Happy Friday all!

First of all, I suppose I'm asking because right now I don't have a #1. I have about 12 bikes, from 1968 to about 1998. Each time I go out to look at the stable, 1/2 the bikes are in some sort of project state, so I have no idea how they ride, and the other half I can't really decide. I guess you could say that the collection is a little directionless right now, and it would actually be really nice to have a #1 so I could just sell everything else save for a backup. Perhaps some of your insight may help give me purpose.

So, what is your #1? Why is it your #1? Is it because of the ride? How beautiful it is? The history or memories? Sentimental? Comfort? Function and practicality? All of the above? I didn't grow up on a road bike, so I don't have nostalgic memories from my childhood.

Bonus points if you mention what your #1 is #1 against.

Thanks!

I only think about this by ranking my bikes by which one I would give up last. I need load-carrying capacity so the road bikes go first. The tandem is niche-use, but can carry load well. I end up with a competition between my newer touring bike and my 90's no-suspension mountain bike, and the mountain bike is the one that would stay due to versatility and available, durable and cheap replacement parts ... the only original pieces are the frame, fork and handlebars.

I have about thirty bikes right now, but my number ones are a 2005 Bianchi S9 for road and a 1992 Rocky Mountain Titanium for mountain. I like these because the ride is fairly plush and I'm old, and also they're both fairly scarce and unique.

Maybe this one since it is a team bike.

It's a tough call, but I'd probably say that my Raleigh Team bike, with Reynolds 753 tubing and Campy bits, and built by the SBDU group at Raleigh, is the #1. I grew up lusting after the top Raleighs in the 70's, so it's a bike that I'd wanted. It's also a bike that was arguably the highest tech race bike in the world for a while, and it's proven itself in the European races as well as those in the USA. Another fun detail is that the Raleigh USA team, the Skunk River Cyclists, was based in Ames, Iowa and run by Mike Fatka through his shop, Michael's Cyclery. I was going to college in Ames at that time and frequented Micheal's Cyclery.. very cool!




The also-rans:
- Hetchins Magnum Opus with "vibrant" stays, a.k.a. curly stays. It's another cool Brit bike from a small shop with a ton of character! Rides quite nicely too, at least for me.
- Olmo Competition with heavily pantographed Campy NR bits. Cool bike.
- 1974 Raleigh International, purchased essentially NIB in the year 2000. Another bike that I lusted after. It's got the copper "flamboyant" paint that really glows in the sun, as well as having chromed Nervex Pro lugs. It's in pristine condition and gorgeous!
- I've also got frames/bikes from two smaller builders here in the midwest. Nothing fancy, but great bikes that are just what I wanted and tolerate my abuse.

In all, it's a small collection. They all get ridden, and none are rare museum pieces. Maybe the best part is that my friends complement the bikes.

Steve in Peoria

Emotional attachment Bike is a 1965 Schwinn that was Dad's
Bike I ride most is a 1990 Rockhopper

I only have one bike, and by default that makes it my No. 1. But even if I had more bikes, it would probably still occupy the top spot.

It’s No. 1 for many other reasons: Italian handmade craftsmanship, style, details like chrome lugs; innovations like the spoiler bottom bracket and fastback seat lug, responsiveness, top-end components. It’s a joy to ride and maintain.

Tough. Very tough.

Cannot isolate just one

Neat bike. My McLean likes it.

This is likely my favorite vintage bike, but I have a Moots Routt 45 on the way.

I'm down to a few bikes, mostly off-road.

This one:



Why? Because it fits perfectly and rides even better than it looks

DD

This is my most ridden road bike, so it's definitely my #1.
It's a frame set I built in a class back in early 2018. Modern 2x11 drivetrain, but lugged steel.
It's my most ridden because it fits me best.

#2 most ridden road bike is a Tange 1 tube lugged frame from Japan, not sure who built it. Sits on my trainer for zwift from November thru March. Modern 2x11 drivetrain on it too.
A mid90s cannondale will probably take the 2nd slot this coming spring, once it's fully built.

I am building up an early 80s Peugeot with 531 tubing as a singlespeed...that would be the one c&v frame that doesn't get a modern drivetrain once it hits my garage.

Mine would have to be my ‘82 Bianchi. It was a basket case when I got it, so there’s some pride in the build. It also fits great and I love the aggressive ride.

My issue as well.

Related thread with some bikes worth looking at...
Post Your Flagship.

Depends on how I'm feeling that day. The old Mooney, now set up fix gear and riding like an English classic (on nice big very high quality tubulars) The fix gear of my avatar photo, a pure race road fix gear for a world that never invented gears or my newly acquired Pro Miyata; a heyday of steel era race ride. All three are sublime. All three disappear. I've been known to get to the driveway and decide I want the other one.

Your 2 pix tell us how deeply you love Bianchi

A true story of MY Fair Lady

An elegant lady

I prefer flashy bikes like Colnago and Rossin.

But I've gotta admit I don't dislike elegant bikes, Cinelli and Bianchi.

Flashy breed and elegant breed, both are Italian beauties.
I love Italian beauties

Wish I could get that seat more level….

I’m clear that if I could only have one it would be my Mercian. It always feels right, it’s smooth yet stiff, the handling is connected to my cerebellum (maybe because it’s been with me 35 years.) I enjoy my others but this one is like coming home.

Well its very well documented here and before now.

Fits like a glove as if it was built for me but wasn't, rides like a dream and flies down the road even with my lazy azz.

Probably the Kool-Aid more than anything so here it is, again.





#1 to this for now with not enough miles yet, long story we'll get to later.

I’m enjoying this thread and I would answer the question… but….well….I just don’t want to.

Maybe I could list my top 10, but I couldn’t rank them.

Yes! I had to laugh when I clicked on the link and ran through it, as some of the posts in that thread and this one are carbon copies. I guess one of these threads gets started once every couple of years. I must have missed that one somehow. Still, good to see how things change or don't change for some, and always nice to either hear of new bikes or get a little confirmation bias from others posting bikes that you have

My #1 is my Maza. If you asked me this question 20 years ago, I would have ranked the Maza last. The ride was too soft compared to all my other bikes and I consider it ugly. But, now that I got old, it is my most comfortable bike. I don't feel beat-up after a long ride. The photo is old. It's been through many changes over the years. It now has Campy Record 10 speed on it.



I'm down to 5 road bikes and one "errand" bike.
My order:
1) Maza (TSX)
2) Guerciotti #2 (PRX) Nice ride. Beautiful purple paint job. I get the most compliments on this one.
3) Guerciotti #3 (TSX) More comfortable than #2, but not as agile. (BTW Guerciotti #1 died in a front end crash).
4) Moser (Tre-Tubi) Great climber. Currently has fenders. My foul weather bike.
5) Titan (SLX) I never really liked this one's ride. It's my winter bike. I'm a lousy cold weather rider, so performance means nothing. Plus, I don't mind getting salt on this one.
6) Villano (Gas pipe) My "errand" bike. Single speed -- Italian sounding -- Chinese made bike. Heavy as hell, but I wouldn't mind if it gets stolen. So, it goes to where ever I need to lock a bike up.

Eddy Merckx Molteni team bike.

I wanted it since 1975.
I haven't forgotten about it for 47 years.
This year, at long last, I've got one, Corsa Extra.

What if I happened to find a Colnago-Eddy-Merckx-Molteni of 1972?
It's the Gordian Knot