[Cory]

Two questions, one site-related and one bike-related:
No. 1: How can I get that damn avatar post off the top? I've tried EVERYTHING.

No. 2: Who's happy with his bike? I don't mean just, "It's OK," but is there anybody out there besides me who can't think of a single reason to replace his ride?
This came up today when some friends were talking about what they plan to buy before summer (they're 50ish guys and successful; they can get pretty much whatever they want). Everybody had something in mind, even if it was only a dream to replace last spring's dream. I'd like to have a custom Rivendell to augment the Atlantis, but if I described how I want it to ride and handle, it would be just like the bike I already have. What does it mean when lust dies?

 

[RemingtonShowdown]

Without sounding corny- Budhist teachings point to desire as the cause of human pain. Without lust you're free of the angst that comes with the need to have. Besides, now you can search for another hobby in which to indulge- I reccomend beer sampling (the gut you develop will give you incentive to ride more-ha!!)

 

[Gregory Taylor]

Buddhist, Schmoodist...

Two questions, one site-related and one bike-related:
No. 1: How can I get that damn avatar post off the top? I've tried EVERYTHING.

No. 2: Who's happy with his bike? I don't mean just, "It's OK," but is there anybody out there besides me who can't think of a single reason to replace his ride?
This came up today when some friends were talking about what they plan to buy before summer (they're 50ish guys and successful; they can get pretty much whatever they want). Everybody had something in mind, even if it was only a dream to replace last spring's dream. I'd like to have a custom Rivendell to augment the Atlantis, but if I described how I want it to ride and handle, it would be just like the bike I already have. What does it mean when lust dies?

I don't think that, with bikes, the lust ever dies. It just moves on from lusting after things (like a new frameset or components) to experiences (like great rides).

Right now, I've been riding the same bike for over a year, and I don't really have any serious case of new bike lust. New Dura Ace? Latest Record? Doesn't get me going right now. What I'm really lusting after is a chance to get back over to France and ride the Etape du Tour next year. I'd trade a couple of my bikes to be able to do that again. The other happy daydream has me finding the time (and the legs) to mount a spring racing campaign. Adventure. The romance of the open road. Meeting new people, seeing new places. Getting out there once in a while with the intention of smacking the devil on the ass just to serve notice that I'm still out there and still dangerous. That's bike lust.

 

[haiku d'etat]

Yo, Corky

no 1: email me. i can certainly pull it down, and the other one. they are up there 'cause they're the most viewed and active posts on the new board. but i'm sure a few words from one of the most respected RBR community members will do the job. jshaikushop at yahoo dot com.

no 2: this is the #! absolute top reason to have a "stable". more = better.

it's now my responsibility to keep you folks happy (and at the same time to entertain AND offend you, since i'm a community member, too!). so, you peeps email me at any time to request any thing. i'm at your disposal. period.

 

[mickey-mac]

No. 2: Who's happy with his bike? I don't mean just, "It's OK," but is there anybody out there besides me who can't think of a single reason to replace his ride? This came up today when some friends were talking about what they plan to buy before summer (they're 50ish guys and successful; they can get pretty much whatever they want). Everybody had something in mind, even if it was only a dream to replace last spring's dream. I'd like to have a custom Rivendell to augment the Atlantis, but if I described how I want it to ride and handle, it would be just like the bike I already have. What does it mean when lust dies?[/QUOTE]


I just skipped #1 because it's been answered and/or I don't have a clue. I'm completely happy with my bike and have absolutely no bike lust. I've had my bike for three years next month and plan to ride it until it falls apart. I've had a Colorado Cyclist gift certificate sitting on my computer desk since mid-December and still haven't been motivated to use it because I'm happy with what I have. For me, the death of lust meant happiness.

 

[PseuZQ]

You have different priorites. That is all.

Personally, I have always detected a huge gulf between those who ride as an excuse to have the latest gear, and those who ride to collect...rides.

Absolutley nothing wrong with wanting the latest and greatest. God bless...If your hobby includes constant upgrades, more power to you, and I thank you for putting money into the cycling economy. Pretty things are nice. Please post pictures of your pretty things.

I'm the sort who rides to collect experiences. I'd rather keep my same bike for five years, but now it has become very important for me to do hard rides where "objective indicia" is part of the payoff. In other words, I'll pass on some rides, but do others where the reward is a jersey.

I think it's OK to not want a new ride every year. What I think is weird is always wanting to do the same loops and the same routes.

 

[Sao]

same bike

I like my bike as it is. When it breaks, I'll buy a new one.

 

[Jim Nazium]

I dunno, the bike lust thing seems to go in phases for me. I had an Eisentraut and was perfectly happy with it for 10 years. Then I went to a Klein, then a Lemond, then an upgraded Lemond, and now a Merlin, all in about 6 years. I think I'm done for a while though, there isn't anything I would change about the Merlin - light, comfy, pretty, perfect shifting and braking - should be another 10-year ride.

 

[innergel]

It means you are married (nm)

It means you are married (nm)

 

[CFBlue]

content

I'm content with what I have, for now. I couldn't really utilize more or better bikes at this point, as I barely have time to ride at all.

Racing causes continual bike lust, at least for me. The goal of racing, by definition, is to go as fast as you can, at least at certain points of time, or to conserve as much energy as possible at other times. If new equipment comes out that helps you do that, it only makes sense to lust after it, even if the lust may be highly disproportional to the incremental benefit.

I am considering a better fixed gear to race ultras on. Would probably be custom made, as nothing off the shelf precisely fits what I'd want.

Doug

 

[terry b]

I love every one of my road bikes, all 12 of them. I ride them equally, and I enjoy every ride (weather and wind, notwithstanding.) I didn't buy my second, third or nth because the one I was riding disappointed me or fell out of favor, I bought subsequent rides because they were an attractive combination of materials, parts and paint jobs. Mainly paint jobs. I've never believed that is was possible for me to have the "lifetime dream bike" that many ask about here in the forum. Nice idea, but if you spend your time surfing bike porn, then some other pretty face is going to come along. My blessing is that I have the resources to buy the ones I want. My curse is I'm a cyclo-polygamist - I want them all (well, lots of them anyway.) Lust doesn't die, it just pales in comparison to the next pretty set of tubes.

 

[mohair_chair]

probably a medical problem

go to the doctor and have your dopamine levels checked.

 

[Dinosaur]

I love my bike...

I'm not lusting over a new bike. My current new ride will be 2 years old this May. I spent a lot of time and effort doing research (and convincing the Mrs.) about a new bike. I ended up going back to steel and insisting that the owner of my LBS do a fitting. When I start thinking I am getting bored I buy a new toy for the bike, saddle, computer, tires, even bar tape makes a difference. Sometimes I mess with my postion and see if a slight change will make any difference. It's remarkable what a couple of mm's will do. I hit 64 in 2.5 years and then I will reward myself with a new ride, regardless of what Mrs Dinosaur says. I get stuck in ruts sometimes on my riding routes and I am always finding other places to ride, it never stops...but if you are lusting over a new bike, do it, what the heck you only live once...

 

[velocity]

in a perfect world

No. 2: Who's happy with his bike? I don't mean just, "It's OK," but is there anybody out there besides me who can't think of a single reason to replace his ride? ... What does it mean when lust dies?

In a perfect world, right now I'd have a primo road bike, a rain/commuter bike, a mountain bike and a cyclocross bike. In real life I have an okay road bike (that'll eventually become my rain/commuter) and a beater, but neither a mtn or 'cross bike. But in a perfect world, I'd also get regular messages, have a personal coach, not have a job merely because I need to pay my overhead, etc., etc.

 

[biketx]

That you're a grown-up now?

Maybe it means you've got a bike that meets or exceeds your skill level, and have reached a level of maturity where you're content with that?

I mean, sure, I'd like to have the latest $10,000 ride, but lust for it? No. Too many more important things in life.

Michael

 

[Coolhand]

Need vs. want

Most people don't need a new rig. But buying one will make them happier, probably ride more and they are likely helping out their LBS and the company that made the shiny Ti goody they are plotting after. Everyone wins!

 

[Spinfinity]

Just a little boy who likes new toys.

The last two have been pretty old, but that's not the point for me. I have a bike for touring and brevets, a bike for hammering around local roads, a fixie for commuting and a beater that I share with my teenage sons. Some day I'll get a bike (maybe a Hetchins) for showing off on big rides.

 

[Dave Hickey]

No. 2: Who's happy with his bike? I don't mean just, "It's OK," but is there anybody out there besides me who can't think of a single reason to replace his ride? This came up today when some friends were talking about what they plan to buy before summer (they're 50ish guys and successful; they can get pretty much whatever they want). Everybody had something in mind, even if it was only a dream to replace last spring's dream. I'd like to have a custom Rivendell to augment the Atlantis, but if I described how I want it to ride and handle, it would be just like the bike I already have. What does it mean when lust dies?

I have two bikes that I will never sell. One is the KG86 single speed and the other is the KG381. I know I'll buy other bikes over the years but I'll never sell those two. When I'm riding on one, I can't think of another bike i'd rather be on...............

 

[doug in co]

racing bike shnickshnock lust..

Racing causes continual bike lust, at least for me.
Doug

That's my disease.. I'm perfectly happy with my steel Paramount for riding around, but I think maybe a steep-angled triathlon frame will be just what I need for racing..