Which bike makes you smile when you ride it

[Dogtrousers]

The only time I've ever ridden a mountain bike was on holiday in Sweden. There was a ratty old mountain bike where we were staying, way too small for me and not in great nick but rideable. I rode it round some forest trails nearby - an absolute hoot.

 

[Tony Raynor]

@FrankCrank its on my to do list to make a recumbent. Need to get a garage for storage first.

 

[Illaveago]

@FrankCrank its on my to do list to make a recumbent. Need to get a garage for storage first.

Has anyone ever made a prone cycle, that is where you lay face down. That is my dream machine!

 

[ChrisEyles]

Downtube shifters!

Haha - actually yes, this probably does have something to do with it!

 

[mjr]

Haha - actually yes, this probably does have something to do with it!

Why? Simplicity? Stops you hunting gears? Keeps you changing position?

 

[ChrisEyles]

There's a tiny bit of skill required to using DT friction shifters where you slightly overshift and then trim back (especially if you have step-and-a-half gearing and change both front and rear simultaneously) and it's a lovely satisfying feeling when that gear smoothly snicks into place. For me the difference between DT friction shifters and STI/brifters is like that between driving a manual and an automatic car. There's just something intrinsically satisfying about the former while the latter feels somehow disconnected/remote.

I also enjoy using a slightly wider spaced old-school five speed freewheel so I'm not constantly changing gears - it's good to have to grunt away on the pedals or spin at 160rpm every once in a while.

 

[Gravity Aided]

1972 23" Raleigh Sports, in coffee color, with a springy saddle. a fine, fun bicycle.

 

[mjr]

For me the difference between DT friction shifters and STI/brifters is like that between driving a manual and an automatic car.

I compared them to something else... http://www.news.software.coop/three-systems/1554/

it's good to have to grunt away on the pedals or spin at 160rpm every once in a while.

Variety is the spice of life!

 

[mustang1]

Why? Simplicity? Stops you hunting gears? Keeps you changing position?

Because that's the kind of bikes that were around when I was a kid!

 

[tyred]

I would actually say this, much to many's surprise as most would see it as worthless junk but it's comfy, deceptively responsive, practical and I don't have to worry too much about theft or damaged. I've even toured on this.

 

[FrankCrank]

Has anyone ever made a prone cycle, that is where you lay face down. That is my dream machine!

....have seen a couple of threads regards these, most likely over on BROL or Atomic Zombie. Way too scary for me

 

[FrankCrank]

....funnily enough, just spotted this over on BikeRumour........gotta admire those curves

....and the link: http://www.bikerumor.com/2015/10/16...s-going-to-be-the-victim-in-this/#more-113538

 

[Illaveago]

E="FrankCrank, post: 3956969, member: 38646"]....funnily enough, just spotted this over on BikeRumour........gotta admire those curves

View attachment 107042

....and the link: http://www.bikerumor.com/2015/10/16...s-going-to-be-the-victim-in-this/#more-113538[/QUOTE]

Who's curves? I was thinking on similar lines, it is finding a place to put the crank is a major problem. I thought of using an ironing board to lay on.
Whos

 

[User42423]

The only machine in my collection that really makes me smile, is my original Dursley Pedersen. I've ridden countless miles on it so far, & hope to continue for a long time to come.

 

[Swifty]

Riding any of my bikes around the quiet lanes of Cheshire and Shropshire on the 49 Evans or the Carlton or my new modern road bike love them all