Your Favorite
09-26-20 | 06:51 AM
#51
Senior Member♣️
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 3,004
This has been my favorite ride for several years now. It's a 1984 Centurion Elite GT 15 in "Super Metallic Bronze". I picked it up in rough shape for $50 and planned on cleaning it up to flip it, but I soon began falling in love with it. Lucky for me it happened to be my size, and after a bit of work I was finally able to take it out and ride it for the very first time. That's when I knew... She was a keeper!
It's the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden for sure, and I find it to be absolutely gorgeous too! It handles beautifully whether it's loaded down, or not, and it's nearly impossible for me to ride it without grinning from ear to ear lol. I also really love how practical and capable it is. It's basically become my do-it-all daily rider for everything from leisurely neighborhood cruises, to commuting to job sites loaded down with all of my tools. While she's no lightweight racer, she definitely doesn't feel overly heavy, sluggish, or cumbersome at all either. Quite the opposite actually! Even with all of the racks and bags and stuff on, she still flies!
I am NOT a rich man, so it's been a slow going project since day one, and I don't think I'll ever be able to call it 100% finished, but that's alright by me. Keeps me excited about it! I do currently have a beautiful pair of SunTour Le Tech derailleurs waiting to be installed on it, and I'd like to add full fenders, better tires, and a lighting system in the future too. Man I love this bike!
It's the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden for sure, and I find it to be absolutely gorgeous too! It handles beautifully whether it's loaded down, or not, and it's nearly impossible for me to ride it without grinning from ear to ear lol. I also really love how practical and capable it is. It's basically become my do-it-all daily rider for everything from leisurely neighborhood cruises, to commuting to job sites loaded down with all of my tools. While she's no lightweight racer, she definitely doesn't feel overly heavy, sluggish, or cumbersome at all either. Quite the opposite actually! Even with all of the racks and bags and stuff on, she still flies!
I am NOT a rich man, so it's been a slow going project since day one, and I don't think I'll ever be able to call it 100% finished, but that's alright by me. Keeps me excited about it! I do currently have a beautiful pair of SunTour Le Tech derailleurs waiting to be installed on it, and I'd like to add full fenders, better tires, and a lighting system in the future too. Man I love this bike!
09-26-20 | 11:03 AM
#52
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,494
Likes: 1,526
From: Tucson, AZ
It's true, there are, but I'm a simple man and a big fan of 80's Japanese bikes and especially touring bikes. I like when the mass produced ones get done up real nice, particularly when they're in good color schemes like yours.
09-26-20 | 09:19 PM
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,773
Likes: 6,142
From: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Bikes: 2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1992 Paramount PDG Series, 1991 Mercian King of Mercia, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 1969? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Pro Mk I
I love all my bikes but my Mercian is the hands-down favorite. Ride quality, fit, looks...it’s the proverbial extension on my body. My wife says when I’m on it I look like I’m dancing.
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2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1992 Paramount PDG Series, 1991 Mercian King of Mercia, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Pro Mk I, 1969? Falcon San Remo
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1992 Paramount PDG Series, 1991 Mercian King of Mercia, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Pro Mk I, 1969? Falcon San Remo
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
09-27-20 | 01:41 AM
#55
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,105
Likes: 4,754
From: Beaverton, OR
Bikes: Yes
My favorite in my 1970-something Stella SX-76
It's not my best riding bike, but I love it for a whole lot of reasons, including...
It's not my best riding bike, but I love it for a whole lot of reasons, including...
- It's drop dead gorgeous
- It makes me smile every time I look at it
- I love the orange paint with white panels and chrome (repaint by Jeffrey Bock)
- Wickedly long tangs inside the fork
- Metric-sized Columbus tubing with French decals
- Very cool decals listing races that were won by Stella-sponsored riders (possibly all by Louison Bobet), including the 50th Tour de France
- Excellent Comp Triple components with second generation Ergo shifters
- Nutted Potenza brakes!
- Cool custom (semi-repro) head badge made by [MENTION=73614]rhm[/MENTION]
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
09-27-20 | 03:59 AM
#56
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,174
Likes: 9,550
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Seconded, absolutely agree although I am not particularly flush with them, they are an excellent value now and then.Stellar quality at any pricepoint but especially the midrange, great workmanship, paint, colors, fittings and all else punching well above their station, produced by the 10's of 1000's so they will be around literally forever.
09-28-20 | 12:35 PM
#57
Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 29
Likes: 6
1949 B.F. Goodrich
My favorite bike in the fleet is my ‘49 B.F. Goodrich, because it’s older than I am by a couple years, and it’s not one of those common road bikes like almost everyone else is favoring. Oh, and it’s full suspension, springs front and rear.
09-28-20 | 02:36 PM
#58
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 845
From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiade, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Peugeot PR10, 2002 Specialized Allez, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2013 Culprit Croz Blade
My 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiad, got it new, 56 years ago. Raced it, commuted to college on it, toured a little, hung it on the garage wall for 20 years, now a favorite ride again for Eroica, fast club rides, or just cruising along. I've got faster bikes, lighter bikes, high techy bikes and (maybe) prettier bikes, but only one favorite.
Me and the Roma, junior racer, about new in '64.
Me and the Roma, junior racer, about new in '64.
Last edited by Slightspeed; 09-28-20 at 02:42 PM.
09-28-20 | 09:16 PM
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,568
Likes: 720
From: Port Dover Ontario Canada
Bikes: 1965 Dilecta Le Blanc, 1956 Royal Nord, 1972 Raleigh Sports, 1972 CCM Turismo, 2014 Salsa Vaya, 2019 Giant Lafree and others
It requires no justification. It is my favourite bike, period. A wonderful and unlikely mix of Japanese and Canadian, Suntour and Sakae it continues to provide shiny beauty and great rides. 1976 Supercycle Excalibur. I have better bikes, older bikes, newer bikes and rarer bikes but the Excalibur is still my favourite.
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We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
We are what we reflect. We are the changes that we bring to this world. Ride often. -Geo.-
09-29-20 | 08:54 AM
#60
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,321
Likes: 1,921
[MENTION=111144]Andy_K[/MENTION], That Stella might be the most beautiful frameset I've ever seen.
Favorite is something I don't really experience much. I love riding my Ironman, but I don't want to ride it every time. Same goes for the Colnago, and the others. The Colnago might be the best gift I've ever received. My crudely brazed 3-speed Raleigh Super Course saw more miles than any in September. I have a Motobecane Grand Sprint that has a 3-tube Vitus 888 frame with,
stamped dropouts! The horror, the horror! But I somehow manage to enjoy the bike IMMENSELY.
Choices. That's probably where my "favoritism" is. A variety of fantastic rides. Yeah.
Favorite is something I don't really experience much. I love riding my Ironman, but I don't want to ride it every time. Same goes for the Colnago, and the others. The Colnago might be the best gift I've ever received. My crudely brazed 3-speed Raleigh Super Course saw more miles than any in September. I have a Motobecane Grand Sprint that has a 3-tube Vitus 888 frame with,
stamped dropouts! The horror, the horror! But I somehow manage to enjoy the bike IMMENSELY.Choices. That's probably where my "favoritism" is. A variety of fantastic rides. Yeah.
09-29-20 | 09:00 AM
#61
Senior Member♣️
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 3,004
My favorite in my 1970-something Stella SX-76
It's not my best riding bike, but I love it for a whole lot of reasons, including...
It's not my best riding bike, but I love it for a whole lot of reasons, including...
- It's drop dead gorgeous
- It makes me smile every time I look at it
- I love the orange paint with white panels and chrome (repaint by Jeffrey Bock)
- Wickedly long tangs inside the fork
- Metric-sized Columbus tubing with French decals
- Very cool decals listing races that were won by Stella-sponsored riders (possibly all by Louison Bobet), including the 50th Tour de France
- Excellent Comp Triple components with second generation Ergo shifters
- Nutted Potenza brakes!
- Cool custom (semi-repro) head badge made by [MENTION=73614]rhm[/MENTION]
09-29-20 | 09:02 AM
#62
Senior Member♣️
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 3,004
My 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiad, got it new, 56 years ago. Raced it, commuted to college on it, toured a little, hung it on the garage wall for 20 years, now a favorite ride again for Eroica, fast club rides, or just cruising along. I've got faster bikes, lighter bikes, high techy bikes and (maybe) prettier bikes, but only one favorite.
Me and the Roma, junior racer, about new in '64.
Me and the Roma, junior racer, about new in '64.
09-29-20 | 09:18 AM
#63
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 845
From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiade, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Peugeot PR10, 2002 Specialized Allez, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2013 Culprit Croz Blade
We've done two Eroicas together, 2016 and 2019. If Eroica happens II'll be there. Which bike depends on the course, and what kind of shspe I'm in. Even though it's my favorite, these old legs have trouble on big hills with the Legnano gearing.
09-29-20 | 03:55 PM
#64
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15,105
Likes: 4,754
From: Beaverton, OR
Bikes: Yes
There's a guy in Washington who has my bike's twin (except his is all original). Maybe you met him. Here they are side-by-side at Bob Freeman's BBQ last year. I was going to take the De Rosa there, but [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION] convinced me that the place would be full of De Rosas and I should bring the Stella to offer something unique. Nobody brought a De Rosa.
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My Bikes
My Bikes
09-29-20 | 06:43 PM
#65
Senior Member♣️
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 3,004
^ I think you’re right. It is very similar. The guy I met was disappointed that I did not bring my Stella, but there was no way I was going to do Eroica on it. Mine belonged to a close friend in the seventies and is way small for me and it is the old one with the matchbox Campy front derailleur and Gran Tourismo RD. It is a fine town bike with a long seat post but not a bike I would go over 25 miles on. It is a lower model than yours with stamped dropouts. I keep it just because I remember my friend riding it to the park to play frisbee with me. Sentimental value is high but that’s it. Joe By the way yours is beautiful !
