Why can't I stop fussing?

[KnottedYet]

One of my bikes has been fussed and tweaked to perfection. It's my jewel, my zoom-zoom. (well, maybe it could use some Brooks bar tape)

My commuter is also pretty darn perfect. I've fussed and bothered and switched... but I can't stop! Now I want different bars (maybe even Albatross bars?) and I want to put Kona JackSh*t pedals on her.

I can't stop myself! There's always *something* to covet! I feel like a whiney kid in the grocery store checkout line: "I want one of those, I want that, Gimme some..."

sigh.

[Wahine]

The key to life is not having what you want but wanting what you have.

Yes Sheryl Crow did sing this in one of her songs but it's an old
chinese proverb, she doesn't get credit for it.

[Zen]

Fussy Hussy.
Two funny words

[Trek420]

I don't know, hun

I don't tweak my bikes.

Did all the tweaking of my road bike in my head in the decision-making process. From there on I have not changed a thing. When stuff wears out I get to replace it, whoo hoo.

I trust Chris, the owner of my LBS. I needed a new chain and he said right now there's a kind he like more than Campy record I had ok, I got that. I've worn through oh about 4-5 saddles but just get what my butt likes at the time.

When the wheels on my 10 year old commuter got groady (is that a word?) I rewarded it with Mavic Cross ride wheels again at his advice. They look and ride so well it inspired me to paint the bike to match in Mavic Yellow.

Bradley needed a new coat on her well worn steel frame. See "powdercoat" thread.

I'd love to throw money at the commuter but the gosh dang thing keeps rolling I've replaced the rear cluster and chain two tuneups ago but rest of the power train is original. When I bring it in they put it on the rack, run it through the paces smile and say "dang, this is running well".

They know it's an old bike, "outmoded parts" I ride often and take good care of it.

After painting it's a full rebuild and I was hoping Chris would say "It's time you replace _____". Instead he cleaned it so well that I thought "these are new brakes and deraileur and .... nope, they are the same".

If I do ALC with niece UK Eliphant in '09 I'd take it in and say "I love this bike, what can I do to make it lighter, faster. Here's my charge card and what I'd expect to pay on a new bike, do an extreme makeover on this old bike"

Knowing Chris he'll say "your bike is fine, train "

I :heart: my LBS

[Popoki_Nui]

I have the same gene, so I empathize. Except my compulsion includes getting more bikes, as well as tweaking the ones I already have.
I need help.

[Trek420]

I have the same gene, so I empathize. Except my compulsion includes getting more bikes, as well as tweaking the ones I already have.
I need help.

Sounds like a new 12 step program is needed.

I'd love to get new shifters, the GT's thumb shifters are hard to work with my tiny mouse-like paws. At that point I'd go ahead with the rest of the power train. But it works well, and after the day at the bike spa looks good....so

On the other hand now I'm fussing with all aspects of a home remodel.

[KnottedYet]

Grip-shift, baby.

I'm tellin' ya, they are highly under-rated for commutermobiles. And it's darn nice to be able to flip through a bunch of gears at once like with Campy.

I'm not ashamed to admit I like Grip-shifts! (and I don't have mousey-paws)

[Trek420]

Grip-shift, baby.

I'm tellin' ya, they are highly under-rated for commutermobiles. And it's darn nice to be able to flip through a bunch of gears at once like with Campy.

I'm not ashamed to admit I like Grip-shifts! (and I don't have mousey-paws)

Ok, I'll ask Chris. Why would you be ashamed of grip shifters? Are they considered Fred? Are there other shifters I should be lusting after right now? Right now I'm tearing out ancient repulsive carpeting. Yep, just as I thought, plywood under there.

[Popoki_Nui]

Sounds like a new 12 step program is needed.

Would a 12 bike program do instead? I like the sound of that. Heck, I'm half-way there.

[KnottedYet]

Yesssss, i think a 12-Bike Program would suit me fine!

(aaw, heck, let's go for a baker's dozen while we're at it!)

[Trek420]

Yesssss, i think a 12-Bike Program would suit me fine!

(aaw, heck, let's go for a baker's dozen while we're at it!)

Hmmm, I don't think I'd want 12 bikes. Where would I put 'em? There are bikes I admire, that catch my eye, but I can't think of 9 other bikes I must have. Guess for one thing I have what for me is the dream road bike; full custom Italian steel. I got to test ride a Seven once (thanks bikerz ) thought I'd feel deprived and dayuhm I love my bike.

I'd like to TRY carbon but would I want one? If I found an ol' Trek 420, I'd want it. Riv or a Surly but I'm happy with the bikes I have.

Grip shifters eh? Like these? Well, I'm sitting next to tile samples probably can't do both right now.

[KnottedYet]

just got back from a little ride. Admiring the HUGE pile of dirty dishes in my sink and drinking a warm soy milk.

I tried a carbon frame once, it didn't suit me. And if I could find another Trek 420 like my dear cobalt blue steel mid 1990's, you bet I'd buy it! (why oh why did I ever sell that bike!?!?!)

I'd like an Xtracycle. And a Smoke for me (but not one with 29 inch wheels). And a 'bent. A folding bike could be good. And a single-speed just so I can be a poseur (it'd have to be a really really really little gear! and definitely NOT a fixie!) cuz I'm really not that cool.

Let's see, how many bikes is that now?

[SouthernBelle]

You think that's bad. I want one of those tiny teardrop trailers so Black Beauty and I can go places and find interesting rides.

[Popoki_Nui]

Heaven help me...with only a few moments thought, I came up with the following wishlist:
70's Gitane Super Corsa
70's Gitane Interclub
70's Raleigh Professional in Blue Mink
70's Raleigh Super Course in Root Beer
70's Peugeot PX-10
70's Crescent Pepita Special
70's Falcon San Remo
70's Tommasini
50/60s Bianchi (the one with the lovely chromed lugs, cottered steel cranks, 'with early Campy Record and finished in the classic old skool Celeste paintand graphics)
'04 Bianchi Super Grizzly MTB'
'07 Cervelo Soloist carbon
'06 Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30

Yikes.

[Popoki_Nui]

You think that's bad. I want one of those tiny teardrop trailers so Black Beauty and I can go places and find interesting rides.

A practical and fun item to want....nothing wrong with that!