Best overall bike you ever rode, bar none. One choice only.
11-13-21, 07:32 AM
#151
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Originally Posted by Gary Fountain
This bike fits me like a glove - even better that my Colnago's
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
11-13-21, 08:01 AM
#152
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Originally Posted by ehcoplex
In fact, that was the bike given to me by a stranger. We were dirt poor and I had no bike. This man brought it by the house one day and gave it too me. I sometimes think that is why all these years later I spend so much time fixing up old bikes just to pass them on at a loss. I guess my way of paying back for that kind act.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
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11-13-21, 08:14 AM
#153
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I built up a 1979 Peugeot PXN-10 with my hand built tubular wheelset. Although I've ridden bikes with greater name prestige, this PXN-10 was the best riding, most enjoyable feel I've ever had on a road bike. I'm not sure whether I have a photo or not. Looking.
11-13-21, 10:05 AM
#154
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Best overall is my current Cannondale Topstone aluminum. Its a 105 equipped bike with a 30/46 crank and an 11-34 cassette so has great gearing for when I ride places with hills. I purchased a 2nd set of wheels, run road 28mm tires and a 12-25 cassette so its my go-to bike for when I'm not doing hard group rides, its as comfortable a bike as I've owned, the FSA Adventure h-bar is really comfortable. The other set of wheels i have the hill cassette on as well as Panaracer 43mm Gravel Kings. I value practicality and this bike is all that.
11-13-21, 02:15 PM
#155
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Originally Posted by Gary Fountain
This bike fits me like a glove - even better that my Colnago's.
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11-13-21, 06:58 PM
#156
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Thanks for the interest guys. Yes it is made from Tange Prestige tubes and Rossin's own cast lugs. It's not all that light but definitely not heavy at all. The ride is really predictable and comfortable yet responsive. I've never ridden a bike made from Tange tubing before and I really like this Tange tubing. Most tubes have a hexagonal profile. It is a fantastic bike to ride. I always sing the praises of Colnago's of the 80's and 90's due to their fit and ride qualities but this frame does more than match my Colnago's - which is quite a revelation to me.
I did fix my thread featuring my Rossin Prestige by updating the photos.
I did fix my thread featuring my Rossin Prestige by updating the photos.
Last edited by Gary Fountain; 11-13-21 at 07:02 PM.
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11-14-21, 05:33 AM
#157
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Vitus 172 tubing. The ride I've been looking for all my life. Bike has been mine for about 3 years. Built it up myself, hand-selected the components. Right now, it is using a Simplex 303 Touriste r.d., not the pictured Suntour Vx.
Last edited by 1989Pre; 11-14-21 at 06:29 AM.
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11-15-21, 12:41 PM
#158
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Klein Quantum Pro (all dura ace)
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11-15-21, 01:50 PM
#159
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Hmmm...only one, eh. Ok then...one for the road, one for off-road
11-15-21, 04:16 PM
#160
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Originally Posted by johnnyace
It's only a humble Motobecane Grand Record, but man is it a great rider. Bonus points for being heavily customized:
Although of course I have high hopes for this one, a custom Hampsten Strada Bianca (not the actual bike or build, but it is the actual color; delivery in about 4 months):
Although of course I have high hopes for this one, a custom Hampsten Strada Bianca (not the actual bike or build, but it is the actual color; delivery in about 4 months):
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11-15-21, 05:12 PM
#162
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jay4usc I got to ride one of these that came in for a tune and it was surprisingly good. I only had it out for a few miles, but easily one of the "Coolest" bikes I've ridden.
11-15-21, 05:31 PM
#163
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Originally Posted by jay4usc
it appears steel bike frames is dominating..
But seriously, steel frames back in the 70's and 80's were built by people who have been building frames for decades and even if these were factory made as opposed to mysterious hermit artisans living in secluded huts in the remote areas of Piedmont, these factories had decades to refine their production, the employees had decades to improve their skills. That's not to say that every steel bicycle will be fantastic, but when they were good, they were really good.
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11-16-21, 02:00 AM
#165
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I know you all must be sick of seeing my LOOK by now, but it's my clear favorite (followed by the Merlin and then De Rosa Pro). Magical 753r tubing and a perfect fit. It has a lively feel, combined with all-day comfort and excellent handling. I've had it since I was a teenager and it still induces smiles every time I ride it.
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11-16-21, 06:46 AM
#166
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My Marnati - but I don't think it's fair to count that as a custom bike.
A couple come to mind, but I'm going with the Merlin.
a couple of the heavy contenders:
De Rosa Primato
Picchio
69’ Cinelli SC
Pete Matthews
Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 11-16-21 at 07:01 AM.
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11-16-21, 02:52 PM
#167
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The ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer (Ms. Marinoni’s description) is clearly my best. It has an amazing feel, as well as being incredibly versatile, with 700x28 and 32’s, and 650Bx38 and 42’s in the eight years I’ve owned it. I’m using the 38’s these days and in the photo below, liking the slightly more relaxed feel on our horrible Seattle pavement. Nice that fenders fit over those, but not using them days since there’s also now a dedicated fender bike.
A ‘92 Klein Performance was my sole ride for the first 10 years when I returned to cycling, and it was even more versatile in some respects. It worked well for everything from fast group rides (back when I was doing those), many centuries+, and was a fantastic credit card tourer on two trips to Europe. Unfortunately, it was a also size too small for me, which worked when I was younger and still flexible. It really could have used today’s fatter and supple tires to offset its harsh ride. My son enjoys it now and it fits him better. It still gets compliments for the incredible paint after almost 30 years. I’ll hold off on Klein photos since the rule for this thread is “One choice only.”
A ‘92 Klein Performance was my sole ride for the first 10 years when I returned to cycling, and it was even more versatile in some respects. It worked well for everything from fast group rides (back when I was doing those), many centuries+, and was a fantastic credit card tourer on two trips to Europe. Unfortunately, it was a also size too small for me, which worked when I was younger and still flexible. It really could have used today’s fatter and supple tires to offset its harsh ride. My son enjoys it now and it fits him better. It still gets compliments for the incredible paint after almost 30 years. I’ll hold off on Klein photos since the rule for this thread is “One choice only.”
Last edited by Dfrost; 11-16-21 at 11:54 PM.
11-16-21, 03:03 PM
#168
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Originally Posted by Dfrost
A ‘92 Klein Performance was my sole ride for the first 10 years when I returned to cycling, and it was even more versatile in some respects. It worked well for everything from fast group rides (back when I was doing those), many centuries+, and was a fantastic credit card tourer on two trips to Europe. Unfortunately, it was a also size too small for me, which worked when I was younger and still flexible. It really could have used today’s fatter and supple tires to offset its harsh ride. My son enjoys it now, and it still gets compliments for the incredible paint. I’ll hold off on Klein photos since the rule for this thread is “One choice only.”
11-16-21, 03:16 PM
#169
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Originally Posted by merziac
You would clearly be in the minority here by sticking to the 1 bike only and would certainly get a pass for showing the no.1 bike from different era's, especially when they didn't exist together at some point.
’92 Klein Performance described two posts up.The Time CF fork in this picture, a lovely gift from my best buddy cyclist wife, replaced the stock aluminum fork but didn’t do much to resolve the harsh ride on bad pavement.
Last edited by Dfrost; 11-16-21 at 11:50 PM.
11-16-21, 03:43 PM
#170
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Originally Posted by Dfrost
OK, Van, since you asked.
’92 Klein Performance. The Time CF fork in this picture, a lovely gift from my best buddy cyclist wife, replaced the stock aluminum fork but didn’t do much to resolve the harsh ride on bad pavement.
’92 Klein Performance. The Time CF fork in this picture, a lovely gift from my best buddy cyclist wife, replaced the stock aluminum fork but didn’t do much to resolve the harsh ride on bad pavement.
You would have had to carbon up the rest, SP, stem, bars and it still may not have done much. My rain bike is an alu Fuji, that came with a carbon fork, I added a SP and Shockstop stem which did help a lot but still.....
11-16-21, 03:57 PM
#171
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Originally Posted by gaucho777
I know you all must be sick of seeing my LOOK by now, but it's my clear favorite (followed by the Merlin and then De Rosa Pro). Magical 753r tubing and a perfect fit. It has a lively feel, combined with all-day comfort and excellent handling. I've had it since I was a teenager and it still induces smiles every time I ride it.
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11-16-21, 04:06 PM
#172
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My 1972 Masi Gran Criterium has done duty racing, commuting, and touring. The geometry is more like a sport tourer compared to some racing bikes. With plump, high quality tubulars, it just melts under you. Sadly, I don't ride it anymore and can't bring myself to sell it.
11-16-21, 04:17 PM
#173
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Probably this one, but then again, maybe not.
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11-17-21, 09:45 AM
#174
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
My Marnati - but I don't think it's fair to count that as a custom bike.
A couple come to mind, but I'm going with the Merlin.
a couple of the heavy contenders:
De Rosa Primato
Picchio
69’ Cinelli SC
Pete Matthews
long time no see!
11-17-21, 11:05 AM
#175
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Originally Posted by KonAaron Snake
My Marnati - but I don't think it's fair to count that as a custom bike.
A couple come to mind, but I'm going with the Merlin.
a couple of the heavy contenders:
De Rosa Primato
Picchio
69’ Cinelli SC
Pete Matthews
