I name them - or at least have since I've (kind of) grown up.

The first bike I named was Walter, a 1-year anniversary present from DH. He's a Raleigh, and, um, vintage enough that he's lugged. Really quite a nice bike, though he never fit me very well.

My other bike is William, the 'Bent. (After William Bent of Colorado history fame)

I've also named a bike I haven't even shopped for yet, but we're not going there.

All my bikes are male - I'm not the type to spend that much intimate time with females (no offense intended, that's just the way I was made) - and all have names that refer to a pioneer of some sort, have a logical connection to the bike itself, and start with 'W.' I'm not sure how this happened, but there it is. Elder Daughter thinks I'm done buying bikes, 'cause I surely have run out of names. (see above)

Come to think of it, my viola and string bass feel male to me, as have our cars, at least the cars I liked. Neither instruments or cars have been named, however, and I did spend quite a bit of one-on-one time with the instruments.

MomOnBike
(recovering musician)