If you DON'T own a modern bicycle... Which would it be?
#26
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#27
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My newest bikes are both Klein q carbons with oversized aluminum and carbon stays and forks.
Both are about 20 years old at this point. They both run 9 speed Shimano.
I am very happy with them so I just don’t see buying anything more modern.
Bike have really changed over the last few years with carbon everything , disc brakes and no front mech. Not for me.
Both are about 20 years old at this point. They both run 9 speed Shimano.
I am very happy with them so I just don’t see buying anything more modern.
Bike have really changed over the last few years with carbon everything , disc brakes and no front mech. Not for me.
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The LeMond above isn't even a real photograph. It's either fully or partially rendered using software. The front disc rotor isn't even attached to anything... And the design itself is meh to my eyes. Minimalism can only go so far before the design becomes at best boring, and at worst looking inspired by some cheap doodad from Best Buy.
I'd have to agree with Salamandrine about choosing a Calfee. One of the few carbon makers out there not just making a design very similar to every other open mold frame.
I'd have to agree with Salamandrine about choosing a Calfee. One of the few carbon makers out there not just making a design very similar to every other open mold frame.
#29
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Elves Vanyar. I'm a Tolkien geek, so this is the bike that calls to me.
Only available in China, though I think I can get one through Aliexpress.
Only available in China, though I think I can get one through Aliexpress.
#30
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I wonder how much quality I'd lose by ordering custom through one of the custom Ti builders in Taiwan instead.
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Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
#31
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Sadly we don't get these in the US - Bianchi doesn't sell their high-end MTBs here. Which is a shame, because the Methanol looks hot.
#32
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I really like all the bikes he has put together and I have thought many times about getting a Monster Cross with cantilever posts or the road bike he has that has the Eddy Merckx like graphics. How does that bike ride?
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It’s super smooth, and those fat tires just excel on unpaved surfaces. I also have a Road, which is lighter and faster, but not as optimized for off road and bikepacking, which is my intent with the Road +.
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#35
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Besides Black Mountain Cycles, I would also love to ride one of these.
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#37
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#38
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#39
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#40
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if new means carbon etc I like the allied
not sure if new counts as modern but dream is kirk custom
not sure if new counts as modern but dream is kirk custom
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#41
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All road bikepacking would come from Bob Kamzelski at Bantam.
https://www.instagram.com/bantambicycles/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeforvictory/
Go there, see them.
https://www.instagram.com/bantambicycles/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeforvictory/
Go there, see them.
#42
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All road bikepacking would come from Bob Kamzelski at Bantam.
https://www.instagram.com/bantambicycles/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeforvictory/
Go there, see them.
https://www.instagram.com/bantambicycles/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeforvictory/
Go there, see them.
I'm still trying to figure out why the trend of bouncing along as on a pair of basketballs is so great.
Marketeers say ya gotta try this gravel grinder thing, pig fat bike, bike packing (but the trend now is big mounted racks).
I get their so called specialty use and yes, have ridden an abundance of these niche jobbies but overall its overblown. If that's all one is into, good going but otherwise, its not going to deliver true versatility.
Still learning about the 29er (marketing folks, again- lol) but think I was steered in the right mind from my friend who owns a few bike shops.
He said if the industry only offering was a 29er hardtail w/ front susp. they'd be out of biz in short time. In pun, meaning its the do-it-all one bike.
Last year, I acquired a carbon 29er hardtail with suspension fork, added dropper post and 'clip on' drop ends. The versatility of it is outstanding and far beyond all those mentioned above.
Quick tire swap to whatever width suits or (2nd 700c wheelset), flip lever for the front fork lockout, pop on the drop bar handles and its a roadie. What's this plush 650b again?
To go as a banshee in the rough, dial in the 'must have' front fork suspension, flip lever drop your post in a second and use your body to float over nasty obstacles. There's better ways vs basketball rubber only and no front suspension.
Bikepacking? What exactly is that? Touring by bicycle having racks and awkward panniers or is it....
Ultra light, minimalistic gear and baggage for off-road deep back country which may often require hiking with bike?!
Leave your rack-aholic fat bike at home.
It varies from each individual of what is necessary or not in bikepacking the deep country. And for cargo storage, using in those rocky steeps, a very robust but also non-sway seat pack is desired (and don't forget, must work for those relying on dropper post).
It doesn't take much to shred off even well made panniers front or rear in some terrain.
Lots of marketing b.s. by companies calling it bikepacking gear where the product clearly wasn't proven.
Last edited by crank_addict; 03-23-20 at 01:39 PM.
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#44
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If budget factored in, I’d look pretty closely at a Crust Lightning Bolt, preferably with canti brakes. The BQ review was very positive. Judging from a friend’s example, they’ve improved the fork bend, and the tinted clear over fillet-braze has a unique look.
https://crustbikes.com/products/lightning-bolt-2/
If budget was less a concern, I’d be talking with Jeff Lyon about his L’Avecaise, Mike Terraferma, or Mitch Pryor. My fantasy bike from these guys might be either 650B or a fatter tire 700C, since I ride a 62-63cm frame. I’ve come to realize I’ll never love real gravel riding beyond the occasional hard-packed dirt road, so 42mm tires would be plenty.
https://www.lyonsport.com/frames-0
Terraferma Cycles
MAP Bicycles | Portland, Oregon | Mitch Pryor
I’m approaching 71 YO, and have two bikes that work amazingly well, pushing most of my “hot buttons”. The more likely scenario down (and up, here in hilly Seattle) the road, is an e-bike at some point in my future.
https://crustbikes.com/products/lightning-bolt-2/
If budget was less a concern, I’d be talking with Jeff Lyon about his L’Avecaise, Mike Terraferma, or Mitch Pryor. My fantasy bike from these guys might be either 650B or a fatter tire 700C, since I ride a 62-63cm frame. I’ve come to realize I’ll never love real gravel riding beyond the occasional hard-packed dirt road, so 42mm tires would be plenty.
https://www.lyonsport.com/frames-0
Terraferma Cycles
MAP Bicycles | Portland, Oregon | Mitch Pryor
I’m approaching 71 YO, and have two bikes that work amazingly well, pushing most of my “hot buttons”. The more likely scenario down (and up, here in hilly Seattle) the road, is an e-bike at some point in my future.
Last edited by Dfrost; 03-23-20 at 01:55 PM.
#45
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Unfortunately, I cannot process this question...
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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#46
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Well that was a little unexpected but no worries, you'll get no disagreement from me.
I was simply stating who my choice would be IF I went there, not likely to happen.
Bobs mission statement clearly states that he believes that no bike can do it all and none can do more than one thing well if you put the "bar" where it should be going in.
If you can tell him exactly what you want, he will do one of the best jobs you can get going there.
He will build anything you want and do an excellent job whatever it is.
And yep, the marketeers want you to buy a completely reengineered bike, frame, disc, rack abomination with big tires and clearance only to find out singletrack won't support most of it especially at speed AND you will not be able to portage the thing without blowing out an appendage or having a stroke.
Like I said, I was just advocating for Bob, he does fantastic work.
I was simply stating who my choice would be IF I went there, not likely to happen.
Bobs mission statement clearly states that he believes that no bike can do it all and none can do more than one thing well if you put the "bar" where it should be going in.
If you can tell him exactly what you want, he will do one of the best jobs you can get going there.
He will build anything you want and do an excellent job whatever it is.
And yep, the marketeers want you to buy a completely reengineered bike, frame, disc, rack abomination with big tires and clearance only to find out singletrack won't support most of it especially at speed AND you will not be able to portage the thing without blowing out an appendage or having a stroke.
Like I said, I was just advocating for Bob, he does fantastic work.
Last edited by merziac; 03-23-20 at 02:14 PM.
#47
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Last I heard, Mitch isn't building atm.
Plumbing work only after the fire destroyed his shop.
If I found a MAP in my size, I would closely consider breaking my no new bike rule.
That or a Goodrich like forum member Twolves.
#48
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I've been seeing some great examples on here. It made me think of a few builders I follow on Instagram.
I'd love to try out gravel riding some time but the truth is, there isn't much unpaved road around where I live.
I have to say though, this video of bikepacking in Big Bend NP looks like a lot of fun. If hauling your bike up mountains some of the time is your idea of fun of course. Big Bend Ranch state park bikepacking - Touring subforum
How about an Alpas The Belgian 2.0?
I'd love to try out gravel riding some time but the truth is, there isn't much unpaved road around where I live.
I have to say though, this video of bikepacking in Big Bend NP looks like a lot of fun. If hauling your bike up mountains some of the time is your idea of fun of course. Big Bend Ranch state park bikepacking - Touring subforum
How about an Alpas The Belgian 2.0?
Last edited by JaccoW; 03-23-20 at 02:08 PM.
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#49
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To me, modern is defined as "having brifters" no matter how many cogs on the freehub. No matter how new or old. I've never owned a carbon fiber-framed bike and have no interest whatsoever in getting one. I've had a few aluminum-framed bikes, but don't have a real affinity for them. I'm really only comfortable on a steel-framed bikes, and the most modern I've owned is a late 90's Fuji Finest running 9-speed Ultegra.
It was a good bike, but it never was quite a 'permanent keeper' and was one of the last bikes I sold off in culling down the collection when I moved from Montpelier to Ashland. There was something else that I can't remember which was aluminum frame with carbon fork and rear stays, but it mustn't have made much of an impression on me if I can't remember the make and model.
Then, about five years ago, an old customer of mine gave me a '92 Diamondback Expert (Shimano RSX 3x7) which I figured I'd clean up, ride a couple of time and then sell. Well, I've still got it. I find it pleasant to ride, and it completely takes care of any desire I have for those times when I feel like riding 'state-of-the-art'.
And, although I've looked at a lot of bikes in a lot of bike shops in the interim, I haven't found anything newer that I really feel like owning. The Diamondback is definitely not part of the "permanent collection", but it'll probably hang around until I find another Rossin I just have to own, or something else that turns my head just as much. Or I'd like to pick up one of those 90's vintage Rossin non-lugged frames and transfer all the components over to it. Have looked at a few over the past years, but anything I've found has had problems.
I'm just perfectly happy with topping out at six speed clusters with indexed downtube shifters.
It was a good bike, but it never was quite a 'permanent keeper' and was one of the last bikes I sold off in culling down the collection when I moved from Montpelier to Ashland. There was something else that I can't remember which was aluminum frame with carbon fork and rear stays, but it mustn't have made much of an impression on me if I can't remember the make and model.
Then, about five years ago, an old customer of mine gave me a '92 Diamondback Expert (Shimano RSX 3x7) which I figured I'd clean up, ride a couple of time and then sell. Well, I've still got it. I find it pleasant to ride, and it completely takes care of any desire I have for those times when I feel like riding 'state-of-the-art'.
And, although I've looked at a lot of bikes in a lot of bike shops in the interim, I haven't found anything newer that I really feel like owning. The Diamondback is definitely not part of the "permanent collection", but it'll probably hang around until I find another Rossin I just have to own, or something else that turns my head just as much. Or I'd like to pick up one of those 90's vintage Rossin non-lugged frames and transfer all the components over to it. Have looked at a few over the past years, but anything I've found has had problems.
I'm just perfectly happy with topping out at six speed clusters with indexed downtube shifters.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
#50
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I know a guy, I'll reach out for the 411 just to see.