The future?

I enjoy the building up and maintaining (or "fettling" as my gf calls it) of bikes almost as much as I enjoy riding them so I'm sure there will be more projects to come. I've currently got four either in development or in the pipeline, which is a bit excessive really. I've got the Casati track bike to finish, a new road bike to build, then I'm going to do a retro build based on my De Rosa road frame and finally have a cyclo cross frame to build up for the autumn.

Timely post...

After my bike got trashed a couple of weeks ago and after years of riding single speed/ fixed, I decided to build up a spare parts fixed for daily duties and graduate to gears to replace the nice ride.

Then the quiet nagging started in the back of my mind - silky smooth silver hubs, supertype seatpost, no noise, straight carbon forks, spinning out on hills, 631...there is someting about fixed that is like painting in primary colours, a reduced palette that gives me a pleasure in the object as well as in using it. I'll stick with fixed for its simplicity, elegance and fun.

Having said that, there is a great learning curve from building and maintaining a fixed gear bike - their accessibility has meant that I've been less intimated about building wheels, putting bikes together...I fully expect this to lead to a lifetime of tinkering, with the type of bike reflecting my needs at the time; whether Fixed, Tourer, Recumbent, Unicycle...can't wait!

Good post.

I can't say I'll be riding fixed for the rest of my life, but as a viable and fun way of commuting it gets me out of my bed every morning in a way that I could never do before, it's an excuse to ride.

As Sammy says, there are always other options to try. Currently in the process of aquiring components to 'un-convert' my classic Raleigh - it's going to be used as an Audax machine. Which is an excuse to buy a track frame for tinkering with and throwing about.

There will always be another project, don't try to supress those urges - it's futile!

Evans Halfords and CycleSurgery will benefit as more, as Oliver might term them, "nodders" take to bikes

Clive, when I called you a 'nodder' I didn't bargain on you transferring it to all those other nice people you identify with who ride unfashionable bikes, wear unfashionable clothes and shop at unfashionable shops.

Finish the hormones and have the operation..

surely this is future to when all oil runs out

bike plans for this year:

planning to build up my mercian as an everyday bike when it comes back. i'm having to impliment a one in, one out rule so i also might get rid of my lo-pro and get a more aggressive track bike. and i also want to get a geared bike as well (although it's been years since i've even ridden one, so i have no idea what i'm looking for).

replacing my Saracen with a better mountain bike - maybe an Orange P7

Hey BlueQuinn if you're interested I have a good condition 2004 17" Orange P7 I'm thinking of selling. I bought it new and loved it long time but never use it. PM if you wanna talk...it's got some extra bits and I'm not looking for crazy money.

bike plans for this year:

planning to build up my mercian as an everyday bike when it comes back. i'm having to impliment a one in, one out rule so i also might get rid of my lo-pro and get a more aggressive track bike. and i also want to get a geared bike as well (although it's been years since i've even ridden one, so i have no idea what i'm looking for).

I'll tell you this, you'll be surprise how pretty relaxing it is to ride a geared bike despite it feeling very 'loose' (you no longer control the bike, relying on brake, gear, etc.)

^Strange thing is that Raleigh USA do sell fixed bikes and a pro track racing frame. Raleigh UK should do more of the retro thing they did with the Burner and get some limited ed. lugged steel frames out the door.

A bit of an irony given that Raleigh is founded in the UK, yet currently the Raleigh bike that they sell in the US is completely different and far better than the shitty UK one (much like the difference between the US Ford and the European Ford).

I wish they sell those here in the UK!

Saw lots of these in NY, they're quite nice.

the future is bright, the future is dibs !

i hate dibs

i plan to get lots more tattoos in the bright wonderus future

and it is bright

and we will be happy

(ftw)

Wife and I are moving to Australia in September. I plan on an Xtracycle or Surly Big Dummy in an attempt to live with only one vehicle between us, which may be a challenge for two reasons: 1) our first child is due in July and 2) Australia is a country without much in the way of public transport outside of major cities. Should be interesting...

I was just wondering where you people see yourself and your cycling in a few years time?
In a few years time I intend to be cycling as a means of seeing the world.

Do you plan to build a different kind of bike to your normal one, for polo, or the track, or tricks?

Which one is my normal one? But, yes. I will continue to build bikes as money and needs allow/dictate.

Do you see yourselves sticking with fixed wheel bikes for the long haul?
For some uses yes, for others no. Geographic location will dictate to some extent, desired outcome will also have an effect.

It's a free forum.

And anyways, get back to work you lazy sod.

A bit of an irony given that Raleigh is founded in the UK, yet currently the Raleigh bike that they sell in the US is completely different and far better than the shitty UK one (much like the difference between the US Ford and the European Ford).

I wish they sell those here in the UK!

Raleigh went bankrupt and the name was bought by someone else (for some reason my brain says trek but I am not sure). That's why they are still "going" in a sense in the USA, but htey are not really if you know what I mean.

Scott the epic snail

Quote:

 I was just wondering where you people see yourself and your cycling in a few years time?     

I'll be dead.

Quote:

  Do you plan to build a different kind of bike to your normal one, for polo, or the track, or tricks?     

No, I'll be dead, and I'm taking you with me.

Quote:

 Do you see yourselves sticking with fixed wheel bikes for the long haul?     

n/a - it will be a cinematographically immaculate suicide pact.

It'd be a bit ridiculous if you hadn't left it on, whilst we're on our knees with our heads stuck inside it.

BMMF you know it's electric right.
It's also my oven so I'd be quite appreciative if you refrained from cooking meat in it.

No, we're just going to kneel there and starve* to death.

*and sweat a bit on the defrost setting

I bet the fuse blows before Scott's ears even start to crisp up

Have you heard the Raymond *Scott *(spooky) jingle/commercial from the 50s for electric cooking?

"In the *future *(spooky), everyone will cook electric".

It's for Bendix or the Baltimore Electirc Co or something, on this:

No Lee, in the future you won't be riding bike when you have 16 people carrying you around town serving you cocktail and jaffa cake realising that you're a god without a capital G.

Jaffa Cakes you say . . . . ?

I don't mind putting aside all my issues with organised superstition if we are talking about Jaffa Cakes.