Is it my imagination, or...
 

It appears that some folks really care what other folks buy or ride. That is, it really appears at times that it morphs from "I like.....because" to "the stuff you like sucks....."

How many folks here are really happy with what they have? I can say I love my two bikes, and honestly do not believe there is a better road bike out there for me. My mountain bike is awesome, but I know there are better bikes for certain conditions, but maybe not overall for me. My single speed isn't done yet, so time will tell.

How about you guys???

It's your imagination. :)

I have a 2013 Trek Madone. To me it is the most fun bike I have ever ridden. Trek Madone, Zipp 303/404 wheels with Chris King hubs. Dura Ace 9000 Components. Stages Power Meter. Zipp Aero bars and Bontrager Stem. Garmin 1000. I love the bike. Each to their own. Any bike can be fun for the right ride or purpose. To me. I love my Trek.

Thanks, I was getting worried.

I love my bikes!

Having been lurking here for quite some time, I get the impression that most people here are very happy with their bikes, whether they be heavy clunkers or nimble racers, or anything in between. We like what we like, and buy what we like.

But I think there is a natural human tendency...

Like, when you're driving your car: Anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot; Anyone who drives faster is a maniac. YOUR speed is always just right! :D

I think we tend to feel the same way about bikes (and lots of other things, too)

Any bikes which are cheaper and/or crappier than ours, we see as being pieces of junk, and wonder how anyone could enjoy them.

Any bike we see which is more expensive/nicer than ours, is too much.

I am not too wild about my Novara Gotham. It is well suited for my short commute; but little else.

I do like my Bacchetta Giro 26att. My Alegro recumbent and BikeE both feel slow by comparison.

To stay with theme of "what I have is great," I do think more people should give recumbents a serious try. I am amazed at how often I hear people complain about bicycles being terribly uncomfortable (they are); yet, these people have never seen or ridden a recumbent.

i am kind of fascinated by the Bacchettas. Maybe in time I will buy one of those...

I got nothing to say. Thought I did but I don't.

me neither...

I am not unhappy with the bikes I currently ride, but would entertain the chance to try out other bikes, if given the chance.

I encounter people who seem to imply what I like sucks, here in the forums and out riding, but I don't care.

I buy what I want to ride. My bikes suit me very well and I am quite happy with them.

I like my bikes for the most part, and when people do say something it's usually complimentary, so... /shrug

People read Bike Forums because they are interested in bikes. When you post about your own bike they imagine themselves using that bike for the kind of riding they do. Since everybody's riding experience (and riding budget) varies, everybody's version of an ideal bike is going to vary. Don't take it personally.

For me, I could not care less, given I love my bikes and in general I am not concerned with the thoughts of others unless they are folks who are close to me. I am talking about how a lot of folks seem to react to what others like. Kind of like justifying their own purchases by reducing the choices of others. However, when a thread about peeing on yourself is popular one has to wonder....

who else out there loves their bikes? Or, are saving and prepping for a dream bike?

I've been in many races, and on many group rides. I pay a LOT of attention to HOW people ride. At the end, I couldn't tell you much about WHAT they ride.

I have good bikes and big box bikes and I usually get jokes about my Huffy, but I really love all my bikes. Everyone with an opinion on my bikes can pound salt.

Nobody cares what bikes you ride, as long as they don't have to ride 'em. Nuttin' personal, but I prefer my own bikes. :)

Just mention a nose-less saddle and watch all the know-it-alls come out of the woodwork. Ride what feels comfortable to you.

I don't put too much substance in what other people ride, anymore. I used to think that my friends should be riding better bikes, but learned that they ride what fits them.

But I always think there is a better bike for me, thats why N+1 applies to me.

I like this N+1 idea, but we downsized after the kids moved out and 4 bikes is about it....

The fact is, psychologically, many if not most people have a deeply felt desire to have their own decisions validated by their peer cohort. When that cohort does not share one's individual preferences, one may feel less confident in their own choices.

It's all in your imagination. I never felt a need to have my bike choices or my clothing choices validated by other people. Every cyclist should feel confident with their choice of bike and their choice of clothing that they wear while ridng and not worry about what somebody else thinks.

Should feel confident, and do feel confident, are two different things.

+ 1.

I really like my bikes. Or better, I love one of my bikes and the other one I have tinkered with enough that I really like it. I also like a lot of other people's bikes. I'm pretty sure I would like your bikes very much.