Lascauxcaveman 

The thrill is gone, baby. Time to take up Mah Jong. Or knitting. Or whittling. Or meth.

seedsbelize 

I'm sorry to read all these 'thrill is gone' posts. Maybe there will soon be a glut of parts for sale. I'm looking for a couple things.

steelbikeguy

the thrill is gone?
getting tired of taking care of the bikes you have and not that excited about more bikes?

why does this remind me of a mature relationship where the novelty is gone?
I have to admit that vintage bikes aren't a new hobby for me.. I've been riding them since they were new, for the most part. Perhaps that is why I've been pretty contented with the C&V bikes that I've had for roughly 20 years or so.
...plus... they are bikes that I really like.

of course, that doesn't mean I don't look at other bikes too. Heck, that's half the reason for going to NAHBS or to vintage bike gatherings!
It's always fun to see sexy bikes without needing to own them. ... such as a nice Hetchins painted by Brian Baylis...




Steve in Peoria
(where my C&V bikes are all routinely ridden, but keeping up with maintenance does take some effort)

easyupbug 

Same here in the Air Force and then as a maintenance manager, now retired. I keep 7 or 8 in ready state with the balance waiting on a parts, waiting on labor or waiting on decisions around how to address an issue or an opportunity.

noglider 

I have two broken rear rims from (apparently) excessive spoke tension. Gotta get to them soon, as I can't ride my regular commuter bike anymore, and it's my only bike with fenders.

wrk101

All the time. I'm always working on something. Maybe its bikes. Maybe its the 1930s duplex I own, maybe its the vintage camper I am restoring.


This year its all been about reducing the accumulation of bike stuff either through donation or sale, and working on my vintage camper. I've got a long list of winter jobs to do on the camper, so this will continue for a while.

Reminds me I need to load the truck up as I volunteer at the co-op this afternoon.

rustystrings61 

Tinkering and puttering around with the fleet I can manage - mostly. It's the time actually riding that gets hard. It occurs to me that I should either put the derailleurs back on the Allegro or go ahead and disassemble and sell it. I just looked at the mileage log and was shocked to realize that I've ridden my Mercian Colorado less than 20 miles in the last dozen years. The reality is that since 2016 the majority of my rides have either been on Clunker Challenge bikes or the beat up old Gitane TdF fixed-gear conversion, just because that one somehow is always ready to go out the door, or suits the sort of ride I can sneak into my schedule.

texaspandj

You're welcomed to store one in Texas. Just make sure it's a 54cm and preferably full Dura Ace.

Wildwood 

Thank you (again) for shrinking your Fleet.
My AD Olympian is awaiting the winter build of the AD Vent Noir.


edit: Sorry to learn of the prob with stones. Very, very painful.

badger_biker 

My ratio of riding to wrenching has gone the direction of riding since the C&V market downturn but some bikes very rarely get in the rotation and all seem to barely get anything more than a tire pressure check. About the time I've convinced myself which bike to sell off next I take it for a ride and get refreshed on the reasons I kept it in the first place - so my herd never seems to change. I think I have most set up as I like them and have no reason to tinker.

Until I retire from the day job I doubt things will change.

seedsbelize 

--

ThermionicScott 

The non-cyclists in my life are perpetually amused that I have five (!) bikes. And friends who are cyclists tend to have a lot more. But apart from maybe a fat bike, I can’t think of any other bikes I’d want.

So, whenever I feel the desire for a “project”, I’ll just tinker with what I’ve got.

gomango

That's a great idea.

Right now, it's hanging over my office desk so I can oogle it.

Your very nice Motobecane is getting the gears in my head going.

I wasn't planning on doing a bunch of builds this winter, but the McLean wouldn't be that tough.

I wonder what it might look like with some Gravelking SKs or RH Steilacooms.

It'll run 38s no problem.

That would shake up the folks on the McLean FB page.

masi61

I have 3 bikes in the rotation, with like 10 more (ugh) on the back burner.

+1 on the remark about drivetrain maintenance getting time consuming. I will say though, I have adopted the Molten Speed Wax system and think it is really cool. I think waxing a clean new chain works for new bikes and it works for vintage bikes.

Not riding spare bikes that had good tires and watching the tires get dried out and becoming questionable kind of breaks my heart though. I keep wanting to complete at least one back up bike with tubulars just so I have some of my aging tubulars in the rotation and can enjoy their (fleeting) wonderful-ness.

I still have 2 (new) titanium disc bikes to be built, 2 Cannondale CAAD9 BB30 framesets in a 56 & a 58, a Cannondale Six13 size 56, 2 Klein Stage framesets size 57, one Klein Quantum size 57, a Klein Performance size 54 and a used Masi Gran Criterium size 57 all that have never even been ridden by me.

As for completed bikes: there are more... got to run now - I’d have to do a count but I’ll say there are at least 6 more. My girlfriend calls it megalo-mania.

thinktubes 

At any given time, I have one rider, ready to go.

The other 3 are all $50 and 2 hours away from being roadworthy.

BFisher

I've got five road bikes that are usually all ready to go. My Puch is now in the midst of a brake upgrade, so it's on the stand.

Of all the hobbies I've pursued - hunting, fishing, archery, motorcycles, and many others - this bicycle madness is the only one that stuck, and it will likely be that way long-term. About six years ago I started fixing up junk bikes. It was therapeutic, like a subtle warm light in a dark place. I used to wrench way more than I rode. I told myself that after I finished college I'd ride a lot more. I stayed true to that and am really loving it. But, the wrenching still is kind of calming. I don't need to be out there in the workshop doing it every day. But it is my space and it is still my go-to for stress relief.

Throw some tunes on, crack a beer, or have a nice cup of coffee, whatever.

2cam16

Yup. Guilty here.

thumpism 

I rode them all on New Year's Day and tagged each with what needs to be done to each. Still there.

ramzilla

I think I'm down to about 14 bikes right now. Everything from carbon fiber & steel race bikes to hybrids and, mountain bikes. All of them are ready to ride. Two are listed for sale on Craigslist. I'm willing to trade or sell any of them any time. I spend more money on tubes and tires than anything else. All this bike needs is a good home:

squirtdad

not sure how to put it

In general my most neglect is keeping them clean. I need to do a weekly bike detail, but don't

I have my daily rider (85 team Miyata with 105 5800) that is ready to go all the time

it's backup is an 84 team miyata with dura ace friction.....I try to get this out at least every other weak, but it is ready for a ride anytime

the one I have been neglecting is my throw a leg over run a quick errand bike..... I need to pull it out and leave it in the back yard this weekend so I grab it and and not the car key (fob)

ryansu

I've sold 5 bikes this summer and have a 6th close to being ready to complete and sell that will get me down to just 4 and all 4 keepers need attention in some form or another so hopefully I can take care of the fleet after the herd is thinned. I do have a workhorse that is my hop on and ride bike.

Kabuki12

I have a couple of French Bikes that need to be brought back to life. I have all the goodies to do them , it's just so damn nice out and I have some really cool bikes that need nothing(other than regular maintenance) , I just go out to my bike stand and work bench and grab a bike and ride! I have 5 or so in regular rotation, maybe I don't need the Frenchies ? Maybe this winter I will build them up , then my wife will be on me about too many bikes! I don't think I'm too lazy , it's just setting my priority. Joe joesvintageroadbikes.wordpress

crank_addict

Just yesterday, I gave my much beater Schwinn fixed gear some attention. A coat of Pledge wax, gave the chain some lube including squirts into the frame tubes. It doesn't even deserve that. Lol



1966 Schwinn Racer fixed gear 700c

seypat

I'm actually rearranging/organizing my bike room now so I can work on a bike this afternoon. Getting common parts together. I need some chainring spacers for a triple I am building up. I know I have some, but where amongst all of the boxes of parts is anyone's guess.

steelbikeguy

you guys are getting an early spell of cold weather, eh??

It's about 90F here in central Illinois, and a bit of snow is starting to sound good.

Steve in Peoria