hao

Would you still enjoy cycling? Maybe a little less? I guess another way of asking this is, does the bike itself constitute a large proportion of the hobby, compared to riding the bike?

zrossiter

I really like seeing peoples bikes and changing stuff on mine, its like a representation of yourself...each bike has a different personality

Thats usually only off the bike though, if I'm riding alone or with a group Im not really paying attention the actual bikes

Creakyknees

Depends, how many hours do I get to ride this bike? Do I have to pay shipping for the next guy who rides it? Seems that most people wouldn't get to ride very often, and besides, with only one bike there's no group rides...

canam73

I wouldn't mind as long as The Bike was exactly like the one I ride now.

pallen

that's what I was going to say. Then, the world would be a beautiful place. Not really, I actually enjoy seeing all the variety out there, but my bike is still the best

twobadfish

six

mymojo

Theres the crux: does that one model fit me correctly? If so, yes I would still ride, but like others have said, part of the fun is expressing yourself through the bike.

Sanman023

if its not a madone...ill start running instead...

DXchulo

I've never been much of a gearhead type of guy. It's more about the physical challenge and getting out there and seeing things for me. If I had a lot of money I'd probably have more bikes, but more because I'd like to have a few bikes for specific purposes (bad weather, climbing, long distance) than anything else.

I'm more jealous of guys who can climb faster than I can than the guys who have nice bikes.

mrvile

This is a pretty interesting situation. Cycling as a whole would be very different... and I can imagine The Bike being something similar to a single speed cruiser. I actually think I would enjoy cycling much more, because as much as I am in love with bikes themselves, I feel like the constant battle between bike gear and my wallet ultimately leaves me less happy. Just think, if all cycling was was just cruising around on this one...bike... You know, what with capitalism being the state of most material things in our lives, it's almost unimaginable.

chado445510

The variety of bikes is a large part of me learning the sport. Taught me about groupsets, wheels, frames, etc, etc. I suppose if they were all the same these wouldn't be options, but it would have probably been a lot less interesting. I would love it if I was better than everyone though. Then I wouldn't get a speech of bullsh*t every time I pull away from someone.

carpediemracing 

The thing about individualization is that it can be taken to whatever extreme.

So for Formula Vee car racers (limited to air cooled VW bug engines - mods are so limited you can't even polish the intake runners), it comes down to minute details. The engines are already very weak if you will, so the details make a difference. If you can get 44 hp that's about right. 46 hp represents a huge increase in power. I think the top dollar guys were running 50-odd hp when my teacher was racing (he had a 44 hp engine on a good day - we dyno'ed it in school).

With "stock" bikes, you have spoke tension, bearings, fit, etc. Think Little 500 (allegedly identical bikes), or pro keirin racing in Japan (only approved parts can be used).

GirlAnachronism

Since I ride a heavy piece of crap that breaks all the time that would be just fine with me. Give me something reliable that fits well and that I don't have to think about and I am a happy camper.

Seattle Forrest

Owning a bike isn't fun, and riding one is; I think that's what you're really asking. But on the other hand, I have two (very different) bikes, because it's fun to be fast and sure footed on the road, but it's also fun to bunny hop logs on a dirt trail. From that standpoint, if everybody only had the one same bike, it would limit my riding in that sense.

Bob Dopolina 

...I wouldn't have a job.

pdxtex

i always try and fool myself and say its all about the experience, but who doesn't like a shiny frame with tricked out parts and a nice groupset. im "hindered" by my obsession with shiny paint jobs and the smallest little dings drive me crazy. Ti will fix this problem eventually so in the meantime ive ammassed a bike for each kind of riding i like. a rain bike with fenders to commute with and get dirty, an ego bike to obsessively stare at its pretty paint, spend money on yet never ride , a single speed to be a hipster poser on and a old steel lemond with some retro parts and go fast wheels. that one will always be my one true love, if love were made of reynolds tubes.

roadiejorge 

I enjoy expressing some individuality when customizing my bike but my main motivation is adjusting everything so I am comfortable enough to enjoy riding. Over the years the bike mattered less and what I do on the bike has become more important.

mpath

I'm glad you found your bike nirvana. Me, I'd like to try different ones. Kinda like the world is my oyster, not the other way around.

rjones28 

This is my concern as well.

Sanman023

ive tried bmc slc/slr, orbeo orca, specailized tarmac/roubaix, felt and scott...madone fits me bestest....i wish i couldve tried more but only those bikes were available...and i was tired of driving around town and out of town to do so...

snowman40

IndyCar is the same chassis, engine, tires etc....the drivers still race, when allowed by TGBB, so yea, I would probably still ride.

DScott

I am not a number!


Oh, wait...

ScarcelyAware

Would it be one particular KIND of bike? Because I would NOT ride a low-rider gangster-style bike under any circumstance.

urbanknight

I almost became an engineer and I love equipment and tinkering, so a part of the fun would be lost if everything was the same. But yeah, I'd still ride.

rat fink

I wouldn't want to ride a bike that didn't fit me and feel good when riding.