I can't get myself to ride this bike
01-18-15, 09:04 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 24
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
5 Posts
I can't get myself to ride this bike
OK, so I bought this 1998 Litespeed with titanium cranks from a forum member a couple months ago. It wasn't cheap but the bike is gorgeous, fits me perfectly, is unique and I love it! The entire bike was in NOS condition when I got it. The problem is that I'm afraid to ride it for fear of scratching anything on it. I did take it out once on a 14 mile maiden voyage and the ride was awesome. Sadly, it's been sitting inside my house ever since. I know it sounds silly but I keep thinking that this bike has survived all these years in pristine condition and I don't want to be the one to mess it up. It's not even about the money since I don't expect to sell it and if I did, I know I wouldn't recover the $2.5K that I paid for it. My greatest fear is scratching the cranks with a missed cleat engagement.
I don't usually feel this way about "things." I don't get upset when I get the first scratch on a new car and just a couple of weeks ago I rode my 2014 Felt Z4 in the rain without any hesitation.
I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that it's ok to ride this bike even if that means that it will get a few blemishes in the process and never be NOS or Mint again. After all, it's meant to ridden and enjoyed, right?
Or should I just hang it up on a wall (my wife's suggestion) and buy a well used Litespeed I can ride without reservations?
I don't usually feel this way about "things." I don't get upset when I get the first scratch on a new car and just a couple of weeks ago I rode my 2014 Felt Z4 in the rain without any hesitation.
I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that it's ok to ride this bike even if that means that it will get a few blemishes in the process and never be NOS or Mint again. After all, it's meant to ridden and enjoyed, right?
Or should I just hang it up on a wall (my wife's suggestion) and buy a well used Litespeed I can ride without reservations?
01-18-15, 09:12 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: St. Cloud Minnesota
Posts: 199
Bikes: 1981 Miyata 210, 1987 Miyata 615GT, 1990 Miyata CT3000, 1993 Cannondale M300, 1994 Cannondale Killer V, 1995 Cannondale R500, 2010 Cannondale F4, 2015 Framed Minnesota 3.0
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wait, your wife wants you to buy another bike and just hang this one on display! Quick before she changes her mind; go find another one! My wife never says "you should get another bike".
Seriously, I say ride it. I don't think a bike is really happy unless you ride it. The little bit of wear it gets is just proof that someone loves it
Seriously, I say ride it. I don't think a bike is really happy unless you ride it. The little bit of wear it gets is just proof that someone loves it
01-18-15, 09:15 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,054
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,804 Times
in
1,408 Posts
If you want to look at something, buy some art.
If you want to invest in something, buy some stock.
If you want to ride, buy a bike.
Wait. You did that already.
If you want to invest in something, buy some stock.
If you want to ride, buy a bike.
Wait. You did that already.
01-18-15, 09:18 PM
#4
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,650
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3091 Post(s)
Liked 6,600 Times
in
3,785 Posts
It's a bike.
Ride it.
Ride it.
01-18-15, 09:20 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,528
Bikes: Indeed!
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1507 Post(s)
Liked 3,478 Times
in
1,132 Posts
01-18-15, 09:22 PM
#6
Senior Member
Once you get past that first scratch or scuff, you'll be fine.
__________________
My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '85 Trek 500, '85 Trek 770,'81 Merckx, '85 Centurion Cinelli, '85 Raleigh Portage, '92 RB-2, '09 Bianchi
My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '85 Trek 500, '85 Trek 770,
01-18-15, 09:25 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 120
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I picked a 1941 Schwinn Auto cycle (I know off topic here) in 9 of 10 OG paint after lusting for one over 5 years. Rode it one time and very carefully put it way and listed it for sale. I just could not stand the idea of being the one to put the first scratch in such a wonderful bike. Who knew I could not deal with such nice things. Ever since I like my bikes (and everything else) with some good patina going.
01-18-15, 09:25 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Amarillo, TX
Posts: 51
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you like, I am willing to ride it until it gets its first scratch. Then I can return it. You know, so you dont have to go through that horrible experience...
01-18-15, 09:27 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Seattle
Posts: 3,248
Bikes: Kuota Ksano. Litespeed T5 gravel - brilliant!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Perhaps the purchase was a mistake and you'd be better off with a different bike. All I know is that your bike looks as though it was meant to be ridden.
01-18-15, 09:28 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,139
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Wife's are rarely wrong.... because they know us. Take her advice and make that bicycle a wall queen. Oh sure... take it out for a short spin from time to time. Then carefully wash and dry it before returning it to the wall. There is something very comforting about having a bike hanging in the den, office, or man cave (or the kitchen when I had an apartment).
01-18-15, 09:54 PM
#11
Riding like its 1990
01-18-15, 09:59 PM
#12
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,858
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 192 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2930 Post(s)
Liked 2,926 Times
in
1,491 Posts
Beautiful bike.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
01-18-15, 10:00 PM
#13
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,580
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 663 Times
in
312 Posts
I did not ride my NOS Lejeune CdM for three years. I regret not riding it for those three years. I don't ride it much, but I enjoy it when I do. Far more than looking at it on the rack.
01-18-15, 10:08 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
If it were my wife - I don't know your's obviously - I would take her suggestion as a hint that I had wasted $2,500 if I never rode the bike. She'd be saying, yes I was being silly.
01-18-15, 10:15 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Moorhead, MN
Posts: 997
Bikes: A few ;)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
If you can afford $2500 wall art, hang it up. Otherwise, that money could bring many miles of enjoyment on the road. Ride and be happy!
01-18-15, 10:23 PM
#18
incazzare.
Yes, the bike has survived all these years in pristine condition... But that's not good, it's sad. That bike wants to be ridden. Finally, it has an owner who could ride it the way it should be ridden! What a waste if you don't ride it!
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
01-18-15, 10:24 PM
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: The Foothills of California
Posts: 99
Bikes: '73 Raleigh RRA,'81 Team/Pro Miyatas, '83 Mercian Vincitore, '85 E.M Corsa, '85 Cherubim, '85 Raleigh Prestige, '89/90 3Rensho, '85 Allez, '86 Bertoni, '90 GL Ventoux, '91 RB-2/RB-1, '92 Bianchi SBX,'92 Miyata 914/714, '98 Colnago Decor, '98 GT Force
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 16 Times
in
6 Posts
I am completely attached with my bikes, that's why I ride them all the time!
01-18-15, 10:36 PM
#20
is just a real cool dude
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: The Thumb, MI
Posts: 3,165
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 34 Times
in
14 Posts
If it fits you perfectly then ride it. Half the fun is finding the perfect bike...fits you like a glove, has the components you crave, puts a smile on your face that you couldn't chisel off.
I felt the same way with the frame I built and consider my grail bike. I rode it just a few times and last year I could probably count the amount of times I rode it on one hand. Now that it's got some scratches and whatnot. I ride her when the weather isn't the best but it's a bike. Ride it and enjoy it. What joy can it bring knowing you fit it and it rides like a dream just looking at it. That would be a total tease. Take a picture of it to hang up and look at.
I felt the same way with the frame I built and consider my grail bike. I rode it just a few times and last year I could probably count the amount of times I rode it on one hand. Now that it's got some scratches and whatnot. I ride her when the weather isn't the best but it's a bike. Ride it and enjoy it. What joy can it bring knowing you fit it and it rides like a dream just looking at it. That would be a total tease. Take a picture of it to hang up and look at.
01-19-15, 01:11 AM
#24
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,647
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,703 Times
in
937 Posts
There you go.
Game on.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
01-19-15, 01:17 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 7,922
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 630 Times
in
356 Posts
Damn, Bill. I hope that's not your mom?
Either way, I'm in love. With the OPs bike, that is. I want to ride it.
Either way, I'm in love. With the OPs bike, that is. I want to ride it.
__________________
● 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 ●