Ridability, what's it to ya?

[jackdaw]

So, how important is it to you that your rats are ridable? I mean, I bet most of them are ridable, but some of them I wouldn't want to ride for more than twenty minutes or so.

I think that's fine, the one I'm building is so short that I won't really be able to ride it. I've got plenty of bikes to ride, and the rat I'm building is more for the fun of building, and sort of the visual art of it.

So how ridable do your bikes have to be?

 

[StepChld]

Completely comfortable or otherwise why bother. It kind of defeats the purpose of a cruiser, if you can't cruise on it. BUT this is just MY opinion...obviously "your mileage may vary". :wink:
To me, it's kind of the same feelings for old school low-riders (the car)...I would never own one b/c they are not built for speed or handling but I really can appreciate the work and the art that goes into one. 8)

 

[55ColumbiaBuilt]

If I can't ride it, I don't want it. And if I'm going to ride it, it will be enjoyable.

 

[ozzmonaut]

For years I built custom lowriders for people in and around Richmond, VA. They were usually difficult to ride but were to the customers specs. I myself go to great lengths to make my own bikes ridable. If the pedals scrape, I use shorter cranks. I'm not sure about the mileage. If I can only ride a few miles, but the bike was designed to be more visual, then I feel I've made the right compromise. My daily riders aren't too customized, at least not in ways that will make them more difficult to ride. I wouldn't want to ride my tall bike 30 miles, at least not in the terrain I live in. But 5-10 is enough for me on a tall bike, and it is still fun. Mainly you just have to look at how it satisfies what you want from it.

 

[g-ratter]

I am a 75% ridable/25% looks guy. Take the seats on mine. Look cool but after about 10 miles the butt is sore.

 

[ozzmonaut]

I am a 75% ridable/25% looks guy. Take the seats on mine. Look cool but after about 10 miles the butt is soar.

With the exception of big padded, gel-filled, cushiony seats, I think most seats are only good for 15-20 miles anyway. I have a pretty nice seat on my 55 panther and the most I've ridden it in one night was about 25 miles. I was a little sore by the end.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

I'm a comfort type of guy but I can be comfortable on about anything as long as it's adjusted properly. I'm kinda short so most my seats on 26" bikes are slammed anyway. :mrgreen:

 

[motopsyco]

They are all rideable, the question is just how far? It really depends on the reason the bike was built. I for one think it is just fine to build a custom just to make peoples jaw drop at shows with no thought whatsoever given to function. And one day I might even build one that way....
So far everything I have built was intended to look okay and be more comfortable, but I still like the pure showbike customs too.
Peace Y'all

 

[Anonymous]

I ride ZOOT too low (but I look cool riding it)

A Positron shifter system helps out real good!

http://ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic. ... IOT#p53954

 

[Bigcam59]

If you can't ride it, it's just taking up space.

 

[gato'sbikes]

i sacrifice comfort for look's thats just my two cents :mrgreen:

 

[expjawa]

I like to ride alot, and I set up my bikes accordingly. If the riding position doesn't allow me to ride it without issues then it's not viable to me. I might go up to 25 miles on a club ride with any given bike, although past that I'd likely use the road bike. And that's not to say I wouldn't adjust it for looks and then change it to ride, but that's usually not worth the effort to me.

 

[ZygoteLittle]

Comfort at an easy pace on the “long-bike” – flat out speed and discomfort on the road bike – ear to ear smile on the BFK, because time and distance become irrelevant while riding on it! 8)

 

[Bikeguy7497]

If you have a whole bunch of daily riders, then what will it matter if one is for show?! But then again, I have a klunker mountain bike that a lowered around 4 inches, and now I can't ride it, and I regret it so... I guess it's completely up to you! Either way is cool as long as you can afford it and love it!

 

[pick]

i sacrifice comfort for look's thats just my two cents :mrgreen:

+1 Always have, Always will! I don't ride 15 to 20 miles hardly ever, but every bike I have built has been rideable. I also like ratrod cars. I like the look & the louder, rougher the better (that's the way the original hotrods of the 40's & 50's were). If I want comfort I drive my wife's car. (She won't ride in mine though!) :lol: :lol: :lol: On a side note: I am not a youngster, mid 50's here. :mrgreen:

 

[spinman]

I tend to agonize about the fitment of my builds. It's not worth the time and effort if it's not comfortable, no matter how 'kool' it looks.

I had the bars on the B-2 bent 2 times after receiving them. Each time getting the span tighter and tighter. The original span was jacking my elbows when i rode. I hit my 'sweetspot' at around 27" span.

No more elbow problem.

 

[Jimmy the Gent]

When I first bought mine; it was unquestionably to ride it. At first I was worried that since the bike never grew-and I did-it would be a short-trip-only type of deal. I was delighted to find that;after an adjustment or two, it was like putting on an old well worn leather jacket. For the first time in a long time; I'm glad to be "only" 5'7" tall.


Now;if only I could find a seat with better padding.... :mrgreen:

 

[Jimmy the Gent]

I ride ZOOT too low (but I look cool riding it)

A Positron shifter system helps out real good!

http://ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic. ... IOT#p53954

Wow.


That rear brake setup gives me an idea. Great work. 8)

 

[gato'sbikes]

thats the way of ratrodding and radical customs.... sacrifice comfort for looks :| :mrgreen:

 

[gato'sbikes]

just my opinion don't mean to put any one down