Your Grail Marque. How did it become so?
11-02-15, 06:25 PM
#101
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Even though I am mostly a Raleigh and Kabuki (I know, I know) guy, I still lust for a Schwinn Paramount with chrome lugs and full campy. Sigh. My other desires are a Kabuki Diamond Formula and even though it isn't that old, a Raleigh Team Pro from about '05 or so in yellow. That would complete my set of one Raleigh road bike in every frame material! I just put together my SP1000 ti. I have an 89 Technium PRE almost identical to Oldscool's. Still in project stage is an International that will be heavily hot-rodded. ( It was just a frame when I bought it). The truly holy grail for me would be a Hetchins Magnum Opus. That is keeping in mind that a Holy Grail is unobtainable! That one would be for me!
11-02-15, 07:12 PM
#102
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Bikes: Fiori Roma, Currently building a Bianchi, Trek 330, formerly Monshee Nomad, Favorit, Bianchi Sport SX, Frankenbike
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Mine is easy, it is the one that got away...
I had a Bianchi Sport SX in the 80s, loved the bike, did a lot of impromptu racing in high park and on some of the trails around Toronto. I sold it when I had a kid and stopped having time to ride a lot.
But even as a Bianchi owner, I was also aware I had the best of the Japanese frames, and wanted a celeste Italian made Bianchi, preferably with Italian components. I've never ridden a Campy equipped bike. I'm sure the reality may not live up to the dream, but there it is.
When I was riding a lot, I was a strong 170 lbs, 6' rider. I'm much older and slower and heavier, so I'm not sure an SL Columbus bike would be appropriate. Even back then I was thinking SLX.
Not long after I joined the forum, Bianchigirl was dealing a CDI, I have the feeling I should have jumped on that.
One of the members here did donate a Bianchi frame to me, a BICI II that I am still planning to build up with an old Shimano 600 group; triple crank, long cage non-SIS RD.I plan on wider tires and making it into a more comfortable bike.
So I keep looking....someday one will fall in my lap.
I had a Bianchi Sport SX in the 80s, loved the bike, did a lot of impromptu racing in high park and on some of the trails around Toronto. I sold it when I had a kid and stopped having time to ride a lot.
But even as a Bianchi owner, I was also aware I had the best of the Japanese frames, and wanted a celeste Italian made Bianchi, preferably with Italian components. I've never ridden a Campy equipped bike. I'm sure the reality may not live up to the dream, but there it is.
When I was riding a lot, I was a strong 170 lbs, 6' rider. I'm much older and slower and heavier, so I'm not sure an SL Columbus bike would be appropriate. Even back then I was thinking SLX.
Not long after I joined the forum, Bianchigirl was dealing a CDI, I have the feeling I should have jumped on that.
One of the members here did donate a Bianchi frame to me, a BICI II that I am still planning to build up with an old Shimano 600 group; triple crank, long cage non-SIS RD.I plan on wider tires and making it into a more comfortable bike.
So I keep looking....someday one will fall in my lap.
11-02-15, 07:26 PM
#103
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Italian Bikes are ok. But they are usually pretty one dimensional. I would take a high end British Bike any day. A 1967 Holdsworth Professional comes to mind. My Grail Bike.
11-02-15, 08:53 PM
#104
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i have two. The first is and early 70's Raleigh Grand Prix. My dad bought me one when all of my friends were riding Scwhinn Varsitys or Stingrays. I had white hoods on the levers, leather seat, Simplex drs and a cottered crank. I rode the heck out of that bike. I wanted to get into serious cycling in college and took it to a shop to get it fixed up. I was told the crank and derailleurs were shot and the wheels would need to be replaced. All I heard was useles piece of junk. I am not sure what happened to it, but it probably got sent to Goodwill when my parents cleaned out the garage. I am on the lookout for a good frame that I can build up. It will have better parts than the original, but will have a very similar look.
The second would be a classic Euro frame with a modern drive train. Merckx, Pinarello, Colnago, Cinelli, Tomassini would all work. I've been doing this for about 30 years and they are still the best looking and, dare I say, best riding bikes I have ever encountered.
The second would be a classic Euro frame with a modern drive train. Merckx, Pinarello, Colnago, Cinelli, Tomassini would all work. I've been doing this for about 30 years and they are still the best looking and, dare I say, best riding bikes I have ever encountered.
11-02-15, 08:58 PM
#106
Senior Member
Here's one for me:
Why? Because Celeste is the Best. Or, you either love it or you don't, and I love it.
Why? Because Celeste is the Best. Or, you either love it or you don't, and I love it.
11-02-15, 09:15 PM
#107
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I can't say as I have a grail marque, but in terms of what I always have kept my eye out for, it would be an AD Vent Noir.
11-03-15, 12:33 AM
#108
I'm a Classic Man.
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Started out in love with Nuovo Record, then wanted to up My game with super record equipped. Finally became obsessed with C Record. Also switched from wanting Paramounts and Raleighs to hand-made Italians. So now my main focus of interest are Italian bikes from 84-90.
11-03-15, 12:45 AM
#109
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Merckx. For the standard reason that I couldn't afford them in high school and college when I was racing and working in bike shops. Had a few Italian frames during that time but the Merckx bikes always seemed better, more no-nonsense.
11-03-15, 09:42 AM
#110
feros ferio
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I have always liked Capo bicycles (capo.at), with their ornate lugwork, but now that I know that my early 1960s Sieger is worth more than $2K, I guess that is my new grail. 
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
11-03-15, 09:44 AM
#111
feros ferio
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Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
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The first owner of my Anthracite-colored Bianchi said he wanted Celeste, but they had already sold out.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
11-03-15, 10:56 AM
#112
Get off my lawn!
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Pure material lust...see it, must have it.....acquire it, satiate the desire and move on.... I need help but I don't want help, I'm sick.
Last edited by Velognome; 11-04-15 at 06:43 AM.
11-03-15, 11:05 AM
#113
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My main interest is a P-15 Paramount.
My secondary interest is a 22" Sports Tourer
My third is a Raleigh Grand Sports (The paint scheme does it for me, the bike isnt outstanding, or even that well built, really)
My secondary interest is a 22" Sports Tourer
My third is a Raleigh Grand Sports (The paint scheme does it for me, the bike isnt outstanding, or even that well built, really)
11-03-15, 11:06 AM
#114
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
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I don't understand when folks dismiss an entire country's bikes, as though they're all the same.
11-03-15, 11:44 AM
#115
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Lets see Coppi Bianchi, Masi, Colnago etc. I am not dismissing them I just prefer Handmade British Bikes pre 1970. They just ride better and the craftsmanship is second to none. As my race Day's are just distant memories.
11-03-15, 11:53 AM
#116
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It's fine to trend towards one country for whatever reason, but the statement above...about "italians being one dimensional", and "brits having more quality" is pretty silly IMO.
FYI - most of those brits with derailleurs were, shall we say, influenced by the italians and frenchies. The better ones also came with italian parts
11-03-15, 12:51 PM
#117
Senior Member
There's no particular brand or model I would seek out, but I'm part Italian and have never owned an Italian bike, or any serious bike earlier than 1973. So if I were to stumble on an Italian thoroughbred from the '60's or earlier, at the right price, that would be cool. If not, no biggie; I feel pretty lucky to have the few bikes I already own.
11-03-15, 01:43 PM
#118
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I definitely dont. I am pretty attached to the bikes. Attached is a pic of my dad on the tri-bike from '07 and one of my on it from Sept '15 on my first 70.3. He bought it brand new in '99 from a local bike shop that isnt around anymore. I will always have a soft spot for old Cannondales because of this as well as Schwinns.
That's also why I want to build a Superior for my Dad.
That's also why I want to build a Superior for my Dad.
Last edited by fury413rb; 11-03-15 at 01:54 PM.
11-03-15, 06:17 PM
#120
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For me, it has a lot to do with our more rural location. Where we had Trek and Cannondale dealers there is more readily older ones floating around. I love the Treks, the ride, quality and heritage. The 760 fascinated me with the full 531 and campy. Now that I have miraculously obtained one in near new condition....I guess the next would have to be an Italian bike.
11-03-15, 07:03 PM
#121
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Actually I have one of my Grail bikes & sort of have my other Grail bike. *The Grail bike I have is a 1924 Mead Ranger like the one my father had when he was in college. *I built up wheels with Velocity Blunts so that I can ride it. *I'm impressed that he did day rides of 50 & 60 miles though he was in his early twenties & in good shape. *I have lusted after a Mercian Vincitore for quite soon time. *When a 1985 King of Mercia in my size became available I couldn't resist. *It was built with Campy NR, is a beautiful green & cream & was never ridden. *I guess the original owner saw it as a piece of art & it was too small for the second owner who just added it to his collection & never rode it. *I'm the 3rd owner. *It isn't quite my Grail bike but it is close. *
11-03-15, 07:57 PM
#122
Senior Member
Actually I have one of my Grail bikes & sort of have my other Grail bike. *The Grail bike I have is a 1924 Mead Ranger like the one my father had when he was in college. *I built up wheels with Velocity Blunts so that I can ride it. *I'm impressed that he did day rides of 50 & 60 miles though he was in his early twenties & in good shape. *I have lusted after a Mercian Vincitore for quite soon time. *When a 1985 King of Mercia in my size became available I couldn't resist. *It was built with Campy NR, is a beautiful green & cream & was never ridden. *I guess the original owner saw it as a piece of art & it was too small for the second owner who just added it to his collection & never rode it. *I'm the 3rd owner. *It isn't quite my Grail bike but it is close. *
Ooooooh! Photos. of both. Please!
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1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
11-23-15, 11:07 AM
#123
Senior Member
My grail marque wasn't that difficult to find ,but I don't discount it for that. 1986 was one of the best summers of my life. And the fold out cover in the May issue of triathlete magazine did it for me. 20 years later I finally had one in my hands. A 1986 Centurion Ironman. I'm still searching for some original 6 speed grip shift to put on and one day maybe have a braze on FD tab put on. But other than that, It's mine all mine.
This is my cake all my other ones are just the frosting.
This is my cake all my other ones are just the frosting.
Last edited by texaspandj; 11-23-15 at 11:21 AM.
11-23-15, 11:29 AM
#125
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My Grail is Alex Singer. My first few years in cycling there were a number of Singer owners in the touring club I rode with; they did then (late 1960's) and to my eyes make everything else look like Safeway shopping carts. I know a couple of Singer owners who own old and new examples, and ride the snot out of them--not slowly!