What constitutes a “good bike” for you?
12-11-21, 01:13 PM
#26
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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I spend a fair amount of time on fitting each new acquisition, so all my bikes fit. And I work at making sure each one works as well as it should, given its components. So, then what constitutes a 'good bike' for me is more emotional and aesthetic.
Do I sometimes just look at it, and think, "Hey, that's a NICE bike!"
The night before a long ride, do I find myself excited to be riding that bike tomorrow?
When I roll out on a ride, stand on the pedals to get up to speed, then settle down into the saddle, do I think, "Yeah, that's what I wanted."
While I'm riding it, do the bike and I work together well, so I don't have to think about it?
When I get back from the ride, do I think, "Yeah! THAT'S why I have this bike!" Do I wish I had more time and more legs to spend on it?
Do I sometimes just look at it, and think, "Hey, that's a NICE bike!"
The night before a long ride, do I find myself excited to be riding that bike tomorrow?
When I roll out on a ride, stand on the pedals to get up to speed, then settle down into the saddle, do I think, "Yeah, that's what I wanted."
While I'm riding it, do the bike and I work together well, so I don't have to think about it?
When I get back from the ride, do I think, "Yeah! THAT'S why I have this bike!" Do I wish I had more time and more legs to spend on it?
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12-11-21, 02:19 PM
#27
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As I was tooling around on my commuter bike today doing a few errands, I thought about how even though it’s really just a basic department store bike, that it suits my needs fine. And in general, I’m only a road cyclist and my road bikes are old steel, chromoly, or aluminum that I’ve had for lots of years, but well maintained (mostly by me)…and one CF road bike that I seldom ride. Those bikes are fine for me these days. I’m only marginally concerned with weight. As long as it has properly working components that are maintained, and well-adjusted…I’m happy. I have race results from 30+ years ago showing that I rode a couple of those bikes at 25mph avg in races. At almost 61 years old, I sure wish I could ride speeds like that now. But I just thought it might be a nice topic for discussion…what constitutes a “good bike” for you?
Dan
Dan
12-11-21, 03:23 PM
#28
Junior Member
Everyone of my bikes are "good" bike for me when I bought them.
That's because I chose them for what I want to use them for. It's the right bike for the function. Even the fit, was chosen with that function in mind: an errand bike needs to have the best visibility, good handling even on rough surface and fully loaded; a road bike's fit needs to be more aero, a mountain bike should have me planted in the cockpit even on steep uphill and descends, etc...
Some of my bikes are no long "good" as my riding had changed. But if I were to buy another one, I'll get a "good" one.
The brand and frame material isn't important in themselves. It's just part of their contribution to the overall functionality of the bike, for my purpose.
(at the moment, I have a really nice errand bike, also a "good" cross country mountain bike, a "good" road bike. But my gravel bike? It's not so good. I could use a better one. It has the right geometry but I could use disc brakes. Same situation for my full suspension free ride mountain bike. It has the "wrong" geometry for what I want to use it for now, which is different from what I originally bought it for)
That's because I chose them for what I want to use them for. It's the right bike for the function. Even the fit, was chosen with that function in mind: an errand bike needs to have the best visibility, good handling even on rough surface and fully loaded; a road bike's fit needs to be more aero, a mountain bike should have me planted in the cockpit even on steep uphill and descends, etc...
Some of my bikes are no long "good" as my riding had changed. But if I were to buy another one, I'll get a "good" one.
The brand and frame material isn't important in themselves. It's just part of their contribution to the overall functionality of the bike, for my purpose.
(at the moment, I have a really nice errand bike, also a "good" cross country mountain bike, a "good" road bike. But my gravel bike? It's not so good. I could use a better one. It has the right geometry but I could use disc brakes. Same situation for my full suspension free ride mountain bike. It has the "wrong" geometry for what I want to use it for now, which is different from what I originally bought it for)
Last edited by atnyc; 12-11-21 at 03:31 PM.
12-12-21, 06:50 AM
#29
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Good bikes do not use plain paper spacers for the cogs. Better ones at least oil the paper to make it last longer.
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12-12-21, 01:55 PM
#30
OwainGyndwr
A good bike is one that can be maintained within one's tech skills, tools required and accessorized to suit the type of riding. I have four. A road, off-road, geared utility hybrid and a fixed gear utility. They're all good bikes. Well maintained, appreciated and equipped. Beyond those criteria a good bike is one you will ride and enjoy.
Last edited by GhenghisKahn; 12-12-21 at 01:59 PM.
12-12-21, 07:25 PM
#31
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One that makes other people jealous.
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12-12-21, 08:21 PM
#32
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12-12-21, 09:59 PM
#33
OwainGyndwr
12-13-21, 09:03 AM
#34
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I think the old (really old) Jaguar slogan sums it up for me..."Grace, Pace & Space".
Especially the "grace" and "pace" parts.
If "space" can be "expanded" (pun intended) to include "comfort" then that is my basis for a "good bike". And I don't mean an upright "comfort bike" with suspension and springs...unless that's what comfortable to YOU. I mean the kind of comfort that allows you to ride longer and farther, and allows the bike to disappear and become an extension of you.
Grace, Pace & Comfort....and also "reliability".
Especially the "grace" and "pace" parts.
If "space" can be "expanded" (pun intended) to include "comfort" then that is my basis for a "good bike". And I don't mean an upright "comfort bike" with suspension and springs...unless that's what comfortable to YOU. I mean the kind of comfort that allows you to ride longer and farther, and allows the bike to disappear and become an extension of you.
Grace, Pace & Comfort....and also "reliability".
12-13-21, 12:40 PM
#35
Clark W. Griswold
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It is only a good bike if it has a big Trek logo on it and I don't mean one of this little tiny ones I am talking they made a larger downtube to fit a larger logo and filled the entire space. That is really all that matters right?
I like a bike that works well and does the job with minimal muss and fuss. It should be relatively comfortable or at least look really really really really good so I can stare at it a lot if I might not ride it as much as I would like. I love titanium because in the end it can last forever and I don't have to worry about scratches and such I can just buff it out as needed or if it does have some paint I can always strip it and it will still look good without having to finish it.
I like a bike that works well and does the job with minimal muss and fuss. It should be relatively comfortable or at least look really really really really good so I can stare at it a lot if I might not ride it as much as I would like. I love titanium because in the end it can last forever and I don't have to worry about scratches and such I can just buff it out as needed or if it does have some paint I can always strip it and it will still look good without having to finish it.
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12-23-21, 08:50 PM
#37
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A good bike for me is one that I spend more time riding it than fixing it....................
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12-23-21, 09:11 PM
#38
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Nice, and I would add that a good bike somehow seems to give back more energy than I’ve put into it.
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12-24-21, 12:25 AM
#39
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So having recently finally actually purchased a "bike" which is to say a cycling device with two whole wheels (only somehow ended up with three partial version of such, of which only one is so far serviceable) my thought is that what I actually want to own is:
- My 36 inch unicycle, at this point hand built myself, which is what I find the most joy in riding (done)
- A cheap used hybrid that's serviceable for utility rides and shopping, but cheap enough that I could get over having it stolen (just done)
- Something indoor and stationary, probably built as such but maybe a frame kludged to the point of working on a trainer. Because, yeah, not getting outside this time of year enough to combat pandemic pounds... (next goal)
- Aspirationally some kind of drop bar gravel or touring bike with which I could both contemplate trying to keep up with the local "C" ride and tackle a weeklong canal towpath tour (pending later in spring)
Last edited by UniChris; 12-24-21 at 01:21 AM.
12-24-21, 02:25 AM
#40
Full Member
a good bike is one that allows me to develop the highest speed for the longest time for cheap without flats and least aches and pains when i get home.
and of course it has to have a JBL sound system as standard equipment and it should never get ripped off.
and of course it has to have a JBL sound system as standard equipment and it should never get ripped off.
12-24-21, 06:01 AM
#41
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one never regrets buying quality
12-24-21, 01:56 PM
#42
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I like vintage lugged steel road bikes with tight geometry. That’s what fits my body type not so much my riding style. I am very long legged for my height so thats what keeps me going back out riding. There is an #ss for every saddle! No butts about it
12-24-21, 10:38 PM
#43
Senior Member
A bike that's comfortable and smooth to ride for hundreds or thousands of kilometres with no mechanical problems. Beyond that, everything is secondary.
12-25-21, 06:31 AM
#45
Junior Member
Yeah, in my late teens (IIRC) I had a couple of ~3hr speed rides with a buddy that we did. He was an amateur racer; we both were distance runners. Could do a 25mph average along this one route we had ... mostly flat but with occasional short hills up out of (or down into) the trail along river bank. Nowadays, I'm doing pretty well if I get north of 15mph, and that's only for much more brief periods. Mostly I'm a ~10mph guy, these days.
For me, the "right" bike is a nearly-upright "city" bike format. Current bike is built on a mid-'90s Trek 970 steel frame, Surly Troll fork, great components, with a Brooks saddle, riser stem and Nitto Bosco swept bars. Required riding position due to old injuries that preclude any "sportier" setup. Works for me.
Weather's turning quite cold in my area, so it's mostly indoors gym exercise and floor work, except on nice days. Will get back to the frequent trail and road rides in early March or so, when the nasty weather begins to break.
For me, the "right" bike is a nearly-upright "city" bike format. Current bike is built on a mid-'90s Trek 970 steel frame, Surly Troll fork, great components, with a Brooks saddle, riser stem and Nitto Bosco swept bars. Required riding position due to old injuries that preclude any "sportier" setup. Works for me.
Weather's turning quite cold in my area, so it's mostly indoors gym exercise and floor work, except on nice days. Will get back to the frequent trail and road rides in early March or so, when the nasty weather begins to break.
12-25-21, 06:36 AM
#46
Junior Member
Yeah, in my late teens (IIRC) I had a couple of ~3hr speed rides with a buddy that we did. He was an amateur racer; we both were distance runners. Could do a 25mph average along this one route we had ... mostly flat but with occasional short hills up out of (or down into) the trail along river bank. Nowadays, I'm doing pretty well if I get north of 15mph, and that's only for much more brief periods. Mostly I'm a ~10mph guy, these days.
For me, the "right" bike is a nearly-upright "city" bike format. Current bike is built on a mid-'90s Trek 970 steel frame, Surly Troll fork, great components, with a Brooks saddle, riser stem and Nitto Bosco swept bars. Required riding position due to old injuries that preclude any "sportier" setup. Works for me.
Weather's turning quite cold in my area, so it's mostly indoors gym exercise and floor work, except on nice days. Will get back to the frequent trail and road rides in early March or so, when the nasty weather begins to break.
For me, the "right" bike is a nearly-upright "city" bike format. Current bike is built on a mid-'90s Trek 970 steel frame, Surly Troll fork, great components, with a Brooks saddle, riser stem and Nitto Bosco swept bars. Required riding position due to old injuries that preclude any "sportier" setup. Works for me.
Weather's turning quite cold in my area, so it's mostly indoors gym exercise and floor work, except on nice days. Will get back to the frequent trail and road rides in early March or so, when the nasty weather begins to break.
12-25-21, 07:13 AM
#47
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Boy I'm glad to hear someone say they ride at an average of 10mph, I've been at about 12mph to 15mph on a frisky day and can't picture going 25mph like I hear a lot of people say except maybe going downhill. sometimes I'll reach up to 23mph for a short stretch but you guys that average that on 3 or 4 hr rides are supermen in my book!
12-25-21, 09:55 AM
#49
Junior Member
If it's reliable, sturdy and puts a genuine smile on my face, it's a good bike.
12-25-21, 10:58 AM
#50
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Any reliable bike that enjoyable to ride.
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