Will my bike always be a "beginners bike"?
03-17-21, 08:28 AM
#76
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Originally Posted by GlennR
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03-17-21, 08:35 AM
#77
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I always get mentioned as I ride a vintage bike against those riding 12 speed bikes. Most admire my vintage but many say why the gearing. When I say it’s what everyone rode with out any problem before all the gears these last few years.
03-17-21, 08:36 AM
#78
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Originally Posted by m21bmr
Maybe the most unnatural (maybe mildly disturbing) thing about this picture is the riders right hand and left arm.
The pic below is on Amazon. Its funny that nobody in the pic is riding the bike that is being sold.
03-17-21, 08:40 AM
#79
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Originally Posted by m21bmr
Maybe the most unnatural (maybe mildly disturbing) thing about this picture is the riders right hand and left arm.
EDIT: Mstateglfr said the same thing I did.... I just type too slowly.
03-17-21, 08:47 AM
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OMG- he doesn't have a 90 degree bend in his arm! He can't possibly be comfortable or efficient. Surprised he can stay upright. 
Last edited by shelbyfv; 03-17-21 at 09:14 AM. Reason: pic
03-17-21, 10:41 AM
#81
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
OMG- he doesn't have a 90 degree bend in his arm! He can't possibly be comfortable or efficient. Surprised he can stay upright.
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03-17-21, 10:25 PM
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“Does my bike really have to cost $$$$$ to be a serious cyclist”?
No it does not. The price for a bike means absolutely nothing. Maybe, you should shop elsewhere for a bike club- have fun.
No it does not. The price for a bike means absolutely nothing. Maybe, you should shop elsewhere for a bike club- have fun.
03-18-21, 01:24 AM
#83
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr
Each time I see this pic, I focus on how his left leg just disappears. It is at too high of an angle to connect with the crank arm and the bottom 12-15" of leg and foot arent seen. Just sliced right off.
The pic below is on Amazon. Its funny that nobody in the pic is riding the bike that is being sold.
The pic below is on Amazon. Its funny that nobody in the pic is riding the bike that is being sold.
03-18-21, 07:55 AM
#84
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Originally Posted by Reflector Guy
^ How far is that guy going to get with his kickstand down?
03-18-21, 08:34 AM
#85
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Originally Posted by Ed Wiser
I always get mentioned as I ride a vintage bike against those riding 12 speed bikes. Most admire my vintage but many say why the gearing. When I say it’s what everyone rode with out any problem before all the gears these last few years.
03-18-21, 08:45 AM
#86
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Originally Posted by Ed Wiser
I always get mentioned as I ride a vintage bike against those riding 12 speed bikes. Most admire my vintage but many say why the gearing. When I say it’s what everyone rode with out any problem before all the gears these last few years.
I have a good friend with a beautiful vintage DeRosa that he rode all the time. 3 years ago he got a Specialized Tarmac with Sram Red, I haven't seen him ride the DeRosa since.
In the end, it's whatever floats your boat. Not everyone wants a cutting edge carbon fiber bike with electronic shifting. Two year ago I bought a new bike for my wife and she loves it.It does everything she wants... upright seating, easy entry, single chainring, balloon tires and a bell to warn pedestrians when she rides the multi use path.
03-18-21, 09:34 AM
#87
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It’s the bike I have alway ridden. Bought a Wahoo Kickr bike last year so I have the indoor top end bike. Will be getting a carbon bike next year. But will always love my vintage bike.
03-18-21, 02:20 PM
#88
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I got me a new-er road bike for Xmas this year with all the speeds, narrow tires, etc. I love the heck out of riding it...fast. But when I want to just cruise and enjoy the ride on a wet and rainy day, I take out the old Quasar. Fenders, rack, lights, and did I say comfort. I actually only average @1 MPH less on 20-25 miles rides on the Quasar, but it just feels slower. It's also less aero so it doesn't feel side gusts of wind like the Fuji either. I gave my mountain bike to a neighbor that was looking for a bike to tow his daughter around in a carrier and needed something stouter than a road bike. He's a big guy and likes to ride slow. After my last fiasco on it a couple of weeks ago, my dear wife was thrilled to see it go. She always worried when I rode the MTB because we don't heal so fast at 71. She's happy, my neighbor's happy, and I'm happy for them. Win Win Win.
03-18-21, 04:23 PM
#89
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Originally Posted by spelger
Hey, that second one is just like mine! Tassels and all.
(Did I do that right?
)
03-18-21, 04:37 PM
#90
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Originally Posted by AdkMtnMonster
Do you still travel on horseback, or do you have a buggy yet? Human feet used to work fine, too. It’s how everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, used to get from one place to another. Crappy logic. You ride old stuff because you’re a retrogrouch. Nothing wrong with that. Just admit that you like the vintage stuff. It’s still cool.
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03-19-21, 04:13 AM
#91
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It's a "beginner's bike" if you're a beginner. After that it's just a bike with it's high and low points.
03-22-21, 11:25 AM
#92
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Back in the '90s I was a CAT3 road racer, as were many of my friends. We went up to Mammoth to compete in the stage race a few times and enjoyed watching the CAT1&2 races while we were up there. The first thing we noticed was the bikes these guys were riding - they cost maybe 1/2 to 1/3 of what ours did. Why? Because we all had full time, well paying jobs that let us afford pretty high end bikes for the time. Meanwhile, it was apparent that the CAT1&2 guys spent more time training than working a high paying job (the majority at least, we obviously can't make such sweeping generalizations for everyone out there!) so they couldn't afford bikes as "nice" as ours. On the other hand, any of us would gladly have "downgraded" our bikes to have the power those guys did.
So, does the bike make the rider, or is it the other way around? To this day I'm still riding my mid '90s Scapin with Columbus EL-OS frame, Campagnolo Chorus 8 speed Ergopower, and deep dish Campagnolo Zonda wheels. I've ridden past plenty of guys on high end carbon frames with hydraulic discs and all the latest and greatest. I've also been passed by plenty of those guys, but I've also come across pretty strong older guys (like me) riding vintage steel. And I mean vintage steel!! I love my bike - fits great, handles well, is comfortable, etc. Would a newer, more expensive bike make me a better rider? Would I be faster? Maybe. Would I feel as connected to it as I do my trusty Scapin? Doubtful.
Ride what you like, maintain it properly, stay fit, and have fun.
So, does the bike make the rider, or is it the other way around? To this day I'm still riding my mid '90s Scapin with Columbus EL-OS frame, Campagnolo Chorus 8 speed Ergopower, and deep dish Campagnolo Zonda wheels. I've ridden past plenty of guys on high end carbon frames with hydraulic discs and all the latest and greatest. I've also been passed by plenty of those guys, but I've also come across pretty strong older guys (like me) riding vintage steel. And I mean vintage steel!! I love my bike - fits great, handles well, is comfortable, etc. Would a newer, more expensive bike make me a better rider? Would I be faster? Maybe. Would I feel as connected to it as I do my trusty Scapin? Doubtful.
Ride what you like, maintain it properly, stay fit, and have fun.
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03-22-21, 12:17 PM
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Anybody else notice how some version of this post crops up pretty often, then as soon as it gets a lot of responses the OP disappears?
Often just when people start asking meaningful questions (in this case, 'What kind of club--road or mtb?').
It seems weird/suspicious; kind of like market research disguised as a real question. Or some other ****ery, in any case.
Often just when people start asking meaningful questions (in this case, 'What kind of club--road or mtb?').
It seems weird/suspicious; kind of like market research disguised as a real question. Or some other ****ery, in any case.
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03-22-21, 01:20 PM
#96
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Originally Posted by theDirtyLemon
Anybody else notice how some version of this post crops up pretty often, then as soon as it gets a lot of responses the OP disappears?
Often just when people start asking meaningful questions (in this case, 'What kind of club--road or mtb?').
It seems weird/suspicious; kind of like market research disguised as a real question. Or some other ****ery, in any case.
Often just when people start asking meaningful questions (in this case, 'What kind of club--road or mtb?').
It seems weird/suspicious; kind of like market research disguised as a real question. Or some other ****ery, in any case.
03-22-21, 01:57 PM
#97
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Originally Posted by theDirtyLemon
Anybody else notice how some version of this post crops up pretty often, then as soon as it gets a lot of responses the OP disappears?
Often just when people start asking meaningful questions (in this case, 'What kind of club--road or mtb?').
It seems weird/suspicious; kind of like market research disguised as a real question. Or some other ****ery, in any case.
Often just when people start asking meaningful questions (in this case, 'What kind of club--road or mtb?').
It seems weird/suspicious; kind of like market research disguised as a real question. Or some other ****ery, in any case.
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Nothing is true---everything is permitted
03-22-21, 03:36 PM
#98
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First, remember, its never the bike, its the bike RIDER.
I have been riding the same bike I got as a graduation gift from high school. That bike turns 50 this April.
Ride what works, ride what you can afford. Let all those who have too much $$ to buy what they want.
I JUST got a knock-around as a second bike. deraileur-6 speed w/ Dutch set up. Rides straight, comfy, and goes just as fast as the road bike when I pedal hard. nuff said.
I have been riding the same bike I got as a graduation gift from high school. That bike turns 50 this April.
Ride what works, ride what you can afford. Let all those who have too much $$ to buy what they want.
I JUST got a knock-around as a second bike. deraileur-6 speed w/ Dutch set up. Rides straight, comfy, and goes just as fast as the road bike when I pedal hard. nuff said.
03-22-21, 08:07 PM
#99
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Originally Posted by KingoftheNorth
About two years ago I came to this forum with a quandry. I wanted to get into cycling but wasn't prepared to pay what the major bike shops were asking and didn't want to go with a "big box" bso either.
The advice I was given here was that there was a third option - look for something used but good. Thank you for the advice.
I did exactly that, bought myself a good used XCR. I thought It had all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a new big ticket bike (air suspension fork, Shimano 27 speed gear system, triple chainring Shimsno crankset, alloy disk hubs with Wienmann rims, hydraulic disc breaks).
Since I got it I upgraded the bike to a hydraulic fork, suspension seat post and carbon fibre wheelset, besides giving it a good paint job etc.
Today I went into a cycle club Id like to join. They took one look at my bike and described it as a "beginners bike" and assumed I wanted to join the beginners section of the club. I also met some of the clubs execs and they all had BIG ticket bikes.
I had hoped that with the original bike and the modifications I made, I wouldn't have to buy a new bike, (unless I wanted to take part in some serious ultra marathons - which I don't atm
).
Does my bike really have to cost $$$$$ to be a serious cyclist?
The advice I was given here was that there was a third option - look for something used but good. Thank you for the advice.
I did exactly that, bought myself a good used XCR. I thought It had all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a new big ticket bike (air suspension fork, Shimano 27 speed gear system, triple chainring Shimsno crankset, alloy disk hubs with Wienmann rims, hydraulic disc breaks).
Since I got it I upgraded the bike to a hydraulic fork, suspension seat post and carbon fibre wheelset, besides giving it a good paint job etc.
Today I went into a cycle club Id like to join. They took one look at my bike and described it as a "beginners bike" and assumed I wanted to join the beginners section of the club. I also met some of the clubs execs and they all had BIG ticket bikes.
I had hoped that with the original bike and the modifications I made, I wouldn't have to buy a new bike, (unless I wanted to take part in some serious ultra marathons - which I don't atm
).Does my bike really have to cost $$$$$ to be a serious cyclist?
03-24-21, 08:29 PM
#100
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Originally Posted by GlennR
I get vintage, i restore vintage VWs and while some love to keep them stock with the original 36hp engine... I have 200hp engine with a custom 5 speed in mine.
I have a good friend with a beautiful vintage DeRosa that he rode all the time. 3 years ago he got a Specialized Tarmac with Sram Red, I haven't seen him ride the DeRosa since.
In the end, it's whatever floats your boat. Not everyone wants a cutting edge carbon fiber bike with electronic shifting. Two year ago I bought a new bike for my wife and she loves it.It does everything she wants... upright seating, easy entry, single chainring, balloon tires and a bell to warn pedestrians when she rides the multi use path.
I have a good friend with a beautiful vintage DeRosa that he rode all the time. 3 years ago he got a Specialized Tarmac with Sram Red, I haven't seen him ride the DeRosa since.
In the end, it's whatever floats your boat. Not everyone wants a cutting edge carbon fiber bike with electronic shifting. Two year ago I bought a new bike for my wife and she loves it.It does everything she wants... upright seating, easy entry, single chainring, balloon tires and a bell to warn pedestrians when she rides the multi use path.
Have a coworker with a VW that I think does 9’s. Big turbo, wheelie bars, spoiler.
Definitely somewhere in between those extremes would be for me.
