Originally Posted by
smd4
Those bikes are “iconic?” I can’t even tell what the first one is.
Blue bike ... Renault Elf bumblebee strip ... one of the epic rides of the last 50 years or more ... Can only be a Gitane!
Originally Posted by
smd4
Thanks. Cool link (no pun intended).
The riders may be iconic, but certainly not the bikes— the subject of this thread.
What's not iconic about it? What, in fact, makes a bike "iconic"? A bike's just a bike, so to me if a race bike merits that description there needs to be something about taking its riders to the top step of the podium in the toughest races, preferably multiple times and in the worst conditions. How does the Renault-Elf Gitane not qualify?
There are other metrics. I might also add the Carrera Battaglin, for its Triple Crown. The Cafe de Colombia Alan Record, for introducing Al and CF to the professional peloton and for being the chosen ride of the first South American team at the top level. The Ti Raleigh and Panasonic Raleighs for their record in the classics and stage races. The Vitus 979 (though that's mostly Kelly's doing)
What makes the 7-11 Merckx iconic to you?