Pamestique 

I would have a custom frame built - probably by Jim Kish. Add a beautiful etch finish by SpectrumPower Works. Custom CK wheels. CK headset. Ultegra 10 speed groupo. Bike most likely will cost less than $5K I might consider buying another Santa Cruz Superlight but that still leaves me alot of money. I might consider taking a European trip through France and Italy and try out the new road bike. I would still have money left over. Guess that would go into savings to buy tubes and tires...

Something like this except with a triple...

https://www.kishbike.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1

cooleric1234

https://www.cinelli-usa.com/frame_09xcr.html

Stainless steel - the best of titanium and steel combined. Plus BB30.

Neil_B

The OP isn't going to like this answer, but....

I'd get Roark and my trailer (AKA the Wussy Wagon) serviced. Lower gearing and a new chainring for Roark, lighter camping gear to haul in the trailer. Purchase medical insurance. Quit my job and head across the US. I've estimated my costs on a cross-US tour to be 4K. Quitting my job is the only way to get the 2-3 months I need to reach Orange County, CA, where I have a standing offer of residence while I find a job and place to live.

I have no need for a fancy bike to do this. I merely need one I can ride. And that's Roark.

RatedZeroHero

doesn't mater what the OP likes or dis-likes...

read the parameters...

some people just can't see the trees though the forest

Neil_B

I read the parameters, and found them silly.

I prefer to think outside the bike box.

IAmCosmo

It's a toss up for me....

Either spend the $10k on this:



Or spend $5k on this:



and $5k on this:

AiredaleII

Cosmo, I'd go with Option # 2. That is a sweet looking PRS.

IAmCosmo

In the very unlikely event that I'm ever in this situation, that's probably what I'll do...

RatedZeroHero

that is a very very very nice looking geetar!!!

that should be another posting all together...

I have seen many a geetar in the background of bike pix on here...

cod.peace

Not only does option #2 get Cosmo a beautiful looking & sounding PRS, but I dare say he'd unlikly to get $5k more enjoyment out of the option #1 bike. That's well within the area of diminishing returns on $ invested for a bike.

mtnbke

Not to derail the thread, but considering its moolah for a dream bike I think if one had money left over that sending it to Project Rwanda would be more in line with the dream bike theme.

A couple of coffee bikes would change several families entire lives. That would be a dream for them, doubling or tripling their annual income...

In my book there is a big difference between being disadvantaged in somewhere like Rwanda and not owning your own home in the United States.

I just love the fact that those coffee bikes can change peoples lives...

mtnbke

The worst part was that I think he was debating about whether to go SRAM or Campy on a steel frame.

$10,000 and you still want steel? For real?

I can see passing on the carbon, but titanium is everything that steel is, without being everything that steel is.

That's kind of like getting a freebie to hook up with anyone in the history of the world without getting in trouble with your wife, and choosing your wife.

What surprises me is that no one is going really old school here. I was hoping to see something like Carbon Record but with skiptooth drivetrain. How cool would that be?

RatedZeroHero

I was surprised too... the idea was that you get the oppoutunity to get 'that bike' of a lifetime...

since posting and doing my continued I realized 'that bike' canbe gotten for around $6,000 or so (some assembly required)

I do want steel. no carbon. no Ti. as far as I and alot of others are concerned everyone is trying to make bikes act and feel like steel but without the steel part... why? some steel frames are almost as light as CF and Ti... but have better ride quality... this is a preference thing. and no matter how hard you try to convince me you wont. nor I to you. so it is a moot point (mmmm MOOTS... anyway)

I actually saw the other day people debating on SRAM against Campy... can't really recall seing people choose SRAM over Campy before but they were, but the SRAM stuff is getting great reveiws from races/users alike...

personally I don't like the carbon fiber on the record and super record so campy is pretty much out simply based on asthetics...

I own a Harley ask HD owners and they pretend that they are the best motorcycles in the world.. hell for tha matter the original and the only brand all else fails in comparison... again I have one and I fail to see the point... could this be the same as Campy or Ti or carbon? just the next best thing...

I am 40 just starting cycling and I want a custom fit frame for my 6'6" self... that will last me the rest of my lifetime... just one bike. I will probably never weigh less than 220 so a weight weinny I am not.

I will probably never race anything seriously probably the most enduring thing I might do is the whole up to a century type of casual riding...

I also like old... steel is reminiscent of bikes of the past and that is kewl with me... problem would be solved it I could buy an new Paramount in my size... this cannot be done...

I guess if I get a Waterford 953 frame set with SRAM red or a Independent Fabrications SSR (again 953)with SRAM red you'll just have to avert your eyes from my happiness...

Booger1

$8500.00 for the new tig welder,blast cabinet,HVLP spray gun and compressor.The balance for the bike I will build with them.

RatedZeroHero

you didn't mention the cost of the 953 tubing or the cost of getting certified from Reynolds...

Scooper

Well, since you've now been so explicit, here's my retirement present to myself for your consideration. Sorry about the carbon Record stuff; your point on the aesthetics of carbon components is noted.

With bottle cages and pedals, ready to ride, it weighs a hair over 20 pounds. I pedalled it from San Francisco to Los Angeles the first week of June, and the trip was very comfortable.

Mr Danw

I guess I'd buy a fully outfitted Surly LHT and use the balance to fund an extended tour of the US.

youcoming

Lightspeed whatever, Di2, zipp303

wild animals

I don't really care about the specifics, but I'd want a steel touring or brevet bike custom-made for my unfortunate torso length and wimpy connective tissue. Then I'd spend the rest on cold-weather gear, a helmet-mounted camera, and a canister of pepper spray in crowd-dispersal proportions. And bike shoes. And a taser.

wild animals

And I'd get some of it in quarters.

RatedZeroHero

man Scooper you are the source of that inspiration!!! (and IF's website!) it/you got me looking at 953...

then I saw your bike... I could never pull off a polished frame way to blingy for me... but trust me it will have some polished (think stays/forks )

your bike is amazing!!! you truly are a connisuer of fine bike porn in my eyes!!! (and I read your post you are very knowledgeable as well!!!)

do tell does it ride like steel??? (I know it is steel but stainless)

hendrick81

Herbie53

I don't know much about these, but when I look at them I sound like Homer Simpson craving a donut....

Steelman Lugs

RatedZeroHero

oh my!!!

lucid0ne

Probably one of these and a really good computer