joe englert

just thought of this on xmas(today) as some guy was trying to sell me "the holy grail" bike, which in his opinion was a 1969 poliaghi. im sure everyone has a bike they want to get someday, but what would most serious collectors consider a holy grail bike. now to me, there is only one choice, a mario confente. many different reasons of course. just wondering what you forums readers consider as your choice. i dont think one would consider a "one of a kind bike" such as the biachi that fausto coppi won his last tour on, but a bike that was made in very limited production and is, in fact, obtainable to some collectors. anyway, anxious to read your opinions and have a great holiday.

Dave Hickey

My holy grail is a moving target...It used to be a LOOK Reynolds 753 and I finally found one...Then it was a 3Rensho and I found two.... My latest Grail is either a Zunow or a 3Rensho built Specialized Allez

Veloria

Rene Herse mixte with twin lateral stays
in exactly my size
sage green frame with gold pinstripng
in all-original, perfectly restored, ready-to-ride condition....

I think I nearly passed out from even imagining that!

repechage

A 1969 Pogliaghi could be a "grail" bike, not many made it to the USA, even fewer would be in nice shape.

If I sold enough bikes I would get a Toei with the proceeds, or maybe a Singer.

There are a number of current builders in the USA I would consider, I would not consider them grails, but I am beginning to consider who I would want to build one for me.

An 1970 or 1971 Colnago would be hard to pass up, before he started simplifying them, but chose the club motif.

EjustE

Gios Torino Super Record pantographed everything (with clinchers)

Bikedued

Vent Noir in my size. A new holy grail for me, after seeing one on the catch thread.,,,,BD


Me and friend of mine had a little fun with the name too. Funniest by far was "vent brun"....

Doohickie

I try not to lust after bikes until after they find me. It works pretty well.

Otis

If your only choice is a Mario Confente, and you owned a really excellent example of a Mario Confente. And you sold said Mario Confente. What does that say about finding "holy grail" bikes?

Catch and release? The only true holy grail is next holy grail? There's no such thing? Since you've actually had yours, let's have your take on it.

redxj

A Confente would be up there along with a full on Camping or randonneur bike from Alex Singer or Rene Herse of course in my size. It isn't anything unless I am actually able to ride it.

Citoyen du Monde

I have had a few Confente bikes pass through my hands and I can think of many bikes that I would rate above all of them. Like most people here, my targets are moving targets. I am presently awaiting the arrival of a bike that I have been trying to get for years. There is another bike that I have been after for over a decade, I keep hoping the present owner will awake one day and give me a call saying it is for sale...

gmouchawar

A green Legnano to replace the one I got as a graduation present from my parents.

USAZorro

For a bicycle that already exists? hmmm - tough call. At this point, I think a 60's or 70's Frejus. Partly because I don't have one, partly because the geometry was a little more relaxed on some of the models, partly because they were gorgeous bicycles, and on the rare occasions where my Uncle's shop had them in stock, they literally drew small crowds.

The seed has been planted to consider a custom bike at some point (if I could ever afford one). There are a lot of builders in the US who do special work. I had the opportunity to meet/ride with/give a teeny bit of logistical support to a couple of the "younger" builders - Ellis & m.a.p., at this past Cirque, and found them very personable, easy to talk to, and not one little bit intimidating. If I were getting a "city bike" made, I'd pick m.a.p. in a heartbeat. As much because I'd be comfortable talking with them, as I am impressed with their work, I'd put Weigle, and Ellis toward the top of my list, but the potential list is mighty long. If I had millions, I'd get one each from Bruce Gordon, Chris Kvale, Brian Baylis, Doug Fattic, Richard Sachs, Mark Nobilette (Rene Herse), Mike Terrafirma, Anthony Mezzatesta, Papa Bilenky, Tom Kellogg, Keith Anderson, and the guy with possibly the greatest sense of humor around, Tim O'Donnell. That really narrows things down, doesn't it.

Bianchigirll 

I agree with dave hickey, what moves you now may not move you later. right now I would love a large mixtie frame, however one of those "always wanted" frames/bikes is a curly stay Hetchins.

Bioflamingo

My holy grail is whatever bike I happen to be commuting on. I usually just use any cheap cromo mountain bike/touring frame I can find. My last one was a wrecked Centurion that I bought for the brakes and crank. Decided that it wasn't going to last long anyway so wrecked didn't matter. Wrecked it beyond reconcile when a huge pothole covered by snow snuck up on me. So as soon as the wind dies down my new grail will be a miyata six ten. I thought about making it into a light touring bike, but decided to sacrifice it to the streets instead. But make no mistake, I'll appreciate every ounce of service I get out of it and it really is my Holy Grail of the moment.

20grit

Hmmmmm..... any Frejus, a peugeot psv 10, an austro daimler vent noir II, schwinn superior, chrome paramount, and a nice steel framed brifter bike just so i can say i've ridden one.

embankmentlb

For me it would have to be one of several TEAM bikes from the 1980's. Maybe an orange & white Panasonic Shimano team bike from the 1981 ish Americam race scene. Maybe a blue Gitane team bike like the bike Greg Lemond won his first world championship race with in 83. A silver Hinault 531 bike from 1985. All are pretty much unobtainable. I would love to own any bike ridden by Lemond, Hinault, Kelly, Roche, Fignon etc.

that_guy_zach

I am a simple man so I would have to say a Mint Schwinn Volare in pearl orange.

EjustE

https://allentown.craigslist.org/bik/1523147572.html

I can facilitate...

John E

I can relate to the curly stay Hetchins, Vent Noir, and 1969 Pog votes. In fact, my cousin's red Pog must have been a 1969 or 1970 model.

However, in the early 1970s my cycling buddies and I were convinced that "God rides a white Masi."

RobbieTunes

Only 2, not so holy, though. I've never given much thought to "the ONE:"

1989 Pinarello Montello, red, 2x8 Syncro II, Campy Ypsilon rims, SI Flite saddle, 56cm.

Almost any Zunow, great shape, 56cm, frame only. I'd go 7800 DA on it in a heartbeat, Aksium wheels.

repechage

I have a white Masi, and I can assure you I am mortal.

repechage

You should have bid on that Hetchins Mixtie on ebay recently, no curly stays, but quite nice.

Force 

Right now, an Eddy Merckx MX Leader in Motorola colors. (Size 62/63 if you know of one.)

repechage

Must have been the thrill of the acquisition. I think it was also a bit too big I think, compared to his other bikes.

Bianchigirll 

thank you. I saw that earlier today. I just wonder the frame size. I may have to wait on the VO frame