We often see accusations of bikes being "niche " here.
I reckon we need a points system. The more points the greater the nichedom.
Just add to the highly arbitrary list:
Single speed +5
Hub gear +1
Bought as is -10
Big brand name -5
Dropbars +3
Jones bars +4
Frame material alloy 0
Frame material Ti +1
Frame material 4130 0 (or similar)
Frame material 6-853 +1 (or similar)
Frame material 953 +3
Frame material Bamboo +10
Frame material Flax +5
Frame modifications +2 eg grinding off bits
Frame modifications +10 cut or welded
Homemade frame +20
Tubeless +1
Tubulars +3
26" wheels 0
29er wheels +2 per wheel
Other size wheels +5 per wheel
Handbuilt wheel +2 per wheel if by someone personally known
Handbuilt wheel +5 per wheel if by owner
Brakes disk 0
Brakes V 0
Brakes canti +1 per end
Brakes drum + 3 per end
Brakes roller +3 per end
Brakes coaster +2
No Brake fixie -20
Fork telescopic 0
Fork linkage +5
Fork rigid +2
Nichebike owner with beard +1
Female nichebike owner with beard +40
Let's run this for a week with people adding bits, and we'll see what we have at the end.
(Please don't delete bits - if you disagree, just add a disagreement)
Made by someone no one else has ever heard of but who is clearly the bestest framebuilder EVER! +5
Females providing photographic evidence of their 'beard'+20
pop larkin - Member
Females providing photographic evidence of their 'beard'+20
I wasn't thinking of that sort of niche 🙂
Let's just say on their face.
Hmm, ok, suggestions then ...
HS33's +2 at each end, being as they are frankly, a bit odd, and a PITA to set up/keep on top of (ask me how I know). 😕
Maybe a bonus point or two for stuff like:
Oddly mixed parts (ie 26" wheel on 29er forks kinda thing), or having a wheel built on a SS hub vs. converting a freehub, (using those lovely anodised spacers from VeloSolo (no connection, [i]et cetera[/i]), plus other spacers are available).
so basically instead of 'niche bike' read: 'shit bike that someone has put together to make the dull trails in their area more exciting or so they have an excuse for goin dead slow and avoiding really technical riding.' HTH
made bike yourself +2
made bike from pile of bits in shed +5
mullet brakes +/-2
frame material 'other/rare' steel eg Tange Prestige +3
it seems my 26 inch rear wheel 24 inch front wheel ss/alfine whyte preston should do well
do i get extra points for doing a lot of the design and building the first two prototypes?
bill oddie - Member
so basically instead of 'niche bike' read: 'shit bike that someone has put together etc....
Why else have a niche bike? Shall we make that a +1?
ade ward - Member
it seems my 26 inch rear wheel 24 inch front wheel ss/alfine whyte preston should do welldo i get extra points for doing a lot of the design and building the first two prototypes?
May need an ultra niche category for your designs 🙂
Has at least one penis shaped component/rider. +1 (guilty i'm the biggest knob in town)
Despite any points acumilated above, being aware of own nicheness -50
Titanium 29er -500 for just trying too hard to be niche, but infinity bonus cock points
ade ward = winner in the niche stakes just for the sheer audasity for riding "preston".
How about posting up pics of bikes and letting STW forumites* judge and give niche points?
*STW forumites= people that think anything that's not a Specialneeds/Giant/some 8"+ freemincebike for riding a southerntrailcentre. 😉
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Singlespeed +5
Dropbars (of sorts) +3
700cc wheels +4
It's a fixie, but not a no brake fixie, so -20?
Fork rigid +2
made bike from pile of bits in shed +5
[b]= -1[/b]
Singlespeed +5
Dropbars (of sorts) +3
700cc wheels +4
It's a fixie, but not a no brake fixie, so -20?
Fork rigid +2
made bike from pile of bits in shed +5= -1
Assembled by a vodka and orange crazed raving homo with nothing but a hammer and molegrips. +50
Bar end shifters + or - ?
oldgit - Member
Bar end shifters + or - ?
+1?
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SS +5
Drops +3
Tubeless +1
29er each end +4
Rigid fork +2
I don't have a beard, but haven't shaved this morning (yet). +0.5 ?
[b]15.5[/b]
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Single speed +5
Jones bars +4
Frame material Ti +1
Other size wheels +5 per wheel (x 2?)
Fork rigid +2
Oddly mixed parts + 2 (69'er fork + Forward Components EBB)
Nichebike owner with beard +1
Score: 25 - woohoo, I is definitely niche now! 😆
Magic invisible chain and wireless brakes +20
Magic invisible chain and wireless brakes +20
Yep, ultimate high-tech on this bike 😆
Will all be finished this week, just need my LBS to set the brakes up as I don't have a vice to crimp the swages on the hoses. Plus waiting on a bling half-link chain to complete.
single speed - 5
853 - 1
650B wheels - 5+5
^built by me - 5+5
26! not bad 😐
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Do I win?
my scores are redeemed by beard and wheelbuiding 'habit'.
SS: 17
SC bullit: 1
race bike: 6
rigid commuter:0
Do we have a consensus on fitting and type ('ping or bring bring') of bells? Or hooters?
Oh, also suggest heavy penalties for carbon parts (say -2 per component and -5 for frame).
And -1 per shimano component fitted?
Oh and hows about plus 5 for ss only if on proper ss hub: converted freehub scores less, as does use of singulator? (ummm, this drops my ss back down to about 6...)
Maybe we should have a niche bike competition at SSUK.
Only rule, you've got to ride it in the event?
Keep the ideas coming...
Can someone with too much disposable income buy the domain name www.nicheas****.com please?
Got a niche bike and just riding it .........fast so no one can see it.
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Drop bar rigid ss 29er won at SSUK, designed by a beardless man and hand-built in the UK. Wheels built by someone on here (SSStu?). Toe clips must be worth some bonus points. I am bearded.
Do I win?
Not yet 🙂
Toeclips worth +1
No mudguards +2
Original Crud race guard +2
Where is the ayatolla on this thread? Does he get -25 for riding round the campsite, chest out saying 'look at me'?
SSWC tattoo +40
No Brake fixie -20
assume you meant +20 for that or are you suggesting giving no brake fixie riders credit for keeping it pure (dude) ... and being bonkers ofc
Suggestions;
Frame Material; Carbon +1
bike frame or major parts with no UK/european distributor +5
Custom finish +5