genejockey 

I spend a fair amount of time on fitting each new acquisition, so all my bikes fit. And I work at making sure each one works as well as it should, given its components. So, then what constitutes a 'good bike' for me is more emotional and aesthetic.

Do I sometimes just look at it, and think, "Hey, that's a NICE bike!"
The night before a long ride, do I find myself excited to be riding that bike tomorrow?
When I roll out on a ride, stand on the pedals to get up to speed, then settle down into the saddle, do I think, "Yeah, that's what I wanted."
While I'm riding it, do the bike and I work together well, so I don't have to think about it?
When I get back from the ride, do I think, "Yeah! THAT'S why I have this bike!" Do I wish I had more time and more legs to spend on it?

dmanthree

Fit, component quality, frame material. If you have the best bike on the planet but the fit it off, forget it. My current ride was chosen because it fit.

atnyc

Everyone of my bikes are "good" bike for me when I bought them.

That's because I chose them for what I want to use them for. It's the right bike for the function. Even the fit, was chosen with that function in mind: an errand bike needs to have the best visibility, good handling even on rough surface and fully loaded; a road bike's fit needs to be more aero, a mountain bike should have me planted in the cockpit even on steep uphill and descends, etc...

Some of my bikes are no long "good" as my riding had changed. But if I were to buy another one, I'll get a "good" one.

The brand and frame material isn't important in themselves. It's just part of their contribution to the overall functionality of the bike, for my purpose.

(at the moment, I have a really nice errand bike, also a "good" cross country mountain bike, a "good" road bike. But my gravel bike? It's not so good. I could use a better one. It has the right geometry but I could use disc brakes. Same situation for my full suspension free ride mountain bike. It has the "wrong" geometry for what I want to use it for now, which is different from what I originally bought it for)

DorkDisk

Good bikes do not use plain paper spacers for the cogs. Better ones at least oil the paper to make it last longer.

GhenghisKahn

A good bike is one that can be maintained within one's tech skills, tools required and accessorized to suit the type of riding. I have four. A road, off-road, geared utility hybrid and a fixed gear utility. They're all good bikes. Well maintained, appreciated and equipped. Beyond those criteria a good bike is one you will ride and enjoy.

Kapusta

One that makes other people jealous.

jaxgtr

Any bike that I want to ride...

GhenghisKahn

Well, yeah that's a given. 😀

BobbyG

I think the old (really old) Jaguar slogan sums it up for me..."Grace, Pace & Space".

Especially the "grace" and "pace" parts.

If "space" can be "expanded" (pun intended) to include "comfort" then that is my basis for a "good bike". And I don't mean an upright "comfort bike" with suspension and springs...unless that's what comfortable to YOU. I mean the kind of comfort that allows you to ride longer and farther, and allows the bike to disappear and become an extension of you.

Grace, Pace & Comfort....and also "reliability".

veganbikes

It is only a good bike if it has a big Trek logo on it and I don't mean one of this little tiny ones I am talking they made a larger downtube to fit a larger logo and filled the entire space. That is really all that matters right?


I like a bike that works well and does the job with minimal muss and fuss. It should be relatively comfortable or at least look really really really really good so I can stare at it a lot if I might not ride it as much as I would like. I love titanium because in the end it can last forever and I don't have to worry about scratches and such I can just buff it out as needed or if it does have some paint I can always strip it and it will still look good without having to finish it.

NomarsGirl

A good bike is the one that makes me want to go for a ride.

frogman

A good bike for me is one that I spend more time riding it than fixing it....................

majmt 

Nice, and I would add that a good bike somehow seems to give back more energy than I’ve put into it.

UniChris

So having recently finally actually purchased a "bike" which is to say a cycling device with two whole wheels (only somehow ended up with three partial version of such, of which only one is so far serviceable) my thought is that what I actually want to own is:

1. My 36 inch unicycle, at this point hand built myself, which is what I find the most joy in riding (done)
2. A cheap used hybrid that's serviceable for utility rides and shopping, but cheap enough that I could get over having it stolen (just done)
3. Something indoor and stationary, probably built as such but maybe a frame kludged to the point of working on a trainer. Because, yeah, not getting outside this time of year enough to combat pandemic pounds... (next goal)
4. Aspirationally some kind of drop bar gravel or touring bike with which I could both contemplate trying to keep up with the local "C" ride and tackle a weeklong canal towpath tour (pending later in spring)

The funny part though is that I really want to get the other two clunkers that were a mistaken package deal before buying the serviceable hybrid, going. Parts cost wise buying cables, derailleurs, freewheel removal tool and maybe a new rear hub and spokes, etc is insane compared to just giving up on them and reposting the pieces for free. And I don't really have the space to store them apart from the quick recourse or removing the wheels and pedals and hiding the frames. But darn, do I ever want to have had the experience of getting them going!

cjenrick

a good bike is one that allows me to develop the highest speed for the longest time for cheap without flats and least aches and pains when i get home.
and of course it has to have a JBL sound system as standard equipment and it should never get ripped off.

rumrunn6

one never regrets buying quality

Kabuki12

I like vintage lugged steel road bikes with tight geometry. That’s what fits my body type not so much my riding style. I am very long legged for my height so thats what keeps me going back out riding. There is an #ss for every saddle! No butts about it

The Chemist

A bike that's comfortable and smooth to ride for hundreds or thousands of kilometres with no mechanical problems. Beyond that, everything is secondary.

Lazyass

One that fits properly and functions perfectly and preferably has tubular tires.

Mark Dominck

Boy I'm glad to hear someone say they ride at an average of 10mph, I've been at about 12mph to 15mph on a frisky day and can't picture going 25mph like I hear a lot of people say except maybe going downhill. sometimes I'll reach up to 23mph for a short stretch but you guys that average that on 3 or 4 hr rides are supermen in my book!

Mark Dominck

never met a bike I didn't like

Clyde1820

To be fair, I only did it a couple of times @ 25mph average. Was on a ~3hr route. But the guy I was riding with was a serious amateur racer. He could go well north of 30mph for stretches, when the mood suited him. Let's just say that 3hrs @ 25mph avg cost me a couple of days of not walking straight. I was okay with that, since I could "bury" him on any distance running route we chose, even hours in length, and make him "pay" for it for a couple days. Got to take life's little gems where you can find them.

Digger Goreman

Cheap, easy and unbreakable!

Causual_Cyclist

If it's reliable, sturdy and puts a genuine smile on my face, it's a good bike.

BikingViking793 

Any reliable bike that enjoyable to ride.