What makes a great bike great

[andy aka rut]

I have a custom Seven that sits in the garage. Does the bike fit?? Yes. Is it titanium? Yes. Was it custom ordered to my measurements? Yes.
Yet it sits in the garage....

I also have a SIR 9 by Niner Bikes. I pretty much ride this bike exclusively. Does it fit? I think so. Is it titanium? No, its steel. Was it custom ordered to my measurements? No, it is a size large.
Yet I ride it almost daily....

I guess what makes a great bike great is the overall feel of the bike. My SIR 9 fits and feels great. Thank you Niner Bikes!!!

I simply love the bike... that is what makes a great bike great!

[autoduel]

It's how it makes me feel while riding the trail.
It's the connection between me and the trail and the feedback it gives. It's not the amount of travel, the material of the frame, or the color. Its when you know the bike so well, that it responds to your evey whim.
It's when the bike disappears from underneath you and you just feel connected to the trail. All movement is in response to the trail, automatic, without thought, just feel. It just flows......

[kanga]

Interesting you should bring this up... as I was riding Viper this morning listening to Science magazine's Science Weekly podcast (yeah, see geek threads for more evidence), there was a segment on brain research with monkeys, in which they determined that the brain learns to use tools in the same way that the brain learns to use the body's own parts (arms, legs, hands, etc). Therefore the tools become an extension of your body.

Extrapolating from that thought as I switched to music for the Viper ST downhill, I realized that this bike that I love so much (Bionicon Edison) is just an extension of my body. I'm so in tune with it, so accustomed to it after 3 1/2 years, that everything just feels "right". I might add that I felt that way within a few days of getting on it, and that feeling has never gone away.

The fact that I can descend a -100% grade section and climb out the 45% grade section on the other side without dabbing still blows my mind....

Not to mention the overall fun factor!

[OMR]

I think bikes are like women... some we absolutely have to have... yet, once attained, you find the thrill is gone... others nothing too spectacular at first, they just sort of grow on you.... and for the lucky few, the ones that become an extension of yourself ... you finish each other's sentences.

... and, of course, you can always trade them in for a newer model....

[denmother]

Originally Posted by OMR

I think bikes are like women... some we absolutely have to have... yet, once attained, you find the thrill is gone... others nothing too spectacular at first, they just sort of grow on you.... and for the lucky few, the ones that become an extension of yourself ... you finish each other's sentences.

... and, of course, you can always trade them in for a newer model....

Does Ranger Nancy know that???

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by OMR

I think bikes are like women... some we absolutely have to have... yet, once attained, you find the thrill is gone... others nothing too spectacular at first, they just sort of grow on you.... and for the lucky few, the ones that become an extension of yourself ... you finish each other's sentences.

... and, of course, you can always trade them in for a newer model....

Wow! Hope your wife doesn't read this!

[ChariotsOfTires]

It's the only one I have.

[Vickie]

Originally Posted by OMR

I think bikes are like women... some we absolutely have to have... yet, once attained, you find the thrill is gone... others nothing too spectacular at first, they just sort of grow on you.... and for the lucky few, the ones that become an extension of yourself ... you finish each other's sentences.

... and, of course, you can always trade them in for a newer model....

VERY nicely said OMR!! Very nicely said...even the:

"of course, you can always trade them in for a newer model...."

Just remember, girls can trade too...

[Devoid169]

I know EXACTLY what you're all talking about. I started racing BMX at age 10 and testing components for my dad who did purchasing and product development for a bike distributors since '75. After trying tons of bike parts, some just feel wrong and others are like - ahhhhh....perfect. And sometimes the difference can be miniscule - like when I added a 2.5mm stack washer under the stem on my 24" bmx race bike one day. Gently riding it I wouldn't have been able to tell any difference. But when I got on it, power wheelies, manuals, warp speed stuff - totally noticeable, had to yank that spacer off immediately. Anybody else able to just look at something and KNOW it's gonna fly? Sometimes I can just tell by looking when something has the right(or wrong) geometry for me....weird. But I guess that comes from years of building and riding and being, shall I say, anal, about what I pedal. Then again, I can't think of a hobby/lifestyle that I'd rather be into. Interbike is like a 3 day crack binge for me. All day long I'll be like: yes, YES!, no way, HELL YEAH!, BOO! etc.

[1FG rider]

I know where you're coming from except my Niner usually sits in the garage. After spending over $2k each on the Niner and the Blur, my favorite bike is the Schwinn cruiser ($40 at a garage sale). Its heavy, really slack angles, built out of mostly old parts I had in my garage, no disc brakes or suspension, hell it's even got a 1" threaded fork on it and the original cup and bearing headset. I get bounced around, sore wrists and hands on the rocky descents, constantly wondering if all these old parts are going to survive the next hit, but I don't think I've ever regretted taking it out over my other bikes (well, except maybe the last 5 miles of the Rwanda ride)

[denmother]

When it loves you unconditionally, even if you don't ride it very often. The love never fails and each bike does not compete with you for affection, they are all willing to take turns!!!! Does that mean I'm a "bikamist"???? Can we be wed to multiple bikes in California, or do I have to get my licenses in another state? LOL.....

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

I have a custom Seven that sits in the garage. Does the bike fit?? Yes. Is it titanium? Yes. Was it custom ordered to my measurements? Yes.
Yet it sits in the garage....

I also have a SIR 9 by Niner Bikes. I pretty much ride this bike exclusively. Does it fit? I think so. Is it titanium? No, its steel. Was it custom ordered to my measurements? No, it is a size large.
Yet I ride it almost daily....

I guess what makes a great bike great is the overall feel of the bike. My SIR 9 fits and feels great. Thank you Niner Bikes!!!

I simply love the bike... that is what makes a great bike great!

Just because it's custom doesn't make it right. Custom is just somebody else's idea/formula of what's right for you.

I have a custom Strong SS and a custom Seven geared bike. Both 29er's. I love the feel/ride of the Strong.

After I got the Strong I also had a Seven that was a 26" wheeled bike but I liked the Strong so much I sold the old Seven and re laced the wheels and had the Verve built. I sent Seven drawings of the Strong and told them how much I enjoyed the bike.

The Seven rides completely different! I do like it but prefer the Strong over it.

I guess my point is that custom or not there are small differences that make you happy. Just ride what makes you happy!!!

[HUGH]

Originally Posted by OMR

I think bikes are like women... some we absolutely have to have... yet, once attained, you find the thrill is gone... others nothing too spectacular at first, they just sort of grow on you.... and for the lucky few, the ones that become an extension of yourself ... you finish each other's sentences.

... and, of course, you can always trade them in for a newer model....

Is it bad that I have a bunch of bikes and that I ride them all(hard)?? I love them all.
I do have a favorite though.


HUGH

[1x1clyde]

Originally Posted by HUGH

Is it bad that I have a bunch of bikes and that I ride them all(hard)?? I love them all.
I do have a favorite though.


HUGH

What he said!

[92se-r]

Haven't found one yet.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by ChariotsOfTires

It's the only one I have.

Amen to that!