Bike stuff that bugs you more than it bugs most people
#1
Bike Butcher of Portland
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Bike stuff that bugs you more than it bugs most people
I have an unnatural aversion to bolt on derailleur claws. While touring down Hwy 1 in California when I was 18, I had a couple of flats. Getting the wheel back in with these things is difficult - they seemed to always want to rotate and stop the hub from going in. In addition, I couldn't seem to get the quick release on the rear wheel tight enough so that the wheel wouldn't shift and rub against the chainstays when I'd stand up and pedal hard. Now when I see a decent bike frame without a derailleur hanger I think "braze one on", or relegate to IGH.
Another thing that I avoid is black anodized parts. Working in an LBS in the 80's the cycle of black anodizing was in. Unless you were very careful assembling the bike a small scratch would scream out at you - the metal is silver colored under that black anodization. To this day I avoid black anodized parts.
With regards to bikes, what bugs you more than it bugs most people?
Another thing that I avoid is black anodized parts. Working in an LBS in the 80's the cycle of black anodizing was in. Unless you were very careful assembling the bike a small scratch would scream out at you - the metal is silver colored under that black anodization. To this day I avoid black anodized parts.
With regards to bikes, what bugs you more than it bugs most people?
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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#2
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I think most C&V readers now would be bothered now, but apparently when I was a kid it bothered me more than most people to turn drop bars upward. Everyone I saw with a "10 speed" or "racing bike" as they were called then turned their bars upward as soon as they got their new bike home.
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I'm with ya on both of those, add kickstands to them and keep a Sharpie handy for the scratches.
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‘Anatomica’ handle bars. Especially black ones. Ugly and never understood the reasoning behind them.
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Terminology: front fork, rear cassette.
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Fork drop out QR retention/liability schemes that make a nutted hub seem more preferable. I never had one but worked on many that did!
I don't want to start anything but... bars wrapped bottom to top.
I don't want to start anything but... bars wrapped bottom to top.
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The first thing that comes to mind is the marketing and how many people fall for it.
Take grease, for instance. There is already a sufficiently huge variety of grease to choose from that is readily available at lots of retail stores all over and will easily keep a bicycle operating as intended. But no. Bicycles somehow need "special" grease that comes in a "special" smaller container, and of course costs way more.
Take grease, for instance. There is already a sufficiently huge variety of grease to choose from that is readily available at lots of retail stores all over and will easily keep a bicycle operating as intended. But no. Bicycles somehow need "special" grease that comes in a "special" smaller container, and of course costs way more.
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Kickstands that crush the chainstays.
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Most jersey graphics in the last 20 or 30 years. Just because you can sublimate every color of the rainbow in any random pattern onto a single garment doesn't mean that you should.
Shorts that aren't black.
Shoes that aren't black.
Socks that aren't white.
Yes, I am old. Now get off my lawn.
Shorts that aren't black.
Shoes that aren't black.
Socks that aren't white.
Yes, I am old. Now get off my lawn.
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"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
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The first thing that comes to mind is the marketing and how many people fall for it.
Take grease, for instance. There is already a sufficiently huge variety of grease to choose from that is readily available at lots of retail stores all over and will easily keep a bicycle operating as intended. But no. Bicycles somehow need "special" grease that comes in a "special" smaller container, and of course costs way more.
Take grease, for instance. There is already a sufficiently huge variety of grease to choose from that is readily available at lots of retail stores all over and will easily keep a bicycle operating as intended. But no. Bicycles somehow need "special" grease that comes in a "special" smaller container, and of course costs way more.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...&LH_Complete=1
I've got one of these that a bought about 40 years ago for about five bucks. Still 2/3 full and mainly used for buttering seat posts and bolts. Something in a tube works better for bearing cups.
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I have an unnatural aversion to bolt on derailleur claws. While touring down Hwy 1 in California when I was 18, I had a couple of flats. Getting the wheel back in with these things is difficult - they seemed to always want to rotate and stop the hub from going in. In addition, I couldn't seem to get the quick release on the rear wheel tight enough so that the wheel wouldn't shift and rub against the chainstays when I'd stand up and pedal hard. Now when I see a decent bike frame without a derailleur hanger I think "braze one on", or relegate to IGH.
Another thing that I avoid is black anodized parts. Working in an LBS in the 80's the cycle of black anodizing was in. Unless you were very careful assembling the bike a small scratch would scream out at you - the metal is silver colored under that black anodization. To this day I avoid black anodized parts.
With regards to bikes, what bugs you more than it bugs most people?
Another thing that I avoid is black anodized parts. Working in an LBS in the 80's the cycle of black anodizing was in. Unless you were very careful assembling the bike a small scratch would scream out at you - the metal is silver colored under that black anodization. To this day I avoid black anodized parts.
With regards to bikes, what bugs you more than it bugs most people?
#13
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The first thing that comes to mind is the marketing and how many people fall for it.
Take grease, for instance. There is already a sufficiently huge variety of grease to choose from that is readily available at lots of retail stores all over and will easily keep a bicycle operating as intended. But no. Bicycles somehow need "special" grease that comes in a "special" smaller container, and of course costs way more.
Take grease, for instance. There is already a sufficiently huge variety of grease to choose from that is readily available at lots of retail stores all over and will easily keep a bicycle operating as intended. But no. Bicycles somehow need "special" grease that comes in a "special" smaller container, and of course costs way more.
#14
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Racks mounted with clamps instead of brazed on. I broke two low riders touring on racks like this. Had to mend them with spare spokes and rope from the tent, in the middle of a six month tour. We were in Wales when they cracked in half. In the dark. In the rain. On a 20% incline. I get the heebie jeebies just looking at clamp-on racks these days.
As far as black anodized components go, the main trouble I have is that I often find a black anodized component that I would like to match the silver stuff on the rest of my bike. And maybe it did come in silver, but all the used ones I can find for a decent price are black. So I remove the anodizing, but it's a huge pain, either playing with caustic chemicals or generating a dust cloud with my Scotch Brite and buffing wheels. And if you miss a spot, it will be blackly glaring back at you from a sea of perfectly polished alu. What a pain!
As far as black anodized components go, the main trouble I have is that I often find a black anodized component that I would like to match the silver stuff on the rest of my bike. And maybe it did come in silver, but all the used ones I can find for a decent price are black. So I remove the anodizing, but it's a huge pain, either playing with caustic chemicals or generating a dust cloud with my Scotch Brite and buffing wheels. And if you miss a spot, it will be blackly glaring back at you from a sea of perfectly polished alu. What a pain!
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Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
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oh, probably the only thing that bothers me is large gaps in tire frame clearance.....eg. 700x23c wheels on a 27" frame. just looks off to me
Last edited by thook; 12-29-20 at 02:12 PM.
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#17
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This might be controversial for some older guys, but bars higher than or level with the saddle just looks terrible on a road bike and bugs me to no end. Doesn't matter how nice the bike is, if the bars are not at least a few centimeters below the saddle, it's going to be ugly.
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Cable housings that are too long or, usually, way too long. I mean ...
I also often see the rear brake cable routed on the drive side of the stem from a right aero lever. I mean ...
And stamped drops.
I also often see the rear brake cable routed on the drive side of the stem from a right aero lever. I mean ...
And stamped drops.
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#22
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Les Dilberteurs...
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This might be controversial for some older guys, but bars higher than or level with the saddle just looks terrible on a road bike and bugs me to no end. Doesn't matter how nice the bike is, if the bars are not at least a few centimeters below the saddle, it's going to be ugly.
It bugs me when others try to dictate how I set my bikes up.
I'm going to assume you will quit riding when you can't ride them like that anymore.
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Long, detailed conversations about the "ideal" bike, component, setup, riding form, etc.
There is no such thing.
There is no such thing.
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#25
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Not controversial for me, glad you can own your disdain, you have plenty of company and I get it but my comfort and ability to ride all day long trumps any problem you may have with it.
It bugs me when others try to dictate how I set my bikes up.
I'm going to assume you will quit riding when you can't ride them like that anymore.
It bugs me when others try to dictate how I set my bikes up.
I'm going to assume you will quit riding when you can't ride them like that anymore.