Sitting here looking at my bikes which I'm cleaning, tweaking, and fiddl'n with and I realize: I now own "different" bikes for different reasons.
In 1998 I "got into" recumbents because of a bad back that would hurt like the dickens if I tried to pedal up a hill. Thought I'd have to give up cycling and a bike club bud said: "You should try a recumbent". And I said: "Okay..what's a recumbent?" Web searches, internet forums, chat sessions, emails back and forth and I ended up buying a recumbent with no test ride. Figured worse case is I sell it and it cost me rental money.
That was 1998 and for eight years that was my "be all' bike. The comfort on long rides is difficult to convey to non recumbent riders. A lot of them are concerned with speed and I often get "How fast is it?" Or "How is it on hills?" And my answer is always the same: "Depends like on a DF. How's your engine?"
Off road on a recumbent? Well, that's what opened the door to the "right tool for the job". My wife has the main gig as a high school counselor for international schools and after a job fair, she decided on a school in Shanghai, China. Turns out there was a group of teachers who did a Friday afternoon ride to a small town, Sheshan, for some brews and my wife says: "Hey there's a group of teachers who do a Friday afternoon ride to a small town, Sheshan, for some brews". The said you're welcome to join them. What she didn't tell me was that route was through some rice paddies, a tree farm, some local villages with ruts for roads, and every kind of road condition you can imagine.
I did that ride on my recumbent, including cycling through mud, gravel, grass, and every possible bad road condition. I had one thought after two rides: "I am either going to die in a crash or crack my frame". Seeing one of the teachers one day I said: "Hey, can I try your mtb to see if I can ride it?" Since 1998 I've done lots of exercises to strengthen my back. Sumagun. I can ride a MTB bike and my back isn't hurt'n.!!
Headed down to the GIANT store in Shanghai and bought the following:
- Mountain bike
- Front shock
- Bottle cages
- Rear rack
- Light mount
- Fenders
- Swap out the stock big knobbies, for some lightly treaded slicks. I'm not doing single track here.
- And all for the whopping price of $94 U.S.
My wife enjoys toodling cycling and while home for the summer in 2007 we went to Bike Friday and I asked her to try a Bike Friday Pocket Tourist. She liked it. I bought it
This past summer went back to Bike Friday and tried a Family Tandem. She liked it. I bought it.
Now my "tool shed" has the tools I need:
Recumbent (VRexAcchetta, Giro20, TiAero): For when I want to ride long and in comfort or just for a "fun ride". Is a recumbent a good tool for you? Yes, if you suffer any kind of pain on your ride or when you want to do a long ride. If you've got "no pain" then there's really "no gain" except the large fun factor and view, oh and you don't feel head winds as much, and there's the cars give you more room....shut up Joe and stop selling!!
MTB Bike This is my beater bike and off road bike. I didn't realize how much a shock absorber makes and how on a Diamond Frame bike you can use your legs like shock absorbers lifting your butt off the seat. I say beater bike, because if I'm going some place where I'm leery of "bike theft" I take this bike. They can steal it and I can replace it for $100 here in Shanghai.
Bike Friday Pocket Tourist This is the primo bike for city cycling, especially in heavy traffic and tight corners: She's quick, nimble, aggressive, maneuverable, spritely, etc. Plus it's fun to "dance" the bike. If you've danced your bike you know of what I speak. Plus, there's something about 20" tires that makes riding this bike feel like a sports car.
Bike Friday Tandem For cycling with the better half, especially one who isn't hard core cyclist. My wife loves the feel of being on a bike, how you can see the city at a leisurely pace, etc., but she is fearful of traffic and riding on the road. With a tandem, I've got the best of both worlds: I can cycle and my wife can relax and enjoy the sights and sounds without the worry of piloting. Plus, we can actually talk to each other.
Other "TOOLS"? Yah, I've got my eye on a classic Chinese work bike. Okay, it will just hang somewhere as a conversation and memory piece. Maybe a DAHON folding bike or a Bike Friday "Tiket", because there might be times where I want to do a quick fold, hop on a bus or train and go somewhere to ride. A "TRIKE". Hey, you can go uphills and not worry about falling or starting. Plus when you stop you've got your own built in seat and observation platform.
So what's in your bicycle tool shed?
LEFT click on image to enlarge.
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