How do you feel about ugly bicycles?

[mstateglfr]

How do I feel about them? Well, I feel like I dont like the look of ugly bikes as much as beautiful bikes.


As one who rides bikes with 650mm stack, 410mm reach, and some spacers- I accept that my bikes are not beautiful to most people. I try to church em up in little ways, but recognize they are more function than form.

[fourflys]

Originally Posted by mstateglfr

How do I feel about them? Well, I feel like I dont like the look of ugly bikes as much as beautiful bikes.


As one who rides bikes with 650mm stack, 410mm reach, and some spacers- I accept that my bikes are not beautiful to most people. I try to church em up in little ways, but recognize they are more function than form.

spacers (unless REALLY high) don't bother me.. nor does a longer head tube (again, to an extent..).. but I also love the looks of a classic steel road race bike with a fistful of seat post and bars much closer to saddle than what we see today.. but I also don't mind a bit of slope to the tt as well..

we all have weird and different views on "what's proper".. as long as we're not trying to "yuck someone else's yum" by talking crap about their short or upturned stem, etc, we're all good..

[Philster]

I think looks for me are mostly a matter of proportion. Since wheels are mostly a constant size, this brings in the size of the rider. Surprise! I like the looks of bikes in my size which is about a Medium.

One thing that I do not like is the huge drop that some builders include on their show bikes. I don't think any actual human rides this fit. I think builders just think it makes them a brand for cool people.

My Mom taught me good manners, so I would never say someone's bike is ugly. The more someone seems proud of their bike, the more Ooohing and Aaaahing I'm doing.

[bicycletricycle]

I should note that I actually like some of the ugly bikes I posted

[capt_velo]

No sir, I don't like them, but what I can you do? I mean, only classic geometry bikes are beautiful, so that makes all big brand new bikes are not beautiful.

[jamesdak]

Hmmm...not sure how to answer this. I've had some rides I'd consider ugly but they had a purpose so I was fine with it.

In fact, truth be told, I feel my Softride is pretty ugly and it's heavy. Yet on the road it is so comfortable and so fast!



These wheels help it a bit but it's still not winning any beauty contest.



This disaster was also quite ugly but was an errand bike for awhile. Sucked at that though as everything got stacked high on it and it was a pain to get on when loaded with groceries or such. I won't even mention all the noises the bike made.



This too small 3 speed was pretty rough on the eyes too with certain "unique" features when I got it, like pedals welded (poorly) to the crank arms.
Another old errand bike.



Another bike in which it was seen as either ridiculous and ugly or awesome.
It actually was quite fun and not as uncomfortable as it would seem to be. A badly separated shoulder in a wreck on another bike ended my days with this one before I fully sorted it out.



Finally, I've been told by a few folks that my Azor is ugly. I just can't see it myself. To me it's the perfect errand and cruise around on bike. With an 8 speed IGH, upgraded drum brakes, frame lock for the rear, full fender protection for wet conditions, strong rack with the front putting no weight on the front wheel, etc. While many would consider this in the USA a women's bike, overseas it's seen as a practical step through. So easy to mount when fully loaded with heavy stuff. I can do 30+ miles on this in total comfort and at a respectable pace even.

There's about $5000 in camera gear in the back inside that front rack in this picture. It's a great bike for touring around the valley and shooting pictures.

[Likes2ridefar]

I will ride an ugly bike but I will not ride any bike with branding like this:

[Elefantino]

Originally Posted by Likes2ridefar

I will ride an ugly bike but I will not ride any bike with branding like this:

And that brand is ... ?

[robt57]

That be an easy fix with exterior vinyl wrap that will last longer than our interest in the bike.

I won't ride anything that does not have a round seatpost, and preferably not huge diameter. Shim baby, shim.

Originally Posted by Likes2ridefar

I will ride an ugly bike but I will not ride any bike with branding like this:

[EB]

I’ve always wanted to try a Jones LWB, built up by Jones of course.

Does that count?

[prototoast]

I don't want to ride a bike that I find ugly, but I'm happy to ride a bike that other people find ugly.

[weisan]

If I am stranded on an island and the only bike available is so ugly that it will make me puke, you bet your a$$ I am gonna ride it.

[Likes2ridefar]

Originally Posted by weisan

If I am stranded on an island and the only bike available is so ugly that it will make me puke, you bet your a$$ I am gonna ride it.

In this case I would ride the trek.

[Peter P.]

Ugly bikes? What about ugly riders?!

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by Peter P.

Ugly bikes? What about ugly riders?!

I try not to ride ugly bikes.

I definitely don't ride ugly riders.