Your latest bike purchase?

[hozn]

@dkel 177085 wrote:

True, but…bikes, you know?

I know, right! Lately, my bike projects are just for my kids, since I am restricted by space to adhering to the terrible N+1,-1 rule. Next up is a ‘cross & road bike for my older son, built around the Raleigh RX24. But the completely-superfluous 20″ project is also coming along nicely — but slowly (no rush, it’s a bit big for my son still). I think Harry M would appreciate the color (and the reflective decals):

[IMG]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tv-bYGMcxHfqWskqVLe_xPw47ZuVGfH_CFN2Q0YDi7SR90uTy0nYgmvdqp5yXLWyCZqSUSesilDYRUKL4l_QUJx1ZUQqjBmHVOrM2rvU40IQI03DD77yD9PFcgXcvKqVTUIKTNpmVHs12vjjDtqQspB-Ar7MRsSJ2bQ9jk4G6bP2hPRANGY7VZ5oRwpqvdjbiwhxdX3MZkMSs85EB6a8k9Uup4eu7wSWPcBsjhWFd2npp-35HeIuFB5kxh5lS2dSdbed6vImlbhtM23OSQzoJGbVlzyN_0m3qLfUbgsi4RysMAEOSq90m3LJ40c7VQrckdSMkPSVtrmlCpw22OEb6JloMFmkuqWM3N3akVK2hDqtWZ7BR-Q5i8i72fNbk9pUot31ZW6mNRPkGVVAdY089YEHkJaYZWZ5PcYpcyjXYDGf8DO9eRjbXalt_hSPHgnU1vjqiSy8iQA0JR2jY98mDqd8y5qNoZutmgLSymeBVpKsJBjASLhRihwT9zrLmIoPf-rVd5G51SJ_3BJhbr9hBbcsZ5N2ftZRl4QSEgRucJ-Y_TLpvnWs1ASqPBwaM62vdSpJo0_fh6nKAkxZtO9NDlbd9rJenZ3XAdhASFGRtFINfoMsyxZb74MRy0Xlo3BIPlP_hraAe5YZXU1ezBGvrh0AnFx7fu1D-w=w1554-h1166-no[/IMG]

[dkel]

@dkel 177074 wrote:

Reading all this I get the distinct impression that I miss out on a lot by being such a skinflint.

So maybe this is a good time to follow up on this…I have found things that work for my bike needs and wants, and very slowly I have adopted new standards to give me a better experience, but when I read about what other people are buying or trying out, I sometimes wonder if I would have even more fun and better riding experiences overall if I got out of my well-worn groove every so often. Just how much am I missing be riding the same tires all the time? Just how much am I missing by not upgrading my bargain stem or seat post? Certainly I get bitten by the bike bug every so often, and have to build up something new and different, but I’m pretty sure I don’t get nearly as creative as many, particularly when I read this thread. What motivates all you gurus to try out something different? Dissatisfaction with something current? Mere curiosity? Proverbial greener pastures? Boredom?

[Judd]

@hozn 177106 wrote:

I know, right! Lately, my bike projects are just for my kids, since I am restricted by space to adhering to the terrible N+1,-1 rule. Next up is a ‘cross & road bike for my older son, built around the Raleigh RX24. But the completely-superfluous 20″ project is also coming along nicely — but slowly (no rush, it’s a bit big for my son still). I think Harry M would appreciate the color (and the reflective decals):

[IMG]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tv-bYGMcxHfqWskqVLe_xPw47ZuVGfH_CFN2Q0YDi7SR90uTy0nYgmvdqp5yXLWyCZqSUSesilDYRUKL4l_QUJx1ZUQqjBmHVOrM2rvU40IQI03DD77yD9PFcgXcvKqVTUIKTNpmVHs12vjjDtqQspB-Ar7MRsSJ2bQ9jk4G6bP2hPRANGY7VZ5oRwpqvdjbiwhxdX3MZkMSs85EB6a8k9Uup4eu7wSWPcBsjhWFd2npp-35HeIuFB5kxh5lS2dSdbed6vImlbhtM23OSQzoJGbVlzyN_0m3qLfUbgsi4RysMAEOSq90m3LJ40c7VQrckdSMkPSVtrmlCpw22OEb6JloMFmkuqWM3N3akVK2hDqtWZ7BR-Q5i8i72fNbk9pUot31ZW6mNRPkGVVAdY089YEHkJaYZWZ5PcYpcyjXYDGf8DO9eRjbXalt_hSPHgnU1vjqiSy8iQA0JR2jY98mDqd8y5qNoZutmgLSymeBVpKsJBjASLhRihwT9zrLmIoPf-rVd5G51SJ_3BJhbr9hBbcsZ5N2ftZRl4QSEgRucJ-Y_TLpvnWs1ASqPBwaM62vdSpJo0_fh6nKAkxZtO9NDlbd9rJenZ3XAdhASFGRtFINfoMsyxZb74MRy0Xlo3BIPlP_hraAe5YZXU1ezBGvrh0AnFx7fu1D-w=w1554-h1166-no[/IMG]

That’s some sweet paint. Is that powder coated?

[hozn]

@Judd 177109 wrote:

That’s some sweet paint. Is that powder coated?

Yeah, powder coat by ASCO (https://www.ascoweb.com/); I was originally going for something a little more “wow, gold!” — but they steered me away from my color choice since it was for outdoor application. In the end, it is a little more subdued, but I think will look great (probably better than the more yellowy/brassy colors I had chosen). And they did a great job on the frame.

[n18]

@dkel 177108 wrote:

So maybe this is a good time to follow up on this…I have found things that work for my bike needs and wants, and very slowly I have adopted new standards to give me a better experience, but when I read about what other people are buying or trying out, I sometimes wonder if I would have even more fun and better riding experiences overall if I got out of my well-worn groove every so often. Just how much am I missing be riding the same tires all the time? Just how much am I missing by not upgrading my bargain stem or seat post? Certainly I get bitten by the bike bug every so often, and have to build up something new and different, but I’m pretty sure I don’t get nearly as creative as many, particularly when I read this thread. What motivates all you gurus to try out something different? Dissatisfaction with something current? Mere curiosity? Proverbial greener pastures? Boredom?

You are not missing out on anything if you have belt drive with no chain to maintain.

[hozn]

@dkel 177108 wrote:

So maybe this is a good time to follow up on this…I have found things that work for my bike needs and wants, and very slowly I have adopted new standards to give me a better experience, but when I read about what other people are buying or trying out, I sometimes wonder if I would have even more fun and better riding experiences overall if I got out of my well-worn groove every so often. Just how much am I missing be riding the same tires all the time? Just how much am I missing by not upgrading my bargain stem or seat post? Certainly I get bitten by the bike bug every so often, and have to build up something new and different, but I’m pretty sure I don’t get nearly as creative as many, particularly when I read this thread. What motivates all you gurus to try out something different? Dissatisfaction with something current? Mere curiosity? Proverbial greener pastures? Boredom?

Good question.

For me it’s basically just curiosity / enjoying trying new things. I enjoy doing the research, sourcing components, building the wheels, etc. I spend a lot of time on my bike so I notice changes and enjoy that; the simplicity and tangible nature of the bicycle is a nice counterpoint to my work. And while I probably could have bought a Buick with the amount I’ve spent on bikes, in general it’s a cheap enough hobby that I can afford the upgrades from my “fun money” account. I tend to accrue stuff for awhile before I then put it together into a new bike.

For builds I’m doing for my kids, that’s more about retrospecting on my childhood riding bikes, building the bikes I think it’d be fun to have had back then — of course, when I was a kid I was perfectly happy with my single-speed BMX bike, ecstatic when I got a Schwinn Woodlands for my 11th birthday, and felt like a grown-up “commuting” on my Murray 10sp to middle school. For kids bikes there’s a whole new set of challenges with adapting weird (small) sizes, adapting adult components, etc. that makes it fun.

Yeah, I enjoy it a lot. … But if I could trade it for just being immensely satisfied to ride the same configuration every day, I might!

[lordofthemark]

@hozn 177120 wrote:

Good question.

For me it’s basically just curiosity / enjoying trying new things. I enjoy doing the research, sourcing components, building the wheels, etc. I spend a lot of time on my bike so I notice changes and enjoy that; the simplicity and tangible nature of the bicycle is a nice counterpoint to my work. And while I probably could have bought a Buick with the amount I’ve spent on bikes, in general it’s a cheap enough hobby that I can afford the upgrades from my “fun money” account. I tend to accrue stuff for awhile before I then put it together into a new bike.

For builds I’m doing for my kids, that’s more about retrospecting on my childhood riding bikes, building the bikes I think it’d be fun to have had back then — of course, when I was a kid I was perfectly happy with my single-speed BMX bike, ecstatic when I got a Schwinn Woodlands for my 11th birthday, and felt like a grown-up “commuting” on my Murray 10sp to middle school. For kids bikes there’s a whole new set of challenges with adapting weird (small) sizes, adapting adult components, etc. that makes it fun.

Yeah, I enjoy it a lot. … But if I could trade it for just being immensely satisfied to ride the same configuration every day, I might!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oizl5KF0e2E

[Harry Meatmotor]

For me at least, I enjoy keeping on top of new materials/manufacturing techniques or interesting technologies. It’s pretty easy and inexpensive to get 80% of the ride quality of a top shelf bike, but that last 20% performance/ride feel is where things start getting expensive, and doing a lot of research to make sure your purchase matches your preferences is (to me) fun.

The fact that I race a decent bit changes my calculus a little. If i were just riding gran fondos, shop rides, and commuting, I wouldn’t consider something like a carbon aero handlebar. But, in a race, there are measurable gains that I’m happy to take, especially with a shop/bike “sponsorship”. It would be hard for me to recommend to anyone *not* racing to consider an aero carbon handlebar.

The two places where you can make the most cost effective upgrades on a bike are where the bike touches the ground, and where you touch the bike. So, for me, trying out something like new tires (usually once a season) is not really expensive, and I make it a point to try out different manufacturers and tire designs. The third most cost effective upgrade is (if you bought a bike straight off the shop floor) wheels. Dkel, you know this, but a great set of hand built wheels makes a huge difference in ride feel/perceived benefit for much less than a new gruppo.

My final point pertains to the whole N+1 notion. I usually buy a new bike every year-to-two-years. I make an effort to make sure each bike is set up almost identical fit-wise, but I do try to “play” with different component manufacturers or technologies, i.e., no bike will have the same gruppo, or wheelset, or frame material/construction style. I like being a bit of a bike maven, and I very much enjoy sharing my experiences with this BB, and with my customers at the shop. If I have customers that complain about creaky BB/PF30 bottom brackets, I prefer to own one so I can have firsthand experience with the standard.

[hozn]

My new (to me) Advocate Hayduke.

Wanted to be able to go 27.5+ and also wanted SS support. Dropper routing. Tapered HT. Boost frame (or compatible). Decided I do miss steel on my MTB, so that became a requirement too.

Was debating lots of different options, most prominently having Waltly build me another frame. Decided I need to learn more about modern MTB geo before spec’ing a custom frame. This one came up used. It has to be the prettiest bike I have ever owned. Functional components while I figure out what I like.

The 27.5+ thing will be a next-winter project. The SS conversion will probably happen sooner.

[Sunyata]

@hozn 177757 wrote:

My new (to me) Advocate Hayduke.

Wanted to be able to go 27.5+ and also wanted SS support. Dropper routing. Tapered HT. Boost frame (or compatible). Decided I do miss steel on my MTB, so that became a requirement too.

Was debating lots of different options, most prominently having Waltly build me another frame. Decided I need to learn more about modern MTB geo before spec’ing a custom frame. This one came up used. It has to be the prettiest bike I have ever owned. Functional components while I figure out what I like.

The 27.5+ thing will be a next-winter project. The SS conversion will probably happen sooner.

Wow… That bike is just… wow! Please tell me you got a medium by mistake and need to sell it for cheap!

[Lt. Dan]

needs a gold chain!!!

[hozn]

@Sunyata 177765 wrote:

Wow… That bike is just… wow! Please tell me you got a medium by mistake and need to sell it for cheap!

I know, right!

They do make them in medium, though. And the framesets are not that expensive by themselves. (Their shop site is kinda broken, but if you contact Tim Krueger directly, I am sure he can hook you up.)

[hozn]

@Lt. Dan 177770 wrote:

needs a gold chain!!!

That is true.

On the whole the drivetrain is sufficient, but I am gonna replace with SRAM 11sp when this one wears out. I much prefer twist shifters, for one thing. These paddle things just get in the way.

I am sure eventually I will replace the BB with a Wheels Mfg thread-together. The BB92/PF41 was the only thing that was not ideal about this frame. But the current setup is quiet, so I am not complaining yet.

[huskerdont]

Nice, but don’t ride high. Always a good idea, but especially with that bike. Get so interested in all the colors colors colors that you get the stares and forget to watch where you’re going.

[bentbike33]

huskerdont;177796 wrote:

nice, but don’t ride high. Always a good idea, but especially with that bike. Get so interested in all the colors colors colors that you get the stares and forget to watch where you’re going.

ftfy

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