the engine

I find this thread interesting, and appreciate pichotes point of view. I also think that so far this thread has been a good example of what a forum thread should be ... people giving opinions on an intellegent and appropriate level of conversation, not a pissing match on who's right or wrong.

As for the "beater" idea ... here's my nickel.

It really isn't about what a so called "beater" bike costs, as much as it is about how it is used. My "beater" is my oldest road bike, a 1990 Schwinn LeTour, which at the time I purchased it was the best bike I could afford. At that time my Motobecane Grand Touring became my "beater". I have since jetasoned the Motobecane and kept the Schwinn (which I'll always keep for sentimental reasons). I suspect that when I finally aquire the Merlin with full Dura-Ace groupo that I am looking at, my Cannondale RW700 (fully upgraded to, so that the frame is all that is original) may become my "beater". The LeTour has also been outfitted so that the frame is about all that is left of the original bike. Today at 47 years old, I can afford more bike than I could have in 1990 ... and today, what I consider my "beater" might still cost more than what some ride on a daily basis. Tomorrow, I'm sure it will, but I suppose someday I'll have several "beater" bikes, and only one that I reserve for Sunday club rides ... not because of materialism, or consumerism, but because of the progression of my life, and the way cycling fits into that progression.

So, yes the term "beater" is relative to the person who rides it.

dutret

A beater is about how you treat it not just how much you spend. If a $300-$500 bike is something you can afford to not worry about then it can easily be a beater.

V-Rock

Why do I have the feeling that this thread is going to turn into everyone comparing how much their beater costs? It will be a fight between "my beater was $60 on craigslist" vs "my beater cost $800, but that is all relative cause my nice bike cost $2500". **** relativity.

EMT

My nice bike cost = my beater bike cost.

Agreed---this is a nice thread. Plenty to think about here.

veggiemafia

My beater is a Fuji Track. I realize this is a nice bike for some people. Their Tracks, though, aren't covered in stickers, nor do they have incredibly stupid 3" rise, 52cm wide risers, a janktarded parts list and unmatching wheels. "Beater" for me is all about the attitude that aesthetics go out the window because you don't want it stolen, the ability to ride it in the rain/snow/whatever and not freak out because you'll ruin your NJS bottom bracket, but still a decent riding bike, which the Fuji is.

I don't want to commute/go to the bar/run errands all day on something that is painful or unpleasant to ride.

andre nickatina

This is just uninformed and ignorant. First of all, the definition of a "beater" is going to be subjective, not objective, every time. I think we're starting to figure that out in this thread.

Secondly, there's no real justification in saying a $1200 track bike is stupid or unpractical. Did you ever ponder that some people like to get things right the first time and not have to worry / make another purchase in the future? A bike with Phil Wood hubs, a quality hand built wheelset and a Chris King headset is not only probably going to make the entire price of the bike go somewhere near or above the $1200 range, it also lends to a practical, durable, worry-free ride. It's called Quality and some people care more about it than others. It's not like "everyone who owns a nice bike is only using it to bar-hop", some of us ride every day and we don't necessarily want to deal with certain hangups that can occur with bikes, hence putting a little more cash into them.

pichote

I think the only thing that constitutes a "beater" are the sentiments connected to a bike, and that price can at times be irrelevant. A beater just needs to be something that won't make you cry when the aesthetics get damaged, but you can still enjoy riding. Like riding home on the the flat last night because the stock rims will be replaced sooner rather than later anyway.

I'd venture to guess most people's beaters are actually that which they are MORE comfortable with, having broken them in, unlike the newer, glossy paint job having "nice" bike.

ya know?

bonechilling

I think that a full quarter of threads on this forum devolve into discussions of the merits of Chris King headsets and Phil Wood hubs.

dutret

sorry but CK and to a lesser extent phil is about bling pure and simple. Years ago there may have been a practical justification for them but plenty of alternatives have popped up since then at a fraction of the price.

Heyduke

There is no beater....

MIN 

That's why my Pista has stock headset and Formula hubs.

dirtyphotons

i'd hate to ride a bike that i wasn't willing to beat the **** out of.

edit: although to be fair, each of my bikes is designed around the beating it'll most likely take.

andre nickatina

I know of no other track hubs with a lifetime warranty and quality to back it up, so please fill me in. Also, I know of no other headsets that outlast the life of your bike, so feel free to provide examples for that too. Something tells me you're arguing just for the sake of argument.

Gordiep

I only hate them if they ride less than I do.

Or if they ride more than I do.