I don't tell people what to do with their bikes unless I'm asked my opinion. I also think broken bikes beyond repair can be beautiful as yard art.







