Ride Quality... Which is head of your stable?
 

I may just be too inexperienced to realize how much different one road bike can feel from another... Due to tubing or possibly components...

I have two bikes currently;

1983 Peugeot PSV10
1987 Medici Pro Strada

I gave the Medici it's first ride yesterday after properly fitting the bike. My gosh... My PSV10 is no slouch. I commute on it, I love it, I think it rides great. However, it seems the Medici is so much nicer. It feels like I'm floating on the frame and not just riding it. I don't know how else to explain it. I was so happy yesterday after the ride I just kinda sat outside and stared at the bike trying to figure out why it felt so different from the Peugeot which is setup very similar fit wise.

Anyone else have an exceptional bike that is at the head of the stable? If so which one (please post a pic if possible!)?

I'm probably a bit weird, but I ride all my bikes about evenly and view it more as using the right tool for the right job. I love them all in their own ways...for pure joy of riding, the Raleigh Pro with the reynolds 531 tubing has a terrific feel, but I love the stiffness of my Miyata. The 2007 JTS is the best urban commuter I've ever ridden...it's only downfall is I feel afraid locking it and it's too flashy. I suppose my least favorite bike is my cannondale f-500...I don't take jumps large enough to need the suspension, and I would prefer a rigid fork. It feels sluggish at times.

No question about it my 1971 Mercian King of Mercia. The ride is just stunning. Reynolds 531 of course.
But I have yet to build up my 1990 Merckx Corsa Extra (Columbus SLX) which many claim are exceptional riding bikes.

The bike that actually rides the best for me is my single speed, an unidentified french 531db frame I think from around 1980. The components are newer however.

i have a 1989 Schwinn 754 (aluminum) and my buddy just got a 2009 Specialized Allez Sport. It's kind of hard to explain how they feel different, but it seems like i have more "road feel" on my Schwinn. I mean, his is very nice, and it's smooth as butter, but i just like the feel of my older frame. I'm actually looking at getting a '73 Peugeot U-08. I hope it's just as nice.

1973 Gitane Tour de France (531 tubes).

Is there any concensus at all as to the superiority of reynolds vs. columbus tubing? Is it a case of relative merits and preferences for each?

It all depends on the type of riding I'm planning. However, my all time favourite is my 1974 Scapin SL.

Early 80's Japan built Bianchi is my favorite, I also have a 99 Fuji team with a welded chromo frame that rides excellent.

It's always a combination of frame, fit, wheel set and tires. My often-posted Campy Carbon Ironman is tops. The stiff wheels balance out the flexy fork and it soaks up the bumps and the miles.

Waiting in the wings is the Centurion Cinelli Equipe, which will be lighter and ride tubular. Time will tell.

The finest riding bike I've ever owned, in any category but touring, I guess, would be a Pinarello Montello.

http://velospace.org/files/P1100001.JPG

Robbie--that's an absolute beauty.

1972 Fuji Finest. The lugs aren't thinned, but the ride is often like floating.

Until I found my Battaglin, it was my Ciocc. Now, it is a toss-up, usually decided by which one is closest to the door ;)

mine are for the most part all different. The closest 2 would be my Zieleman and RIH both
built as race bikes, the Jan de Reus is also a race bike but is newer and more criterium geometry.
My Serotta is closer to the RIH and Z'man but has a much different ride than either.
I would have to say the Zieleman is my favorite, however I'm not sure it's a fair comparison
as it's a larger frame than any of the others and fits me better.
But by and large if it's excitement I want it would have to be the Pogliaghi Pista, outstanding bike.

Marty

If I had to choose a bike for all-around enjoyment, it'd be my Bianchi:
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...g?t=1254498337

It doesn't have provenance (or, its provenance is Taiwan) or gorgeous lugwork (though the TIG welding on it is very well done), but it was my first "serious" road bike purchase, and the bike I've spent the most time with, upgrading, dialing-in, riding.

I'm not sure the aesthetics "speak to me" the way my other, more C&V bikes do. But it inspires more confidence on the road...kinda like the good friend you'd want to take to a war...or to a well-paved desert island.

It depends.

Comfort:
1984 Trek 520... Reynolds 501 tubing... loooong stays... flexy frame that soaks up bumps like a Buick.

Speed:
1986 Centurion Elite RS... Tange 2 tubeset... original Shimano 600 group... light... tight.

Making an impression:
1969 Raleigh Sport 3 speed... classic... Brooks B72 saddle... 'nuff said.

For me, it's my 1990 aluminum Trek 1420... probably an unpopular choice, but to me everything on it feels better. My Raleigh Pro is nice and all, but my tange 5 lotus seems to ride just as nice to me.

Maybe I am not sensitive enough to it, who knows

I love to sing this bikes praises when I can:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/...2fdb2895_o.jpg

Miyata 1400 . lively frame yet compliant, well mannered handling. Bianchi RC TXS ultralight frame. Stiffer and quicker steering than the Miyata but by no means harsh.

i just uploaded some pics.

my '89 Schwinn 754:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...905091718a.jpg

my buddy's '09 Specialized Allez Sport (the day he got it):
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...917091759a.jpg

This summer it's been my '72 Fuji Newest .. it floats as well. I'm also riding for the first time on tubulars. My '73 Raleigh Pro is a close second.

Scott

With my bikes it's hard to say any one is the 'best'.
They all ride great, but the Azuki is the one I ride most often. It's perfect for around town, and great for long hauls, especially since I switched to tubulars.
The Alan is a good fast, responsive bike, only thing that keeps me from riding it more often is that the saddle is too flat, and the bars are too wide. (looking for a nice set of narrower bars, cinelli preffered to match OEM)
The gitane rivals the Azuki in ride quality, but it's beat up and bent (top and down tubes), still rides perfectly straight and smooth but the wheelbase is at least an inch shorter than when new from hitting a post at speed. It's currently my bad weather bike

Ken.

I have 6 riders and ever one is different.

I'm partial to my 98 T700 C-Dale as the nicest ride for distance and moderate pace. Everybody says aluminum is harsh. I think it is the wheelbase, 700x35, Brooks and 25 inch frame seem to take any edge off it. It is crisp but I like that. I find I really like the ride.


My 95 T700 is a 23 inch and seems a little more brisk. It is my most used commuter and the fastest feeling bike of the bunch with the 8 speed RSX STI's. Different tires, seat and lower bars changed the ride dramatically even though the frame geometry should be the same. I am about to change the cranks from a 22/32/44 to a 26,36,48 just like the 98 T700 has and it is getting 9 speed 105 STI's swapped on as well to free up the RSX for a bike I am building up for my wife. See how that changes things.

My 84 Fuji is a decent ride quality but it feels like it lumbers along. Just never feels fast. It is the heaviest feeling of the bunch. The 48 spoke rear wheel, 25 inch frame, Michelin World Tour tires and high bars it just feels like it is in no hurry. It is not taxing just relaxed.

The 88 World sport with 700x23 Ultra sports and straight bar transmits a lot of harshness to my hands. Most of that I blame on the wheels and tires. Fun bike to dart around on. The MTB drivetrain really make it easy to creep around on in a crowd but the straight bars are going to have to go if I keep it. It is not enjoyably bike for distance riding right now becasue of the bars.

77 Super LeTour is growing on me. The short wheel base makes it handle wonderful. the 4130 frame does absorb a lot of what I feel on the 95 T700 and the 88 WS. It is a fun ride when I don't need to carry anything with me.

My most comfortable vintage ride is the two sizes too small Bianchi Campione. I really wish I could find the same bike with a larger frame. Next, for now its the 86 Nishiki Prestige by default because I ride it so much more now that it has brifters. I ride that bike more than all my other vintage/classic rides combined and that includes the LeMond Maillot Juane.

My old Columbus frames seem stiffer than the Reynolds. The Columbus ones are also chromed, accentuating the otherwise lousy Italian paint.

The only columbus frame I've owned was a Lotus Odysee with soft touring tires...so it's a bit hard for me to judge it. I couldn't feel much through those soft tires.