Bicycle Interests, All Types Welcome!

[Maxacceleration]

Hello all,
I have noticed many SMB forum members have bicycle interests.
Makes sense. Bikes are great transportation and great recreational vehicles.You can go somewhere on a bicycle vs more limited distances on foot (exceptions of course!). Great for fitness too.
They lend well to van travel as room can be made to bring them along.

I grew up on bicycles, and I still ride bicycles, as many of you no doubt.
So lets discuss, share, learn and link about bicycles.

There is another worthy bike thread here and here is the link:
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f13/fatbikes-mtb-e-bikes-and-more-14236-5.html

That title lended more towards fatbikes maybe, and I hope we can discuss bikes of all sorts... Mountain (& various disciplines), road, pedal assist, gravel grinders, tandems, fat bikes, classic or collector bikes, race bikes, commuters, and more. Whew.

Lets hear your interests and how and if cycling fits into your travels in your whatever kind of van. ...How you haul it. Does your significant other join in?

I have various bicycles and will share here. A bicycle for all seasons.
Kind of like motorcycles (what, another new thread? lol).

My current rider is a pedal assist full suspension Haibike - a German bicycle.
Active suspension (150mm travel) in the Horst Leitner/Specialized design.
My wife has a couple of bikes also. I have opinions on ebikes!

Lets see peoples bikes. And stories. Bring it on.

 

[simplesez]

We used the van to travel to Fort Collins for a cyclocross race last weekend.

Seeing lots of nice vans these days at bicycle races.

 

[Maxacceleration]

Well you're younger than me. Those bikes are waay up there! And a rather chilly race too.
Got a race bike pic you'd like to share?

 

[shenrie]

Bicycles have been a huge part of my life as far as I could remember. I started racing bmx in the early 80’s and missed being idaho state champion in 17x by just over an inch. Lost to a good friend, so it was all good.

When I ran out of sponcers I was forced to quit. I moved out of my parents house and across the state soon after. Right about the time mt bikes started becoming available to the public. I combined my background with bmx with the newer sport and started spending every available moment in the woods seeking out single track trails and making jumps and weird obstacles everywhere we went. Early on it was ride as fast as possible catching as much air as possible. Now being older I’m seeing things on trails I’ve never seen and enjoying riding in a whole new way.

We take bicycles to certain places where motorbikes aren’t allowed... well we used to anyway. With my wife’s current condition she is no longer able to ride. We’re hoping that changes over the next couple of years. In the meantime I only have a few friends that still ride, so I dont get to ride near as much as I used too. It’s kinda depressing, but such as life.

In the 70’s I had a junker schwinn stingray that got me to the frog ponds to search out all the critters and explore.

In the 80’s I got into bmx. Had many different bikes but my favorite was a 79 schwinn sting. Redline pl20 forks, and flight cranks. Cinelli seat, gt bars, araya rims, etc. loved that bike.

In the 90’s one of my early faves was a 16” fisher hoo kooekoo. Loved it cause I could throw it around like a bmx bike but it had gears. Moved on to a muddy fox but broke pretty much everything on it in 1 summer. Then bought a fat chance yo eddy equipped with xtr components and rode that for a long time until all my friends stopped riding.

In the 00’s I hooked up with some new buddies and bought a 24” norco. Started riding again and resparked intrest from some old friends. Weekly rides started happening again and right about then another friend opened a bike/skate shop. He asked if I was ready to upgrade and I got in on a group buy for a eastern slash 7 fully suspended bike. Not an elite bike by any means, but it’s held together since around 07-08. Still ride it a few times a month with the 1 or 2 buddies that still ride.

Will be watched this thread. Once the wife can ride again we will hopefully start riding together and I am totally in the air for what I want next. Super impressed with how light the fatbikes are and am intrigued by being able to ride on snow but don’t really know much about them. Not looking forward to reracking though. I’m pretty vested in our current setups, lol. Time will tell I suppose. Regardless, I look forward to what people are riding and why.

 

[Maxacceleration]

Here is my Masi steel retro cyclocross bike. With Ghisallo beechwood rims!

Great story shenrie. I too rode a Schwinn Sting Ray.

 

[JoeH-SMB]

Avid mountain biker here. Primary interests are long backcountry rides and also do some Enduro racing in the old guy's class. Broke a lot of bones in a crash in April so bit of a down year but did do two races this summer, the Grand Targhee Enduro and the Flagstaff Enduro where I finished 2nd 50+ and 23rd overall. My wife and kids all bike so family vacations are mostly planned around trailheads. Where I can get away with it of course.

 

[marret]

I currently have two bikes, my Specialized Sirrus Expert was stolen last summer in KS on my way home. My wife is down to one bike.

My Santa Cruz Blur LT is getting a little long in the tooth. Still a good bike, but needs brakes and I don't want to put more money into it.

My Litespeed Sienna as a single speed:

I have an older Thule hitch bike rack, like this:

I do have two roof top Thule bike carriers as well, but don't really have a great place to carry them on the van.

I'm getting older and my knees are starting to bother me, plus I don't always want to tow my motorcycle, so I think an electric bike of some sort makes a good form of transportation/entertainment while stopped somewhere in the van. I am planning on getting an electric bike, likely a pedal assist, probably not more than 500w, although I'd also like a throttle if possible.

 

[NetComrade]

Curious if any in the van crowd are fans of folders.

They just seem such a good fit when it comes to looking for bikes that don't take up much space (or weight!). I bought a Brompton for when I commuted to Baltimore, and it stored nicely behind a seat. I left the car in the parking lot and biked to a hotel.

The Brompton is perfect for city riding (and taking it with you so it don't get stolen). They're probably OK for any paved road riding. I've read of people biking them to work for 20-30mi.

I don't do mountain biking, but for rougher terrain there are folders that might be acceptable for non-competition type of biking. I

In my earlier days in NYC when I was a bit ignorant about how compact bikes can get, I bought a DownTube FS which has larger than Bromton wheels, and is acceptable for biking on rougher terrain. I have taken it on C&O trail (fairly flat) and it pulled a trailer nicely.. I planned to camp with that setup, but never got around to that.

Pictures are representations.. Mine are dusty.

 

[campism]

Years in the bike biz with interest beginning long before that and lasting after. Riding only occasionally now but still have my (oldies) fleet and my tools, and the new-to-us Dodge B350 highroof is being built with bike/motohauler capability in mind.

 

[Jeffrey-SMB]

I was very into mtn biking when it came onto the scene in the early 80's. Shown here is my Ritchey Commando that Tom built for me in 1984. I added a titanium Salsa El Mariachi a few years ago. I'm not riding mtns now as much as road riding. Shown are my two main road bikes, a Colnago carbon and a Moots titanium. And a pic of my retired S-Works Specialized Tarmac racer that was too fast for me at my age!

 

[Maxacceleration]

Nice pictures! We like pictures! Serious cross up Joe. :d5:

Santa Cruz Blur. Great bike, my best friend has one. 10 years old but he fully rebuilt it. Its light and cush.

Folders are interesting bikes, and there are a few good ones. I almost bought one a couple of years ago, Bike Friday I believe. When space is more important than bringing a full size bicycle they make sense.

Fitness is a fickle thing. Some of us keep it and others don't. Some have never really achieved 'fitness'.
I have been very fit, pedaling 150 miles a week in certain years. Since 2008 I have had injuries and health concerns (excuses!). So at this point I will try to cram a month of rides when its time to go visit my 'fitter' cycling friends. Not ideal.
Maybe I'm becoming a retired slacker. But the discovery of pedal assist bikes has been a revelation for me. Godsend lol. Maybe I'm the lazy one.

Pedal assist bikes and ebikes (there are specific differences) can be a good topic.
They could be for people that are 'lazy', meaning not going out of your way to be 'bicycle fit'. Or, more in my case, I don't spend the time to get to my former fitness levels.
A pedal assist bike you have to pedal. Coast and it don't go (except for coasting). There are a couple of classes of pedal assist bicycles, determining what speed you have pedal assist support to (20 or 28 mph).
Some Ebikes have a throttle where you don't have to pedal at all.
I consider myself more roadie than mtn biker, but most of my pics are on mtn bikes.
For me, now, a pedal assist bike allows me to keep up with a faster crowd.

Thoughts on ebikes! And lets see pics of bikes on and in our vans.
Fun stuff. Pictures please.

 

[JoeH-SMB]

I was very into mtn biking when it came onto the scene in the early 80's. Shown here is my Ritchey Commando that Tom built for me in 1984. I added a titanium Salsa El Mariachi a few years ago. I'm not riding mtns now as much as road riding. Shown are my two main road bikes, a Colnago carbon and a Moots titanium. And a pic of my retired S-Works Specialized Tarmac racer that was too fast for me at my age!

Damn that Ritchey is cool but I think your off on the date. Looks more like an 89 or 90? U-brakes were not spec'd on bikes until 88 or 89 as I recall. Anyhow, personally built by Tom? The dude's a legend. That bike should be in a museum.

 

[Pritikin]

We miss our old van. A sprinter just isn't the same -- despite being well mannered on the road etc. We've even talked about going back (which basically just means I get to read the classifieds section with real interest).

Except when it comes to the bikes. I really love having space for the bikes to be stored in an inside garage w/ all their gear and etc out of the elements. This is particularly important given our upgrades from 15+ yr old santa cruz blur/superlights to a pair of pivot 429s. Serious fun. Seriously more expensive. Its nice to have them out-of-sight and locked up when going for day trips hiking or camping or even backpacking.

 

[JoeH-SMB]

Maybe I'm becoming a retired slacker. But the discovery of pedal assist bikes has been a revelation for me. Godsend lol. Maybe I'm the lazy one.

Pedal assist bikes and ebikes (there are specific differences) can be a good topic.
They could be for people that are 'lazy', meaning not going out of your way to be 'bicycle fit'. Or, more in my case, I don't spend the time to get to my former fitness levels.
A pedal assist bike you have to pedal. Coast and it don't go (except for coasting). There are a couple of classes of pedal assist bicycles, determining what speed you have pedal assist support to (20 or 28 mph).
Some Ebikes have a throttle where you don't have to pedal at all.
I consider myself more roadie than mtn biker, but most of my pics are on mtn bikes.
For me, now, a pedal assist bike allows me to keep up with a faster crowd.

Thoughts on ebikes! And lets see pics of bikes on and in our vans.
Fun stuff. Pictures please.

Ebike threads usually devolve into blue vs red type bickering but I'll throw my 2 cents out. Personally I'm not a fan on non-motorized trails. I get the fitness part and also declining skills as one ages but it's a slippery slope. If the land manager decides that class I ebikes are ok on multi-use trails then I'm on board. Until then, I am opposed. But take that with a grain of salt as I am a mountain bike advocate and am actively building, maintaining, and proposing new trails. I have worked hard to build a strong partnership with the US Forest Service.


Your never too old for some air time!

 

[Twoxentrix]

E-bikes will continue to be a topic of controversy, so not going into that discussion other than to say they have benefits & we own a pair..
Always been active (mostly hiking, swimming, basketball, and anything outdoors). bicycling always had a place - a means to get to my activities & a simple mode of transportation. Enjoyed dirt bikes too, so the e-bike combined both worlds.
We recently purchased two folding 20" Fat Tire bikes and love them. Opted for the 20" tires because they simply are easier to navigate on narrow & ruff trails than 26". Fold them up and put down the back aisle of the Van with ease.
Initial motivation was to have something that would allow us to get around and explore, be able to pick up needed items without having to pack up the Van, serve as a safety net in the case the Van became disabled (probably never happen since i have a 6.0!!!), and something we could enjoy around town.
Wife has had 2 knee replacements so with the motor assist she is now able to participate.
**Ours also have a thumb throttle so I can let loose and ride around like i was on my old dirt bike.

 

[simplesez]

I don't take many photos of bikes.

The ones in the photo i posted are pretty cool and all custom made for us.* Mosaic Di2 CX, Mosaic singlespeed CX, Desalvo singlespeed belt drive CX, and a Sycip 69er singlespeed mountain bike.* She likes titanium and I like steel.* Unlike the van these bikes are low maintenance, handle aggressive, and are fast. Lol way too much invested for a cycling discipline that lasts 2 or 3 months but they are lifetime bikes and the relationship with a custom builder is a pretty special one.

Anyway we mountain bike a ton. Here are some fun shots from this summer. Rode less recently but getting to ride in the Rockies up to Canada was amazing.

 

[Maxacceleration]

I understand the debate of sole non motorized pedal power vs assisted pedal power. And the disagreements that go along. And land use.

How about if folks that support pedal assist chime in on pedal assisted bikes, and the non powered bike crowd follow up with them?
Avoid the debate, and talk bikes. I follow all bikes as many do I will guess.
Make it friendly here!

Who is running sew-ups (as in tubulars) on their road bikes?

I have a few pics to post up of my bikes, but I'll do it over time...

 

[velo47]

Damn that Ritchey is cool but I think your off on the date. Looks more like an 89 or 90? U-brakes were not spec'd on bikes until 88 or 89 as I recall. Anyhow, personally built by Tom? The dude's a legend. That bike should be in a museum.

I dunno, I got my Fat Chance in '84 or '85 and it was one of the first production bikes with a rear Suntour cam brake like on that Ritchey. I think some of the Ritcheys and the Fishers were spec'd similarly. That Ritchey was an awesome bike!

I started road racing in college as dry land training for ski racing. That was about '81. Started with a full Dura-Ace on a Palo Alto Columbus frame. Bent it when I got hit by a car and the driver bought me a new Ciocc frame, state of the art at that time. Got a Gios Pro when I was working in one of the bike shops, then a Fuji Sandvik Titanium. All were Dura-Ace, never got the Campy bug. The Fuji bike lasted me until 1999, when I quit racing due to a full hip replacement. Along the way, I got the Fat Chance, and then a Merlin Titanium mountain bike, a Hooker time trial bike, and a Redline cyclocross bike. Always remained primarily a Roadie, though. Mtn bike racing was just too hard! Raced all over California, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Haven't been on a bike since the hip replacement. Miss it sometimes, but I have a lot more free time now than when I was working and training, which didn't leave time for much else.

That's me, on the back of the tandem, at Nationals in Cincinnati in 1999.

 

[86Scotty]

@marrett, Dude I had no idea you were in to bikes. I can't believe we haven't talked about that before.

@Shenrie, Dude I had no idea you were in to bikes. I can't believe we haven't talked about that before.

I doubt that very many here will stretch back to BMX since there is so much to talk about with modern road and off-road bikes but I'm with you bro! I grew up riding and racing BMW. My first was a Redline which got rebuilt and abused for years. By the time I sold it it was worth thousands: 401 Flight cranks, Hutch pedals with Urchins (remember those?), Cycle Craft Fredz bars and the amazing DK stem and seatpost clamp, UNI seat (which was hardly a seat), etc. etc.

I traded up with a friend to a Torker cruiser and then to a Free Agent, my all time favorite 20". I wish I still had that bike. Fairly rare and got lots of attention. I don't think I was as good as you but I sure enjoyed building and riding them. My room was the local bike shop.

To show my current mountain and road steeds would be quite a letdown to this crowd. Nice stuff on display so far.

:b5:

 

[marret]

@86Scotty. Haha, never got past motorcycles . I'm not riding bikes like I used to these days but an electric or pedal assist might get me out more. I am slowing down on the motorcycles...

I :e5: to all here though. I knew we had bicyclists, but didn't know to this level.

Awesome bikes and stories.

Great thread @Max.