my best riding most comfortable bike is my
1989-Eddy merckx Corsa extra columbus SLX / campa record grouppo/ Shamal wheels ..
Cheers
T

I am recently riding my Jan de Reus a lot. It is nice!

I personally can't feel a whole lot of difference between Reynolds 531c and columbus SL.
I don't know, maybe if I were a pro I could but no big discernible differences to me.
geometry and wheels/tires make a bigger difference for me, not tubes.
Marty

Elev12k which de Reus do you have? how old? details man details
(of course we may have discussed this at length and I just forgot, goes with being vintage myself)

Not in my mind. And you can extend that to all the other major tubing manufacturers.

define "ride quality"?.


of my bikes,...
...for silky smoothness it's my vitus-bador 979:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...bikes031-1.jpg

...for crisp & responsive performance it's my cinelli nuovo supercorsa:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...cinelli043.jpg

...for intuitive handling & tactile ride it's my de rosa professional sl:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...sa30yrs007.jpg

When it was still on the road, I'd say my Raleigh Pro in a heartbeat. Light, responsive, and good enough to go all day.

I love the feel of all my bikes though - the Pug is super springy, and soaks up EVERYTHING. If I get around to it, i'd like to build that one up into a tourer. ATM though, my Univega with the drops and B17 is amazing, and only gets better the more miles I put on the Brooks. 1000 miles into break-in, and it feels like a cloud.

Caterham... just wow... That De Rosa is freakin gorgeous.

Well I think ride quality is too broad to try and define. For me my Medici just feels so much more smooth, responsive, and feels like I'm floating while riding.

I've been contemplating buying a touring bike for the past year, and love my Miyata, so I was very tempted to buy a NOS 1000...I just rode it again yesterday, and it's not just the raddoneur (sp?) bars I dislike, it just feels terrible.....I have no idea how I feel anything through those tires, but it's just a terrible feeling for a bike, which shocks me given the rep of the 1000.

Keep in mind that the frame is designed for loaded touring, which means more fork rake and longer chainstays. This all translates into less intuitive handling when unloaded, but a more stable platform under load.

That makes a LOT of sense! It goes back to using the right tool for the right job.

Best ride: A well used 1983 Schwinn Le Tour (I swear)

Most fun: 2006(?) Redline Conquest Disc-r

Best overall: 1967 Zeus Professional, Reynolds 531db.

Favourite for long rides because it's SO stable, relaxed and comfortable: my C.N.C. light tourer with TA cyclotouriste crank. Vive la France!

Worst: Strangely the one I get the most compliments on! 1980's Gardin (Oria TT09 tubing) fixed gear conversion, super tight geometry, harsh ride. I use it only for short hops and then quickly regret it. Usually I hobble back after a few blocks and grab the Zeus or the C.N.C.

No consensus whatsoever! Some attribute various qualities to each, but it's hard to say if the stories are true, because one never really compares identical bikes with the only difference being frame tubes. Actually, the early Treks were available in Reynolds, Columbus and Ishiwata, identical otherwise. I haven't seen any other offerings like that.

Columbus is chrome-moly (chrome-molybdenum), and I wonder if all the various different chrome-moly tube sets have the same riding and durability attributes. I am under the impression that the alloy formula is the same. Reynolds 531 is manganese-molydenum, and I don't know if it differs much in practical terms. I've heard that the lesser-known brands are every bit as good but are less sought-after simply because the names are less trusted.

Hugo Rickert knew how to build great bikes. The ride on my mid 60's model is superb with Nisi rims and tubular tires.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9...D550/ry%3D400/

You folks have some BEAUTIES!

My Raleigh...I'll be adding the correct fork and a SR headset next month.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/...1d4eb793_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/...d83f02c1_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/...8e3c7f71_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/...d98d227b_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/...a842a7b8_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/...f4857d6f_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/...33c2daf9_m.jpg

It doesn't look like much, but my Miyata 916 w/o decals...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/...4214e63b_m.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/...e3947254_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/...8fc38682_m.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/...d1aaec8b_m.jpg

As far as road bikes are concerned, Pinarello, of course.

It's only a little bit nicer than my 80s Univega Super Sport, but noticeably so. Both are far better than my late 80s Trek 400T.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a57...mountLarge.jpg
For over all smoothness, this one. But not the bike I ride most of the time.

This will probably get me voted off the C&V island, but I my best riding bike is my IRO Mark V track bike. Good road feel, but not jarring at all. Springy, but not mushy. Feels light (but isn't all that light). Fast steering, but still feels tame enough. I have fast wheels/tires for it, but also heavier wheels with big (35mm) tires also. It is a dream to bomb around with those big tires on it.

j

Read this: http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Articles/SteelShootOut.pdf

Frame geometry and skill in building the frame are more important than what tubes are being used.

This one.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/...157c47fd_o.jpg


Now with Veloflex Paves' and Nitto Noodles. Will post a new pic after the season, we are still riding like banshees. What a ride!

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/q...0711092034.jpg

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/IMG00010.jpg

Quick, great handling, and comfortable. French bikes rock!:thumb:

Road - 86 Paramount
Track - 72 Paramount
Tandem - 72 Paramount

Hmm...there might be a pattern forming. I'm building up a NOS Merckx MX Leader this weekend, I imagine it will ride wonderfully with the added bit of stiffness that the road Paramount badly needs.

The most comfortable road racing bike I've ever owned is the Trek 660 I still ride long distances and commute on. But the new Mercian is a dedicated touring bike and that thing is like riding in a limo, it's just incredibly smooth, while the Trek is more like a sports car. The Giant...well I hate that thing! I only ride it when I go camping or need a bike to trash.

In addition the tubing is designed for loaded use so it will feel stiff and dead when unloaded.