Most ridiculous/extreme/unsuitable commuting bike

secretsam
secretsam Posts: 5,120
edited November 2016 in Commuting chat
So. I thought I'd seen it all, commuting in London: wrecks, full-suss MTBs, carbon fliers with deep sections...but last night's was the most mental.

It was:
- 1990s steel lo-pro frame (bendy tubes and all)
- "Superman" style handlebars - max width maybe 20cm
- No brakes (natch)
And...
- A disc wheel at the back

This was coming off Hyde Park Corner. What. A. Fool.
It's just a hill. Get over it.

Comments

  • alan_sherman
    alan_sherman Posts: 1,157
    Agree... but with an exception. If said fool was actually Mr Obree and he was heading for Park Lane to take the Strava record from a load of wannabes then I'd make an exception!
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    alan sherman wrote:
    Agree... but with an exception. If said fool was actually Mr Obree and he was heading for Park Lane to take the Strava record from a load of wannabes then I'd make an exception!

    It wasn't. He was riding at about 5mph and looked absolutely terrified.
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Stick a front brake on and I'd stick it in the fleet for tarty days.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    iPete wrote:
    Stick a front brake on and I'd stick it in the fleet for tarty days.
    Seriously, the bars alone were suicidal...
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    SecretSam wrote:
    So. I thought I'd seen it all, commuting in London: wrecks, full-suss MTBs, carbon fliers with deep sections...but last night's was the most mental.

    It was:
    - 1990s steel lo-pro frame (bendy tubes and all)
    - "Superman" style handlebars - max width maybe 20cm
    - No brakes (natch)
    And...
    - A disc wheel at the back

    This was coming off Hyde Park Corner. What. A. Fool.

    Like this?

    http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/s-chas-ro ... -bike-4610
    FCN = 4
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Or like this one?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ0xtiXKgf0
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    would commute on :lol:

    c93a48cfb03aab35f446388f6f4e663c77941320.jpg
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    iPete wrote:
    would commute on :lol:

    c93a48cfb03aab35f446388f6f4e663c77941320.jpg


    Hell yeah !!!
  • condorman
    condorman Posts: 811
    Saw a guy on a full carbon fibre TT bike by Ludgate Circus. He was wearing an aero helmet as well which no doubt helped as he crawled down Fleet Street. I left him behind as I a was in pedestrian mode.
    Condor Pista
    50x16
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    condorman wrote:
    Saw a guy on a full carbon fibre TT bike by Ludgate Circus. He was wearing an aero helmet as well which no doubt helped as he crawled down Fleet Street. I left him behind as I a was in pedestrian mode.

    Saw a guy in similar garb out on a Saturday morning, Giro TT helmet but normal road bike as he chaperoned his 5 year old at 10 mph.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • reformedfatty
    reformedfatty Posts: 543
    Saw a guy riding on a fatbike, 4 inch plus knobblies and daft valve cap lights like you'd put on a 5 year olds bike.

    Yes, it was me.
  • fat daddy
    fat daddy Posts: 2,605
    redvee wrote:
    Saw a guy in similar garb out on a Saturday morning, Giro TT helmet but normal road bike as he chaperoned his 5 year old at 10 mph.

    never ever judge a man with a 5 y/o in tow .... what ever that man is doing or wearing or singing or dancing is done to appease said 5 year old

    hell I scootered to the shop yester day wearing a Elsa wig and Fairy wings !
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    fat daddy wrote:
    redvee wrote:
    Saw a guy in similar garb out on a Saturday morning, Giro TT helmet but normal road bike as he chaperoned his 5 year old at 10 mph.

    never ever judge a man with a 5 y/o in tow .... what ever that man is doing or wearing or singing or dancing is done to appease said 5 year old

    hell I scootered to the shop yester day wearing a Elsa wig and Fairy wings !

    I haven't gone that far - fortunately Slowbike Jr isn't yet aware of that! But he is aware of his lid - and mine - so when he wanted to go on his balance bike the other day - he brought me my lid .... so I wore it whilst helping him ride his balance bike - just a few meters - but it's enough.

    In the past I've escorted a niece along a cyclepath - me in full lycra and road bike - her in normal attire - I'd just got back from a club ride - so, like you say - never ever judge a man with a kid in tow ...
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    redvee wrote:
    Or like this one?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ0xtiXKgf0

    'Bars aren't extreme enough!
    iPete wrote:
    would commute on :lol:

    [img]<span%20class="skimlinks-unlinked">https://lfgss.microco.sm/api/v1/files/c93a48cfb03aab35f446388f6f4e663c77941320.jpg</span>[/img]

    right sort of bike, not sure about the bars. Could you comfortably hold them and steer? If so, that's no good
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    reformedfatty wrote:
    Saw a guy riding on a fatbike, 4 inch plus knobblies and daft valve cap lights like you'd put on a 5 year olds bike.

    Yes, it was me.

    You weren't going round Hyde Park Corner, were you? Saw some loon doing that on a fat bike the other day :shock:
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • whatleytom
    whatleytom Posts: 547
    Saw a guy on a fatbike going down embankment the other day. Also spotted a guy on a full TT rig, wearing a trisuit (sleeveless, naturally) and TT helmet on the Lambeth Bridge/Millbank roundabout during summer.
    Blog on first season road racing http://www.twhatley.com/
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    whatleytom wrote:
    Saw a guy on a fatbike going down embankment the other day. Also spotted a guy on a full TT rig, wearing a trisuit (sleeveless, naturally) and TT helmet on the Lambeth Bridge/Millbank roundabout during summer.

    To be fair, the chap on the TT bike could have been off to a pre/post work event.

    The chap on the fat bike could have been on his way to a desert / frozen lake.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Saw a Fatbike in Bristol as I rolled down a gentle slope and he had to pedal to keep any sort of speed. :lol:
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    My neighbour used to commute to work and back on an 8" travel DH bike while wearing his workclothes......but his commute was less than 2 miles each way.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    I have commuted on my TT bike - the distance is about the same and it gave me a chance to practice with the aero bars - quite a quick way to get to work and back too! ;)

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