Best overall bike you ever rode, bar none. One choice only.
10-21-22, 02:32 PM
#201
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Best is a bit fuzzy so I will do 2 categories
Best feeling, lively like I can do anything, just ride bike:
84 team miyata with mavic gel330 tubular rims (close to NOS wheelsmith build) , challenge elite 25 mm tires at 130. Dura Ace friction. rims and tires are a huge part of the equation. technically the rims are are on the light side for me. Same bike with ma40 rims and 28mm Gravel Kings took every thing Cino could throw at it
Best overall package, ride, gear, function 85 Team miyata with 5800 105 11speed. run mavic open pro with 28 mm Conti GP 5000 clincher with tube and Mavic Reflex with Vittoria 30mm Corsa Controls. hard to say which wheel/tire combo is the best....going to try do a loop and switch comparison
Best feeling, lively like I can do anything, just ride bike:
84 team miyata with mavic gel330 tubular rims (close to NOS wheelsmith build) , challenge elite 25 mm tires at 130. Dura Ace friction. rims and tires are a huge part of the equation. technically the rims are are on the light side for me. Same bike with ma40 rims and 28mm Gravel Kings took every thing Cino could throw at it
Best overall package, ride, gear, function 85 Team miyata with 5800 105 11speed. run mavic open pro with 28 mm Conti GP 5000 clincher with tube and Mavic Reflex with Vittoria 30mm Corsa Controls. hard to say which wheel/tire combo is the best....going to try do a loop and switch comparison
). My favorite Miyata's are also the ones from the early 80s that do NOT have the splined tubing which to me, made for a heavy, harsh ride.
10-21-22, 03:50 PM
#202
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10-21-22, 04:20 PM
#203
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the 84 is double butted and the 85 is triple butted
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
10-21-22, 06:14 PM
#204
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My 1986 ALAN Record Carbonio.
The best (Almost telepathic.) handling of all my bikes plus the very smooth ride coming from the CF frame.....
10-21-22, 06:26 PM
#205
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Easy choice, the '96 Moots Vamoots.
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10-22-22, 10:26 AM
#206
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10-22-22, 11:04 AM
#207
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I can't answer the question, because ........................
I've never ridden a bike without bars!
I know, don't quit my day job.
I've never ridden a bike without bars!
I know, don't quit my day job.
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10-22-22, 11:05 AM
#208
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10-22-22, 12:11 PM
#209
Making up the numbers
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Unfortunately I don't have photos, but for me it was my c. 1988 Concorde Columbus SL (mine was a 60cm so there may have been some SP involved but it didn't feel like it), the model down from the Squadra SLX at the time. Sublimely comfortable and smooth ride on dubious central and south Auckland roads (NZ), tracked straight and stable but never slow. Wide (22mm) and soft Campagnolo Strada XL clincher rims and 25mm tyres at most, although I used, from memory, 32h Campagnolo Sigma Strada XL tubulars for races and special occasions.
Primarily C-Record components, including Delta brakes of which I have absolutely no bad recollections at all. I very much doubt it was south of 22lbs on the road.
PDM Team colour scheme of course. Good times. Sadly long since sold for far less than it was worth.
Primarily C-Record components, including Delta brakes of which I have absolutely no bad recollections at all. I very much doubt it was south of 22lbs on the road.
PDM Team colour scheme of course. Good times. Sadly long since sold for far less than it was worth.
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10-22-22, 01:35 PM
#210
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This is a fascinating discussion - bringing back up to the top.
I haven't had the wide-ranging experience most uses on this form have had on bikes. Never been on an Italian bike ever, so my knowledge is pretty limited. As far as standouts, my homebrew Trek 990 was an incredibly smooth riding bike, enough so that it remains my perpetual bike interest. When I first rode my PX-10, that was a revelation, and since using it on commutes, feels like it lacks nothing. Relatively light, very responsive. Then again, I just got on my Trek 750 (multitrack), a bike probably not considered in the running for the top of any list, and it was incredibly comfy...like it just wanted to float over everything. Then you pick it up, and realize it is still relatively heavy, and wonder how it does that? I could take that one on any expedition anywhere and not feel 'under-biked'.
Someone else on this thread mentioned the Trek 560, and it made sense to me that it was mentioned. I picked one up a couple months ago, and the thing is like riding on rails - it just wants to go, and go fast. It is very noticeable compared to the others I have.
I haven't had the wide-ranging experience most uses on this form have had on bikes. Never been on an Italian bike ever, so my knowledge is pretty limited. As far as standouts, my homebrew Trek 990 was an incredibly smooth riding bike, enough so that it remains my perpetual bike interest. When I first rode my PX-10, that was a revelation, and since using it on commutes, feels like it lacks nothing. Relatively light, very responsive. Then again, I just got on my Trek 750 (multitrack), a bike probably not considered in the running for the top of any list, and it was incredibly comfy...like it just wanted to float over everything. Then you pick it up, and realize it is still relatively heavy, and wonder how it does that? I could take that one on any expedition anywhere and not feel 'under-biked'.
Someone else on this thread mentioned the Trek 560, and it made sense to me that it was mentioned. I picked one up a couple months ago, and the thing is like riding on rails - it just wants to go, and go fast. It is very noticeable compared to the others I have.
"wide ranging experience" can be very subjective just like so much of this.It can be a hindrance if it skews expectations and prevents us from being cognizant of strong but subtle trait that may be staring us right in the eye.
It can often be all about the Kool Aid, soul, vibe, etc.
Here's a very good example, heavy to begin with at 28lb. with pump, clips, cages and lights, 38lb. in normal riding trim with all the bags and speaker which is how I ride it all the time so 10lb. minimum of crap at all times.
This bike floats and fly's down the road for me, even with my slow azz and a big smile on my face.
Crazy, right?
10-24-22, 06:54 PM
#211
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"wide ranging experience" can be very subjective just like so much of this.It can be a hindrance if it skews expectations and prevents us from being cognizant of strong but subtle trait that may be staring us right in the eye.
It can often be all about the Kool Aid, soul, vibe, etc.
Here's a very good example, heavy to begin with at 28lb. with pump, clips, cages and lights, 38lb. in normal riding trim with all the bags and speaker which is how I ride it all the time so 10lb. minimum of crap at all times.
This bike floats and fly's down the road for me, even with my slow azz and a big smile on my face.
Crazy, right?
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10-24-22, 07:13 PM
#212
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10-24-22, 07:17 PM
#213
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10-25-22, 07:40 AM
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Serotta Meivici
Definitely not C&V, but my 2011 Serotta Meivici is the “best” I’ve owned and ridden. I bought the frame last year and built it with R8000. Compact crankset combined with an 11-34 cassette gets me up any climbs I might ride. Although it was a custom frame for the person I bought it from, the geometry is near perfect for me. I’m an old steel roadie guy that never found a carbon bike that I liked until I got this one. Climbs like a goat, phenomenal on descents, comfortable for long hours in the saddle.
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10-25-22, 09:28 AM
#216
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Road Racing Bikes are the overwhelming Best Bikes we've ever ridden!
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
10-25-22, 10:17 AM
#217
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Best overall? Pinarello Dogma 2. It's amazing in every way. Fast, light, comfortable, tracks well, ascends, descends...pretty sure it could fly if I drove it off a cliff, lol. Not at all C&V, however.
If I had to choose C&V I'd say my 1983 Chicago Schwinn LeTour, since it's the bike that lit the fire in me.
If I had to choose C&V I'd say my 1983 Chicago Schwinn LeTour, since it's the bike that lit the fire in me.
10-25-22, 11:09 AM
#218
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I really don't thnk this question can be answered without categories. It reminds me of a former forum member that despised dropout eyelets. I 'm guessing that most of the bikes listed in this thread don't have eyelets. Those bikes are not going to be the GOAT if you take them out for a week of touring the country on roads that might not be in the best condition.
10-25-22, 12:03 PM
#219
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I would re-ask this as, I could keep only one which would it be? For me, this:
34 years and counting on this frame. Crit geometry, won't take fenders, barely fits 25s, directly connected to my cerebellum. It's how I believe a bike should ride. Looks nice too.
34 years and counting on this frame. Crit geometry, won't take fenders, barely fits 25s, directly connected to my cerebellum. It's how I believe a bike should ride. Looks nice too.
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
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10-25-22, 12:08 PM
#220
I don't know.
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Bridgestone RB-1
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10-25-22, 02:08 PM
#221
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The bike that I reach more more than any other, and that I can ride all day long, isn't the fanciest but I love the build and it's really dang comfy:
If the roads are in good shape, the other bike that takes a top spot for me (and that I should be riding more often) is my one-off Columbus TSX '91 Marinoni Special. There's something really special about how it rides, and it's unlike any other bike I've swung a leg over. I have a couple of updates/changes that I'd like to give it, but even now it's a fantastic bike for when I want to feel fast and fancy:
If the roads are in good shape, the other bike that takes a top spot for me (and that I should be riding more often) is my one-off Columbus TSX '91 Marinoni Special. There's something really special about how it rides, and it's unlike any other bike I've swung a leg over. I have a couple of updates/changes that I'd like to give it, but even now it's a fantastic bike for when I want to feel fast and fancy:
10-25-22, 02:18 PM
#222
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I should answer Bianchi SBX or SOMEC or ALAN which were/are my precious better bikes but if I put my hand on my heart I have to admit its a Peugeot Neuilly. After seeing it kicked around on the street for years I have saved it when it got the red paper from the city (straight to junkyard, no second chance at the bike rehab for repairing -what it didnt need - or parting out for charity). That bike gave me the wow effect almost every time without a single day I hated it (unlike above roadies Im in love with but on selected days we dont match). Was simple l, had some typical French elegance and when i picked up from the street the Positron shifted like on its first day, I even called my brother that I dont believe this. (same happened a 2nd rime with another street picked Pug with STX RC).
I miss it badly and after having 3 Peugeots, all really good bikes without problems I would still not consider myself a fan or maybe I just dont even admit to myself... hehe
I miss it badly and after having 3 Peugeots, all really good bikes without problems I would still not consider myself a fan or maybe I just dont even admit to myself... hehe
10-25-22, 02:23 PM
#223
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My 1985 Trek 760. I wasn't sure about the 73.5 & 74 degree angles or the lightweight 531C frame & fork. It's magic. It's extremely comfortable and the handling is precise without being at all twitchy.
10-25-22, 03:18 PM
#224
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one thing is for certain skinny steel tubes look so much better than any aero cf out there.
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10-25-22, 03:33 PM
#225
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