What is the essence of a bike?

[Mr. Bloom]

Hadn't thought about this, but as I pondered this, I changed my mind.

I think that a new frame = a new bike...just like the chassis on a car.

All the other components would be an "upgrade"

[lph]

I agree, the frame "is" the bike. But if I'd made radical changes to everything so that it rode very differently, eg. swapping a suspension fork for a rigid one or vice versa, plus upgrading the components massively, plus swapping fat mtb tires to really skinny ones or vice versa... I'd probably say "this is really my old bike X, but is to all effects my new bike Y".

[GLC1968]

I agree that the essence of a bike is the frame. Everything else may affect the ride and the performance, but without a frame, all you have is a pile of 'stuff' right? Not that you can ride a frame without that 'stuff'...but I think you know what I mean.

[Mr. Bloom]

We thought it was funny when we met TrekJeni - she had a Trek 1000 frame with full DuraAce (or something like that)....she loved that frame (and her signature "steamers" on the handlebars!)

[Miranda]

Not only is it a "new bike"... he just procreated a bike baby! Part of the frame was designed custome by HIM??? Umm, yea... You could tell him that if he doesn't claim it, there could be bad bike Karma from making it an illigit.

NOW... if the old orphaned frame (one parts came off of) was adopted elsewhere to a new home... maybe it keeps the family new net to "one" then? Errr, guess that math doesn't work either. Or don't ride it until Jan. 1, 2010?

OK, that's all I got for now. Off to my kitchen to rationalize if eating my kids' ice cream with a small spoon makes it have less calories vs using a big spoon (could take a while--hopefully bedtime will come first).

Good Luck on the debate.