(1) is easy, ish -- troll craigslist bikes for a while. I've gotten some great deals there for friends in the past. Watch it for a week or two and you should see some things come up.
(2) is harder. For me, I think it's partly about my comfort on the bike, partly about the way it handles, and partly about the length of my time with this bike (I've had it for ten years). I love how quick and nimble it is, how easy to handle, how perfect the handlebars are for my frame and preferred riding positions. I've always liked the way it felt, but it gave me a bit of trouble on long rides; now that it doesn't do that, my enjoyment of it is unthrottled. :) My guess is, though, that if you spend a lot of time on a bike that you truly love and begin to feel wholly comfortable with it, it might begin to feel that way to you. Or maybe not! You know? Maybe to you it will feel more like a familiar pet or favorite car or good friend. I hope it feels like *something* good, though, because biking is awesome.
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(2) is harder. For me, I think it's partly about my comfort on the bike, partly about the way it handles, and partly about the length of my time with this bike (I've had it for ten years). I love how quick and nimble it is, how easy to handle, how perfect the handlebars are for my frame and preferred riding positions. I've always liked the way it felt, but it gave me a bit of trouble on long rides; now that it doesn't do that, my enjoyment of it is unthrottled. :) My guess is, though, that if you spend a lot of time on a bike that you truly love and begin to feel wholly comfortable with it, it might begin to feel that way to you. Or maybe not! You know? Maybe to you it will feel more like a familiar pet or favorite car or good friend. I hope it feels like *something* good, though, because biking is awesome.