Does anyone remember.........
#1
Does anyone remember.........
your first bike?
I do. I was in the second grade. my father got one for me and my brother, they came from Toy's R' us. It was orange with a banana seat and ape hanger bars. I cannot howevwer remember whatever happened to it.
I do. I was in the second grade. my father got one for me and my brother, they came from Toy's R' us. It was orange with a banana seat and ape hanger bars. I cannot howevwer remember whatever happened to it.
#4
I was 8...I had learned to ride on a cousins bike. I was bored at school and making very bad grades.
My father said that if I brought my grades up he would buy me a brand new bike. Of course now with a reason the grades went up.
We went down to the B.F. Goodrich store and bought a bike for $80 . It looked so good in the store, all bright and shiny. But after I got it I hated the bike, it was so big and heavy, and so hard to climb hills with.
The bike was a brand new 1956 Schwinn Black Phantom.
My father said that if I brought my grades up he would buy me a brand new bike. Of course now with a reason the grades went up.
We went down to the B.F. Goodrich store and bought a bike for $80 . It looked so good in the store, all bright and shiny. But after I got it I hated the bike, it was so big and heavy, and so hard to climb hills with.
The bike was a brand new 1956 Schwinn Black Phantom.
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I can't ride and Frown!
I can't ride and Frown!
#5
RAGBRAI. Need I say more?

Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
From: West Branch, Iowa USA
Bikes: 1998 Mongoose NX7.1, 2008 Kona Jake, GT singlespeed (year unknown).
First bike?...I think the year was 1980 and the day was a cold February morning. It was my birthday. Out in the living room stood a shiny new red and yellow Schwinn Stingray. I promptly brought the bike outdoors and went for my first Ice-Bike ride. Steele-Bike the Ice-Biker had been born.
I recall the bike was given away a number of years later during an out of state move. I wonder what those are worth now?
I recall the bike was given away a number of years later during an out of state move. I wonder what those are worth now?
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
My first bike was a Supercycle from Canadian Tire, I think I was 5.
My Dad and I went to the store, and picked it up from the disribution centre right beside his work.
We put it together, ok I watched him, in the basement, and he promptly threw out the training wheels.
The neighbors son taught me to ride... by pushing me down a a hill. It worked, no harm, but I've been crashing ever since.
My Dad and I went to the store, and picked it up from the disribution centre right beside his work.
We put it together, ok I watched him, in the basement, and he promptly threw out the training wheels.
The neighbors son taught me to ride... by pushing me down a a hill. It worked, no harm, but I've been crashing ever since.
#7
0^0

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,056
Likes: 1
From: Rolla, MO
Bikes: Redline Monocog,Surly Crosscheck, Lemond Reno
It was a Huffy!!!! it was Red with gray shark teeth. I rode it, I loved it, I broke my jaw falling off of it..I still have the picture of me on it just after I got it for my 5th birthday.
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Booyah!!
Booyah!!
#9
Senior Member


Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 17,687
Likes: 12
From: n.w. superdrome
Bikes: 1 trek, serotta, rih, de Reus, Pogliaghi and finally a Zieleman! and got a DeRosa
Red and white columbia 26 in wheel with
cut 2x4 on the pedals so I could reach em.
cut 2x4 on the pedals so I could reach em.
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Sono più lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
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Sono più lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
Want to upgrade your membership? Click Here.
#10
Love Me....Love My Bike!

Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg
Bikes: Bikes: Giant hybrid, Trek 4500, Cannondale R800 Some commuting 20mi/day, mostly fitness riding - 20-50 mile rides
Mine was from a second hand store, with probably 20" wheels, solid tires, coaster brakes, no training wheels.
My Mom & Dad taught me to ride one evening by pushing me down the street, and I've been riding ever since. My second bike was a supercycle from Canadian Tire.
My Mom & Dad taught me to ride one evening by pushing me down the street, and I've been riding ever since. My second bike was a supercycle from Canadian Tire.
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"...perhaps the world needs a little more Canada" - Jean Chretian, 2003.
"...perhaps the world needs a little more Canada" - Jean Chretian, 2003.
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,868
Likes: 10
It was a Colson with 20inch wheels and US Royal tires with figure 8 tread pattern. Seems like it had a double top tube without a horn tank if my memory serves me.
Geez, that was a long time ago, 1947 I beleive. I would have been about 5 years old.
Geez, that was a long time ago, 1947 I beleive. I would have been about 5 years old.
#12
It was a full-sized blue singlespeed, and I couldn't reach the pedals from the seat, so I learned to ride standing up. I seem to recall training wheels, and remember that I couldn't get the hang of the coaster brake, and ruined my shoes by dragging my feet to stop, Flintstone-style.
#14
feros ferio

Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,397
Likes: 1,864
From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
My first bike was a mid-to-late 1950s two-speed black Schwinn middleweight with "paperboy" handlebars and 26 x 1.75" tyres. Since I lived at the top end of a two-mile-long canyon road, it did not take me long to discover that I really wanted more gear ratios.
Six months later, I got a 1962 Bianchi Corsa road bike. It was Bianchi's answer to the Schwinn Varsity, with 26" steel rims, half-step Huret Allvit gearing, and Universal sidepull brakes.
Six months later, I got a 1962 Bianchi Corsa road bike. It was Bianchi's answer to the Schwinn Varsity, with 26" steel rims, half-step Huret Allvit gearing, and Universal sidepull brakes.
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"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
"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
#15
I vaguely remember Mom saying something about my being too young and my Dad replying that I was already riding bikes anyway, why not? All I know for sure is the green single speed bike I got on my birthday. Man, it was too big for me, but it was mine, and I got a thrill just being able to ride it!
Next came a Schwinn Collegiate 5-speed (heavy but "cool,") then years later I bought my own first bike here in Atlanta after graduating high school: another Schwinn, a Traveller III 10-speed, only about $160 (1978-ish.)
Next came a Schwinn Collegiate 5-speed (heavy but "cool,") then years later I bought my own first bike here in Atlanta after graduating high school: another Schwinn, a Traveller III 10-speed, only about $160 (1978-ish.)
Last edited by Pete Clark; 09-08-02 at 06:55 PM.
#16
Center of the Universe

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 0
From: Everett, WA
Bikes: Bianchi San Remo, Norvara Intrepid MTB , Softride Solo 700
Mine was a used late 40's Schwinn and it weighed a ton (got it in the early 60's) My folks bought it from Goodwill and painted it gave it to me for christmas. Like Inkwolf I had a tough time with the brakes my mom could not figure out why I kept wearing out the soles of my shoes. Years later when I told her she nearly died laughing
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Matthew 6
Matthew 6
#17
I drink your MILKSHAKE

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 15,061
Likes: 3
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity
Mine was a hand me down 1968 Columbia Playbike. It was a kind of metalflake orange with a brown banana seat. As it was the 80's I swapped out the apehangers for a BMX handlebar. I broke a tooth on the blasted thing but then again, I also had to have the frame rewelded a couple times, so I guess the bike and I were even
#18
The first one I can remember was a black Schwinn with a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer shifter. Wish I still had it. I let a girl ride it. She didn't know what hand brakes were. Crumpled the bike to bits. (Crumpled her pretty good too.)
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#19
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 7,963
Likes: 1
From: Parrish, FL
Bikes: Lots
I don't remember the brand I got. My dad bought it for me used. It was a heavy steel coaster brake bike. My dad spray painted it yellow and used colored electrical tape to "customize" it. Rode the heck out of it. Come to think of it, I don't remember training wheels. Hmmm, I must've learned on one of my sisters bikes, but I have absolutely no recollection of learning how to ride.
The neighborhood bully stole it and thrashed it. After that I got a string of Huffy's and Murrays from JCPenny or Sears until I was in 6th grade and I got my first "bike shop" bike. It was an Ashtabulah BMX bike. Heavy Steel bike with gussets at every tube junction.
L8R
The neighborhood bully stole it and thrashed it. After that I got a string of Huffy's and Murrays from JCPenny or Sears until I was in 6th grade and I got my first "bike shop" bike. It was an Ashtabulah BMX bike. Heavy Steel bike with gussets at every tube junction.
L8R
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#20
Don't Taunt Happyfunball

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Bikes: 2005 Kona Jake the Snake, Fuji Club SE
I got my first bike when I was nine, my mom finally had enough money to buy my brother and I bikes for christmas. It was a pink and white Huffy Desert Rose. I loved that bike and was so sad when I out grew it. My Mom says my Uncle had a hell of a time putting it together, and worried his cussing would wake me up on Christmas Eve.
#21
Year-round cyclist

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 3
From: Montréal (Québec)
My first bike...
I don't remember that much, except I received it for Christmas the first year after we moved to Trois-Rivières. So I must have turned 5. We had moved to Trois-Rivières the previous summer, and it was a good thing, as when we lived in Québec City, we had an appartment in a hilly street... which is not exactly good for tricycling or single-speed bicycling. BTW, I revisited the area recently, and the hill is long, but has a 3% grade.
The bike was gold, had training wheels. I can't remember whether it had 16" or 20" wheels, but it was a unisex frame. I kept training wheels for 2 full summers, until a neighbouring young adult (18-19 y.o) spent 2 or 3 days to train me to ride without them.
I do remember more vividly my second bike, a dark red Raleigh Robin Hood: single speed, with 24" wheels. I must have got it when I was 9 or 10.
Regards,
I don't remember that much, except I received it for Christmas the first year after we moved to Trois-Rivières. So I must have turned 5. We had moved to Trois-Rivières the previous summer, and it was a good thing, as when we lived in Québec City, we had an appartment in a hilly street... which is not exactly good for tricycling or single-speed bicycling. BTW, I revisited the area recently, and the hill is long, but has a 3% grade.
The bike was gold, had training wheels. I can't remember whether it had 16" or 20" wheels, but it was a unisex frame. I kept training wheels for 2 full summers, until a neighbouring young adult (18-19 y.o) spent 2 or 3 days to train me to ride without them.
I do remember more vividly my second bike, a dark red Raleigh Robin Hood: single speed, with 24" wheels. I must have got it when I was 9 or 10.
Regards,
#22
Life is good


Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18,208
Likes: 14
From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
My first bike was a red something?? Don't remember the brand. I got it for Christmas when I was 5 years old. My folks got divorced about a year later and I don't remember what happened to it. 
My first bike that I purchased with my own money was a red 3-speed "English racer". I guess kids like red bikes
. I got at Montgomery Ward. I was about 13 years old. Bought it with money I earned from my paper route. Rode it almost every day for about 2 years
. Then we moved from St. Louis to Olympia, Washington and my folks said they weren't taking it so I sold it to a friend.

My first bike that I purchased with my own money was a red 3-speed "English racer". I guess kids like red bikes
. I got at Montgomery Ward. I was about 13 years old. Bought it with money I earned from my paper route. Rode it almost every day for about 2 years
. Then we moved from St. Louis to Olympia, Washington and my folks said they weren't taking it so I sold it to a friend.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
Last edited by RonH; 09-09-02 at 08:10 AM.
#23
bici accumulatori

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, Ottawa, Maberly, Apsley, Ontario
Bikes: 1985 Nishiki International Touring Bike, 1992 Vitus 979 road bike, 1996 Bianchi Premio road bike, 2002 Thin Blue LIne CO2 mountain bike, 2007 Rocky Mountain Sherpa touring bike, 1964 CCM roadster, 1959 CCM Motorbike, 2002 KHS FXT mtb + more to fix!
I got my first at about 5 years of age, too. It was a maroon coloured "Majestic", I think it was an English bike. My childhood was ruined because this bike had white tires and I could not leave skid marks on the sidewalk like all my friends could.
I don't remember having training wheels, so I guess they weren't on the bike for long. I also had a "racoon tail" on it for a while (don't know if it was real or fake)
I don't remember having training wheels, so I guess they weren't on the bike for long. I also had a "racoon tail" on it for a while (don't know if it was real or fake)
Last edited by pinerider; 09-09-02 at 08:48 AM.
#24
When I was 5 Santa brought me a 20 incher with training wheels. What a rush! After a few months we took the training wheels off and the teenage girls next door taught me to ride without them. Just about that time they started tearing up our street for complete rebuilding, not just re-surfacing. Then we moved to another city where we lived on a main highway so my mom wouldn't let me ride much at all. Within a year we moved again, this time to a huge new subdivision in the suburbs with little traffic so I really went to town. Although I remember riding it a lot I don't remember many details about that bike.
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If it ain't broke, mess with it anyway!
If it ain't broke, mess with it anyway!
#25
My first Bike was yellow with the Banana seat and those Grape Ape Bars. I do remember getting my First Ten speed when I was about 9. I pleaded for my dad to buy it at this garage sale. When I got it home I remember it was ugly grey. But I had plans for this bike! I went and bought a couple cans of Spray Paint and went to work. The rage back then was each component would have Different colors, So I painted the Frame Red, Wheels turned into Gold, Seat post was Blue, and So on, I was so proud of that bike I rode that thing even into High school (hated riding the bus). Next time I talk to him I'll have to tell him that was one of the best investments he made in me ( Other than College ). Cause I'm still riding now!
Here's to You Dad...
Here's to You Dad...






