Syd's bike

Today I picked up my new Bianchi Campione. It is gorgeous in it's traditional Celeste (the only way to go) color. I spent some time getting to know her, riding around my LBS. I drove home with her proudly displayed on my bike rack for all to see. The only problem is, when I put her in the garage...I couldn't look my trusty old Cilo in the eye. She had served me well for 15 years, and now she knew she was getting dumped. My question is...how long does it take for the guilt to go away?

Joe Gardner

It never goes away...

Brian Ratliff

I, too, could not bear to part with my old white trek when I got my new road bike. I rebuilt her into a commuter and it seems the family is still in one piece.

outashape

I bought a hybrid last year and put 3000 miles on her. I loved the bike, the color, the freedom it brought me. But try as I might, I couldn't keep up with others so I did the dirty and bought a road bike. I wanted steel & Ultegra so when I found them, I bought it. But I didn't love my new bike. I didn't ride it for two days, and then only a little, I didn't like the color, my position on the bike was all new, but I knew I had to go thru the transition. After 3 weeks and 700 miles, I had to clean the chain & wash her up, well I'm starting to develop a relationship with my new gal, but it's slow. Maybe old loves never die. (I couldn't steal parts from the old bike either, I had to buy new pedals, seat & computer for the new one.) I say I'm going to use the old bike for a rain bike & winter bike, but can I ever get used to those straight handlebars again?

OmahaRider

I bought a new road bike this year too-----couldn't seem to part with the old one.

So i made it into a rails-to-trails cycle--probably one of the fastest rides out there on the trail. I put Conti 700x38 tires on(tight fit-lol) and changed out the caged pedals for flats--in case I have to bail.

So there it is- my old road bike is now a dirt trail runner---New life for my old roadie---she still gets ridden---just comes home dirtier now.


Almost forgot----she got some new handlebar tape too.

MichaelW

If you downgrade the old girl to foul-weather training/commuting duties she will react like any woman scorned, and monopolise your time. You will still end up riding her for most of your milleage.

Syd's bike

I can't say the same...the other day I stripped the old gal of her seat and computer, not to mention dignity. I took my new bike on a 60 mile ride to bond, and it was a little awkward getting used to the new geometry, components, etc. I must be crazy, but the ride seemed a little more harsh than my 15 year old, $400 Cilo. I guess a carbon fork is in my future.

One thing I can confirm is the stock saddle on a Bianchi Campione is absolute garbage. It's a torture device...I had to take the Specialized saddle off my old bike until I invest in a new one. Everyone seems to like the Brooks saddles...I don't know, I find it hard to believe sitting on a piece of leather is comfortable...

MichaelW

Plastic saddles are countoured according to some designers idea off the average butt. Brooks saddles countour themselves to your own particular butt. The hardness of the material is of no account, soft spongy padding or gel does not make a badly countoured saddle comfortable.
The tensioned leather hammock design offers quite a bit of cushioning from shock. If you put your hand between the leather and the rails, you can feel it move as you sit down, and as you go over a bump.
With a titanium railled version, the weight is not excessive and those bag loops allow road bikes to carry a substantial day touring load.
People make a big deal of the break-in period, but it not so bad, just 3 weeks of gentle riding will get it nicely bedded in, and it will last for decades.

mrfix

I've been ridining a long time, I build a new bike each year, I have never been able to part with any of them. I update them and ride them all. All 12 of them, we are a family, we have gone many places and done many things. The bikes have always been there for me and have never let me down or made me walk. It's always nice to ride a new bike for the first time but it helps you to see and appreciate the finer parts of each and every old one you have grown to love. Each one has it's own personality and strengths. There are no bad bikes and all bikes are fun, some do some things better than others, some you just keep because they took you somewhere special and have sentimental value. All of my bike generate a lot of good, interesting conversation at group rides, they are mostly re-fit old bikes brought up to modern spec. they are all in like new condition and I know they all talk about me when I'm not around. Me crazy? I don't think so!