Fifty Plus (50+) - what would your dream bike be

if you could start from scratch, and build it up from the frame all the way to the streamers on the handle bars--

what would your perfect urban-suburban-weekend touring bike be like?

for me it would be about resolving contradictions:

+ very lightweight..but indestructible, capable of crashing through potholes and over speedbumps
+ straight bars...but long enough frame or other configuration to crouch down
+ fast, intuitive shifting...but simple--maybe a smaller rear cluster, with slightly wider range from cog to cog--or perhaps just two rings up front--not to mention, a final low gear to handle 18% slopes
+ good handling...but happy with a loaded luggage bag / pannier (like Topeak's setup) on the rear.

in other words--like the perfect wife--sexy, but practical

This bike is my favorite ride due to it's ability to meet the many of the points you list. I do like drop bars more than flat bars, but would ride a flat bar bike if I could mount aero-bars ;-)

The Pedal Force CX2 was built-up from the frame to meet my personal requirements. It's a great road bike alternative, 98% of the speed but twice the utility. The gearing provides close cog spacing at peleton speeds while having a deep range for climing 20% grades. The larger 700x32 tires on the CX2 allow me to enjoy the smoother trails and gravel that are common in the Midwest. I also can just ride across the pot-holed and patched suburban streets without the usual bob-and-weave that is necessary when on a smaller tire.

I'm using a 50,39 & 26t triple crankset and a 12-30 ten speed cassette. The near standard 50 & 39 chainrings provide a tighter range than a compact and the granny gear could climb a tree.

The added weight of the wheelset and larger tires does slow acceleration by a small amount, the bike is a little slower to wind up compaired to a pure road bike. However the actual overall difference in speed on my usual route is about 2% or about 0.35 mph. However, the ride quality on the 120TPI, 700x32 Vittoria Hyper tires is exceptional. The Carbon Fiber frame feels stiff and solid but the tires provide a little useful plushness that is very easy on the body during longer rides. If I need to maximize speed, I still have a road bike.

The bike will also take fenders and a rear rack.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09601.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09611.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09621.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09631.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09651.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09661.jpg

I aleady have it,,,,

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The last picture, She crossed the U.S.A. on the Northern tier, The Dakotas n such

1976 Bianchi Specialissima - it would need no modifications.:thumb:

That is what I decided to do last winter. I got a nice lightweight 7005 columbus aircraft tubing mountain bike hardtail frame for the base. All new components of choice including:
-racing wheels and road slicks for summer
-9 spd mountain cassette for the hilly terrain I have
-lightweight crankset with one chainring, no derailer
-carbon comfort saddle
-raised offset straightbars
-nightrider lighting
-rear rack and panniers, all set up for touring and commuting
-studded tires for the winter riding
-standard spring suspension front fork, for maintanence free winter usage
-adjustable raised quill

I set this all up for comfort and long distance riding. I get a fairly upright riding position and with the Ride Out Tech saddle I can go all day.
It is fairly fast when it has the road slicks on but limited to 9 speeds. The 11-34 cassette and 39T chainring will produce about 25mph on top end which is as fast as I would ever want to go, and it will climb pretty well too unless it is a really steep grade which I sometimes opt to walk anyway. Glad I finally built it, and totally enjoying it.

I aleady have it,,,,

292819292817292818

The last picture, She crossed the U.S.A. on the Northern tier, The Dakotas n such

Wow! that is one nice rig you got there.

A titanium frame recumbent with disc brakes.

I would like a road bike similar to my Raleigh, but with a few extra features.

1) Wider bars, the bars on it are a little narrow for my liking.
2) Able to accommodate wider tires, like maybe a 40mm
3) An extra granny ring up front, giving 52/42/32 or something around that.
4) Fenders
5) Racks
6) A disc brake up front, I ain't a lightweight, and could use some extra strong binders at times.
7) A comfy saddle...

OK, I'll play. I already have my dream bike. See below. However, you've asked for a specific type of bike (i.e. suban-surban-weekend TOURING). Mine would be:

Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel Titanium frame with a long top tube (58), no toe overlap, chain stays around 46 cm, head tube angle 73 degrees, and fork offset about 5.5. I'd want the frame built to handle disc brakes. have braze ons for three water bottles, a pump peg, and mounts for fenders and racks front and rear.

In terms of components:
Selle Atomica saddle
Mavic Open pros on Ultegra hubs
Ultegra 6703 group (the grey group with triple crank)
Albert Bold titanium seat post
Chris King headset
Velo Orange hammered fenders
Bontrager Race Lite IsoZone VR-CF handlebars
Thomson X4 stem
Brooks leather handlebar tape
Shimano A530 SPD Touring Pedals
Jagwire cables and housing

Yeah, I think that does it. So, any estimate on what this would cost me? ;)

Any of the above that could fold up into a neat, 15lb backpack.

I actually own my dream bike - 25 years in the making (and saving up for). It's custom... everything: build, paint, wheels, set up (I started putting components together anticipating the build)... It's unique, one of a kind. Pure roadie but I have already ton some long tours on it and it did fine. It's extremely fast and twitchy (had to get use to that), lightweight and hopefully I can ride well into my 70's and 80's (and maybe beyond) so practical. Won't tell you what it cost (like I say saved up 25 years) but I will say it's my last bike...

I don't like having a super expensive version of anything because I'll always worry about it. I'd probably spec a custom steel frame to my dimensions (longer top tube, no overlap, longish chain stays) and then build up the parts myself (I am partial to chris king headsets and hubs though).

That way I don't worry about it so much and can fix anything that breaks myself. Lower stress has significant value to me.

(That didn't work for me in golf clubs however. I build my own and get them perfect for what I like. After losing my set to a thief it took 10 years to find a wedge set I was comfortable with again)

I am lucky in that I have the bikes I want. Boreas is a lightweight Race geometry "Go Faster" bike that works. The TCR is set up with a triple for the Longer hillier rides and the Pinnie does the job it was bought for and rides well and saves the better bikes from overuse.

If I were to want anything it would be a bike that rides as good as Boreas- goes up hills as good as the TCR and has the Sturdiness of the Pinnie so that I not have to take care of it as much as I do with the TCR and Boreas.

y'all are wrecking my day with bike lust

Fully aerodynamic Velo-mobile..

Monocoque Carbon body/frame. Tadpole wheel configuration.

y'all are wrecking my day with bike lust

That is what we are here for.

How many of us go into a bike shop without looking at the bikes? And when we do -what bikes are we looking at?

The bikes I look at are the ones that are above my financial reach. Perhaps not always the top of the range beasties but the lightweight Ultegra equipped with some pretty good wheels fitted as standard are the ones that draw my attention. Luckily the I am happy with my bikes so temptation for N+1 is not really there---Except there is a nice lightweight Frame fitted with Ultegra and Krysium Wheels fitted that keeps me looking at it every time I go into that shop. Good job it is a few sizes above what I would normally ride.

I actually own my dream bike

Pretty much like Pam (except my frame wasn't custom) I'm riding my dream bike, a GURU Photon with SRAM Red and a variety of wheel choices, but Cane Creek wheels at the moment. Perfect fit, excellent component spec. so no complaints and no worries .:)

For commuting to work (since part of my commute is on the Metro train) I ride my DaHon Curve SL folder but that is a different application than the intense climbing rides and double centuries I do on the GURU.

Rick / OCRR

There is no way 1 dream bike will work. That is why I have 5. Well, not all are dream bikes but they each serve a different purpose. 1: fixed gear Bike Friday Pocket Rocket with top end parts where it really matters to me (hubs, generator lights, & Brooks saddle). 2: Surly Cross Check set up for commuting with generator lights, sturdy hand built wheels, and a Brooks saddle. 3: Surly 1X1 fully rigid for mountain biking with generator lights. 4: Bike Friday Model T Tikit for when I need something that folds super fast (but doesn't roll so fast). 5: (very cheap) Windsor Knight built with left over parts & Brooks saddle for fast road training when I don't want to ride the Pocket Rocket.

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o502/cassave/YS_1.jpg

The dream bike I wanted in the 70's but couldn't afford back then.
I still prefer the ride of this one to my later bikes.

That is what we are here for.

How many of us go into a bike shop without looking at the bikes? And when we do -what bikes are we looking at?

The bikes I look at are the ones that are above my financial reach. Perhaps not always the top of the range beasties but the lightweight Ultegra equipped with some pretty good wheels fitted as standard are the ones that draw my attention. Luckily the I am happy with my bikes so temptation for N+1 is not really there---Except there is a nice lightweight Frame fitted with Ultegra and Krysium Wheels fitted that keeps me looking at it every time I go into that shop. Good job it is a few sizes above what I would normally ride.

I was in a bike/ski shop last year they had an $8,000 GURU on the wall, I was back in there the other day, it's still there. Yeah I would love to take that home, but there are a couple of problems, my little part time job for the last year and a half, ended so I am again unemployed, so it's well beyond my budget (about 2 bits right now). Plus I would be afraid to ride the stupid thing, lest I crash and destroy it....

Wogster[/B];15142393]I was in a bike/ski shop last year they had an $8,000 GURU on the wall . . . Plus I would be afraid to ride the stupid thing, lest I crash and destroy it. . .

My GURU cost about half that and I've crashed it once (low speed, thankfully), but I'm still riding it!

Rick / OCRR

I recently got to n=4 by purchasing a pretty expensive road bike. One could spend more than I did by a factor of 3 or so, but I don't really dream about that.

So if I had to dream about another bike, it would be a Ti road bike with couplers that I could fit into a suitcase and check as baggage to easily take along wherever I went.

I've had my eye on the Cannondale SuperX Hi-Mod Disc as the ultimate "all around" bike. It's a carbon fiber cyclocross bike with disc brakes. Here is the link:

http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/road/cyclocross/superx/super-x-hi-mod-disc

I'd probably swap the tires for regular road tires. Other than that, I'd jump on and go!

I actually own my dream bike - 25 years in the making (and saving up for). It's custom... everything: build, paint, wheels, set up (I started putting components together anticipating the build)... It's unique, one of a kind. Pure roadie but I have already ton some long tours on it and it did fine. It's extremely fast and twitchy (had to get use to that), lightweight and hopefully I can ride well into my 70's and 80's (and maybe beyond) so practical. Won't tell you what it cost (like I say saved up 25 years) but I will say it's my last bike...

I have my dream bike too. I pretty much did the same as you did, Pam. My frame took 12 weeks to build. Had to fly to Colorado for the fitting. My doctor and the fitter had approved the frame dimensions. I chose everything on it too, with the help of the fitter (wider tires for a softer ride, etc...) and the designer of the build. Even the nipples on the wheels I had chosen! I could never ride a road bike because of my back injury and as many times as I went testing out different bikes, it always hurt within 10 mins. The first ride on this bike I could have gone forever....

That looks like a sweet bike. How much does it weigh?



This bike is my favorite ride due to it's ability to meet the many of the points you list. I do like drop bars more than flat bars, but would ride a flat bar bike if I could mount aero-bars ;-)

The Pedal Force CX2 was built-up from the frame to meet my personal requirements. It's a great road bike alternative, 98% of the speed but twice the utility. The gearing provides close cog spacing at peleton speeds while having a deep range for climing 20% grades. The larger 700x32 tires on the CX2 allow me to enjoy the smoother trails and gravel that are common in the Midwest. I also can just ride across the pot-holed and patched suburban streets without the usual bob-and-weave that is necessary when on a smaller tire.

I'm using a 50,39 & 26t triple crankset and a 12-30 ten speed cassette. The near standard 50 & 39 chainrings provide a tighter range than a compact and the granny gear could climb a tree.

The added weight of the wheelset and larger tires does slow acceleration by a small amount, the bike is a little slower to wind up compaired to a pure road bike. However the actual overall difference in speed on my usual route is about 2% or about 0.35 mph. However, the ride quality on the 120TPI, 700x32 Vittoria Hyper tires is exceptional. The Carbon Fiber frame feels stiff and solid but the tires provide a little useful plushness that is very easy on the body during longer rides. If I need to maximize speed, I still have a road bike.

The bike will also take fenders and a rear rack.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09601.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09611.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09621.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09631.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09651.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09661.jpg

I have my dream bike too. ...The first ride on this bike I could have gone forever....

I loved my road bike before the custom built - a Lemond Zurich. Did many centuries on that bike and didn't think a custom bike could top it but... oh my, like you said, the first ride... it was like buying the most beautiful pair of heels slipping them on and they fit without hurting so I could dance all night. I still use the Zurich for commuting but I find it painful for longer distances.

Some time ago I had an argument with someone on the Clyde forum about custom v production bikes. Granted he rides a beautiful bike which probably cost more than mine in the long run, but there are subtle differences on the custom bike I can't explain but which make it perfect.

for DBG: It's custom steel (Landshark). Which I built up with CK hubs (silver), headset (pink), bottom bracket (green) and spacers (silver). I am sortof a CK nut and have CK wheels and headsets on all my bikes. When I get a chance I want to add bottom brackets as well (this would be on my two mountain bikes).

I most likely have my dream bike. A Seven Elium SLX. It was a custom build for someone else. Got it used with only about 700 miles on it and it fits me perfect.
Calling it a dream bike after only three years back riding i probably don't even truly know yet what makes "The Dream Bike".
All i know, i have the biggest smile riding it, could stand next to it and admire it all day, rode a century with it and felt like i could go on for another 20 miles.

cass

You are right about the 70s bikes. Many had beautiful lugs, and the down tube shifters made the bikes exceptionally clean.

Currently, what constitutes my dream bike is pretty much captured by the Breezer Beltway Infinity - a low maintenance commuter. I really like the idea of the Gates, disc brakes and an IGH. An alternative might be the Spot Acme or, on the cheaper side, the Novara Gotham.

However, I'm quite new to all this and it's probably too early to solidify my notion of the bike of my dreams. Obviously, I haven't been bitten by the carbon cyclocross bug, at this point. Never been on one and, perhaps, that's OK.

The idea of building a bike appeals to me, but there's a lot I'd need to learn and, at least at this time and to my knowledge, I'd most likely need to forego the Gates if I went that route.

Oh, and I'd really like a Surly fatbike for winter. I just think they're cool. Any of them would do, though it's probably destined to remain a dream. I'd like to see Surly come out with a Gates compatible frame.

Custom Ti frame with very stiff bottom bracket and head tube junctions for tight handling but compliant ride. Tall enough head tube for comfortable position in the drops while running a level stem with minimal or no spacers. Lightweight but strong and reliable alloy clincher wheels with 22-23mm wide rims, Chris King hubs . Campagnolo Super Record EPS component group.

or a dozen other bikes of various types I could dream up.

Lets see. A Specialized S-Works Venge. I would want full custom hand built wheel. Before I tried hand builts I wanted American Classic Mag wheels at 1100 or 1200 grams a pair. I like SRAM Red front to rear but I would be tempted to try Dura Ace DI2. Speed play Ti Pedals. TRP R970EQ Brakes. Control Tech Aero drop bars, SMP Strike Saddle. I would more than likely just look at it for the first 30 days or so. What would make it even better is if it needed a Shiv as a stable mate.

My reach no longer exceeds my grasp, so I guess since I already have my dream bike, I have no more hope of getting to cycle-bike heaven. Until next year's model comes out maybe.

I would sure love to be able to go back in time to 1975 and get that orange Masi with all Campy components that was my dreamiest bike ever back in high school...

My specialty has always been budget builds, usually based on Ebay frames and NOS equipment fits. My current road bike is a SORA 8sp. :p

A good part of the fun is acquiring the bits and pieces.

I guess that means that the dream bike will always be the next one.

My dream bike is a fast Italian road bike, race-worthy but still comfortable enough for everyday riding. I bought it not long ago--a Wilier GT. I'm a road bike lover all the way.

This:

http://cruzbike.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/400x400/products/CB20100713cropped.jpg

But in carbon. :D

Google "Trek Allant." Or look at the pictures I occasionally post of mine.

I'd like to have my MAZA Prestige back. I sold it in a moment of extreme stupidity. Or even my Bianchi Squadra.

Mine would be a custom carbon Ruegamer Uberlight race bike. Brent (now Brea) Ruegamer made some of the coolest most innovative carbon frames around. The Uberlights were made from some fancy aerospace tubing that he got a limited supply of. There's a guy in SF with one that was 620g and which he's built into a 8lb bike. I would not take things that far as I'm not going to drill holes in my rims or go without integrated index shifting.

A very close second would be a Crumpton special project ultralight. Crumpton's work actually looks nicer with a better finish, the Rues were a little prototype looking, but Rue was the first making super light carbon frames.

My current Cervelo R3SL is about 98% as good as either one and cost a lot less, which is why I didn't order a Ruegamer when they were still in production and have not ordered a Crumpton.

Road- Holland Exogrid

Mountain- Potts 29er with Type 2 rigid fork and/or Ericksen 650B

A titanium frame recumbent with disc brakes.

Yup, A TiRush would really do it for me, too. bk

This:

http://cruzbike.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/400x400/products/CB20100713cropped.jpg

But in carbon. :D

Bicycle,,no scratch that,,

RECUMBENT PORN,,,,good stuff !

It's a real shame IMO,
that so many DF riders will never know the power and comfort of the Dark side,
they fear walking a different path in life,,
So many feel the need to conform with the masses,,what a shame.

RECUMBENT PORN,,,


...so many DF riders will never know the power and comfort of the Dark side,
they fear walking a different path in life,,
So many feel the need to conform with the masses,,what a shame.

You like what you ride; probably they like what they ride. No need to resort to words like fear and conformity simply because people ride different types of bikes.

My Tarmac SWorks SL4 is pretty much a dream bike as is. It's already at 15 lbs with a Quarq powermeter, but if I could change anything I guess I'd replace the older Look Keos with Look Blades to save a few grams and then have a couple carbon wheelsets for specific uses. I've always wanted a light set of semi-deep tubular wheels to cut weight on the climbs and cut through the air on the flats. While the wheels can make a big difference, I have always had a hard time justifying the expense.

B
that so many DF riders will never know the power and comfort of the Dark side,


Why is is that recumbent riders feel they have to prosthelytize? I already know about recumbents; you don't have to tell me.

Even if I wanted to ride a recumbent I couldn't: I've broken my tail bone a number of times and I can't sit on it for long.
But the lack of racing and poor climbing ability would keep me off them anyhow.

That said I've seen some pretty cool looking carbon fiber recumbents. I saw an interesting (non-CF) one the other day- short wheelbase high seat model but using a set of MTB suspension forks for the front wheel.

But the lack of racing and poor climbing ability would keep me off them anyhow.


As somebody who rides a recumbent, I want you to ride whatever you want to ride.

I will point out however that the recumbent that I posted climbs and races just fine. One of the owners of the company raced it to over 470 miles in 24 hours (http://www.ultraracenews.com/2012/06/22/maria-parkers-record-setting-n24hc-overall-win/) and is going to race in this years RAAM (she's doing that to raise money for brain cancer; she's trying to raise $1,000,000 (https://www.facebook.com/3ktoacure)).

Cheers,
Charles

It's a real shame IMO,
that so many DF riders will never know the power and comfort of the Dark side,
they fear walking a different path in life,,
So many feel the need to conform with the masses,,what a shame.

Spent a year on a bent including a 600 mile WI trip. Awkward to launch uphill in a crowd. No natural leg-based suspension (potholes hit you in the arse). Yo-Yo effect when riding in a group (faster downhill; slower uphill). Not good in a pace line. Recumbent butt. Doesn't fit on skewer racks (no main triangle). Too low for good visibility...

I'd consider it faster overall than DF. Not for me. Not in groups.

Ride what you like, what you want, and respect other rider's choices.

Spent a year on a bent including a 600 mile WI trip. Awkward to launch uphill in a crowd. No natural leg-based suspension (potholes hit you in the arse). Yo-Yo effect when riding in a group (faster downhill; slower uphill). Not good in a pace line. Recumbent butt. Doesn't fit on skewer racks (no main triangle). Too low for good visibility...

I'd consider it faster overall than DF. Not for me. Not in groups.

As I basically said before, ride whatever puts the smile on your face. :)

I can't really disagree with most of what you wrote.

Short wheel base recumbents are, in my personal experience, harder to start up steep hills. Mine in particular is front wheel drive and that makes it even harder. Many road recumbents have suspension exactly because you can't stand (although I can and do lift my butt out of the seat for bumps by pushing my shoulders against the back, but this probably won't work well on mesh seats). As far as yo-yo-ing goes, that's pretty much how it's going to be (recumbents are more aerodynamic so for the same power they will go faster on the flats and down hills; up hills aerodynamics is much less important and so they lose the aerodynamc advantage). And, yes, I wouldn't want to ride one in a pace line (I personally wouldn't want to ride a DF in a pace line either, but even less of a good idea on a recumbent).

Two points about visibility: I think the position of recumbents makes it much easier to see the road than on upright bikes. And as far as being seen goes, I think I get seen more easily on my recumbent because I'm different and cars notice me. So I'll disagree for this point.

Cheers,
Charles

I do miss my recumbent sometimes (Burley Canto).

That looks like a sweet bike. How much does it weigh?

About 19 lbs.