Tall bikes have been around - in small numbers - for a long time. It takes a certain kind of dedication and unique vision to be into that kinda thing - something I don't have. But, it reminded me of a story from my childhood that has oddly haunted me just a little bit.
When I was around 8, my mother asked me if I had ever seen the bikes with the tall handle bars, and would I like to have one. I had seen this guy riding around near my uncle's house on this tall bike that looked insane to me, being a little guy of 8. It was an upside down frame so the pedals were on top, and then extended in some way above that frame, double height.
I had never had a bike yet, and had only ridden a neighbor kid's bike, so I was kind of horrified, picturing myself up on top of this darned thing dodging cars and falling over a fence or something. I said "NO," I did not want one, and Mom looked sort of disappointed somehow. The topic did not come up again.
On Christmas, I had a classic blue 1963 Schwinn American under the Christmas tree, and it was so big I could not ride it for about a year or so. That bike took me everywhere though, eventually became my newspaper route bike and helped me make my first significant money, etc. I've still got it stored away at my folk's house. During that time I bought myself a Stingray and a Collegiate, so I had a whole stable of bikes.
Some years later, my Mom brought this up. She said, "I remember when you bought yourself that Stingray bike. That first bike we got you was too much for you at first. Dad and I thought a Stingray would be your perfect first bike. We bought it for you for Christmas that year and we had it hidden away. Before Christmas got here, I asked you if you liked them, and you told me no. You seemed really sure, so we took it back and got you that big bike."
When she asked me if I wanted one of those bikes with the tall handle bars, she was talking about the brand new 1963 Stingray - not the insane tall bike that scared the bejeezus out of me.
So - ask questions before you say you don't like something when asked. You might not realize you're getting a Stingray for Christmas, and you might not get it!
