Contentment, or purposefully riding beater bike in place of a better/nicer one...
02-16-19, 03:17 PM
#51
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I have a twist on this - I prefer to ride higher-end (or unique) C&V in beater condition, avoiding the nice mint stuff and the low-end stuff in beater condition. #ShabbyBikeSnob-Kurt
I have a twist on this. (Sorry if already mentioned by another poster)
Most riders think of vintage as low-end, obsolete, undesirable stuff. So it follows - every vintage ride without brifters, new brakes, huuuge cassettes, etc
- is more-or-less a beater ride.
I usually ride my vintage bikes rather than 10sp Campy Ergo equipped CF, Ti, new steel bikes.
Therefore, celebrating the titled theme of this thread.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 02-16-19 at 03:21 PM.
02-16-19, 03:27 PM
#52
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I also don't need a record of my bike ride or the performance output to analyze and dissect for data gathering and sharing. What a Beater approach to cycling!?!
But I DO like a few pictures.
This beater gets ridden occasionally - but not on long rides.
Bridgestone CB-1 City Limits (1986?, maybe 87)
But I DO like a few pictures.
This beater gets ridden occasionally - but not on long rides.
Bridgestone CB-1 City Limits (1986?, maybe 87)
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 02-16-19 at 05:31 PM.
02-16-19, 04:07 PM
#53
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I have a twist on this. (Sorry if already mentioned by another poster)
Most riders think of vintage as low-end, obsolete, undesirable stuff. So it follows - every vintage ride without brifters, new brakes, huuuge cassettes, etc
- is more-or-less a beater ride.
I usually ride my vintage bikes rather than 10sp Campy Ergo equipped CF, Ti, new steel bikes.
Therefore, celebrating the titled theme of this thread.
Most riders think of vintage as low-end, obsolete, undesirable stuff. So it follows - every vintage ride without brifters, new brakes, huuuge cassettes, etc
- is more-or-less a beater ride.
I usually ride my vintage bikes rather than 10sp Campy Ergo equipped CF, Ti, new steel bikes.
Therefore, celebrating the titled theme of this thread.
-Kurt
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02-16-19, 08:47 PM
#54
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Ah well, one man's beater is another man's garage queen.
02-17-19, 06:11 AM
#55
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A "lesser" bike as a rider bike? All my bikes get ridden.
I did not start "collecting" to be a collector. Better bikes came my way and I came to like the build-up process. However all were built and kept to be riders.
They are all different so for every ride I pick one that seems appropriate. But there is no "best". Well, actually there is, but I don't always pick it.
I did not start "collecting" to be a collector. Better bikes came my way and I came to like the build-up process. However all were built and kept to be riders.
They are all different so for every ride I pick one that seems appropriate. But there is no "best". Well, actually there is, but I don't always pick it.
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02-17-19, 10:47 AM
#56
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I worked in a bike shop as the “classic era” of steel bikes was transitioning to “modern” aluminum, carbon fiber, brifters, and threadless forks. At the time I didn’t appreciate what was being lost. Mountain bikes were becoming all the rage, and I was immersed in the latest cycling trends, so I sold my 1989 Fuji Sagres SP steel sport touring road bike and bought a carbon fiber MTB. I raced in local mountain bike races, and upgraded to nicer bikes, and eventually lost interest. I really missed my late ‘80’s steel road bike!
Last year I found a 1986 Schwinn Prelude locally for $150, and I loved it! But the original wheels wouldn’t stay true, the flexy vintage Diacompe brakes were terrible, and the friction shifters were annoying to me on hilly terrain. I wanted this same late ‘80’s steel frame magic with a nicer wheelset and modern components, so I built up a slightly nicer Tenax Schwinn frame with modern stuff, and I love the result. But the old $150 Prelude still gets use, and has that vintage mystique that makes me feel like a teenager again. And neither bike is “high end” by any means.
Last year I found a 1986 Schwinn Prelude locally for $150, and I loved it! But the original wheels wouldn’t stay true, the flexy vintage Diacompe brakes were terrible, and the friction shifters were annoying to me on hilly terrain. I wanted this same late ‘80’s steel frame magic with a nicer wheelset and modern components, so I built up a slightly nicer Tenax Schwinn frame with modern stuff, and I love the result. But the old $150 Prelude still gets use, and has that vintage mystique that makes me feel like a teenager again. And neither bike is “high end” by any means.
02-17-19, 12:43 PM
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I ride these, to get from here to there and do so on a regular basis...
I ride these when I want to REALLY enjoy the ride...
I ride these when I want to REALLY enjoy the ride...
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
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02-17-19, 07:30 PM
#58
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I like top of the line models that are already beat up; less to worry about, cheaper to buy, but I am still riding what I love.
02-17-19, 08:44 PM
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I view a stable of bikes as something of a tool box. Each bike has it's place and purpose. I'm not going to go do threshold efforts or intervals on a beater, and I'm not going to leave my CF bike locked up in front of a store. If I'm running an errand or my speed/intensity isn't important, a "beater" is perfect. I'm fact, since I'm one of those people who has trouble holding back, riding a beater actually helps keep me from turning an active recovery ride into a hard effort.
Sometimes you need a hammer; sometimes you need a micrometer.
Sometimes you need a hammer; sometimes you need a micrometer.
02-17-19, 09:08 PM
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I bang around the ATL on my vintage Kuwahara American Flyer. Damn fine ride.
02-17-19, 09:15 PM
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02-17-19, 09:16 PM
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02-17-19, 09:22 PM
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One of my favorite bikes is a "beater" bike. It's a Sekine SHS 271. The bike is pretty much all original (other than the consumables) and in pretty good shape. The bike is nothing super fancy but it has a nice frame (tange tubing) and a lot of early Shimano stuff. The bike rides great. I've even kept the turkey levers since they just look right on the bike.
02-17-19, 10:04 PM
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02-17-19, 10:42 PM
#65
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02-18-19, 12:44 PM
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Yes I have several nice bikes but ride an old Huffy Glacier I got out of a neighbors trash a long time ago most of the time. It has 4 panniers and 2 other bags for shopping etc on it. Never gets flats and I don't worry about it getting dirty, stolen, or anything. It doesn't mind potholes or curbs and is very stable and even quiet.I grease it occasionally. It is very ugly!
02-18-19, 01:01 PM
#67
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Dahon Speed 7 (20" wheel folder, 4130 frame), big rear rack with panniers and large trunk bag, small front rack and panniers, small backpack hanging on front of handlebars in large gap to front wheel. My urban assault vehicle. Can haul 5 bags of groceries, 7 if 2 hanging on the handlebar ends, and a 6-pack on top of the front rack.
02-18-19, 01:45 PM
#68
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I bought a light touring bike in '77, and still ride it. It started to look ratty after a year, so I gave it a great silver paint job, and then spent two weeks worried about it getting stolen until the paint turned grey. Since then, I've just let it get rusty and dirty while staying well tuned. I regard it as camouflage. I don't want to be like the man with more than one watch, who thus never is sure of which is right.
02-18-19, 02:03 PM
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I don’t ride this much but when I do, it makes me laugh.
This came to me via my old neighbor when he moved back to NY years ago after retiring. He’d had it since he was a kid. I haven’t done anything to it except put on newer tires and oil the chain. It really deserves better but other projects and adventures get in the way. It mostly just takes up space in my cluttered garage...I'll probably end up just giving it away.
Beater by NBend, on Flickr
This is one of my all-time favorite pictures. Photo taken one summer evening riding on a beer run via the rail trail to the Snoqualmie Brewery. The fenders and rack making a terrible racket, the rear wheel with a significant hop bouncing up and down, and the pedals feeling like they are about to fall off. Feels like you’re riding a clown bike.
I had no need for a bell when passing folks on the trail. They’d hear me a mile away and stop and gape as I rattled by with a stupid grin on my face.
Evening_Grin by NBend, on Flickr
This came to me via my old neighbor when he moved back to NY years ago after retiring. He’d had it since he was a kid. I haven’t done anything to it except put on newer tires and oil the chain. It really deserves better but other projects and adventures get in the way. It mostly just takes up space in my cluttered garage...I'll probably end up just giving it away.
Beater by NBend, on Flickr
This is one of my all-time favorite pictures. Photo taken one summer evening riding on a beer run via the rail trail to the Snoqualmie Brewery. The fenders and rack making a terrible racket, the rear wheel with a significant hop bouncing up and down, and the pedals feeling like they are about to fall off. Feels like you’re riding a clown bike.
I had no need for a bell when passing folks on the trail. They’d hear me a mile away and stop and gape as I rattled by with a stupid grin on my face.
Evening_Grin by NBend, on Flickr
02-18-19, 02:35 PM
#70
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^^ Familiar story. Years ago at our old house, a neighbor gave me a 50's era Schwinn Hornet, woman's and in two tone brown and cream (add a third tone -natural rust). Balloon tire, down swept faux gas tank, 4 lbs rear rack, 10 pounds of fenders and saddle.
It was perfect for the neighborhood and ride to the beach. That bike would ride 'plush'!
When we moved, I just didn't have room or really the desire to keep it anymore, but mostly thought best it stay in the neighborhood. I gave it to another neighbor who seemed caring enough. One who would drive by in his BMW z1 with the top down and compliment the old hag bike. Lol
It was perfect for the neighborhood and ride to the beach. That bike would ride 'plush'!
When we moved, I just didn't have room or really the desire to keep it anymore, but mostly thought best it stay in the neighborhood. I gave it to another neighbor who seemed caring enough. One who would drive by in his BMW z1 with the top down and compliment the old hag bike. Lol
02-18-19, 05:01 PM
#71
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I ride my 2002 LeMond Zurich Triple. Not sure if that is quite a classic yet but it is an older bike with a lot of miles on it.
02-18-19, 08:48 PM
#72
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Well, you are right. I definitely enjoyed finally breaking the stuck stem out of the PX10 the other day
Most of those are in a state of flux, needing repair or a build - the Ironman with a stuck seatpost all the way down, the PX10 that is too big to fit, the other one that is down to a frame, etc. etc.
I suppose they were acquired on the way 'up' the mountain, somewhere in the middle. I see a pile of Wiegles, Singers, Herses, Confentes, and others at the top, off in the far distance. However, perhaps it is all vanity. I'm reminded of the post where a former Confente owner sold his because it didn't really seem that different from some of his other bikes. Maybe the mountain top experience really happens along the way.
Most of those are in a state of flux, needing repair or a build - the Ironman with a stuck seatpost all the way down, the PX10 that is too big to fit, the other one that is down to a frame, etc. etc.
I suppose they were acquired on the way 'up' the mountain, somewhere in the middle. I see a pile of Wiegles, Singers, Herses, Confentes, and others at the top, off in the far distance. However, perhaps it is all vanity. I'm reminded of the post where a former Confente owner sold his because it didn't really seem that different from some of his other bikes. Maybe the mountain top experience really happens along the way.
Having said that I enjoy my steel frame (older and heavier)bikes over my aluminum bikes with higher end components. Not because I like the lower end components more its the superior feel of the steel frame ride imo.
95’nishiki colorado>02’ k2 zed team
80’(ish) trek road bike 022 tubing> 07’(ish) specialized allez elite
I just picked up a slightly too small 17' masi uno fixed gear a few months ago and since its my go to ride
Waiting for a 70’s Peugeot to arrive and more excited about that than anything I currently have
You got my attn with your comment about a too big PX-10...how big is too big? I’m looking for a 64cm
Cheers
02-19-19, 07:52 AM
#73
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I find this thread fascinating for a number of reasons.
First, there is the variable setting of the "beater bike" bar. I've seen some very nice bikes in this thread referred to as beaters.
Second, there is that fear of theft that keeps you riding an old nail with a crappy finish, or a nice bike disguised as an old nail, but mechanically perfect.
Third, did I miss it, or is there not a Peugeot U08 in this thread yet? That particular bike is the perfect example of the breed.
Here's my bro-in-law Mike, on the U08 I built for him:
What an athlete!
Then there's my own Pug PFN-10 Beater, which I also named Velo de Ville:
The truth is, after I gave the humble U08 to Mike, I actually missed the thing!
The PFN-10 was bought for thirty-five bucks at a divorce/revenge sale, and I've replaced practically every single component on it to render it comfortable for everyday use.
But if I had restored it to original, it wouldn't be considered a beater at all. Funny how these things work...
First, there is the variable setting of the "beater bike" bar. I've seen some very nice bikes in this thread referred to as beaters.
Second, there is that fear of theft that keeps you riding an old nail with a crappy finish, or a nice bike disguised as an old nail, but mechanically perfect.
Third, did I miss it, or is there not a Peugeot U08 in this thread yet? That particular bike is the perfect example of the breed.
Here's my bro-in-law Mike, on the U08 I built for him:
What an athlete!
Then there's my own Pug PFN-10 Beater, which I also named Velo de Ville:
The truth is, after I gave the humble U08 to Mike, I actually missed the thing!
The PFN-10 was bought for thirty-five bucks at a divorce/revenge sale, and I've replaced practically every single component on it to render it comfortable for everyday use.
But if I had restored it to original, it wouldn't be considered a beater at all. Funny how these things work...
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02-19-19, 08:09 AM
#74
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I've got a 1980s BSA, looks rough, steel wheels, etc. I use it as a town bike, and love riding it as it's very comfortable to ride and I can lock it up in town without worrying.
It gets used on the work commute as well on wet days; I find it's not actually much slower than the bikes I normally ride into work on.
1980-something BSA - Winter commuter and town hack
It gets used on the work commute as well on wet days; I find it's not actually much slower than the bikes I normally ride into work on.
1980-something BSA - Winter commuter and town hack
02-19-19, 09:52 AM
#75
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Gas pipe bikes
I love a ride on a responsive lightweight bike that blasts away from lights and hammers on the flats. Pumping away on a heavyweight gas pipe bike would leave me wanting to take the gas pipe. I don't need the latest and greatest. I ride a 85 Cannondale 12 speed and keep a Nasbar hybrid converted to a bombproof touring bike for "going for groceries" or a little dirt riding.
Now truth be told, I had a garage full of "interesting" bikes at one time but getting rid of them has made me a better man and daily rides on the 'dale has made me less of a man, (about 20 lbs. less), so whatever floats your boat as long as you ride.
Now truth be told, I had a garage full of "interesting" bikes at one time but getting rid of them has made me a better man and daily rides on the 'dale has made me less of a man, (about 20 lbs. less), so whatever floats your boat as long as you ride.