my new obsession...bicycles

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It started early in the spring when I found an old Schwinn Varsity at Goodwill for $20. I bought it home, disassembled all the bearings and regreased it, put on new tires, and had a blast riding it around the neighborhood! Telling my new found love for bike riding to a friend, he decided to come down with his wife, camp out, and we all went mountain biking together. He let me borrow one of his bikes, and I had a blast, and I became hooked. I Just recently refurbished my old Schwinn Collegiate that my parents gave to me when I was 14 years old, and that got me all around my college campus, so now I've got 3 bicycles in the garage, with the possibility of more on the way. When I've gone into the bike shops to buy parts to refurb the old Schwinns, I've been gazing at some of the new technology, like lightweight frames, etc. One of my favorites is the new Trek SoHo. It has an 8 speed internal hub gear, and a belt drive. It feels so precise and smooth riding it. Bicycle technology has gone crazy lately, and with fuel prices on the way up, I am noticing more and more people riding bikes around here...and I am looking at their bikes more and more closely to see what everyone's riding! (what's the deal with riding a mountain bike on the streets...I guess the same deal as driving an SUV for daily commuting)

Anybody else have more than one bike? I've rediscovered the enjoyment of riding around enjoying the breeze and the open air. I think it's also cool that it takes only a little bit of foot power to really get up some good speed!

My adult bike obsession was throughout the '90s. I refurbished my step brother's old 1970s era, no-name, ten-speed, road tank. Its frame was really a few inches too big for me, which probably played part in numerous close calls and a couple of mishaps. I also bought a new BMX bike to patrol my mom's property on. Later on, I invested in a Trek 520, which is a modern, 21-speed, road tank (it's designed for loaded touring). My other obsessions have taken my time away from bicycles, but I still check the tire inflation on the Trek and intend to keep that bike in working order. If I rode it more often I'd change out the stock Conti Top-Touring tires to Avocet slicks.

What I'd still like to have is the most efficient road bike possible, like with a full fairing.

There was one issue that I never really resolved: having a solution to a flat tire when out on the road. I carry a patch kit and small pump, but I dread having to actually use them. I never did get a flat but I just attributed that to luck which was destined to run out.

I do like riding, but no bike obsession.

I have 2 'proper' bikes, a 4.2" trail mtb (Giant Trance 06) which doesnt have a drivetrain atm, and a dirtjumper (Mongoose Ritual
) which im useing atm.

Theres a 10 year old rusted 26" sitting in the bath which id be hesitant to use, and ive still got a Raleigh Burner BMX in my mums garage, although its barely rideable now.

I saw this pic in the newspaper a couple of weeks back.

Bikes R cool.

Pretty girl on a pretty bike , love it.

I am pretty obsessed with cycling, but not so obsessed with the actual bike as I am with riding, training, racing them.

For my road bike, I have a my teams edition Cannondale frame, with Sram Red group, Specialized components, Easton ec90 carbon tubular wheelset for my race wheels, but I will ride pretty much anything that is givin to me to ride, as the bike really dosnt matter, as it is the training that counts.
I have a mountain bike, and cyclocross bike, and some other cheap bikes, but they are nothing special

w00t!

I have a Cervelo Soloist road bike, with Mavic Ksyrium wheels with aero spokes. I've got a tri saddle and aero bars on it at the moment. I plan to get the Cervelo P3 for next season (and a set of wheels to do it justice) and I'll return the Soloist to the UCI legal configuration.

So roadracer which trainer do you use? I'm looking at three: Cycleops Fluid 2 or Pro, 1up CPR A-2000, or the Kurt's Kinetic???

I have a Elite fluid primo thats 4 or 5 years old, and in need of a new one, hopfully I can find something better. I dont know much about trainers, other then that I want a fluid or one of the newer electronic mag trainers, like the Elite Realaxiom

Bicycles were my main special interest at one point. I still own a Peugeot classic racing bike with butted tubes. I used to own a Motobecane touring bike with a mixte frame. It had a low center of gravity and was great for slow cruising. It seemed to steer itself as opposed to the racing bike which is nimble, but I have to pay attention. I bought them used at an amazing price.

Bikes are fascinating because of the long history, the esthetics, and craftsmanship. The physics aspect is interesting as well. i.e. weight vs. performance, rolling resistance of different designs, aerodynamics, etc. I once took a college course called "Physics of Bicycles."

The first hybrid cars must have been designed with human powered vehicles (built for speed) in mind. If you have seen them you know what I mean. The resemblance is too great.

Will post a photo of my new bike the Giant Bowery Mash UP (single speed) it wasn't mashed up enough for my tastes (gorgeously garish) so I'm about to do some mods to it.

1.Change white grips to hot pink.

2.Change black saddle to fluro green.

3.Change black tyres to hot pink (front) fluro green (back.

4 Change black brake levers to anodised hot pink.

How mashed up is that?

I love how on my (Aussie) $ 900 fixie I often easily overtake cool kats on their $5000+ rigs.

you say Cannondale frame


I have the Bad Boy Ultra Mr lefty (rigid) seriously

Last edited by aussiebloke on 10 Dec 2009, 2:01 am, edited 2 times in total.

Physics of Bicycles