Do you have a meaningless bike?
#1
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,410 Times
in
910 Posts
Do you have a meaningless bike?
One that "was a good idea at the time?"
One that simply doesn't get ridden "because up against the herd, it's absurd?"
One for which you decided to go with the "hope fit?"
One you were given/pushed into, and are too polite to get rid of?
One that made you realize, in that case, "thinking" was not part of the equation?
If so, let's see it.
I don't have one now, but I've had a couple.
I rationalized all of them to make sense at one time.
Hindsight, though, supports otherwise.
One that simply doesn't get ridden "because up against the herd, it's absurd?"
One for which you decided to go with the "hope fit?"
One you were given/pushed into, and are too polite to get rid of?
One that made you realize, in that case, "thinking" was not part of the equation?
If so, let's see it.
I don't have one now, but I've had a couple.
I rationalized all of them to make sense at one time.
Hindsight, though, supports otherwise.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Middletown NY
Posts: 1,493
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix EVO w Hi-Mod frame, Raleigh Tamland 1 and Giant Anthem X
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 352 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
I ride each and every one in the garage because at one time. they were worthy and I hate to make them feel unloved, lol
Okay, truth is... I have a bike or two (maybe 3) that at one time I thought I needed but then my goals changed and/or budget allowed something better, but the truth is, I never let them go and I think it is time to part with a few.
BTW, I think this is going to hurt but they are far better off to a good home that will appreciate them more than I do.
Okay, truth is... I have a bike or two (maybe 3) that at one time I thought I needed but then my goals changed and/or budget allowed something better, but the truth is, I never let them go and I think it is time to part with a few.
BTW, I think this is going to hurt but they are far better off to a good home that will appreciate them more than I do.
#3
Banned.
Join Date: May 2011
Location: on the beach
Posts: 4,816
Bikes: '73 falcon sr, '76 grand record, '84 davidson
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 59 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
if you believe the bible as the almighty, everlasting truth, then ...
everything is meaningless. - ecclesiastes
read it. it's good. and short. takes like twenty minutes.
everything is meaningless. - ecclesiastes
read it. it's good. and short. takes like twenty minutes.
#4
Senior Member
I built a Surly Long Haul Trucker thinking I wanted to do overnight touring and for commuting. Well I had kids and without a multi-day babysitter option, no touring for me anytime in the next several years. I used it for winter commuting a couple winters, but am going to try using a MTB this winter instead (riding in the snow is still a bit treacherous even with studded tires). For commuting and just around-town riding, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my mystery C&V Trek bike that I acquired after the Surly (early 80s 7xx? no serial number). Frankly it would probably do the job for light touring too.
The Surly does make a great bike for hauling trailers. This summer I pulled 2 trailers at the same time! The tag-a-long with my 7-year old which was pulling the Burley with the 5-year old.
But honestly I wouldn't build it again. It is just not fun to ride and there must be livelier loaded touring bikes out there.
The Surly does make a great bike for hauling trailers. This summer I pulled 2 trailers at the same time! The tag-a-long with my 7-year old which was pulling the Burley with the 5-year old.
But honestly I wouldn't build it again. It is just not fun to ride and there must be livelier loaded touring bikes out there.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 948
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 377 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
10 Posts
Surly Cross Check that replaced a broken Salsa Casseroll. I simply don't like the way it looks (and it's too small). Next to the Treks it just lacks.....everything.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 948
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 377 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
10 Posts
I built a Surly Long Haul Trucker thinking I wanted to do overnight touring and for commuting. Well I had kids and without a multi-day babysitter option, no touring for me anytime in the next several years. I used it for winter commuting a couple winters, but am going to try using a MTB this winter instead (riding in the snow is still a bit treacherous even with studded tires). For commuting and just around-town riding, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my mystery C&V Trek bike that I acquired after the Surly (early 80s 7xx? no serial number). Frankly it would probably do the job for light touring too.
The Surly does make a great bike for hauling trailers. This summer I pulled 2 trailers at the same time! The tag-a-long with my 7-year old which was pulling the Burley with the 5-year old.
But honestly I wouldn't build it again. It is just not fun to ride and there must be livelier loaded touring bikes out there.
The Surly does make a great bike for hauling trailers. This summer I pulled 2 trailers at the same time! The tag-a-long with my 7-year old which was pulling the Burley with the 5-year old.
But honestly I wouldn't build it again. It is just not fun to ride and there must be livelier loaded touring bikes out there.
#7
Senior Member
Actually guess it might be a 610 going back to the 3-year old thread when I asked about it:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...al-number.html
Since then I've retrofitted the bike with 8-speed Sora shifters.
It rides like a dream. Fits 32mm tires if I wanted (I run 25mm because big tires feel so heavy/slow!).
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...al-number.html
Since then I've retrofitted the bike with 8-speed Sora shifters.
It rides like a dream. Fits 32mm tires if I wanted (I run 25mm because big tires feel so heavy/slow!).
#9
1991 PBP Anciens
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elburn, Illannoy
Posts: 625
Bikes: 1954 Robin Hood, 1964 Dunelt, 1968 Raleigh Superbe, 1969 Robin Hood, 197? Gitane, 1973 Raleigh SuperCourse, 1981 Miyata 710, 1990 Miyata 600GT, 2007 Rivendell Bleriot
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 65 Post(s)
Liked 305 Times
in
117 Posts
Well, for a start, there's Fat A$$ Wally. A Mongoose Beast from Wally World that I dumped a wad of cash into. Boy, talk about polishing a t*rd.
Then there's the Alfine Project that I built several years ago as a winter commuter. An old Gitane frame with an Alfine 8 hub. Nothing really wrong with it but I don't winter commute anymore. I have a Jeep for that now.
The last seemed like a good idea at the time. A 1952-ish Monark Rocket with a two speed Bendix hub. It does get used quite a bit but the only real thing going for it is that it is so comfy.
Then there's the Alfine Project that I built several years ago as a winter commuter. An old Gitane frame with an Alfine 8 hub. Nothing really wrong with it but I don't winter commute anymore. I have a Jeep for that now.
The last seemed like a good idea at the time. A 1952-ish Monark Rocket with a two speed Bendix hub. It does get used quite a bit but the only real thing going for it is that it is so comfy.
Last edited by bikamper; 10-23-15 at 06:49 PM. Reason: grammar
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 2,977
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I went through a bit of a cull. I'm thinking of further changes...
#11
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
Wayell, there is this one.
I was given the frame. That should've been a clue. Most of the parts were from my bins so there wasn't much investment involved except time and interest. It's an okay bike, as heavy as my UO-8 but with peculiar handling. And did I mention that it isn't really straight?
My Centurion almost qualifies. It's a great bike but it doesn't get ridden as much as it ought to.
I was given the frame. That should've been a clue. Most of the parts were from my bins so there wasn't much investment involved except time and interest. It's an okay bike, as heavy as my UO-8 but with peculiar handling. And did I mention that it isn't really straight?
My Centurion almost qualifies. It's a great bike but it doesn't get ridden as much as it ought to.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#12
Señor Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,926
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1492 Post(s)
Liked 1,096 Times
in
642 Posts
I hear you. I was foolish enough to think it would be a nice rando bike - an even more off-base idea. While the bike was very sound, stable and mechanically dialed-in, it was too "tanky" for me. Similar critique of the Miyata 210 I once had. I ended up passing both of them on.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
Last edited by USAZorro; 10-24-15 at 03:07 AM. Reason: better description
#13
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
I wonder, does an obscure but interesting old bike that sits woefully in a bike box for 15 years have meaning to anyone but the schmuck that leaves it there?
I have a few of them.
I have a few of them.
#14
Banned.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 6,434
Bikes: '09 Felt F55, '84 Masi Cran Criterium, (2)'86 Schwinn Pelotons, '86 Look Equippe Hinault, '09 Globe Live 3 (dogtaxi), '94 Greg Lemond, '99 GT Pulse Kinesis
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 389 Post(s)
Liked 270 Times
in
153 Posts
I put a lot more thought into my mountainbike than I have into any of my road bike purchases. Every road bike purchase has been an emotional transaction. When getting a mountainbike, I was initially tempted to get something nice, something pretty, something I would care about and enjoy fretting over like I do all my road bikes.
But then I remembered my failed attempt to build a cruddy road bike that I wouldn't be so emotionally involved with, but alas I'm incapable. The best I've been able to do at building a worthless bike to me is my larger, first-bought Schwinn Peloton. I even put 7700 brifters with mountainbike derailleur & 9-speed cassette on it. But I still adore and relish that bike--I could ride it in the rain if I had to, but then I'd spend at least an hour cleaning out the road grit before bringing it back into my dry home. It's my least favorite road bike, but I still catch myself laying in bed just looking at it.
After that failure, I took special care in getting a POS corporate-franchise taiwan-special of a beater, and it's kind of liberating to put it away dirty (in the garage even!) and not care. (Well, not care as much anyway.)
I just have to be careful not to clean it to often, or ride it in beautiful places, because it starts tugging on my heartstrings too.
But then I remembered my failed attempt to build a cruddy road bike that I wouldn't be so emotionally involved with, but alas I'm incapable. The best I've been able to do at building a worthless bike to me is my larger, first-bought Schwinn Peloton. I even put 7700 brifters with mountainbike derailleur & 9-speed cassette on it. But I still adore and relish that bike--I could ride it in the rain if I had to, but then I'd spend at least an hour cleaning out the road grit before bringing it back into my dry home. It's my least favorite road bike, but I still catch myself laying in bed just looking at it.
After that failure, I took special care in getting a POS corporate-franchise taiwan-special of a beater, and it's kind of liberating to put it away dirty (in the garage even!) and not care. (Well, not care as much anyway.)
I just have to be careful not to clean it to often, or ride it in beautiful places, because it starts tugging on my heartstrings too.
Last edited by calamarichris; 10-23-15 at 07:54 PM.
#15
Señor Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,926
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1492 Post(s)
Liked 1,096 Times
in
642 Posts
any of them British club bikes in the 54 - 57 cm size range? lol
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
#16
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
A weight has been lifted, there is meaning.
Two come to mind..
49 Clubman 62 Gran Sport I can ride the Clubman but really both are on the large side for me. I can list in sales if interested.
Two come to mind..
49 Clubman 62 Gran Sport I can ride the Clubman but really both are on the large side for me. I can list in sales if interested.
Last edited by clubman; 10-23-15 at 08:44 PM.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
Mine is a 1969 Robin Hood. The bike is cherry but it's just sitting around. I haven't fixed it; heck I haven't ridden it. It looks a bit forlorn.
Now a classic British club bike, that would be cool.
#18
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
Sorry for the hijack, two of my bikes now have meaning, as did your Giant once you posted it.
This is now my most meaningless bike. I like the colour.
This is now my most meaningless bike. I like the colour.
Last edited by clubman; 10-23-15 at 10:48 PM.
#19
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
Mine is an undeniably cool but redundant MTB. Raleigh Elkhorn Mountain Tour.
I bought it because it was cheap, and cool and and in really good condition, and figuring I'd ride it very little. I was right. The Kona Lava Dome gets all the miles when I want a light and flickable MTB, and the modern overbuilt Trek 4300 gets the call when I want go out and do the bash and smash and take-no-prisoners kind of stuff. I was kinda-sorta thinking of making it into a drop bar tourer conversion, but I doubt it would top the one I have already once I got it done. Again, redundant.
@calamarichris, wanna do a swap, your peloton frame for my Elkhorn?
I bought it because it was cheap, and cool and and in really good condition, and figuring I'd ride it very little. I was right. The Kona Lava Dome gets all the miles when I want a light and flickable MTB, and the modern overbuilt Trek 4300 gets the call when I want go out and do the bash and smash and take-no-prisoners kind of stuff. I was kinda-sorta thinking of making it into a drop bar tourer conversion, but I doubt it would top the one I have already once I got it done. Again, redundant.
@calamarichris, wanna do a swap, your peloton frame for my Elkhorn?
__________________
● 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 ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 10-23-15 at 11:14 PM.
#20
Banned.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 6,434
Bikes: '09 Felt F55, '84 Masi Cran Criterium, (2)'86 Schwinn Pelotons, '86 Look Equippe Hinault, '09 Globe Live 3 (dogtaxi), '94 Greg Lemond, '99 GT Pulse Kinesis
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 389 Post(s)
Liked 270 Times
in
153 Posts
#21
Fresh Garbage
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Near Pottstown, PA: 30 miles NW of Philadelphia
Posts: 2,186
Bikes: 2 Trek Mtn, Cannondale R600 road, 6 vintage road bikes
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 472 Post(s)
Liked 1,028 Times
in
404 Posts
Now you've gone and made me cover the tablet screen with duct tape!! They're both beautiful and my size. I'd even get a road trip to Halifax for raisin scones. Curses. Loggin off now and walking away.
#25
Banned.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 6,434
Bikes: '09 Felt F55, '84 Masi Cran Criterium, (2)'86 Schwinn Pelotons, '86 Look Equippe Hinault, '09 Globe Live 3 (dogtaxi), '94 Greg Lemond, '99 GT Pulse Kinesis
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 389 Post(s)
Liked 270 Times
in
153 Posts