Road Cycling - Most desired road bike poll

Choose the bike you like the most, or the one that is always on your dreams every night:p

Currently my road bike dreams are occupied by a certain LeMond Buenos Aires, but if we're talking about infinate $/pipe dreams then it would have to be a Trek OCLV w/Dura-Ace - what are those things down to like 16lbs? Mmmm.....

I have some serious bike envy for Italian bikes with Campy......

Tough call..... Eerrh? May I select the first half of the menu please?

CANNONDALE!!!!!!!!

I own the bike of my dreams thanks to my sweet, wonderful wife. :love:
A 2001 Litespeed Tuscany. :dance: :beer: :thumbup:

Well.... actually my dream bike would have to be a Litespeed Vortex, but let's get real! I don't have that kind of money. :(

I have been on a 10 year layoff(long story).In 1991 I moved from Texas to Arkansas.I left my Pinarello Record with a guy I worked with.Yesterday I called him and spoke to his wife.We talked about how many kids we have now and a few other things.Out of the clear blue she said"Paige,we still have your bike,it's hanging up in the garage". I think she knew why I called.She is going to find out about getting a bike shop to box it up this weekend.
Before I bought the Pinarello I had contemplated a Kestrel.When I saw the beautiful lugged frame my heart melted.

If you don't like the new bike you have purchased recently then you shouldn't have bought it

CIOCC : EOM 16.5 Silver Shadow is my choice

and of course that's what I 've bought

Giant TCR.

Kestrel Talon/Ultegra STI. Carbon weave frame and fork. Sweet.

Guess which one I voted for...

I ride a Trek 2100 now but would LOVE to upgrade to a Trek 5200 next year. Love my Trek.. :)

With the exception of DeRosa (and maybe Pinarello), these are all factory bikes, high quality industrial products that ride well and look good.

If you want a bike with soul, you have to look for smaller frame-builders. These master builders can't produce in large quantities, can't afford any marketing budget, so you won't see their names in the Pro Peleton. Beneath the big-name brand labels of some top riders, there sometimes lurks a frame from a small backstreet workshop.

Fine frames don't just come from Italy, but if you want to know more about them see
http://www.torelli.com/

There are many fine builders in the US, many of them using Henry James for their hardware; he lists them at

http://www.henryjames.com/blocator.html

Over here in the UK, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to small/custom builders. I would put Mercian and Bob Jackson up there with the best.

My next folding bike will be a New World Tourist. I prefer
folders because of space limitations in my home and in
the world.

www.bikefriday.com

Aegis Aro Svelte, Lobster Red!:thumbup:

Trek at 20.45%? One fifth of the respondents most desire a Trek? Isn't that like saying your most desired car is a Ford or something? What about Mondonico, Pinarello, Fondriest... or Serrota, Marinoni or Waterford...

Trek? Isn't that like saying that the meal you really, really want to eat is a burger and fries? Okay... maybe roast beef and puds... Geez, where's the ROMANCE?

[Disclaimer: I think Trek makes some really nice bikes and, Hell, I wouldn't throw one out of my garage... It's just that I see so many of them on the road that they're becoming the Kleenex of road bikes.]

Sampson Silverton. Small shop, (reportedly) good customer service, pretty bikes, good components, and reasonable cost.

I was so sure of my Klein when I bought it. Think it a great ride. Wonder about its durability. Why, I am not sure. It is responsive. Great design.
Everyone is so desirous of Colagno, Litespeed makes one wonder. Sort of like wanting a Buick after buying a Mercury. But the strenght of titanium has its appeal.

A Colnago with campy is what dreams are made of :)

A Colnago with campy is what dreams are made of

Mine have DA on them, but they are still soooo sweet. I know that taste in bikes is pretty subjective, but I can't help feeling that if Lance didn't ride a Trek, it wouldn't be getting so many votes. In my very humble opinion, Colnago, Pinnarello, De Rosa, and Lightspeed would be the tops, based on personal experience and the views expressed by fellow riders.

A Saninno would be a great choice, I've had two so far and loved them. Like Mondonico, Saninno is one of the last "Old Masters". A Milano would be a good bet as well, this is the brand Alberto Masi has to use now, since his Father, ( Faliero), started an additional plant in California in th 70s. Somehow an American? Company has the right to the Masi brand name and Alberto can't make bikes with his name anymore. I have a Masi Prestige, it would be hard to find a sweeter ride. In years past Mazis were "legendary".
I've ridden many brands and sold Colnagos, Merckxs, De Rosas, GTs, Paramounts, etc. etc.
Ride Sweet
Pat

Originally posted by velocipedio
Trek at 20.45%? One fifth of the respondents most desire a Trek? Isn't that like saying your most desired car is a Ford or something? What about Mondonico, Pinarello, Fondriest... or Serrota, Marinoni or Waterford...

Trek? Isn't that like saying that the meal you really, really want to eat is a burger and fries? Okay... maybe roast beef and puds... Geez, where's the ROMANCE?

[Disclaimer: I think Trek makes some really nice bikes and, Hell, I wouldn't throw one out of my garage... It's just that I see so many of them on the road that they're becoming the Kleenex of road bikes.]

Velocipedio: If EVERYONE could drive a Ferrari or Porsche of their choosing, would it diminish their desirability? Maybe us Trek riders chose the ride by choice, not by limitations of our wallets.

For me the Trek OCLV carbon frame was the best way to spend my $$$. I could have afforded something more exotic (or rare?) but couldn't convince myself it was a wiser move. While some might argue that "if it's good enough for Lance..." -- in my case I'm not even thinking of it as making me fast -- just faster than I was with a comfortable ride.

I agree, I wouldn't throw an Italian bike out of my garage either, but neither would I get all lovey dovey about a bike. After all, it's just a bike for crying out loud! Being *romantic* won't make it any faster... although it may want to hang around in your garage to smoke a cigarette or two after a ride!

:D ;)

Originally posted by Trekaholic


Velocipedio: If EVERYONE could drive a Ferrari or Porsche of their choosing, would it diminish their desirability? Maybe us Trek riders chose the ride by choice, not by limitations of our wallets...

It's true. Some people would rather drive a Firebird or a Camaro than a Ferrari. Fair enough. ;-)

A Calfee Tetra Pro with Campy record.

I've got a six-month-old Strong Foco with an Ouzo Pro fork and a six-year-old Torelli EL-OS frame (built by Mondonico). The Torelli kept me happy for five-plus years, but the Strong is the bike I've been searching for all my life. It's light for steel and rides like a dream. It looks great, and the process of ordering a custom frame was a rewarding experience. I have my dream bike.

IMHO as a Trek rider, the bike is great. It's a good thing that I bought it instead of a Colnago, though. With a paint job like that, I'd probably leave my girl friend and just sit and stare. I'd also be using the breaks a lot more worrying about putting a scratch in the frame.

Klein Quantam Race....Blue. Awesome..gotta have one.

I will be honest. My most desired road bike is mine, the one I own, leaned gently against the wall of the garage. It's always there for me, ready to go, asking to hit the road.

If money were no object, I would have a
Waterford (http://www.waterfordbikes.com)

or a Rivendell (http://www.rivendellbicycles.com)

or maybe a Moots (http://www.moots.com)

All of the above are custom built and really beautiful frames. My Paramount was built in the Waterford plant, and it is a really wonderful bike. And Rivendells are truly works of art, and the Moots titanium frames are amazing, too!

Shoot, if money were no object, I would have one of each!

SOMEC all the way!!!
www.somecusa.com

Aero...Light...Fast...GT...:D

What I'd like prolly is not built, a SWB 700c 406 erto ti framed recumbent with suspension and an aero tail box, 20 lbs. All day comfort, light weight, high speed and totally cool.
In a DF something in a sport touring lugged steel for a easy ride and long life. Waterford, Rivendale, or one of the many small shops can build what I lust for, its the paying for it that stops me.
kev

I didn't partake in this poll previously cause
it was OLD. well its back.

I would die for a CONFENTE. I've only seen 1 (a track model)
for sale and it went for something like $2k

I have a Trek, and a Serotta so I'm really
satisfied.

Marty

Originally posted by MichaelW
If you want a bike with soul, you have to look for smaller frame-builders. These master builders can't produce in large quantities, can't afford any marketing budget, so you won't see their names in the Pro Peleton.

Based on my experience with my 1959 frame, I believe the new products from Capo (www.capo.at) merit consideration. Here is an obscure (at least in the U.S.) family-owned 72-year-old company, in which old meets new with a long racing pedigree, beautiful craftsmanship, and state-of-the-art computer optimization.

Re the Ford Excursion: At 19 feet, code-minimum 2-car garage in much of southern California is shorter than an Excursion, and 7-foot vertical clearance is available only with a rollup sectional door, not with a typical southwest style one-piece tilt-up door. One of my wife's friends had a bear of a time turning her Chevy Suburban around at the end of my long driveway; fortunately, I was there to direct her, to avoid damage to our landscaping or house. I always enjoy snickering as I watch the drivers of these supersized "Canyonero" gas guzzlers trying to maneuver or park.

Originally posted by nebill
... My Paramount was built in the Waterford plant, and it is a really wonderful bike. And Rivendells are truly works of art, and the Moots titanium frames are amazing, too!

Amen. Nebill is definitely a gentleman with discriminating taste!

Originally posted by MichaelW
With the exception of DeRosa (and maybe Pinarello), these are all factory bikes, high quality industrial products that ride well and look good.

If you want a bike with soul, you have to look for smaller frame-builders. These master builders can't produce in large quantities, can't afford any marketing budget, so you won't see their names in the Pro Peleton. Beneath the big-name brand labels of some top riders, there sometimes lurks a frame from a small backstreet workshop.

Fine frames don't just come from Italy, but if you want to know more about them see
http://www.torelli.com/

There are many fine builders in the US, many of them using Henry James for their hardware; he lists them at

http://www.henryjames.com/blocator.html

Over here in the UK, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to small/custom builders. I would put Mercian and Bob Jackson up there with the best.

I would have to agree, a custom bike is just that. custom build for the individual rider. :)

I would like to say just one word :
PINARELLO !

I'm fortunate enough to have had both the resources and the industry hookups to have built up each one of my dream bikes over the past 12 months. I've got it both ways - cachet Italian bikes AND a custom frame from a small local builder.

My bikes?

'01 Colnago Dream Plus with Record 10
'02 Colnago Dream Cross (cyclocross bike) with Centaur 10
'01 Morgul Bismark custom Easton 7005 aero crit/TT geometry with a mix of Chorus/Record 10.


Yes, in case you're wondering, I like aluminum. The Colnagos are everything I expected them to be; sweet all-day cruising machines with telepathic handling. They virtually disappear underneath you, and I have ridden the 'cross bike on 5 hours of bumpy dirt doubletrack / jeep road / open space with no trace of low back pain or stiffness - it's the most compliant aluminum bike I've ever had the joy of sitting on.

Comparing the Morgul to the Colnagos is like comparing a rice rocket roadster to big, fast German touring coupes. They just don't compare. The Morgul is literally the best crit bike I've ever ridden in my 10 years of racing. With a straight-blade WoundUp fork, Zipp 303 carbon wheelset, Speedplay X-1s, USE Alien carbon post and SLR saddle it weighs just under 15 lbs. The fact that I'm small helps, as it's the equivalent of a 48.5 cm frame.

I had to go with Colnago also...

My two dream bikes are:

Rivendell and Bruce Gordon BLT.

I already have a Specialized Allez which I HATE - it sits in my living room and looks pretty while my hybrid gets ridden every day.

For mountains: a Cinelli Starlight

Flats or rolling hills: Cannondale

Town: Surly

A Salsa LaRaza it is my dream bike right now but any bike that gets you out using it is a dream bike. So just go out and ride.

if i could have any bicycle i wanted I would have to choose the new 2004 Specialized Tarmac. I mean have you seen that thing it just looks fast.

I feel slighted - you left off Litespeed!

02 Tuscany/Ultegra

Cannondale

if i could have any bicycle i wanted I would have to choose the new 2004 Specialized Tarmac. I mean have you seen that thing it just looks fast.

I agree the Tarmac is a sweet bike.

Fondriest M. di Campiglio w/Campy Chorus groupset, Selle italia SLR, EC90 set, Campy Proton wheelset.

I love my Fondriest!!! I dream of kicking ass on it next racing season

Cervelo Soloist Team or Richard Sachs' Signature Frame.

2003 Litespeed Tuscany


Still saving up ... :(

Oh man,
if this is my fantasy, I want a harem :D Let's start with a Calfee Drangonfly, prob doesn't suit my riding, but what the heck. On a slightly more realistic plane, a Waterford, prob a custom.
A bike mechanic has a Waterford with a coffee paint job (coffee with cream, real pretty) and it also has chromed Henry James lugs. The fancy paint, chrome and lugs add hundreds to the price. But you would be surprised how pretty it is. Would piss him off no end if I did it tho. The 'cheap' Rivendell would make the perfect commuter. So there you have it, a dragonfly for group rides, a waterford for long rides and light touring, and a rivendell for commuting. Now I just need to win the lottery so I can afford $10k in new bikes.......