A few weeks ago I bought a BSO off Ebay, an Ammoco Sports 4000. I actually bought it specifically to tow a trailer when I go camping/fishing/shopping as I didn't want to use my road bike for the job as some of the trailer hitch remains on the bike. I have been pleasantly surprised by the bike, for what it is it isn't too bad. It is comfortable, and it rolls along quite nicely even though it is fairly heavy. Obviously I wouldn't time trial on it, a racing bike it most certainly isn't, but it does what I wanted it to do. I plan to strip it, have the frame blasted then respray it, then no-one will know it is an Ammaco BSO!!
A few weeks ago I bought a BSO off Ebay, an Ammoco Sports 4000. I actually bought it specifically to tow a trailer when I go camping/fishing/shopping as I didn't want to use my road bike for the job as some of the trailer hitch remains on the bike. I have been pleasantly surprised by the bike, for what it is it isn't too bad. It is comfortable, and it rolls along quite nicely even though it is fairly heavy. Obviously I wouldn't time trial on it, a racing bike it most certainly isn't, but it does what I wanted it to do. I plan to strip it, have the frame blasted then respray it, then no-one will know it is an Ammaco BSO!!
Bill
heh!
attaully could be tempting as a would i like a road bike? particually as it would have to be garden beast, the shed is taken by two nice bikes and garden already has pop to * bikes
A few weeks ago I bought a BSO off Ebay, an Ammoco Sports 4000. I actually bought it specifically to tow a trailer when I go camping/fishing/shopping as I didn't want to use my road bike for the job as some of the trailer hitch remains on the bike. I have been pleasantly surprised by the bike, for what it is it isn't too bad. It is comfortable, and it rolls along quite nicely even though it is fairly heavy. Obviously I wouldn't time trial on it, a racing bike it most certainly isn't, but it does what I wanted it to do. I plan to strip it, have the frame blasted then respray it, then no-one will know it is an Ammaco BSO!!
For all the criticism they get BSOs do have a place. I know a chap that has a fancy bike for weekends and a BSO for commutes. The rule is simple, never, ever, do maintenance on the BSO. When it is no longer BS, then buy a new one for 70 squids.
<[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Is there an FAQ for this group?
Quoted message said:
A few weeks ago I bought a BSO
I tried a Google, but ...
Does LBS = Local Bicycle Shop/Supplier ?
Does BSO = Bog Standard Wheel (s)/Ordinary?
LBS - Local Bike Shop
BSO- Bicycle Shaped Object, refers to the cheapo [censored] sold by supermarkets, catalogues and even by some LBS's. Looks like a bike but doesn't really perform or last like a proper bike.
BSO- Bicycle Shaped Object, refers to the cheapo [censored] sold by supermarkets, catalogues and even by some LBS's. Looks like a bike but doesn't really perform or last like a proper bike.
Thanks, Bill! -- Charles Brompton P-type T6 in Motspur Park
BSO- Bicycle Shaped Object, refers to the cheapo [censored] sold by supermarkets, catalogues and even by some LBS's. Looks like a bike but doesn't really perform or last like a proper bike.
The origin of the term is from here: www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/Articles.asp?article=NO_BSO
For all the criticism they get BSOs do have a place. I know a chap that has a fancy bike for weekends and a BSO for commutes. The rule is simple, never, ever, do maintenance on the BSO. When it is no longer BS, then buy a new one for 70 squids.
But why buy a BSO when you can get something better, often for less money ?
I wanted a commute bike as I didn't want to leave a nice bike at a bus station. So I kept an eye on the local auction, which usually has about 30 BSOs and one or two old racers. I bought a 198? Claud Butler in 531 for 30 quid. It looks old and deeply unfashionable but it's an utter delight to ride and I'm not ashamed of it in the least. And I'll certainly maintain it, while carefully avoiding any tarting-up.
BSO- Bicycle Shaped Object, refers to the cheapo [censored] sold by supermarkets, catalogues and even by some LBS's. Looks like a bike but doesn't really perform or last like a proper bike.
The origin of the term is from here: www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/Articles.asp?article=NO_BSO
"Grip shifters (The gear changers you twist, similar to a motor bike throttle) are the shifter of choice on BSOs, a great invention but a lot more complicated than a standard lever."
IMO grip shifters are a model of engineering simplicity, certainly less complex than trigger or STI shifters.
> BSO- Bicycle Shaped Object, refers to the cheapo [censored] sold by supermarkets, > catalogues and even by some LBS's. Looks like a bike but doesn't really > perform or last like a proper bike.
The origin of the term is from here: www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/Articles.asp?article=NO_BSO
"Grip shifters (The gear changers you twist, similar to a motor bike throttle) are the shifter of choice on BSOs, a great invention but a lot more complicated than a standard lever."
IMO grip shifters are a model of engineering simplicity, certainly less complex than trigger or STI shifters.
I agree with you on the value of grip shifters, which I actually prefer over Rapidfire plus, but I suspect that by "standard lever" the writer was referring to downtube shifters rather than STI.
I agree with you on the value of grip shifters, which I actually prefer over Rapidfire plus, but I suspect that by "standard lever" the writer was referring to downtube shifters rather than STI.
It would be unfair to compare indexed shifters to non indexed shifters on complexity.
Adrian Godwin said the following on 24/08/2007 10:41:
Quoted message said:
I wanted a commute bike as I didn't want to leave a nice bike at a bus station. So I kept an eye on the local auction, which usually has about 30 BSOs and one or two old racers. I bought a 198? Claud Butler in 531 for 30 quid.
My mother has a very expensive custom-built Argos (as in Racing Cycles, not as in high street shop). She also has a £10 BSO that she uses to ride into Lincoln and leave lying around. When it breaks, she just buys a new one! She's had bits nicked off the BSO, but unfortunately they never nick the whole bike - they probably feel sorry for her :-)
I agree with you on the value of grip shifters, which I actually prefer over Rapidfire plus, but I suspect that by "standard lever" the writer was referring to downtube shifters rather than STI.
It would be unfair to compare indexed shifters to non indexed shifters on complexity.
But downtube shifters can be indexed: my old Df tourer had just such a thing.
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
On Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:15:06 +0100, Membrane <[email hidden]>
Quoted message said:
Tom Crispin said:
Quoted message said:
> BSO- Bicycle Shaped Object, refers to the cheapo [censored] sold by supermarkets, > catalogues and even by some LBS's. Looks like a bike but doesn't really > perform or last like a proper bike.
The origin of the term is from here: www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/Articles.asp?article=NO_BSO
"Grip shifters (The gear changers you twist, similar to a motor bike throttle) are the shifter of choice on BSOs, a great invention but a lot more complicated than a standard lever."
IMO grip shifters are a model of engineering simplicity, certainly less complex than trigger or STI shifters.
Indeed, but his point is that as grip shifters are more complex than, I assume, down tube shifters, they need to be made with quality components. I.e. if you want to build a cheap bike, use down tube shifters.
Full quote: "Grip shifters (The gear changers you twist, similar to a motor bike throttle) are the shifter of choice on BSOs, a great invention but a lot more complicated than a standard lever. A gear shifter needs to make thousands of reliable changes and must hold a consistent position if the gear shifting is to work. BSOs use cheap, poorly made versions; they seize or snap at the first sign of trouble."
"Tom Crispin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Indeed, but his point is that as grip shifters are more complex than, I assume, down tube shifters, they need to be made with quality components. I.e. if you want to build a cheap bike, use down tube shifters.
It is interesting the opinions people have of grip shifters. Lots of people say "eurgh, [censored], run away", but there are a few who say "they seem to work very well". I suspect the difference is that the latter group (which includes me) have used the posher versions rather than what you get on a BSO.
"Tom Crispin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Indeed, but his point is that as grip shifters are more complex than, I assume, down tube shifters, they need to be made with quality components. I.e. if you want to build a cheap bike, use down tube shifters.
It is interesting the opinions people have of grip shifters. Lots of people say "eurgh, [censored], run away", but there are a few who say "they seem to work very well". I suspect the difference is that the latter group (which includes me) have used the posher versions rather than what you get on a BSO.
I'm delighted with the grip shifters for my Rohloff gears.
Young children can have difficulty turning them, especially chainring shifters, though gloves help. However, they are, IMO, a far better option for children than rapid fire levers.
It is interesting the opinions people have of grip shifters. Lots of people say "eurgh, [censored], run away", but there are a few who say "they seem to work very well". I suspect the difference is that the latter group (which includes me) have used the posher versions rather than what you get on a BSO.
I also rather like my grip shifters (although I've never used trigger or STI shifters). Mine have "gripshift max" printed on them, but no sign of SRAM branding that I can see (this is on a Halfords house brand bike).
Mine provide a positive action and good tactile and audible feedback, their linear action means that multiple shifts in one go is easy and unlimited (often useful when double shifting). The only issue I find is that when its raining the grips can get a bit slippery, but they're fine with sweaty hands.
It would be unfair to compare indexed shifters to non indexed shifters on complexity.
Why's that then? They both do the same job. Friction shifters take a little more practice to use but work reliably. The complexity of indexed shifters makes them more expensive, less reliable or both. Seems to me that the comparison is fair.
It's been a while since I regularly used a bike with indexed gears (I had an ATB for a while but sold it to go travelling). At the time they seemed a little more convenient some of the time but a bit more hassle to maintain. I daresay they've improved quite a bit since then but... how much better can they be? You move the lever and the gear changes either way.
> BSO- Bicycle Shaped Object, refers to the cheapo [censored] sold by supermarkets, > catalogues and even by some LBS's. Looks like a bike but doesn't really > perform or last like a proper bike.
Quoted message said:
The origin of the term is from here: www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/Articles.asp?article=NO_BSO
"Grip shifters (The gear changers you twist, similar to a motor bike throttle) are the shifter of choice on BSOs, a great invention but a lot more complicated than a standard lever."
IMO grip shifters are a model of engineering simplicity, certainly less complex than trigger or STI shifters.
