Questionaire - Customization and Personalization

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Bike 1- mtb[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]1 custom[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]2 fits exactly how I want- no fancy bits I don’t need[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]3 fairly important- down to the matching anodised bits[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]4 regularly swapped parts – sometimes for a better fit, often for a lighter part[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]5 to add disc brakes (it’s an early Pace so has cantilevers). Otherwise perfect[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Bike 2 – Time trial special[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]1 custom[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]2 built exactly how I want it[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]3 moderately important- needs to be fast not pretty (but is colour-coordinated)[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]4 switched brakes for lighter set[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]5 I would only change the front end from a threaded fork / stem to threadless, to save weight[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Bike 3 – road racer[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]1 custom[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]2 exactly what I want – all parts[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]3 aesthetics moderately important. It’s old and scratched and the parts are obsolete, but it’s still fast[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]4 lots of parts swapping for lighter weight kit[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]5 would change BB/ chainset for lighter ones, and possibly add fancy wheels[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Bike 4 - fixie[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]1 off the peg[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]2 customised a lot of the bits – particularly the seating area[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]3 fairly important (although it’s on commuter duties at the moment so I don’t want it to look too flash)[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]4 upgraded some parts for lighter kit (BB, seatpost, stem, saddle)[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]5 wheels; chainset; brakeset[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Bike 5 - tandem[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]1 off the peg[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]2 own saddles and upgraded rear wheel[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]3 not really important[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]4 upgraded the brakes, rear wheel, bars (lighter ones)[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]5 disc brakes and bombproof wheels[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Bike 6 tourer[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]1 custom[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]2 perfect fit and bits I want – particularly the gearing[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]3 not really important[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]4 none really[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]5 nothing really[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Bike 6 – winter bike[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]1 off the peg[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]2 own saddle, pedals[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]3 not really (got it resprayed, but because it needed it not because of aesthetics)[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]4 I’ve upgraded a few bits with kit off my best bike[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]5 only to replace worn bits[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Bike 7 - folder[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]1 Off the peg[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]2 used the “custom build” option to spec how I wanted it and added personal details (e.g. saddle)[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]3 pretty important[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]4 none really[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]5 nothing really.[/SIZE][/FONT]

I think I might have a bike problem...

I think you have a posting problem..

[QUOTE=Sammy;997319]I'm just doing some research for my Uni 3rd year minor project.

The research is to be used to help me design a system of furniture construction.

I'm looking at how I can give a personal value to furniture.

Seen as many peoples fixed gear bikes are quite personal to them, I'm interested on what makes that so.

If you could take 5 mins to answers a few questions I'd be very grateful.

Thanks, Sammy

1. Is you bike custom built or 'off the peg'? OTP

2. If OTP, how have you made the bike your own?
   If custom, what makes the bike special to you? Hmm, switched to fixed, New tyres new bar tape, couple of stickers.

3. How important are your bikes aesthetics to you and why? Its better that it works, aesthetics can be adjusted over time.

4. Have you ever switched perfectly good parts for something else and for what reason? Changing headset and bars next pay day.

5. If you could change anything about your bike what would it be? The Colour, lime green ain't so good.

6. Any other thoughts?

Hmmmm YouTube - Happy Tree Friends - Eye Candy

1. Is you bike custom built or 'off the peg'?
   
   

Custom built

1. If custom, what makes the bike special to you?
   
   

I like the fact I put it together and maintain it myself, learnt a lot in the process.

1. How important are your bikes aesthetics to you and why?
   
   

I'd much rather it's working well and is nice to ride but I consider aesthetics when replacing bits (even though it is secondary to function)

1. Have you ever switched perfectly good parts for something else and for what reason?
   
   

Nope

1. If you could change anything about your bike what would it be?
   
   

Frame. Would really like to try something a bit tighter

1. Any other thoughts?
   
   

Nothing relevant!

edit - image upload fail - pic now below Q&A