What is the best/ favorite bike you have ever owned?
10-08-18, 10:12 AM
#1
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What is the best/ favorite bike you have ever owned?
The most best and most favorite bike I have ever owned was a mid 70's 10 speed Schwinn Paramount with Campagnolo components .
I had it for about 3yrs before it was stolen.
I had it for about 3yrs before it was stolen.
10-08-18, 10:19 AM
#2
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10-08-18, 10:30 AM
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The one I made the most lasting day-ride memories with was my Trek 660 with a Campy Nuovo drivetrain and Modelo aero brakes.
Touring-wise, my Cannondale T700. Some 15,000 loaded miles in two years. So many memories together.
Touring-wise, my Cannondale T700. Some 15,000 loaded miles in two years. So many memories together.
10-08-18, 11:08 AM
#4
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My new to me 1992 Merlin “Road” titanium....what a great ride! A keeper for sure!
10-08-18, 11:20 AM
#5
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It has kept changing. Now it is my tadpole trike. It is such an easy and relaxing way to cycle.
10-08-18, 12:04 PM
#6
Cycleway town
There are very much two questions in the title.
In 1989 (I think) I bought a Diamond Back Topanga, put a pair of Tioga Farmer John's Nephew tyres on it, and that bike was all my dreams come true. My childhood was over, and I was able to buy a bike even better than i'd always wanted. I'd love a go on an identical one today, but I know I'd be disappointed, because I have better bikes - even a far better bike that is just like it.
Yet nothing has done it for me in that way since, not that i've actually loved, until my current daily. Despite hilarious antics on various fun bikes over the years, this year I cracked it for the second time in my life when it came to having a bike i can't bear to leave home without - my 2kw assisted GT LTS-3.
I'm currently building it's replacement, and i'm rather nervous about it.
In 1989 (I think) I bought a Diamond Back Topanga, put a pair of Tioga Farmer John's Nephew tyres on it, and that bike was all my dreams come true. My childhood was over, and I was able to buy a bike even better than i'd always wanted. I'd love a go on an identical one today, but I know I'd be disappointed, because I have better bikes - even a far better bike that is just like it.
Yet nothing has done it for me in that way since, not that i've actually loved, until my current daily. Despite hilarious antics on various fun bikes over the years, this year I cracked it for the second time in my life when it came to having a bike i can't bear to leave home without - my 2kw assisted GT LTS-3.
I'm currently building it's replacement, and i'm rather nervous about it.
10-08-18, 12:09 PM
#7
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2000 Kona Jake the Snake. All my centuries and most club rides, event and otherwise, were ridden on this bike. I lived on Jake, commuting full time, spending most of my off-work time away from the apartment, always going somewhere on ol' Jake. First thing I did after buying the bike, I took off the cyclocross knobbies and mounted up some 23c Axial Pros. Between the fat tubes and high pressure tires, not a soft ride at all, but I didn't care. I was as free as I could be, fully mobile and independent like I'd never been before or since. Married, sedentary job, kid, bike-unfriendly neighborhood now smothered in a rich depressive gravy
.
Jake hangs on the wall, waiting...
.
Jake hangs on the wall, waiting...
Last edited by velojym; 10-08-18 at 12:55 PM.
10-08-18, 12:16 PM
#8
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I had a purple Huffy banana seat bike called the rail. It was a 5 speed and looked so cool, not a practical bike tho
10-08-18, 12:51 PM
#9
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I would not say it is the best or most favorite bike I owned, but single most IMPORTANT bike I’ve owned was a 2010 Salsa Casseroll.
This was my first road bike that could take big (35mm) tires, and it completely changed the way I look at “road” riding. In retrospect, it introduced me to “gravel” road riding before the term took off. Now, it made no difference if a road was smooth pavement, crappy pavement, chipseal, gravel, or dirt... it was all open and fun. And the more upright stack/reach fit me better than the race-bikes that I had been riding (uncomfortably) for the previous 15 years.
After 15 years of being a first and foremost mountain biker, this was the bike that made me love road riding almost as much.
This was my first road bike that could take big (35mm) tires, and it completely changed the way I look at “road” riding. In retrospect, it introduced me to “gravel” road riding before the term took off. Now, it made no difference if a road was smooth pavement, crappy pavement, chipseal, gravel, or dirt... it was all open and fun. And the more upright stack/reach fit me better than the race-bikes that I had been riding (uncomfortably) for the previous 15 years.
After 15 years of being a first and foremost mountain biker, this was the bike that made me love road riding almost as much.
10-08-18, 01:01 PM
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We have a Merlin frame sequestered in one of the display cases in the Research & Technology conference room that hasn't been touched since the day it was put in the case 25 or so years ago.
10-08-18, 02:41 PM
#12
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Tom is still in the custom titanium and steel bicycle business with https://www.spectrum-cycles.com/about.php
Last edited by Patriot1; 10-08-18 at 03:09 PM.
10-08-18, 02:53 PM
#13
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I like the one I built up for myself DIY frame, in the 70's,
though in the winter Im liking my disc brake rohloff bike friday.
because it's wet out, here..
In the 50s I made my 3 speed into a 27 speed with 2 more 3 gear additions
of 3 cog clusters and a triple crank, 3 cubed..
....
though in the winter Im liking my disc brake rohloff bike friday.
because it's wet out, here..
In the 50s I made my 3 speed into a 27 speed with 2 more 3 gear additions
of 3 cog clusters and a triple crank, 3 cubed..
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-08-18 at 02:57 PM.
10-08-18, 03:13 PM
#14
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I loved my MAZA Prestige but, like a fool, sold it. I have a Guru Sidero (steel) that is like a well loved old pair of boots. Love this bike. Also pretty fond of a Colnago World Cup CX that I use on the rail/trails.
10-08-18, 04:14 PM
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never thought my trek 8.3ds [2012 GF Edition) would become my best/favorite. Test rode a few others before & after picking it up to not be 100% satisfied with the fit, form, & function to those I had for trying out. Each bicycle I test rode was for at least a week. Some didn't make it the whole week before returning back to try another one.
The Trek is no where near the day I bought it, but that is likely even more the reason why it is my best/favorite currently. It is currently configured as a road bicycle, yet still retains some of its hybrid characteristics. It was almost passed up because the lbs did not have instock at the time the color I wanted for size. They came to reason on price & I was loading it in the back of the vehicle a few minutes later.
Now that I said the above, I hope nothing happens to it! lol
The Trek is no where near the day I bought it, but that is likely even more the reason why it is my best/favorite currently. It is currently configured as a road bicycle, yet still retains some of its hybrid characteristics. It was almost passed up because the lbs did not have instock at the time the color I wanted for size. They came to reason on price & I was loading it in the back of the vehicle a few minutes later.
Now that I said the above, I hope nothing happens to it! lol
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10-08-18, 05:14 PM
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Well, I ride my CAADX more than my other bikes, so I guess it's my favorite. If I still owned the bikes I've owned in the past, I'd still be riding the CAADX most.
10-08-18, 05:43 PM
#17
Cycleway town
I like the one I built up for myself DIY frame, in the 70's,
though in the winter Im liking my disc brake rohloff bike friday.
because it's wet out, here..
In the 50s I made my 3 speed into a 27 speed with 2 more 3 gear additions
of 3 cog clusters and a triple crank, 3 cubed..
....
though in the winter Im liking my disc brake rohloff bike friday.
because it's wet out, here..
In the 50s I made my 3 speed into a 27 speed with 2 more 3 gear additions
of 3 cog clusters and a triple crank, 3 cubed..
....
At first I had the derailleur to the trigger shifters as normal, with a 3speed over-shifter for the hub. But I used the hub far more than the front derailleur (it was much quicker and smoother!) So I swapped the cables over and rarely bothered with the front.
The range was amazing, it'd pull a truck and cruising in top gear was an enjoyable daily event.
I still have a cassette on a 3speed hub - it's a 4speed alloy elite hub and cassette combo made to go together by Sturmey Archer, and came as standard on my recumbent trike. 12 speeds. I've converted it to use mtb shifters (the right one modified from 6 to 4 speed).
10-08-18, 06:13 PM
#18
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My one and only-'84 PH10LE-bought new. I've had it 33 years so I guess it's my best and favorite.
Jon
Jon
10-08-18, 06:43 PM
#19
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All of them...even the bad ones.
10-08-18, 06:52 PM
#20
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My two Colnagos - a 2012 ACE and a 2017 C-RS.
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Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
10-08-18, 06:59 PM
#21
Senior Member
Back in the early 80's I had a Miyata that was a trophy to me. For now I have a Schwinn to roll all my troubles away....
Last edited by BirdsBikeBinocs; 10-08-18 at 07:05 PM.
10-08-18, 07:22 PM
#22
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Favorite bike?
Easy. I only had one bike for 42 years. It was a PX10, bought new in 1971. I rode it for recreation, to college, to work, touring to San Francisco, to Mexico, to Oklahoma ... and even competed with it a few times. It had four wheel sets - 2 clincher, 2 tubular. And I don't know how many component changes. Had a Phil Wood BB that lasted for decades! Maintained everything myself, including one complete paint job. The original Ideale saddle was still functional. I had a perverse feeling for that bike. My favorite by far.
But not my best. That would be my current road bike, a 1992 Paramount PDG 7. The ride is marginally better than the Peugeot, and so are the components. Other than the Phil Woods BB of course.
But not my best. That would be my current road bike, a 1992 Paramount PDG 7. The ride is marginally better than the Peugeot, and so are the components. Other than the Phil Woods BB of course.
10-09-18, 09:03 AM
#24
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Old rusty Hercules, long gone. My college house mate found it in his family's barn, and gave it to me. I could take it anywhere without worrying, and even left it outside unlocked at night. My dad found me a nicer bike in the trash, and the Hercules went away, but I still have the Bendix coaster hub.
Probably one reason for it being a favorite bike is that I associate it with a favorite time of my life. I'm in a new favorite time now, and have a new bike for it.
Probably one reason for it being a favorite bike is that I associate it with a favorite time of my life. I'm in a new favorite time now, and have a new bike for it.
10-09-18, 09:37 AM
#25
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Easy to pick. My Optima Baron lowracer recumbent. Fast, fun, and comfortable to ride. All of my longest and fastest rides were on this bike. Not without drawbacks though. Hills suck on a bent, and transporting it is tricky. But when I ride it and seeing those miles click on off quickly, it's the best thing ever.