My only love since '98: a sweet Barracuda A2B hardtail. Commuter by week, and with a change of wheelsets, a fast singletrack bike by nights weekends & vacations. Well over 30k miles on her. The Bomber takes care of the curbs, potholes, and expired 'dillos. I keep the Pasela tires at 100psi, it's remarkably efficient. Average 16-17mph across this college town on a 13 mile, 48 stops/lights roundrip commute. Rain,shine, heat, cold, occasional ice, the nastier the funner!
A few items of note:
Magura hydraulic rim brakes: zero maintenance, 3 sets of pads in 5 years! not single-finger powerful but awesome modulation. Wet doesn't bother them a bit.
Semi-homebrew 24watt halogen headlight.
Ringle Slamma Jamma headset: zero maintenace, 1 adjustment in 5 years.
Forged Kooka cranks on Real Crankcase bb: 4 sks cartridge bearings, zero squeaks/issues for 3 years.
never a wash!
Bike weighs about 27lb as you see it