Kindaslow

I have fallen backwards into liking these SSs as much as I do. Now, I am updating mine to get the look a bit better from my perspective. I asked for and got great feedback. Yet, after reading that and some C&V stuff and some roadie stuff, I was left wondering how much of this is just traditions some folks cannot get past or what people have come to expect. Our current styles are both loved and hated by equal quantities. Someone who loves the styling of a Venge is unlikely to like a C&V, even if it is a great example, and vice versa. Maybe someone needs to write a rule book, for some to follow and others to make fun of....

So, what camp are you in? Why? Do you even know your prejudices? And, can you honestly say you just do not care (knowing some folks will lie about this question)?

mrblue

FBinNY 

It's very simple to me. It's bike, you turn the pedals to make it go. If you do that often and long enough, it'll eventually wear out, and you'll get another. Looks don't matter, as long as it goes when you turn the pedals, nothing else matters.

Of course you want it to be easy to turn those pedals for many hours, so mechanical considerations do count, but that's not difficult.

Yes, I'm not lying. I don't care and I never cared.

Kindaslow

A few examples. It appears that gumwalls are popular and viewed as "attractive" right now in the FG/SS world. I personally think of my childhood bikes when I see them, and I do not see them as attractive. For a lot of folks in the C&V world, Japanese parts on an old Italian or French bike is a sin, but for some of them it is a great way to get use out of a pretty old frame. In the Roadie world, the thought of clip pedals (yes a personal example) makes some of them cut their legs shaving. Yet, a lot of folks would not really notice a power delivery difference. Sorry, no good examples from the MTBing world.

Kindaslow

i am willing to believe you, if any of your older bikes have mismatched parts....

FBinNY 

Mis matched how?

I tend to build bikes with straightforward groups because it's easier and cheaper, ie a Ti road bike with Chorus 10s. So they do start out with somewhat matched groups, however the rest is what I have laying around, or swiped from other bikes. But over time, they do get unmatched, ie. tires are replaced as needed, with whatever I have at the time. If I wreck a wheel, I'll rebuild, and often end up using a different rim.

But, my bikes don't get very unmatched, because they tend to last for years. My oldest still used bike is my track bike from 1969, and it's almost all original, except for the wheels (FB hub/Nisi rim front, SA 2s fixed hub/Mavic rim rear. (I sold the original wheel early on).

Kindaslow

Sounds great to me. What motivated this thread for me, was that it appears that some folks truly care about what other people ride. I find that fascinating. And, it appears to me that a lot of this is based off of what people have gotten used to as "being" or "looking" right. Right being pretty darn squishy.

FBinNY 

My "new" bike is 13 years old now and has seen it's share of rough service. Sometimes someone will ask about it, and I'll say how old it is. They'll sometimes say something like "looks it", not understanding that I'm proud that my bikes look well used (they are).

You had mentioned gum tires. I ride tubulars so have little choice about wall color when new, but all my tires are an uneven gray side wall from the aluminum dust washed out from the rims.

prooftheory

I always prefer chocolate chip cookies that are a little bit soft even though a lot of traditionalists prefer them a little crispy.

Sherblock

I LOVE CHEESECAKE a lot but only if it's of the cream cheese variety (get that ricotta otta here)

andr0id

I only care when they are riding something nicer than what I have and that rarely happens.

TenSpeedV2

C&V does nothing for me. I like the more modern aero style frames.

seau grateau

Like your bike, ride your bike. As long as it works for you and doesn't endanger yourself or others on the road, who cares?

T13

You start lots of threads homie.

IAmSam

ftfy

T13

Doh!

TenSpeedV2

I would rather see threads like this than which is better Leader or State.....or I am looking for the best fixie under $300. Those are far worse.

T13

I agree, totally.

kbarch

I don't think anyone cares "what other people ride." It's unhelpful to describe it that way; they care whether bikes are as good as they can be. Of course not everyone cares so much about bikes, but everyone has ideals they want to see met, and is disappointed when they are not even approached. I also think people have ideas about appealing characteristics, for lack of a better word, that they like to see in bikes. Some people like simplicity and straightforwardness, others prefer complication and mystery. Some people prefer delicate subtlety, others prefer bold brashness. However, most can appreciate anything if it's done well enough, and most prefer some kind of balance.

People only get caught up in stereotypes of specific styles (e.g. "classic" or whatever) because a norm is established that addresses these preferences, as well as functionality, in ways that are readily recognized; a taste for something different has to be learned or acquired.

mdarnton

Are you reading the same forum as I am? I've seen jerks here comment on bikes where tire labels have been in the "wrong" place.

Kindaslow

This might be the most honest answer ever given...

Kindaslow

Sorry, I am on vacation and there are a lot of hours left after riding or hiking, reading, etcetera. I will be going back to work soon....

Kindaslow

Show the way to really smart threads....

Kindaslow

This is what I have noticed, too. It is certainly not the majority, but enough to make me wonder. Also, I get a lot of folks totally hung up on my clip pedals on nice bikes, which also made me wonder.

T13, I am going on a long hike today, so no threads today....

tomatsu

FWIW, if you get a flat, it can make it easier to find out what caused the hole in a tube if you always line up the valve stem to the label. You can find the puncture location in the tube and then the corresponding thorn, etc. in the tire.