Author Topic: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen  (Read 636661 times)

clarion

  • Tyke
Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« on: 24 April, 2008, 06:04:56 pm »
I am a fan of the off-beat - vintage, recumbents, workbikes, and other alternatives.

If you've seen anything curious (i.e. not just another Trek hybrid in London ;D ), list it here - preferably with a photo.

NB:  This is not just a thread to discuss bling.  The old Triumph that that old woman pedals incredibly slowly across the village green every day is still Unusual and Interesting (well, it is to me|)
Getting there...

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #1 on: 24 April, 2008, 06:13:18 pm »
First two from me (no photos I'm afraid :( ):

1.  Garratt Lane turning into Fountain Road.  I turned right into the road ahead of a bike turning left.  He passed me quite quickly, despite being an older bloke dressed in ordinary clothes.  Not a surprise, particularly - I've not been worrying any TT record holders today.  I noticed the man was riding an Airnimal - Chameleon, I think.  But it had a big rear hub, and something on top of the main tube.  It became apparent when he started to 'freewheel' - it had electric assist, which I thought was very interesting for a high-end folder.  He turned into the grounds of St Georges Hospital.

2.  Parked next to me at the Sheffield Stands east side of Tooting Broadway (OK, I didn't travel far today - what do you want - blood?).  A lichen green bike, with 531 stickers on the forks, and a mixture of Shimano components (RSX & Tiagra).  No head badge visible, and the rust was showing through the paint all over, but the conical seatstays looked pretty classy.  I'd resigned myself to not knowing what it was, when, from a distance, as the light caught it, I saw the faint remains of the lettering 'Witcomb'.  I smiled & rode away.
Getting there...

Jacomus

  • My favourite gender neutral pronoun is comrade
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #2 on: 24 April, 2008, 09:52:30 pm »






Seen ages ago, but by far the most unusual bike I have seen out and about.
"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity." Amelia Earhart

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #3 on: 24 April, 2008, 10:14:03 pm »
Love those Flying Gates (not just cause Baines was a Bradford firm).  And TJ (Trevor Jarvis) is based near my parents' house.

Really really want one.

But...

but...

but...

...that colour scheme! :o
Getting there...

border-rider

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #4 on: 24 April, 2008, 10:18:45 pm »
I dunno.  Interesting yes, but I've always felt they were just trying too hard to be interesting. 

 ;D

I'd prefer something a bit more understated meself. 

Good thread though

Mr Larrington

  • A bit ov a lyv wyr by slof standirds
  • Custard Wallah
    • Mr Larrington's Automatic Diary
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #5 on: 25 April, 2008, 09:17:36 am »
(Note to self - download last Sunday's pix off camera)
External Transparent Wall Inspection Operative & Mayor of Mortagne-au-Perche
Satisfying the Bloodlust of the Masses in Peacetime

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #6 on: 25 April, 2008, 11:19:03 am »
I think this thread need a link to the XnTRICK Cycles website.  :o  ;D ;D ;D
If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is...

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #7 on: 25 April, 2008, 11:20:10 am »
Oh - and now it has! :D
Getting there...

Chris N

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #8 on: 25 April, 2008, 11:25:03 am »
I saw a Overbury MTB in Bristol a few months ago - set up with Bullmoose bars* bars, mudguards and racks, a very upright riding position with lovely fillet brazed joints.  A bit tatty now, but obviously a nice bit of kit back in the '80s.

*I think that's the right term - a one piece bar and stem combo, made from a vertical tube in the steerer with two angled tubes as the forward extension with a wide, sweeping handlebar.

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #9 on: 25 April, 2008, 11:34:14 am »
I used to want an Overbury's sooo much.  The Cross Fell was cool, but the Pioneer was amazing!
Getting there...

Mr Larrington

  • A bit ov a lyv wyr by slof standirds
  • Custard Wallah
    • Mr Larrington's Automatic Diary
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #10 on: 25 April, 2008, 11:36:02 am »
I used to want an Overbury's sooo much.  The Cross Fell was cool, but the Pioneer was amazing!

Me too an' all.  But I could only afford a Roockhooper, so that's what I bought.
External Transparent Wall Inspection Operative & Mayor of Mortagne-au-Perche
Satisfying the Bloodlust of the Masses in Peacetime

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #11 on: 25 April, 2008, 01:05:08 pm »
I'm not sure how unusual it it, but the boyfriend is always getting compliments from random people on his vintage 3-speed Puch tourer that he commutes on. Will have to get a photo as it is currently hanging on my wall. I don't like the look of saddle and grips he's put on though, and it now has mismatched brakes because the original front one was broken in a crash.

He bought it from an old man who's wife was making him get rid of some bikes, who had kept it in lovely condition for its age. It's a bugger in the rain (chromed steel rims).

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #12 on: 25 April, 2008, 01:26:47 pm »
The other day in Edinburgh I saw a couple on a tandem pulling one of those trailer's for kids to sit in.

Nothing unusual there you say....except the back half of the tandem was a normal upright bike while the front half was a recumbent.

I've never seen or heard of that before.  Wish I'd got a pic.

Spikey

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #13 on: 25 April, 2008, 01:28:18 pm »
A (foot powered) adult scooter with a larger front wheel (approx 20inches) and smaller back wheel.
(Seen a couple of times on the downs in Bristol)

I'm not sure if it counts as a bike, but it does have 2 wheels and is human powered, and I understand someone completed PBP on one!


Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #14 on: 25 April, 2008, 01:30:08 pm »
The other day in Edinburgh I saw a couple on a tandem pulling one of those trailer's for kids to sit in.

Nothing unusual there you say....except the back half of the tandem was a normal upright bike while the front half was a recumbent.

I've never seen or heard of that before.  Wish I'd got a pic.

Hase Pino - google it.  I've seen one in Hyde Park, I was chuffed, pity the riders were so unfriendly.
Your Royal Charles are belong to us.

jellied

  • skip to the end
    • Ealing Bike Hub
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #15 on: 25 April, 2008, 01:30:42 pm »
The other day in Edinburgh I saw a couple on a tandem pulling one of those trailer's for kids to sit in.

Nothing unusual there you say....except the back half of the tandem was a normal upright bike while the front half was a recumbent.

I've never seen or heard of that before.  Wish I'd got a pic.

That will be a Hase Pino or Periscop. Amazing machines. Rode one  a few times with my 10 year old. Did the TdF and Hovis FreeWheel on it and it's perfect for Critical Mass.
A shitter and a giggler.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #16 on: 25 April, 2008, 01:43:26 pm »
A (foot powered) adult scooter with a larger front wheel (approx 20inches) and smaller back wheel.

http://kickbike.com/
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Spikey

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #17 on: 25 April, 2008, 03:05:41 pm »
Hase Pino - google it.
I want one of those.

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #18 on: 25 April, 2008, 03:09:50 pm »
Totally, me too!
Your Royal Charles are belong to us.

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #19 on: 25 April, 2008, 03:41:53 pm »
A (foot powered) adult scooter with a larger front wheel (approx 20inches) and smaller back wheel.

http://kickbike.com/

They were racing those on TdF Prologue day  ::-)
Getting there...

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #20 on: 25 April, 2008, 03:44:16 pm »
I saw a Overbury MTB in Bristol a few months ago - set up with Bullmoose bars* bars, mudguards and racks, a very upright riding position with lovely fillet brazed joints.  A bit tatty now, but obviously a nice bit of kit back in the '80s.

*I think that's the right term - a one piece bar and stem combo, made from a vertical tube in the steerer with two angled tubes as the forward extension with a wide, sweeping handlebar.

Overbury Pioneer Only pic I can find, but I find myself shaking my head at what they've done to the paintjob... :(
Getting there...

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #21 on: 25 April, 2008, 06:19:34 pm »
Some time back I saw a Pedersen in the Grassmarket in Edinburgh.  http://www.pedersenbicycle.dk/
Whist stopping to investigate I noticed it had a loose front axle nut.  Not having anything to properly tighten said nut and considering it just may be an obscure anti theft technique I contented myself with leaving a warning note secured in the saddle support cable.

Wibble

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #22 on: 26 April, 2008, 02:23:09 pm »
Not quite electric assist...


A civilian version of the Kronan, a Swedish Army bike.  I like the way it carries babies, not bombs


Want something a little lighter?



rower40

  • Not my boat. Now sold.
Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #23 on: 26 April, 2008, 08:14:19 pm »
 :) :) :)
I'm scared to click on that last one in case I burst it!
Totally brilliant.
Be Naughty; save Santa a trip

Re: Interesting and Unusual Bikes You've Seen
« Reply #24 on: 26 April, 2008, 08:28:48 pm »
The other day in Edinburgh I saw a couple on a tandem pulling one of those trailer's for kids to sit in.

Nothing unusual there you say....except the back half of the tandem was a normal upright bike while the front half was a recumbent.

I've never seen or heard of that before.  Wish I'd got a pic.

It's a Hase Pino 





MY most unusual and one I woul love to have was tha Julianne Neuss Brompton Recumbent....