Can this be "N" and does such thing even exist?
03-15-19, 08:09 AM
#26
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Italian, English, French, Belgium, Dutch, Spanish, Swiss, Austrian, etc.
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03-15-19, 09:24 AM
#27
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Thanks in part to the online trade spreadsheet and some creative transactions, next week I will be in possession of what I believe to be "N".
I will have:
1) Race/Climbing bike - Bianchi MegaTube Ti
2) Commuting bike - Cannondale ST500
3) Touring bike - TREK 720
4) Sunday cruiser - Colnago Superissimo
I know many of you will argue that I also need a "Guest bike" however given that I have family/friends ranging in height from 5'6" to 6'2" and the majority of them are carbon heads, I've decided not to go down that rabbit hole and intentionally omitted that category from my "N". My question is, are there any unlisted categories of bike that I should be cautious of? I've never felt like I have all the bikes I want in my correct size until now and want to hear from others with a similar experience and how they "held up" over time. Is this really it? Does "it" even exist?
I will have:
1) Race/Climbing bike - Bianchi MegaTube Ti
2) Commuting bike - Cannondale ST500
3) Touring bike - TREK 720
4) Sunday cruiser - Colnago Superissimo
I know many of you will argue that I also need a "Guest bike" however given that I have family/friends ranging in height from 5'6" to 6'2" and the majority of them are carbon heads, I've decided not to go down that rabbit hole and intentionally omitted that category from my "N". My question is, are there any unlisted categories of bike that I should be cautious of? I've never felt like I have all the bikes I want in my correct size until now and want to hear from others with a similar experience and how they "held up" over time. Is this really it? Does "it" even exist?
Others have mentioned some of these, but you are leaving a lot uncovered. The key is the ability to make fine distinctions and niches, otherwise you will be prone to under-raionalizing on this important topic.
Here's a sample:
1. Gravel Bike
2. Grocery getter
3. Fixed gear
4. Lake Pepin worthy 3-speed
5. Path racer
6. 50's British club style bike
7. Single speed
8. beater/bar bike
9. CX bike
10. Mountain bike
11. Unicycle (totally worth it)
12. Tandem
13. Racing trike
etc.
late note. I see curbtender deserves the final word here. oh well.
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03-15-19, 10:59 AM
#28
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In descending order of roadworthiness and immediate intent:
"A" list
1. Country Bike+ trailer puller
2. Late 80's Sport tourer with 700x28 and fenders. Soon to be 650bx38 and fenders.
3. Single speed mountain winter"no excuses" ice bike
4. 90's touring rig
5. Cargo kid hauler
6. "playing dress-up" low trail 650b Randonneuse
7. Fat slick tire dirt drop mountain thang.
"B" list (bikes that exist, are a project, and at the least need a full overhaul and all consumables, if not repairs and paint.
8. Mid 80's American Sports tourer. 650b conversion. needs paint. Will replace #2 bike. maybe..
9.Mid 90's fat tire drop bar hybrid monster cross.
10. Early 80's Japanese Sport tourer with full period correct outfitting.
11."Grail" American Touring bike with full vintage regalia. ( Its the one with the chainstays) needs paint
12. Mid 80's American Mountain Touring with full period correct regalia.
13. British 531 Campy cantilever Audex bike. needs frame work and paint.
14. Early '90s Japanese mountain bike. ( close enough to my college bike.)
15. Early '80's American light touring bike 650b conversion
16. early 80's Japanese Sport tourer. 3 speed "rando" 650b conversion. (ripped the derailleur hanger off)
17. Mid 80's Japanese cantilever touring bike. multible trauma case.
18 and on. more sports tourers. at least one French representative. and a bunch of bikes to get left in various spots..
so lets say n=30
Too Be Continued.
"A" list
1. Country Bike+ trailer puller
2. Late 80's Sport tourer with 700x28 and fenders. Soon to be 650bx38 and fenders.
3. Single speed mountain winter"no excuses" ice bike
4. 90's touring rig
5. Cargo kid hauler
6. "playing dress-up" low trail 650b Randonneuse
7. Fat slick tire dirt drop mountain thang.
"B" list (bikes that exist, are a project, and at the least need a full overhaul and all consumables, if not repairs and paint.
8. Mid 80's American Sports tourer. 650b conversion. needs paint. Will replace #2 bike. maybe..
9.Mid 90's fat tire drop bar hybrid monster cross.
10. Early 80's Japanese Sport tourer with full period correct outfitting.
11."Grail" American Touring bike with full vintage regalia. ( Its the one with the chainstays) needs paint
12. Mid 80's American Mountain Touring with full period correct regalia.
13. British 531 Campy cantilever Audex bike. needs frame work and paint.
14. Early '90s Japanese mountain bike. ( close enough to my college bike.)
15. Early '80's American light touring bike 650b conversion
16. early 80's Japanese Sport tourer. 3 speed "rando" 650b conversion. (ripped the derailleur hanger off)
17. Mid 80's Japanese cantilever touring bike. multible trauma case.
18 and on. more sports tourers. at least one French representative. and a bunch of bikes to get left in various spots..
so lets say n=30
Too Be Continued.
Last edited by bark_eater; 03-15-19 at 03:59 PM.
03-15-19, 02:25 PM
#29
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03-15-19, 03:02 PM
#30
Full Member
I believe that the right number is N+1, but my wife has advised me the right number is S-1, where "S" is the number that will result in divorce.
I guess I haven't hit S yet.
I guess I haven't hit S yet.
03-15-19, 08:02 PM
#31
Full Member
Thread Starter
Wow, pretty interesting to see people's categories. For me they are the original ones listed, 1) Race/Climber 2) Commuter/Errand Runner 3) Tourer and 4) Sunday Cruiser. At the same time however, I am also seeking a variety of frame materials. If you notice, I have a Titanium, Aluminum, Reynolds and a Columbus tubing bike. Funny how different people look for different things when seeking the illusive "N".
Last edited by tarsi; 03-15-19 at 08:13 PM.
03-15-19, 10:09 PM
#32
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In my nabe a gravel bike is kind of a must. That's any road bike you can fit tires bigger than 32mm; so, not too tough to find. I think OPs #2 ) and #3 ) both work.
I would have added to that list a MTB... but since I've put together a couple really competent gravel bikes, I've just used them as the MTBs, so I'm not sure anymore.
I would have added to that list a MTB... but since I've put together a couple really competent gravel bikes, I've just used them as the MTBs, so I'm not sure anymore.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
03-15-19, 11:22 PM
#33
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My essential categories are:
1) Dry [weather] bikes
2) Wet [weather] bike
Dry weather bikes = no fenders, and can range from the nuttiest crit geometry'd frame to a full on tourer. Wet weather/winter/"the fender bike" is only one, because fenders, and possibly racks, add weight and often don't make the bike look better, and I like my bikes as light and lovely as possible. I'm only cleaning one bike's worth of road grit.
More seriously, to the OP, I like your list and think that's a perfectly good place to start, if really, hold. Most of my dry bikes are all fast bikes, and I prefer it that way.
1) Dry [weather] bikes
2) Wet [weather] bike
Dry weather bikes = no fenders, and can range from the nuttiest crit geometry'd frame to a full on tourer. Wet weather/winter/"the fender bike" is only one, because fenders, and possibly racks, add weight and often don't make the bike look better, and I like my bikes as light and lovely as possible. I'm only cleaning one bike's worth of road grit.
More seriously, to the OP, I like your list and think that's a perfectly good place to start, if really, hold. Most of my dry bikes are all fast bikes, and I prefer it that way.
03-16-19, 12:42 PM
#34
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And we haven't discussed guest bikes. We have a woman's guest bike which is too short for me. Lots of folks can either ride that or one of my bikes. But I have short legs, so I have no tall bikes. I need a tall guest bike for when tall friends visit.
And I have a city fixed gear bike PLUS a track racing bike.
And I have a city fixed gear bike PLUS a track racing bike.
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Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
What are you gonna do if Nelson Vails ever pays a visit?
03-16-19, 02:01 PM
#36
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And we haven't discussed guest bikes. We have a woman's guest bike which is too short for me. Lots of folks can either ride that or one of my bikes. But I have short legs, so I have no tall bikes. I need a tall guest bike for when tall friends visit.
And I have a city fixed gear bike PLUS a track racing bike.
And I have a city fixed gear bike PLUS a track racing bike.
www.sdvelodrome.com
https://raceatra.com/
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03-16-19, 02:04 PM
#37
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@Nemosengineer, you really should try it. It's unlike other cycling. You are very lucky to be so near a good velodrome. Our velodrome here is lousy, and it's hard to reach. It's only about 12 miles from me, and it takes an hour and 20 minutes by bike, by subway, or by car.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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03-17-19, 07:33 AM
#38
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I do not recommend this category to anyone as you can end up like me, hoping to get down from 17, 5 of which are in various stages of restoration. The category is "Rescues". It somehow has become my duty to save them from hipster/fixie hell, jammed campus bike lots, etc. Currently 3 Italians, an American and a Japanese.
03-18-19, 12:08 PM
#39
Member
'N' has a range from 0 - OO
Zero to Infinity.
I started with 0 and will end with 0.
Where I fit on that continuum each year depends on so many factors.
Whether it be style of riding, brands, components or colour - it is an individual thing.
Do what meets your goals!
I started with 0 and will end with 0.
Where I fit on that continuum each year depends on so many factors.
Whether it be style of riding, brands, components or colour - it is an individual thing.
Do what meets your goals!
03-18-19, 12:17 PM
#40
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I'm at N right now with three. All are excellent riders and I'm satisfied with what I've got. And yeah, that last part is distinctly unamerican. So be it. I have no real need for more or better. 
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
03-18-19, 12:46 PM
#41
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03-18-19, 01:04 PM
#42
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I know many of you will argue that I also need a "Guest bike" however given that I have family/friends ranging in height from 5'6" to 6'2" and the majority of them are carbon heads, I've decided not to go down that rabbit hole and intentionally omitted that category from my "N". My question is, are there any unlisted categories of bike that I should be cautious of? I've never felt like I have all the bikes I want in my correct size until now and want to hear from others with a similar experience and how they "held up" over time. Is this really it? Does "it" even exist?
03-19-19, 06:54 AM
#43
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I’m fairly new on this forum, but I came over to this “classic and vintage” section and see bikes like Treks and Cannondales being talked about like they are something special, and not the boring factory produced bikes they are. I would think if you really are wanting have a vintage bike collection you would be looking at either European labels like Hetchins, Pike, Poghliagi, Frejus, Whitcomb, or a thousand other interesting badges, or American labels like Eisentraut or Hujsak or Kelly or something interesting like those. Saying you collect Treks and Cannonwhales is like saying you’re collecting a 1990 Ford Taurus or a Chevy Caprice.
03-19-19, 06:55 AM
#44
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Thread Starter
So I woke up, ran out to the shed and all of my bikes appear to be ok. I even took a few of them for a quick spin around the block and everything went as expected. Anybody experiencing anything different in their neck of the woods?
03-19-19, 07:05 AM
#45
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Nope, same ol' world as yesterday. Nothing changed as far as I could tell. Worst world change ever.
03-19-19, 07:11 AM
#46
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I’m fairly new on this forum, but I came over to this “classic and vintage” section and see bikes like Treks and Cannondales being talked about like they are something special, and not the boring factory produced bikes they are. I would think if you really are wanting have a vintage bike collection you would be looking at either European labels like Hetchins, Pike, Poghliagi, Frejus, Whitcomb, or a thousand other interesting badges, or American labels like Eisentraut or Hujsak or Kelly or something interesting like those. Saying you collect Treks and Cannonwhales is like saying you’re collecting a 1990 Ford Taurus or a Chevy Caprice.
The bikes you mention are rare, expensive, and not really in service anywhere to appreciate. We like what we have. Down-tube shifters and "noodle" steel is fun & that's the way we like it.
...of course if theres a way to retro-fit modern refinements to our trusty steeds, we appreciate that too.
03-19-19, 07:12 AM
#47
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03-19-19, 07:47 AM
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Mostly it's us old cermudgeons appreciating the bikes of our youth. the C & the V refers to the posters, mostly.
The bikes you mention are rare, expensive, and not really in service anywhere to appreciate. We like what we have. Down-tube shifters and "noodle" steel is fun & that's the way we like it.
...of course if theres a way to retro-fit modern refinements to our trusty steeds, we appreciate that too.
The bikes you mention are rare, expensive, and not really in service anywhere to appreciate. We like what we have. Down-tube shifters and "noodle" steel is fun & that's the way we like it.
...of course if theres a way to retro-fit modern refinements to our trusty steeds, we appreciate that too.
03-19-19, 08:53 AM
#49
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The OP's List of Bikes
...is fine. I cannot imagine not having a fixed gear available for winter rides and for fall weather in the country. So, "N" not yet achieved from my vantage point.
Also, how come no MTB for cross country single track riding? That's a thing, too.
So, maybe he's at least 2 below N for now.
Also, how come no MTB for cross country single track riding? That's a thing, too.
So, maybe he's at least 2 below N for now.
