Is a bike just 'the sum of its parts'

[dyna-ti]

Sorry, getting all philosophical on yer asses.

 

[barry2017]

Not by the time it's got old and you've worked on it.
Do you remember my old mountain bike, Lazarus? I had a real attachment to it.
I can tell you what most of the dings in the tubes were from.
Brought a tear to my eye when I finally took the seatpost out of the frame and put it in the attic. The head tube is like a wizard's sleeve, the headset almost fell out. :cry:
So yes, a bike can be more than the sum of its parts.

 

[legrandefromage]

My Norman Fay seems to be haunted by the old gent himself - it always rides nice and seems to want to go further and further

 

[lewis1641]

financially, usually far less than the sum of its parts!

i'm sure my bikes have soul

 

[tintin40]

When in use the bike comes alive

 

[ekiborter]

There are plenty of bikes out there that have all the 'right' parts but there is nothing right about the bike.

so many bikes are less than the sum of their parts.

others are just right even if they have 'naff' components or frames.

:roll:

;]

 

[crud]

my most cherished bikes are my cheapest, usually because they are built without a thought to anyone else and how i want to build them with little outside input. (the Claud of Shame)

my current orange build will be more about fitting the 'correct' parts, makes it kind of difficult and clinical.

 

[barry2017]

I think you've hit the nail on the head there, Crud. The best bikes, the ones with the most soul, are the ones that have put the most miles in.
Look at my Raleighs.

 

[dyna-ti]

Perhaps it's something to do with the energy expended in all those years peddling them,kinda leaks into the heart/soul of the bike.The way the front of a bike shop feels cold and clinical,whereas the back shop ,full of well used bikes in for repair feels warm and lived in.