The Unlimited Funds Thread
 

If you had unlimited funds to spend on bicycles, what would you get? I'd get the following:

1. A fully loaded custom steel cyclo-cross or commuter bike with fenders, custom pump, and dynamo hubs (again, possibly a Vanilla or a Rivendell);
2. A feather-like carbon fiber road bike with top-of-the-line compenents;
3. A stripped down custom steal road bike, possibly a Vanilla or a Rivendell;
4. A Trek Fuel (or similar) MTB;
5. A WWII vintage courrier bike with original leather bags (which would probably become my second-favorite bike);
6. A folding bike for travel
7. A Breezer for when I just want to go a few blocks;
8. My Surly Cross Check, which would always stay my favorite.

I'd also love to have both bar and Helmet mounted HID's with lithium batteries.

1- 26" wheel custom tourer from a "local" shop (200km from here) with SON dynamo hub and solidlights 1203D. Phil Wood rear hub. Tubus Logo (rear) and Surly Nice rack (front). Actually, I should get the frame next spring but I doubt I can afford all the top components. I can get them later I guess.

2- 26" wheel commuter with dynamo hub and internal gear. This bike might come true one day but it will be Shimano Nexus hubs instead of SON and Rohloff.

3- 700c light tourer. Something like a Marinoni Cyclo. With Son dynamo hub, compact crankset and low-gear sprockets (Sheldon Brown's "cyclotouriste"). Shimano drivetrain with Campy lever with Jtek shifmate. Tubus Vega rear rack. That bike is in my dream only. I'll probably strip down my current 700c tourer when I get my 26" touring frame.

A bike that never breaks down.
A bike that pedals itself uphill when I'm tired and no longer feel like pedaling.
A bike with a coffee pot.
A bike with convertible geometry, so I can go from road bike to cruiser in 3 minutes.
I'd really like a Vanilla Cycles bike, too, but they don't have a coffee pot option, or that "auto-pedal" option.

This thread is asinine. With an unlimited amount of funds you could buy an unlimited number of bicycles. Assuming there are materials and builders.
So what's the point?

Fair point. Then modify the question to what would you buy that you would actually use on a semi-regular basis if you had unlimited funds. Most of us have a few bikes (and a few pieces of equipment) that we drool over but can't afford. That's what the thread is about.

I'd get myself a MV augusta f4 mamba or tamburini...

I would get myself a custom Ti bike assorment.

Roadie

Mountain

touring

and a beach cruiser.

cranks/bars/etc would be custom made.

chainrings/cassette/chain/isis bb would be standardized.

All bikes would be painted to hide the Ti...less theft factor.

oh, and the cruiser and touring bike would have integrated u-lock holders.

Know what I'd do?

I'd keep my current mountain bike (Cannondale Prophet 1000). I'd buy a road bike I've been wanting (probably a Six13).

Only other bike I'd buy is a tourer, either with racks or a trailer. Since I have unlimited funds, I'd quit my job, and I'd go tour the world on my bike. I'd ride, and I'd have fun.

In essence, I'd use the money to ride my bike, not collect bikes. What good is a garage full of bikes if you don't ride them? :)

Can't do that. Unlimited funds for bikes only. Daily Commute wants the receipt. Otherwise I wouldn't need a commuter since I'd do the same as you. :D

Fine. I'd use my unlimited funds to buy 5 of the most expensive bikes I could readily find. I'd give Daily Commute the receipt, too.




Then I'd sell them, buy a tourer, and tour the world. :D

I'd take my favorite bike, send the CrMo frame to a custom Ti machining shop and have them make an exact replica from Titanium.

While I was at it, I'd get the highest-end, lightest grouppo I could, maybe add a Schlumpf high-speed drive and a Rohloff 14-speed hub.

I'd have custom pedals manufactured that were both SPD and quick-disconnect (kinda like the MKS QR pedals)

Probably get a few new sets of wheels - some with road and some with bumpier stuff in mind.

I don't know if you can plate stainless steel but if you can, I'd replace all the hardware with stainless, polish it and have everything gold-Cadmium plated. (for the bling)

:)

Unlimited funds? I'd buy Sheldon Brown's entire estate and hire old "Why Be Normal" himself as a consultant and wrench.

I'd also be SURE to include a variety of recumbent bicycles - a SWB high-racer (Bacchetta Aero or equivalent), a LWB low-racer (the carbon bike from Poland sounds fun), and a few suspension tourers.

It's not assinine. It's really a question about what do you really lust after that you don't have because of limited funds. A way to get to know some of the people on the forum.

well seeing as i'm as poor as i am and ride my $50 salvation army special. I'd be happy with a Kronan.

....i'd add a good $3k in accessories but i need tank to carry all the junk i'd pile on my bike.

With unlimited funds I would buy everything ever in the universe.

There, problem solved.

Eh?

Solid gold, diamond encrusted, rocket bike.

It seems like when you have unlimited funds that you can spend on bikes, the more practical you become...... you really don't care for high end components...

I'd get Dick Rutan to build me a recumbent 'bike' with huge chainrings, dual opposing flywheels the size of Yap currency, a DOT approved carbon fiber space frame, solar panel fairing, D.A.R.P.A. hub motors, and a wireless internet connection so I could stream www.kexp.org , the best radio station on the planet, while I toured the country at highway speeds, sharing the wisdom of biking and alternative energy to anyone who set eyes on the damn contraption.


I'd keep my Long Haul Trucker.

Hmmmmmmm, how 'bout......
Specialized SX trail
P1 SS w/Fox Vanilla 36,Holyrollers and e-13
That would do me for a while.

Did i mention it would seat six? The LHT would be strapped to the back as an around town bike.

GMC Denali

Walmart cruiser

Bionic legs

Why? so I can blast past everyone here with high end rigs. :D

Matt Chester TI frame ... some quality components ... and my own climatized track for racing against myself.

1. Kona Stab Supreme
2. Kona Stinky Dee-Lux
3. Josh Benders bike
4. Specialized P.3
5. Specialized Bighit FSR
6. Specialized Demo 9
7. A carbon fiber racing bike, I just want one

And a Dodge Magnum SRT with 20 inch American Racing wheels, borla exhaust, tinted windows, JBL sound system, and a fold out toolbox/mountain bike maintaince center.
Whoops, I went too far.

The first thing I'd buy is computers, lights and all the other paraphenalia I carry for each bike that I have so I wouldn't have to keep swapping stuff around. After that, I'd see about if there were any other bikes I wanted. And trailers, too. I like bike trailers.

Can I buy a bigger house, to keep all my bike stuff in? Or a house with a bigger yard and a barn?