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How many “keepers” do you have?

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How many “keepers” do you have?

Old 08-04-19, 09:38 AM
  #51  
cycleheimer
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About a dozen. The APA is going to do a case study on me.
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Old 08-04-19, 09:41 AM
  #52  
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These are the ones I can’t see myself selling anytime soon.






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Old 08-04-19, 10:35 AM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by merziac
Aren't they all keepers?
My point exactly. See post #2 .

I appreciate the bike porn.

But for some reason, it seems more appropriate to show pics of the ones BF C&V members are willing to part with!?!
except of course those that should have been given to the co-op or metal recyclers.

Let's see those unwanted or unfinished projects - like nice German, Danish, or Luxembourg bikes/framesets? haha
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Old 08-04-19, 11:05 AM
  #54  
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After 10 years of adding and subtracting I seem to have settled on a roster of bikes that all fit the bill for me. Some are bikes fondly remembered from bike shop drooling as a young teenager, others from marquee’s that I owns in high school, others that I purchased in college in the mid 1980s
im always on the lookout for something unusual and vintage (I enjoy working on them- find it relaxing), but those usually go out the door again after a few rides.
Current bikes: 1972 Gitane TDF, 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubilee,1974 Raleigh International, 1976 Centurion Semi Pro, 1984 Specialized Expediton and an ‘85 Sequoia.




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Old 08-04-19, 11:10 AM
  #55  
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I'm still kicking myself for dragging my feet and not buying Sheldon Brown's Raleigh Professional when it was available to me. Now THAT bike would have been a keeper (to me). My standards are high - enough so that I've never found a true keeper since I started this whole mess back in 1972.
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Old 08-04-19, 12:37 PM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by Wildwood
Let's see those unwanted or unfinished projects ... haha
Sold the Dawes today!



Don't think it lasted a week on craigs. Guy was perfect for it -- tallish with long torso.

Now I'm down to four keepers, another for sale, and as the guards in Cool Hand Luke would say, "one in the box!"
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Old 08-04-19, 01:17 PM
  #57  
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Keepers:




















Non-keeper:



For now...

DD

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Old 08-04-19, 01:27 PM
  #58  
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I have one. It is a Gilles Bertrand touring bike. Bertrand pretty much specialized in building race bikes, so this one is a bit rare. As well, this frame was built custom for a friend of mine who is now deceased. He sold it to me years ago and I built it up as my commuter. It fits me well and I use it now as my bad weather bike and in the spring when roads here in Montreal are wet and broken up after our difficult winters. Despite being steel, it is unbelievably stiff, almost unrideable using tires under 700 x 30 wide. I will never sell it, but I have leant it out to friends who wanted to do some touring. It has toured the Charlevoix region of Quebec, and it has also done the Cabot Trail. This bike also went to Australia when my friend Tom lived there for a couple of years. I consider myself to be a custodian of this bike. It will outlive me
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Old 08-04-19, 07:58 PM
  #59  
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This one.
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Old 08-05-19, 06:57 AM
  #60  
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I have eight bikes I ride with any regularity. One, my 1962 Rudge Sports, is at my mother in law's place which we visit once a year. One, a 2002 Burley Zydeco, is a tandem that I ride with my wife. If you count those two as exceptions, then I have six keepers.




1. 1974 Raleigh International. This is a do-everything commuter bike that is nice enough to ride for fun.






2. ~1996 Lemond titanium. Go-fast bike for weekend rides and the like.




3. 1975 Viscount converted to fixed gear, good for short trips in the city and when I need to lock up a bike.



4. 1971 Raleigh Professional Track, another go-fast bike, outfitted for racing, but with a front brake.



5. 1982 McLean, my most beloved, longest-owned bike, for fun rides in the country.



6. 1971 Raleigh Super Course, another all-purpose bike, good for on- and off-road in the country.

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Old 08-05-19, 08:11 AM
  #61  
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11 keepers, but the Supreme Command Authority (Domestic) has ordered a cull down to five.

Top
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Old 08-05-19, 09:36 AM
  #62  
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A: far more than I need, or want, but the size makes cutting down feel like a Herculean task.
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Old 08-05-19, 09:41 AM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
A: far more than I need, or want, but the size makes cutting down feel like a Herculean task.
Admitting you have a problem is the first step.
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Old 08-05-19, 09:50 AM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by noglider
Admitting you have a problem is the first step.
I have many problems

In all seriousness, I spent too much on some of these and selling them somehow feels like losing money. It's irrational, but so it goes. Truthfully I'd be plenty happy with 10 bikes...which is more bikes than any sane person needs. I also suspect tandem riding is no longer part of my future, but I feel an emotional connection with the tandems, and they command a lot of space.
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Old 08-05-19, 10:58 AM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
I have many problems

In all seriousness, I spent too much on some of these and selling them somehow feels like losing money. It's irrational, but so it goes. Truthfully I'd be plenty happy with 10 bikes...which is more bikes than any sane person needs. I also suspect tandem riding is no longer part of my future, but I feel an emotional connection with the tandems, and they command a lot of space.
If the timing were right for me, I would consider making an offer on your Bilenky tandem. I hope you can hold it for at least a while.

You will probably lose money on the bikes, but you can also say that the "rent" you paid for them was worth the fun. Life changes, and there's no need for regrets.
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Old 08-05-19, 11:00 AM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by noglider
If the timing were right for me, I would consider making an offer on your Bilenky tandem. I hope you can hold it for at least a while.

You will probably lose money on the bikes, but you can also say that the "rent" you paid for them was worth the fun. Life changes, and there's no need for regrets.
I'm not ready to let the tandems go...maybe someday.
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Old 08-05-19, 11:50 AM
  #67  
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7, all listed to the left.
Tim
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Old 08-05-19, 12:25 PM
  #68  
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A generous interpretation of RULE #12 would imply that all bikes, once acquired are "keepers"
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Old 08-05-19, 12:29 PM
  #69  
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I like my current bikes pretty well...

...but none are keepers in the sense that I would never sell them. In fact, of all of my possessions, only two fall into that "never sell" category, both of which belonged to my Dad:

- 1943 Remington Rand M1911A1 issued to him and worn as a sidearm
- 1961 Colt Python royal blue 4" .357 he carried as a deputy conservation officer in NJ

The bikes...meh. They're okay.
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Old 08-05-19, 12:48 PM
  #70  
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I’ve appreciated having just these two bikes. Since my wife, also a strong and frequent rider, and I often include errands or variable weather in our rides year-round, having some space for extra clothes and the occasional pannier are valuable. Yes, we get lots of dry-ish opportunities here in the PNW.

This 1987 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, not a typical configuration from him, always feels so good and makes me want to go farther. And it’s much easier to put in the car for a ride farther from home compared to the fender bike below. It’s also nice in 650B configuration, but much happier as a 700C bike.



Here in the PNW, it’s wonderful having a dedicated fender bike (not yet installed when this shot was taken). It’s expanded my precipitation tolerance considerably! This 1979 Miyata 912, purchased new so lots of memories, and now in its fourth major configuration as the “travel bike” thanks to @gugie’s extensive fork mods and racks, fills that need. I really should take an up-to-date bike p*rn shot fully configured with fenders, low rider rack and panniers.



I consider/fantasize about other bikes, but between age (70 - how long before an e-bike makes sense with these Seattle hills?), bike storage limitations, and the vicarious thrills of sampling @RiddleOfSteel’s dynamic stable, I can’t see swapping either of these two for something different.

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Old 08-05-19, 01:11 PM
  #71  
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
A: far more than I need, or want, but the size makes cutting down feel like a Herculean task.
I keep finding new homes for many of mine.

Slowly but surely, there are many open hooks for the first time in forty years.

Keepers: My Della Santa, Hollands Sportif, Weigle 650b and a repurposed Bilenky tourer. I may add a PL forum member's MAP to the mix as well, but I certainly could live without.

However, I ride my Yeti SB5, Salsa Blackborow and my BMC Monstercross constantly. Any of the off-topic bikes are readily available and could be replaced tomorrow if I chose to do so.

Fun topic!!!
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Old 08-05-19, 01:33 PM
  #72  
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I have a few bikes but I have only one "keeper".

Bob Jackson has been with me since 1975 (or was it 1974???). I have ridden it everywhere, all the time, for my whole life. I have grown old and it has grown old with me.

I went through a phase where I was "upgrading" the bike and its drivetrain but that phase is long since over. It wasn't really better, so I have returned it to its original 5 speed freewheel with Nuovo Record derailleurs.

There are a few exceptions to this restoration. The Phil Wood bottom bracket is so old and so perfect, it was left in place. The Performance Bike wheels have proven so reliable (35 years old), they have earned their place on the bike.

One setup never changed - a Brooks Pro saddle on a Campagnolo seat post. Almost 50 years later and it is still fine. In fact, it is better than ever (no lie).

First, I have some work I need to do. Then, later in the day, Bob and I will go for a ride.
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Old 08-05-19, 03:05 PM
  #73  
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I am not sure i have a 100% keeper but I have one that is really close

My goal is 3 bikes
  • Best bike....fast run, high end, 105 or above component level, moder gear brifters. First bike for weekend and even commuting (life is too short to not ride your best bike)
  • Eroica qualified bike.....still havn't road one by next years and maybe the Heroica are on mylist
  • Bike with fenders, bike to just jump on with shorts and on and run errands cruise around a bit
This is my current list
  • 90/91 derosa with 5800 105
  • 84 Team Miyata 7400 mostly tubular tires
  • 82 Nishiki, set up 1x8 and upright "english 3 spd " style

The nishki has huge sentimental value as I bought it new and it is what rekindled my love of cycling
the 84 miyata has a magic ride...and sentimental value as I got it from a neighbor. This is probably as close to a keeper for ever as i have
The de rosa, is a de rosa, but in truth is a bit large for me and I have found another Team Miyata and will swap the 105 over to see if it see if i can get another magic ride. if that works then the de rosa f&F will be available

I can see 2 keepers in the future in terms of grail thinking both kirk customs, one for the best bike fast, and another done "montana road bike" style with fender and rack capability.
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Old 08-05-19, 03:14 PM
  #74  
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Lot's, as in waaay too many, gonna lose my azz eventually.
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Old 08-05-19, 06:15 PM
  #75  
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Originally Posted by gomango
I keep finding new homes for many of mine.

Slowly but surely, there are many open hooks for the first time in forty years.

Keepers: My Della Santa, Hollands Sportif, Weigle 650b and a repurposed Bilenky tourer. I may add a PL forum member's MAP to the mix as well, but I certainly could live without.

However, I ride my Yeti SB5, Salsa Blackborow and my BMC Monstercross constantly. Any of the off-topic bikes are readily available and could be replaced tomorrow if I chose to do so.

Fun topic!!!
The marnati is a forever bike...the vanilla will be mine as long as I live...I love the huffy...

I guess I could part with the rest.
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