I'm all for hybrids because I like to drive to different places. Mine has served me well for almost eight years now. I'll switch to another one when I get the chance. I've got one in mind,
BESPORTBLE
. It's a great option, and not too expensive.
Riding my bike before a listening session results in me sleeping through my listening session. I love riding and still try to put in a couple thousand miles per year, but age is creeping up on me..... Don't really care which of my bikes I ride, depending on the type of ride. I enjoy any of 3 road bikes, my MTB, my gravel bike, or either of my 2 cruisers.Â
I have a friend in his mid-70s who is still quite
a
strong road rider. He also has an e-mountain bike that he rides both around here (MI) and at his place in Colorado. He really enjoys it. Not sure on the brand but it is probably a good one - I would suggest checking out what is available at your LBS. Having good tech support may be more critical for an e-bike than for purely mechanical bikes. Interesting to see this thread come up again. I wouldn't change what I wrote 10 years ago....
Any bike I am riding at the time is the best. There is no bad ride.
I have been cycling for a long time, but now I want to switch to e-bike. All the same, a knee injury makes itself felt. I also love to ride a bike in beautiful places and listen to music. Now I am reading about e-bike models that are suitable for people with a lot of weight. Share information about this.
Any bike I am riding at the time is the best. There is no bad ride.
I haven't checked the forums for awhile and it is interesting that this old thread popped up today of all days. I still try to live what I wrote over a year ago but I have to say I am more than a little excited to be going over to my LBS in a couple of hours to pick up my new SuperSix EVO they just finished building up with full Dura Ace.
My user name SOMEC59 is a 59 CM Somec (multi shape Columbus with pantographed Campy and silk tubulars). Very comfortable, responsive, smooth and very quiet. Lots of frames before that, but this one is my favorite.
Any of the bikes departing this Saturday morning from Oceanside, California for the Race Across America (RAAM), with their destination Atlantic City, New Jersey. Great audio afterward to help speed recovery from this feat.
Mitch2, "Like audio, I sometimes think folks (me included) get too wrapped up in the gear and forget that the fun is in the ride (or in listening)", I love what you said...
IF XS got the hall of fame award in Bicycle Magazine in "dream bike" category. I tried several top-gun bikes before I decided to go XS. Many of them are fast, nimble, or very efficient to input. When I saw IF demo a cherrywood XS, I know that's something I am looking for lifetime, things reflect real beauties of bike arts. I kept talking to IF to make one Cherrywood for me, they said "it's very difficult, it is the show piece from carbon fiber manufacture, only one in the world currently, we will keep this one in IF", after long communication, finally IF agreed my request and build the second and the last Cherrywood XS for me.
IF XS is a very good ride in every aspect, fast, strong, comfortable, and quite efficient , stable for long ride. I guess custom fitting help a lot. I really enjoy the ride. Maybe it can't spring as quick as the lightest, stiffest bike like Specialized SL3, but I think it is fairly excellent ride for normal rider except racing rider. Parlee bike is also very good one if you'd like to try them.
I am in mid age, no longer looking for something has "top" figures or hype. I am now really enjoy "quality" and "balanced" stuff for life. I recently find my dream speaker, too. I can hear them for long long hours without fatigue. Yet still bring me into music better than anything I have ever tried before. I really admire those individuals who knows how to make things right and stop me to look further.
Any bike I am riding at the time is the best. There is no bad ride. My riding goes about 2/3-1/3 road to mountain and both are great fun. Like audio, I sometimes think folks (me included) get too wrapped up in the gear and forget that the fun is in the ride (or in listening).
Quanmer, thanks for the link to pictures of your bike, which is phenominal! I would love to try out something like that. I see the stays and fork are carbon fiber. How does the frame feel and respond compared to other more common materials like carbon or titanium? Is the cherry expected to hold up over the long haul, or is this more of a showpiece? I assume the tubes are hollow? I could not tell for sure from the pictures whether they were laminated, but they do not appear to be. I have a couple of pool cues with the shafts made from longitudinally laminated strips of maple, which significantly adds to the stiffness.
I have not owned a bike in many years but I would think no bike ride would be good before any listening session. When I drive my car or van with the windows down I wait 1 to 2 hour before a good listening session. Your ears must relax from the presure and excess noise of riding for you to hear correctly. IMHO
Something newer, fuel injected, four stroke, ohlins suspended, well rubbered, lightweight, nimble, and on a well maintained racetrack with no-one who "thinks" they are fast within 50 miles. The absolute exhaustion from this, at my age, puts me in the perfect frame of mind and body for music. The rhythm that you (hopefully) achieve can be the perfect set-up for a relaxing night in the dark with my vinyl...
I've loved every bike I've ever had ... from 1971 through 2008 ... Japanese to American to Japanese, from carb to EFI to a V-4 carb ... and, as always, the bike I have right now is the best! I don't ride before doing music, though, as the bike provides a music I'd take any and every day ... over my audio system ... but ONLY if I have to make such a decision. As it stands, I get both worlds ... and I'm happy!
Abucktwoeighty, Italian road bikes are the best, imo. I had noticed that the sign of a good shop would have some owner's and/or at least mechanic's personal bikes hanging up. Bike #1: Biemmezeta Chronostar. 25 years ago, An amateur racer in Mass. got the US distributorship for the frame. Upon my ordering of one, he said "I sold one other to NJ. A fellow named Pete. You probably don't know him... he is from this town if you know where that is". He was my bike mechanic/fanatic friend from my nearby shop. HA! Small world! We got a great kick out of that one. Side note: His girlfriend was always ready to leave if he got "one more bike frame"! Bike#2 Cinelli, original cir. late 60's. Bike#3 Alan Carbonio 7 frame. May build it up someday when I get my second wind:)
This thread brings back fond memories. While stationed in Italy in '75 I went to a bike shop in Naples looking to purchase one. I was new to Italy, so I didn't speak much Italian. I walked in, and after looking at all of the bikes, I pointed to the one hanging on the wall I wanted. The owner shook his head no, then pointed to himself. That was his bike. I said secondo, and he then got down the second best one in the shop, which I promptly bought. I believe it was an Olno, or Olmo. When I needed new wheels, I'd take the train there to sit and watch him lace up new ones for me. Wish I still had that bike.
I don't know how to comment what's the "best" bike, I have one Independent Fabrication XS road bike, Cherrywood tube, all top components, weight less than 6 kg including pedal and bottle. It is one of two made in the world, another one was kept by IF themselves. I love my bike.
Custom built Richard Sachs Camp equipped road bike with tubie tires or.... my De Rosa, Steel is real! See pics at virtual sysems "all out" Sounds unlimted
For those who dont know the Colnago C-50 with Campagnolo Record is akin to something like the Walker Proscenieum with say Koetsu Jade.The Merlin with titanium /carbon frame also falls in that class.
Regalmal: I couldn't agree more, my Merlin with 9speed durace doesn't really need anything except those Zero Gravity Brakes would cut 1/3 lb off my bike..Ooohhh Dreamy light!
I seem to have done what I never thought I would accomplish. I have no desire to upgrade my road bike. If only I could do that with sound equipment. My old (1997) Merlin ExtraLight, 10sp Campy Record with Stronglight Pulsion cranks. Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork, Easton Ascent II wheels and few other sweet parts. When I fanatize what I would do if I won the Lotto, buying a new road bike doesn't figure in - Wow, of course a pair of Zero Gravity Brakes........
Serotta Legend Ti. Just got it this winter, new campy chorus and Ksyrium wheels. The custom aspect to me was the biggest selling feature as I have never been flexible whatsoever. At least on a trainer it feels great. Went with all ti as we travel with our bikes and didn't want to worry about broken carbon. Now giving some thought to a power tap but not sure if it is worth it for a non racer like me.
I like to ride my neuvo retro '89 Serotta Nova Special. 56 cm of classic columbus sl goodness updated with full downtube shiftin 9 spd dura ace. Snow causing me to put the miles in on my Puegeuot/Campy Athena/one-up trainer in front of the main system but once the snow melts the serotta will take it's rightful place.
My new Cervelo is a 51cm, the older Trek 5200 (1992 original version OCLV) is a Trek so-called 54cm which is more like a typical 52. To be honest, I much prefer the fit of my smaller 51cm, with sloping top tube.
Too many options here in my garage which can be used year round in Arizona.
If I'm stressed; a MTB ride is in order on A) light weight 5.25" travel bike Ellsworth Epiphany with XTR,Avid Disc,Chris King,Crossmax XL, etc... B) Bombproof 6" Travel, Ellsworth Moment with XTR,Evil bash guard, Chris King, WTB/Mavic wheels,Fox Vanilla RLC..etc light enough to pedal up anything. C) Something Eclectic - Slingshot folding Frame MTB with XTR, ultralight everything (Easton,Avid Ultimates,Chris King, custom built wheels) Zokes Fly D) Grocery runner - Single speed "steel is real" - Ultra cheap to prevent theft..
For something more relaxing..
A) Merlin Ti, Durace, FSA comp Carbon cranks, Chris King (headset,hubs), Easton lightest all carbon fork/steerer, and carbon Easton bars... 16.2 lbs with 14/15gauge trainer wheels.
B) Feeling some effortless cruising 1-6hrs :Kawasaki ZX14 - must use earplugs for 186hp/113ft/lbs at the rear wheel (Full Brocks Ti Exhaust, Power commander, TRE, etc..)
C) Feeling like a rebel - 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 (metalic orange) tricked out with Ohlins rear shock, ZX636R front end, radial brakes, Arata Ti Full Exhaust, Power commander, custom dyno mapping 130hp, LSL Superbike bars, CRG levers
Yeah I'm not married and I don't have a girlfriend..
Thom_y: Your creative use of your stereo room is awesome.. You should get a helmet cam and film your summer riding to re-live during the winter practice sessions... or get a winter place here.. When I had a bigger place I practices on my Kreitler Rollers (They will fix your pedal stroke or you will die trying) in front of my Magnapan IIIa's... the only problem was when I got tired I would slide off (20mph) and put skid marks on the floor because of breaking to prevent running over my system!
If you are into euro motorsport racing.. Speedtribe (http://www.dance51.com/speedtribe/dvdtrailer.html)is worth getting on DVD.. great CD to listen to and the DVD is qued to front242... amazing cool effects with the camera...
right now, in the middle of winter I am riding my bike during my listening sessions. See my old bike sitting in the middle of my audio room on the Cycleops Fluid2 trainer, with a bunch of Spinervals DVDs to keep me motivated. Just ordered a virtual reality one of climbing Alpe d'Huez etc. while listening to Radiohead ???
Favorite CD of 2007 for riding my trainer: Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
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