Conference noted::bicycle

3099.0. "urban assault bikes" by TAPE::SENEKER (OSMS Engineering) Fri Jun 07 1996 19:43

    Just a comment from 3098.5

>> He did say that he gets folks who just want a mountain bike regardless 
>> of the type of riding they think they will be doing.  So, some people
>> are buying (fully suspended!) mountain bikes simply to ride around the 
>> neighborhood streets and out on an occasional fire road.  Go figure.

    I am looking into doing just this.  I think because of a different
    reason than many people but just the same I do ride "neighborhood
    streets and out on an occasional fire road" now.

    I did all of my commuting from 8 years to 18 years of age on various
    bicycles, I am 36 now.  I fixed up 20 inch bananna bikes to BMX on
    before there was BMX. My closest riding friend was 8 miles away when
    I was 14 so I would ride my ten speed to his house then we would ride
    35 to 50 miles for fun, and I would go home.  I got a good quality
    RAMPAR 10 speed, that I still have and ride, when I was 17.  After I
    started working and had money my peddle racing became motorized.  I
    did alot of 250cc and 500cc woods riding and hare-scrabbles riding
    until I was 28 and from age 26 to now I have been closed circuit,
    knee dragging, 150mph, road racing.

    For relaxation and exercise I still enjoy bicycles but I think it
    would be neat to not get beat to death by 85 to 115psi tire pressure,
    small hard seat, hunch back riding position, etc.  Having a miniture
    human propelled hi-tech dirt bike seems like heaven. I am sorry if my
    bicycle interest are not as pure as they were 20 years ago.  I
    still want the exercise and may ride hard (for me) from time to
    time (I may even find a renewed love for the sport).  If the comforts
    of technology keep me pedaling from time to time it should be good
    for all bicyclist.

    I use to think the same way about people who had various motor
    cycles that could be road raced but the cruised the shopping malls,
    local strip, or parks.  I would think, why don't they get a cruiser,
    or take their car.  Over time I realized that the sales of these
    "extra" bikes made it worth while for the manufactures to keep
    improving the technology so even though those guys never used it,
    real roadracers got the benefit as time moved forward.

    Mountain bikes make for a great urban assault vehicle, curbs,
    pot-holes, sand, dirt, wet, grass, etc do not matter.

    What are your guys opinions on my views and also why should I
    or should I not get a fully-suspended mountain bike?  I am
    seriously still considering Shawn's bike that is half suspended.
    
    Could I get a "urban assault bike" and a down-hill racer in one
    bike?

    Thanks for you ideas.
    Rob

Thanks for sharing your insight into this role of bikes in folks lives!  
Sounds like you will get a lot of pleasure from your riding!

Rick

re:             <<< Note 3099.0 by TAPE::SENEKER "OSMS Engineering" >>>
                            -< urban assault bikes >-

>    What are your guys opinions on my views and also why should I
>    or should I not get a fully-suspended mountain bike?  I am
>    seriously still considering Shawn's bike that is half suspended.

    Having owned three fully suspended Moultons in the past, I
    found the biggest benefit from the front suspension. If the
    rough section you are riding is short, your legs can act
    as a shock absorber for your rear. However if I were riding
    the White Rim Trail in one day, I would go for full-suspension
    again.

>    Could I get a "urban assault bike" and a down-hill racer in one
>    bike?

    Sure, but do you want to leave your down-hill racer locked
    up on the street while you are shopping? A used beater bike
    makes more sense for urban use.

    /Bob Anderson

I rode an older Bianchi or Schwinn around on my college campus.  No shocks or
anything.  The only place I couldnt go was UP more than ~3-4 stairs.  I broke
one rear axle in 4 years (and after that I stopped jumping over the short
flights and riding down.)  Going up curbs was no problem, just lift the front
wheeel.  Down - just stand up and let the bike rotate about the bottom bracket.
BTW, I was doing this w/ a book bag, so I probably weighed >200lbs.

I occasionally get strange looks from my (road) team mates when I go down
stairs on my Bontrager clipped in, but its a skill that never goes away.

Kind of like riding a bike?   *grin/groan*

--roger