BSO

Bill said:

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

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com

Bill said:

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.

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?

--
Charles
Brompton P-type T6 in Motspur Park

<[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.

Bill

In message <[email hidden]>

Bill said:

LBS - Local Bike Shop

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.

Thanks, Bill!
--
Charles
Brompton P-type T6 in Motspur Park

Quoted message said:

In message <[email hidden]>

Bill said:

LBS - Local Bike Shop

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

Tosspot said:

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.

-adrian

Tom Crispin said:

Quoted message 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.

--
Membrane

Membrane 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.

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.

--
Brian G
www.wetwo.co.uk

Brian G said:

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.

--
Membrane

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 :-)

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Membrane said:

Brian G said:

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.

cheers,
clive

In article <[email hidden]>, Membrane
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

IMO grip shifters are a model of engineering simplicity, certainly less
complex than trigger or STI shifters.

I thought the original ramped cam was a design masterpiece, I wonder why
they changed it.

Clive George said:

"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.

Clive George said:

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.

--
Membrane

Membrane said:

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.

Cheers,
W.

Membrane 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.

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.

--
Membrane

Simpler in design, harder to use IMO.