Do you suit your bike?

[martint235]

What's the point of a £8K bike when I have £1K legs.

Many years ago I used to be a member of a (largely internet based) MTB club called the 50p club whose motto was what's the point of a £1000 bike when you've got 50p legs!

I have to say I'm impressed by the way this thread is going. I was expecting some abuse for questioning people's choice of bike.

 

[martint235]

Last year I scalped a roadie, at speed, with witnesses.
I was riding my £13 old 70's Hungarian Pannoina Mayfair shopping bike called Granville.

We were riding as a group, fairly casually, when a roadie burst through between us without so much an 'excuse me'. That was it, a red rag to a bull. Granville and I set off after him and caught him.
As I went past he had this look on his face of 'I'm not looking, you're not really there!'.

It was so funny! especially to those watching from behind apparently.

NT I like the idea you name your bike although I accept after the brand. I've taken so much stick for Lelly. And before anyone asks it's London - Edinburgh - London -ly

 

[gaz]

I would like to think my £2k carbon road bike suits me. I've got the legs for speed.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

I wish I could afford a better bike but I love my allez and probably will upgrade in the future. Look after it well and run it till bits break then upgrade them ad the frame suits me fine!

Ive grown quite attached in the few months ive owned it!
Sent from my LT15i using Tapatalk 2

 

[asterix]

I'm only basing this on my last ride when on my Trek Soho I trounced two roadies up slight but long incline. I wasn't bothered whether I beat them but just happened to be faster. Tomorrow it'll all be different no doubt..

The most important thing for me is whether the bike fits in an ergonomic way, much as kiwiavenger says.

 

[dellzeqq]

my bike would have suited me perfectly thirty years ago - but, then again, I'd have crashed it until such time it fell apart

 

[HLaB]

Given I'm currently riding a BSO folder I hope its way, way below my capabilities; it seems to be showing in my stats ;-) My road bikes I'd average faster for longer 16-20mph ave but on the BSO, I usually average sub 10mph and really working the other night on a short 10mile circuit I could only average 14mph.

 

[Ethan]

Not way way waaay below, but certainly below what I can achieve.
I like pushing my self, I like going faster or longer, I like climbing steeper and so on. Nothing wrong with a leisure ride, but getting home feeling like I'm ready to be packed up and put in the grave is where I get my thrill!

My bike set me back £120, its been upgraded to an inch of its life and Im still in love with her!
But I have out grown her, and I think a better machine will push me to preform better.
I really want to do a few sportives, maybe even racing next year!
And don't get me wrong, my bike is a capable steed, but I know Im close to the best I can personally achieve on that bike. Something lighter, sportier, better groupie and wheels and I will be pushing my self to go faster again.
Im seriously spending something around the £1k mark on my next bike, either PX/Ribble or something second hand!
Could get a tasty second hand bike for £1k

And Im a sucker for bike porn

 

[marzjennings]

Are there cyclists better than me on cheaper bikes than mine? Yes.
Are there cyclists worse than me on more expensive bikes than mine? Yes.

Do I care? No.

Spend what you have, ride it, have fun, 'nuff said.

 

[mcshroom]

Each of my bikes (budget tourer, 501 raleigh and cheap hybrid) is nice enough and capable of doing the jobs I want them to do - so I think that suits my ability. I think just having the hybrid might limit me a bit, but it's used as a pub/shopping bike so no worries

Of course I'd always like one a little bit better, but there's no reason why I need a better one.

 

[fossyant]

My two road bikes are over 20 years old and were very good spec. Don't need a newer bike. Still makes me grin as 20 year old tech still knocks spots of some new bling.

 

[guitarpete247]

Like me my bike is ancient. I bought the frame in 1982 from my LBS and have been adding to it over the years. The wheels are still 30 years old and the dérailleurs still friction. Just upgraded to some new Tektro brakes.
If I could afford a new bike I would have one but money's too tight at the moment. I enjoy riding what I have but would love something better one day.

 

[StuAff]

Are there cyclists better than me on cheaper bikes than mine? Yes.
Are there cyclists worse than me on more expensive bikes than mine? Yes.

Do I care? No.

Spend what you have, ride it, have fun, 'nuff said.

+1.
Viner would be in the region of £2600, possibly more, to replace like-for-like. £800 on eBay as complete, lower spec bike, before upgrades & worth every penny. Superb ride, comfortable all day, and all night, brings a smile to my face every time I ride it. It's made me a stronger rider because I want to ride it. Whether I'm good enough for it is neither here nor there AFAIK. I'm definitely not 'all the gear'...every component I've bought for it was considered for best price/performance, not because 'so-and-so's got it'. An old riding bud's just bought a Dogma 2 with Record EPS. He was then going to save for some new wheels...but went for Zipp 404 carbon clinchers. Not twice as good as my bike, and frankly who cares, good for him. I'd certainly have it!!

 

[alans]

I consider my Longstaff tourer suits me best: not quick but keeps plodding on.
My Trek stretches me in the just the right manner to go a bit faster:good for audaxing.
I can't really do justice to the Langster fixed at 72" on the local uphills
My Cannondale M800 is ideal for cycle camping

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Im personally always reluctant to list my bikes, In fact I only show one on this forum. I find that threads like this always have someone mentioning scalping weekend warriors on high end bikes, im not sure why this seems to make people feel so great. If you want to see some peoples ability improve stick a high end bike in front of them like a Cevello, Dogma, Venge.