The beauty of the modern racing bicycle - an observation...
Discussion
I've always liked bicycles. Since I remember getting my first one at about 4 or 5 years old, the 'big day' when the stabilisers were removed (I can actually remember that!) and progressing up through things like Raleigh Tomahawks, Choppers, 'racers,' and early mountain bikes to my current brace - a '99 Specialized Rockhopper, and a 2010 Secteur.
I'm a million miles away from being a 'decent' cyclist...in fact I've not ridden for months. But my bikes are always there for me in my garage, and when the fancy takes me, I go out for a ride. Lovely.
Anyway I digress. Whenever I have been lucky enough to have bought a brand-new bike, I usually bring it home and, at first, I have it in the lounge for a bit. You know....it's all so shiny innit?! Can't put something that lovely in the shed or garage yet, right?!
Looking at the bikes, they're simple in design - but somehow they always look so 'right,' and so beautiful in their innate forms, if you know what I mean? The traditional diamond frame shape is obviously so well proven over many years, for being simple and perfectly suited to the job, it's true. But it's also so pleasing to the eye, representing a perfect mix of form and function isn't it?
So I've always enjoyed such aesthetic perfection for such simple machinery.
But the real point of the thread, is that I wanted to briefly discuss the 'most modern' bikes. They have all the original perfection of traditional machines, but...with all the tweaks and refinements of the latest technology...and I have to say, they really do look incredible, no?
For example - last week I was looking at a Pinarello Dogma. Many people might suggest I was a weirdo and a bit mental for saying this but...the thing was, to me, absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! Basically perfect in every way. Almost art with every angle, every welded joint, every jewel-like fitting and fixture.
If I ever won the lottery and was in a position to buy one - well, it would be hung on my lounge wall and just looked at every day! I think we might class these in the same way as people might discuss the beauty of early Ferraris, and the aesthetic design of many classic cars, right?
I really appreciate these modern bikes and their appearance, and as I say, I'm not even a proper cycling enthusiast as such really. I just wanted to see if many other people think the same way, or if I am just a complete mentalist?!
I'm a million miles away from being a 'decent' cyclist...in fact I've not ridden for months. But my bikes are always there for me in my garage, and when the fancy takes me, I go out for a ride. Lovely.
Anyway I digress. Whenever I have been lucky enough to have bought a brand-new bike, I usually bring it home and, at first, I have it in the lounge for a bit. You know....it's all so shiny innit?! Can't put something that lovely in the shed or garage yet, right?!
Looking at the bikes, they're simple in design - but somehow they always look so 'right,' and so beautiful in their innate forms, if you know what I mean? The traditional diamond frame shape is obviously so well proven over many years, for being simple and perfectly suited to the job, it's true. But it's also so pleasing to the eye, representing a perfect mix of form and function isn't it?
So I've always enjoyed such aesthetic perfection for such simple machinery.
But the real point of the thread, is that I wanted to briefly discuss the 'most modern' bikes. They have all the original perfection of traditional machines, but...with all the tweaks and refinements of the latest technology...and I have to say, they really do look incredible, no?
For example - last week I was looking at a Pinarello Dogma. Many people might suggest I was a weirdo and a bit mental for saying this but...the thing was, to me, absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! Basically perfect in every way. Almost art with every angle, every welded joint, every jewel-like fitting and fixture.
If I ever won the lottery and was in a position to buy one - well, it would be hung on my lounge wall and just looked at every day! I think we might class these in the same way as people might discuss the beauty of early Ferraris, and the aesthetic design of many classic cars, right?
I really appreciate these modern bikes and their appearance, and as I say, I'm not even a proper cycling enthusiast as such really. I just wanted to see if many other people think the same way, or if I am just a complete mentalist?!
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
...Raleigh Tomahawks
I had a gold tomahawk, with a slightly loose front wheel bearing, used to put my teeth on edge when I went off a kerb, slightly un-natural 'clank'...Raleigh Mirage, in purple...too big... then saved my paper round money for a trek 8000. I remember having enough for the 7000 but managed to haggle the 8000 for the same price.
since buying that I've always had a soft spot for bicycle aesthetics, I will often park my bike and have a gander at it whilst taking a break in a ride.
Yep.
The basic design has been refined for over one hundred years now and there's certainly beauty in it. Having said that I can't agree with you about the Pinarello; latest Canyon Aeroad for me:
https://www.canyon.com/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3521
Aesthetic perfection to my eye.
The basic design has been refined for over one hundred years now and there's certainly beauty in it. Having said that I can't agree with you about the Pinarello; latest Canyon Aeroad for me:
https://www.canyon.com/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3521
Aesthetic perfection to my eye.
andySC said:
A Dogma looks as though it's been left too near a radiator & melted a bit...this is a favourite of mine. I never tire of looking at it & appreciating it. Beautiful machine. 
I had a Raleigh mountain bike in those colours, my first proper bike. Loved it! Also my dad had a Raleigh banana which I thought was just stunning! A lovely post RLY
For me personally, cycling is freedom. From a young age the bike was always my ticket outta here! From exploring your local streets back then to now, finding some perfect ribbon of road or single track that takes your breath away, the bike is our companion and therapist.
Bikes can be beautiful almost possessing a soul if you will, even the lowliest scrap iron clunker has the potential to change a persons life.
I've selected a few pics that encompass my love of bikes in a snapshot.
My first bike almost 40 years ago
My current road bike
A fair few years back, a disparate bunch of lads brought together for our love of old bikes, and having a laugh with my retro Sub6 lid down my pants!
My local and mates shop, its our campfire for our group rides and social activities
Want to feel like a kid again? buy a fatbike. This is what having a laugh on bikes is about.
When life gets to me I go here, and wash away the stress
We all have a uniform, this is the uniform of someone who has always loved his bikes
For me personally, cycling is freedom. From a young age the bike was always my ticket outta here! From exploring your local streets back then to now, finding some perfect ribbon of road or single track that takes your breath away, the bike is our companion and therapist.
Bikes can be beautiful almost possessing a soul if you will, even the lowliest scrap iron clunker has the potential to change a persons life.
I've selected a few pics that encompass my love of bikes in a snapshot.
My first bike almost 40 years ago
My current road bike
A fair few years back, a disparate bunch of lads brought together for our love of old bikes, and having a laugh with my retro Sub6 lid down my pants!
My local and mates shop, its our campfire for our group rides and social activities
Want to feel like a kid again? buy a fatbike. This is what having a laugh on bikes is about.
When life gets to me I go here, and wash away the stress
We all have a uniform, this is the uniform of someone who has always loved his bikes
andySC said:
A Dogma looks as though it's been left too near a radiator & melted a bit...this is a favourite of mine. I never tire of looking at it & appreciating it. Beautiful machine.
I do love skinny steel tubes and high top tubes 
One of my mates is going on a stag do in the summer where they are riding the course of the Paris-Roubaix. But they have to do it on pre-1980 bikes and in period cycling gear. The bikes they have built up from ebay finds and second hand bargains are gorgeous
I'm more of a fan of a nice bit of fillet brazing than another swoopy shaped piece of fancy plastic.
As for hanging nice expensive bikes on the wall, it's like keeping a race horse on your lawn and never riding, take it out and enjoy it, and realize what makes it so special. A bike with a worn patina is far more interesting than the immaculate item, it has stories to tell of adventure, because surely that is what cycling is all about.
As for hanging nice expensive bikes on the wall, it's like keeping a race horse on your lawn and never riding, take it out and enjoy it, and realize what makes it so special. A bike with a worn patina is far more interesting than the immaculate item, it has stories to tell of adventure, because surely that is what cycling is all about.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
For example - last week I was looking at a Pinarello Dogma. Many people might suggest I was a weirdo and a bit mental for saying this but...the thing was, to me, absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! Basically perfect in every way. Almost art with every angle, every welded joint, every jewel-like fitting and fixture.
welded joints?tuffer said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
For example - last week I was looking at a Pinarello Dogma. Many people might suggest I was a weirdo and a bit mental for saying this but...the thing was, to me, absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! Basically perfect in every way. Almost art with every angle, every welded joint, every jewel-like fitting and fixture.
welded joints? I meant on alloy frames etc.Some good replies here, nice to see the biking history from another poster. Also glad to see I'm not the only one!
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