We like to argue all the time over what is "best" but pinning it down to one year (1981) doesn't make a lot of sense. What about what were the best road bikes of the early 80s? In the early 70s, road bikes were more or less do it all road bikes with eyelets and generous tire clearance for bad roads. By the early 80s, you start to get some differentiation between different road bikes (racing, touring, "sport"). Mountain bikes started to appear by the late 70s.
That said, the top end Treks need to be added to this list.