Do you name your bikes?

[jillm]

I've noticed over the few years I've been reading the forums that it seems like a lot of TEers name their bikes. It never occurred to me to name the Bianchi anything other than "the Bianchi." So, DO you name your bikes? What name? Why?

It's not a serious topic, or a big deal. I'm just curious!

[crazycanuck]

One person that doesn't & i don't understand why women name thier bikes???

Dogggiesss sure

[Becky]

Yes, only because DH and I have about 8 bikes between us, and it cuts down on some of the confusion during bike-related conversations.

That said, my new MTB (6 months old) and new commuter (a week old) are both nameless at this point. Nothing has really stuck yet, and I hate to force a name.

[andtckrtoo]

I do because they seem to take on personalities of their own, even though I know that's not possible! My Cannondale road bike is "Mike the Bike". He's named after a guy I knew once who was sleek, handsome and just a little bit rough around the edges, like my aluminum framed R6.

My new Surly will be named "La Chatte Noir" - "Cat" for short. I have cat reflective stickers and everything.

[sfa]

I only have one bike, but she has a name. I think people tend to name things that seem like more than just tools to them. I know lots of people who always name their cars, which I've never understood. But then, I don't much care what my car is, as long as it gets me from point A to point B. And my daughter anthropomorphizes freakin' everything, so everything has a name, from all of her stuffed animals to her bike to her backpack.

Sarah

[Crankin]

I don't name inanimate objects, either. I also don't decide if my bikes are "men" or "women."
I call my bike, my bike, which refers to my road bike. If I am going to ride the others, I say "the Jamis" or my mtb.

[jillm]

This is really interesting! And I guess it's just a black or white thing, I love my bikes, they're pretty and I like to go fast (ummm... faster than walking at least), but they are just bikes.

So do you say things like, "I feel like going fast today, I'm taking Mike!", or "Bessie's better with hills." ?

I must admit, I DO talk to my plants, they're all named "Plantie."

One more question-Male or female? Seems like most are referred to as "she", but Smurf's latest is a boy (which got me thinking about all of this), Andtckrtoo has a Mike. How do I tell the sex of my bikes?

[HoosierGiant]

Love my ride! It's a thing of beauty -- still admire it every time I walk into the room. But, it doesn't have a name. After almost four years of waiting for the perfect appellation, I don't think it's gonna happen. I simply refer to it as The Bike.

[kfergos]

For me, it's a matter of having spent so much time with the darn thing, it seems to have a personality even if it doesn't. I definitely anthropomorphize my bike beyond naming it, too; I think "Here we are" when we arrive somewhere (even when I'm alone), and I imagine she gets lonely if I don't ride for a few days, and of course I give them gender.

Specialized Hard Rock-turned-Xtracycle: Charlotte (the paradox of a delicate name with this monster of a bike appeals to me)
Seven Ti road bike: Artemis

[redrhodie]

I'd probably never call my bikes by their names out loud, especially at the lbs, but they are named. My red steel bike is Puddin', and my white bike is Arrow.

[Jiffer]

I usually call my Cannondale CAAD9 "Baby", but sometimes Caady (pronounced Caddy).

I think I've referred to her as Pinky before, since she's pinked out. But I guess I never settled on one name that I use often and exclusively. She's probably referred to most commonly as simply, "my bike". And she's fine with that. We do have a good relationship. I take care of her and she takes care of me.

[rocknrollgirl]

All of our bikes are named. I figure anything that I am spending that much time up close and personal with needs a name.

Gidget-my Titus RacerX mtb
Bob-all mountain, a bit heavy but he can a hit
Trixie-road bike, Speed Racer's gf
Belle-my commuter


DH has
Babe the big blue ox-mtb
Gandalph the Grey-mtb
Road bike-yet to be named

I refer to all the bikes by name as do our riding buddies. It is weird, because I am not " cutsey", and nothing else is named.

[TrekTheKaty]

Yep, Lightning is her name. I'm a nascar fan and by coincidence, my Trek bike is black and white (like a checkered flag). Lightning is the name of the lead "car" in the Pixar movie "Cars."

I'm convinced it works, because on our first ride, we attempted the hardest hill in our local ride. Halfway up, I said, "Lightning, get me up this hill." We made it! It stuck.

[shellkay1212]

My Giant's name is Dora Dempsey. I've no idea why. It just works.

My Litespeed really screamed male. So, his name is Mojito. Because he makes me feel like I have a little mojo. And he is hot!

[Reesha]

I've tried and nothing ever seems to stick! Wait-- scratch that. I did name my former mountain bike Super Taylor. I do decorate my bikes as well. I painted Super Taylor on my top tube like so: