I've never been self-conscious about riding my Riv, or any of my other uprights. If you want to feel self-conscious or attract attention, try riding a recumbent! Or driving a bright yellow Miata, as I also do.
BTW, my Riv turns 15 this year, so some might say it it qualifies as actually old, not just old-fashioned looking. I don't leave the Riv locked up and out of my sight in town, but it has been left outside the occasional country store while I went in to refuel. Usually with a bunch of other bikes around. Not to say that's a perfect system, a rider in the local club lost a Look racing bike a few months back while at a rest stop. The thief was in full riding regalia, clipless shoes and all, so no passers-by thought twice about him riding off on the bike. It was clearly a targeted theft at a place where cyclists are known to stop, and in an affluent area of the East Bay where there are lots of expensive bikes to steal. If I'm going to have to leave the bike where it's easily visible and vulnerable, I ride something a little less attractive. You said you can afford it, and you like nice machinery, so treat yourself and get the Sam. Chances are you'll be glad you did! Bill On Jan 14, 1:29 pm, Mick <makoep...@mac.com> wrote: > I'm very interested in buying a Sam Hillborne. I think it's a > fantastically constructed bike and aesthetically a work of art. I like > the idea of having a quality piece of machinery, that fits well, and > that could ridden for many years to come. While I can afford to drop > $2,000 (or so) on a bike, I've never owned one that costly before. I > was wondering if this owner's group could let me know if they've ever > felt uncomfortable riding an "expensive" bike or one as beautiful as > the Sam Hillborne. Is it the same as sporting around in a Porsche or > let's say a vintage Alfa Romeo? (I'm not sure I could ever do either > of these things). > > Generally speaking I like to keep a low profile. I was wondering if > that will be possible riding a Sam Hillborne. Do those riding > Rivendell's get approached often by people looking to appreciate their > bike? And is this a positive experience? Do you ever feel self- > conscious about riding such a flash bike? > > What about locking the bike and leaving it? Do you feel comfortable > doing so? Or is it so obviously expensive and sought after that you > wouldn't think of leaving it out of eye sight? > > Thanks for providing any insight you may have. I'd hate to buy a bike > that I loved, but didn't feel comfortable being seen in public with. > I'm hoping that you Rivendell riders might be able to put my mind to > rest.
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