New Langsters

interesting, although i'm curious as to what you mean by 'genuine alternative lifestyle'.

I don't lead an alternative lifestyle myself but I admire people who do....we probably see very few people who do, no matter how "way out" they look.....I see some real freaky looking people in Tescos but they're just buying bread and beans on the way back to their bedsit to watch Eastenders or listen to xfm like everyone else.....alternative lifestylers are out there, they may not cross our paths very often in the city, or they may not stand out in a crowd?

How about:

Living in a Tantric yoga commune.
Giving everything up to go and work as a volunteer in Africa.
self-sufficiency
not owning a TV

too tired to think of anymore.

..alright.

Like I said, whether you intentionally project an image or not, your image is still percieved and judged by everyone that see's you. This judgement may not be critical it may just be the way we as people make are intial impressions. In fact you exhibit said behaviour: "they're all exhibiting the same behaviour / personality just in a different coloured shirt / jeans / hairdo /bike......they're not in the least bit unique."

Why would you admire someone who doesn't have a TV? In what way do they deserve your admiration over someone who does own a TV? On your deathbed pretty much everything is pointless. All you can hope for is that you had (what you percieved to be) a good time while you were here.

hmm yeah, i don't own a TV. i dont think that's too alternative really. just that i think spending time on the saddle or spending time here or listening to music is better than watching crap shows, since i have all the control.

I think it's almost impossible to live a genuine alternative lifestyle, because all your actions which one would consider to constitute an alternative lifestyle are actually just the same as all other actions when you take them out of the situation that they arise in, i.e. the people that you are around, the city you're in, the clothes you're wearing.

To illustrate, my behaviour as an 18 year old is considered mildly peculiar in Basingstoke from the perspective of, say a 50 year old or a 16 year old: I ride a SS (which is about to be fixed) absolutely everywhere, I don't want to drive, I like philosophy and politics and I'm going to do a chemistry degree (which always stumps people when I tell them if they ask!)

Basically you end up with actions or no actions, you do or you don't. The eccentricity or centricity of the person only arises in context.

Not owning a TV is alternative by definition, purely because such a tiny per cent of the population shun them...
TVs are the number one weapon in the arsenal of advertisers and media corporations whose sole aim in life is to convince us to consume...refusing to allow them into your living room is admirable.

A person who spends their life doing altruisitc works will possibly feel more "fuller" than someone who spent their life making sure they had the latest jeans or consumed themselves with their image.....there must be something in the bible about this, maybe I'll convert.

You're right, I do make initial perceptions of image conscious people, unfortunately for them my perception probably isn't what they'd wish ....ooh they look alternative / unique /trendy /interesting......my perception is more like ....just another image obsessed, self-conscious dullard.

Personally, I don't really bother about what complete strangers think of my "image"...it's totally meaningless....unless of course there perception stops me from getting a job or something like that, then it becomes discrimination....

t'internet is the 21st century TV

winston saided stuffs like..
How about: not owning a TV

Tried that. It was great for 6 months but then I realised I would miss the Tour. LCD tv and Sky+ box to the rescue! Yeah, I'm shallow consumer scum. Bite me.

A person who spends their life doing altruisitc works will possibly feel more "fuller" than someone who spent their life making sure they had the latest jeans or
consumed themselves with their image

You are forgetting the fact that people who are only interested in owning the latest jeans are not going to give two shits about altruism.
Owning the latest jeans IS their fulfillment and on their deathbed they will still only care if they're dressed well for the occasion.

Not owning a TV is alternative by definition, purely because such a tiny per cent of the population shun them

So, what about the tiny percentage of the population that ride their bikes everywhere? If it's a matter of percentages, aren't they 'alternative'?

My mate lives in a caravan - does that count?

yes

don't more people own bikes than cars?

I've run out of things to say now.....I'm off to register for the etape....in the rain....shall I go to Greenwich by bike and catch a cold before tomorrow?

winston yes
don't more people own bikes than cars?
I've run out of things to say now.....I'm off to register for the etape....in the rain....shall I go to Greenwich by bike and catch a cold before tomorrow?

Yeah, but most people who own bikes don't ride them (in nodnol at least).
I've got to register for that feckin' ride too.. stupid rain.. stupid etape.. stupid bikes.. where's my beer?!

horrible freebie tee shirt....I'll be giving my girlfriend a cool bag with a few bottles of beer in it for the finish...

This is a really weird conversation...

rakan This is a really weird conversation...

Yeah, it is.

Amazing how off topic threads get on this forum!

At the risk of getting back on topic...

I've only ever bought and ridden stock bikes, and never replaced any parts (or if I have, due to breakage, had no idea what I was replacing the broken part with). What parts on the Langters aren't up to scratch and why would you replace them? What would you replace them with? I'd like to learn, ta!

If it is not comfy to you replace straight away, so bars or seat, or maybe forks if the ride is harsh. Murtle tells me tha made a big difference to the ride.

Replace when everything else when it breaks. I hear the hub is a bit shit, may as well waight until it dies though and get some use out of it.

The wheels have come in for a bit of stick, but I've found mine to be fine really. I've done about 4000 miles on them (rough estimate), and only now do they seem to need a little bit of trueing up.
I think most would advise to replace them with something bespoke (geddit?!) ie choose your favoured hubs/rims etc and give em to a reputable wheel builder.

edmundane hmm yeah, i don't own a TV. i dont think that's too alternative really. just that i think spending time on the saddle or spending time here or listening to music is better than watching crap shows, since i have all the control.

I used to not own a TV. Just gave me more time to work for the man, pay rent / mortgage, shop at Tescos, and seek out "alternative" or obscure music / clothes / bikes / scenes.... Gave in after a while, got a TV. Anyway, I digress. Back to the wheels. /edit I notice now I am responding to a 3 week old debate... oh well I should hang around here more often!

hah, lets kick off the TV thing again.

my TV was given to me buy a stoner hippy who moved to canada.
then a bike messenger gave me a freeview box (yes, I am that low in the food chain ;) )

it only goes on for the tour, cricket and anything I see in the listings that I want to watch. so some nights it doesn't go on at all.

it's easy to not have a telly, anyone can do that. but it is possible to own one and not be a slave to the rubbish that it spouts 90% of the time.

Some people actually go into debt to buy large televisions, or own flashy home cinemas as some kind of status symbol. now that is something I don't understand.

Total UK personal debt at the end of April 2007 stood at £1,325bn (http://www.creditaction.org.uk/debtstats.htm)

This nation and most other developed and developing nations value possessions and spend spend spend to get them and show them off.
I'll raise my hand for loving my 'stuff' just so I'm not accused of being a hypocrit. BUT.. I do NOT go into debt to buy anything. (Buying a house may be the exception - fscking property investor cnuts)

RPM Some people actually go into debt to buy large televisions, or own flashy home cinemas as some kind of status symbol. now that is something I don't understand.

Between school and the end of my first year of college I worked part-time at a well-known electrical goods retailer. We'd get people coming in for plasma TVs on credit, c. £1000-2000 and they'd be in their early 20s, in their current job for a few months, renting for a few months also, credit cards, etc - and at risk of being stereotypical, in the poorer areas of the town - yet they'd still get the credit. Absolutely mental. Stacks of interest, too.

I was only 18 a few weeks back and I've already been offered an overdraft, credit card...

If you aint got it, you can't spend it. Better to save if you're after something, it's far more genuine and it won't come back to bite you in the ass in a few years time.

I totally agree. My parents brought me up with that attitude, and I'm glad they did. You appreciate things way more when you've up for saved them.

looks up at goldtec hub waiting for a rim, cog, spokes, lockring...!

"tries to sell all non-essential non-bike stuff on ebay"

haha, i've done that already :P