The Top of the Line thread
#1
Banned.
Thread Starter
The Top of the Line thread
Many bikes have been offered to consumers over the years, but some were the best of the best for a given year and manufacturer. I've never had a top of the line bike, but if you have one then post it here in this thread for all to see!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,671
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Mentioned: 156 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2323 Post(s)
Liked 4,988 Times
in
1,776 Posts
Hmmm..... I can quantify that with a few of my 90's bikes I think.
The mid 90's Giordana XL Supers were the top of their line those years for sure. Scored two of them.
This has the "much better build" with the C.F. tubulars, SR/Record groupset and such.
This one is just 11 speed Athena and weighs about 2 lbs more than the other one. But this one feels better under me on the road than anything else I have.
Then for sure the 1999 Trek Y-77:
Found as a NOS frame and built up with 11 speed Ultegra and sporting some nice Reynolds wheels right now.
Then there was this 1987 Schwinn Paramount:
Not only top of the line for 1987, this was also serial #1 for the year.
Then there was this mid 80's Cabestany, their top model.
This is it during it's "gravel phase" for me.
And I think this Pinarello is the top model for the year from what I was told. Haven't found it in a catalog yet so I really don't know for sure:
The mid 90's Giordana XL Supers were the top of their line those years for sure. Scored two of them.
This has the "much better build" with the C.F. tubulars, SR/Record groupset and such.
This one is just 11 speed Athena and weighs about 2 lbs more than the other one. But this one feels better under me on the road than anything else I have.
Then for sure the 1999 Trek Y-77:
Found as a NOS frame and built up with 11 speed Ultegra and sporting some nice Reynolds wheels right now.
Then there was this 1987 Schwinn Paramount:
Not only top of the line for 1987, this was also serial #1 for the year.
Then there was this mid 80's Cabestany, their top model.
This is it during it's "gravel phase" for me.
And I think this Pinarello is the top model for the year from what I was told. Haven't found it in a catalog yet so I really don't know for sure:
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
Likes For jamesdak:
#3
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
1993 Trek 5900 OCLV, as of May 2019. At the time it was wearing some non-factory OEM components -- derailleurs, shifters, handlebar, saddle -- but most original core components, including the titanium stuff: Ibis stem; Chris King headset; White Industries bottom bracket; American Classic Equipment seatpost.
In '93 it was Trek's top of the line road racing bike, built for minimum weight and intended for mountain stages. Of the various 5xxx series carbon fiber bikes, it was the only one still wearing downtube shifters, to save weight. Rather than spec Dura Ace for the entire bike, they used the lightest available premium components regardless of manufacture. Hence the mish mash of titanium goodies. Quirky bike, including the purple paint that tends to photograph as blue, but I enjoy riding it. The frame is labeled made in the USA by Trek, but if I'm recalling correctly Trek consulted with a Spanish or Italian frame maker while developing its monocoque carbon fiber frames after moving away from the carbon fiber tubes glued into lugs process.
Only reason I can play in this thread is because the 5900 OCLV was carbon fiber, which doesn't hold its value the same way as a top shelf steel bike. It helps that those bikes were cosmetically challenged, with some gawky graphics and colors. With luck you can buy an early 1990s Trek 5xxx OCLV for $200-$300. Can't touch a comparable steel bike for that money.
For awhile after this photo I rode it with an FSA Omega compact drop bar and FSA threadless stem in 1-1/8" with collet/shim to make up for the original 1" steerer tube. And I swapped from the Deore LX long cage steel RD shown here to an 8-speed 600 Tricolor short cage RD and matching front derailleur. Good setup but I really wanted to keep that original 1" Ibis titanium stem, so when the headset needed servicing I stripped the bike to start over.
It's currently disassembled, awaiting a rebuild with more Dura Ace components, different wheels and a Soma Highway One compact drop bar. I have everything except the rear wheel ready to go. Alas, both of my rear wheels from that era developed cracked rims the same month, so I have only period-appropriate low profile lightweight mountain stage rims on the front wheels. I had a non-period-correct Bontrager semi-aero wheel ready to go, but it also developed bad bearings. Yup, 2020 was a bad year for my rear wheels. I'm not heavy or rough on bikes, just a coincidence that all three older wheels needed servicing at the same time.
1993 Trek 5900 OCLV, as of May 2019. Currently disassembled and awaiting a rebuild.
In '93 it was Trek's top of the line road racing bike, built for minimum weight and intended for mountain stages. Of the various 5xxx series carbon fiber bikes, it was the only one still wearing downtube shifters, to save weight. Rather than spec Dura Ace for the entire bike, they used the lightest available premium components regardless of manufacture. Hence the mish mash of titanium goodies. Quirky bike, including the purple paint that tends to photograph as blue, but I enjoy riding it. The frame is labeled made in the USA by Trek, but if I'm recalling correctly Trek consulted with a Spanish or Italian frame maker while developing its monocoque carbon fiber frames after moving away from the carbon fiber tubes glued into lugs process.
Only reason I can play in this thread is because the 5900 OCLV was carbon fiber, which doesn't hold its value the same way as a top shelf steel bike. It helps that those bikes were cosmetically challenged, with some gawky graphics and colors. With luck you can buy an early 1990s Trek 5xxx OCLV for $200-$300. Can't touch a comparable steel bike for that money.
For awhile after this photo I rode it with an FSA Omega compact drop bar and FSA threadless stem in 1-1/8" with collet/shim to make up for the original 1" steerer tube. And I swapped from the Deore LX long cage steel RD shown here to an 8-speed 600 Tricolor short cage RD and matching front derailleur. Good setup but I really wanted to keep that original 1" Ibis titanium stem, so when the headset needed servicing I stripped the bike to start over.
It's currently disassembled, awaiting a rebuild with more Dura Ace components, different wheels and a Soma Highway One compact drop bar. I have everything except the rear wheel ready to go. Alas, both of my rear wheels from that era developed cracked rims the same month, so I have only period-appropriate low profile lightweight mountain stage rims on the front wheels. I had a non-period-correct Bontrager semi-aero wheel ready to go, but it also developed bad bearings. Yup, 2020 was a bad year for my rear wheels. I'm not heavy or rough on bikes, just a coincidence that all three older wheels needed servicing at the same time.
1993 Trek 5900 OCLV, as of May 2019. Currently disassembled and awaiting a rebuild.
Last edited by canklecat; 07-20-21 at 03:21 AM.
Likes For canklecat:
#4
_______
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 65
Bikes: Merckx Corsa Extra, Ciocc Mockba, Zeus Victoria, Serotta CDA, Willier Cento 1SR, Pinarello FP Quattro, Teledyne Titan, Chesini Arena Precision 83, Denti Master, De Rosa 35th Anniversario, 3Rensho Super Record, Koga Miyata Full Pro, Klein Rascal
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Liked 127 Times
in
31 Posts
My De Rosa 35th Anniversario
Tough to piece together but the pain has been worth it
Likes For joluja:
#5
Dedicated Detritus Dodger
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Fairfax, California
Posts: 470
Bikes: Some mighty fine ones at that!
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 191 Post(s)
Liked 603 Times
in
247 Posts
I believe, for 1983, that this represents the top 'o the line for Univega.
I believe....
I believe....
Likes For bargo68:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,043
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4511 Post(s)
Liked 6,381 Times
in
3,669 Posts
Oh boy, great fun.
1979 Jim Merz custom touring, full Campy and Cinelli with Suntour bar-cons, custom racks with integrated Eclipse pannier slide on mounts and paint to match Silca with Campy head. Super Champion 40 spoke wheels with low flange hubs.
This was built for Paris-brest-Paris but turned out to be a bit small so a Davidson was rushed through and ridden to a very good result.
This bike rides amazingly well, I took it to Leroica 2017 and was flat out down a long gravel hill where the faster we went the more stable it rode.
1979 Jim Merz custom touring, full Campy and Cinelli with Suntour bar-cons, custom racks with integrated Eclipse pannier slide on mounts and paint to match Silca with Campy head. Super Champion 40 spoke wheels with low flange hubs.
This was built for Paris-brest-Paris but turned out to be a bit small so a Davidson was rushed through and ridden to a very good result.
This bike rides amazingly well, I took it to Leroica 2017 and was flat out down a long gravel hill where the faster we went the more stable it rode.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,043
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4511 Post(s)
Liked 6,381 Times
in
3,669 Posts
Then we have these.
Likes For merziac:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,751 Times
in
938 Posts
1958 Rabeneick 120d...
1969 Atala Professional...
1973 Peugeot PX10...
And an early sixties Torpado Professional which is still a pending project...
And, of course, my Marinoni (not sure if it is the top dog but darn close to it)...
1969 Atala Professional...
1973 Peugeot PX10...
And an early sixties Torpado Professional which is still a pending project...
And, of course, my Marinoni (not sure if it is the top dog but darn close to it)...
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
Likes For randyjawa:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
The Campagnolo Daytona on this bicycle was a 3rd tier group and the Piuma frame itself was 3rd or 4th tier in Marinoni's lineup during Daytona's era, depending on the exact year. So, not as close as you think.
Likes For T-Mar:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,158
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3810 Post(s)
Liked 6,698 Times
in
2,611 Posts
Yeah, some interesting interpretations of “top of the line” happening here so far. Perhaps @cudak888 should post his Raleigh Superbe as it was top of the line in the category of Raleigh’s upright bar Sports-like models for some time.
Likes For nlerner:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,054
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,802 Times
in
1,408 Posts
Likes For iab:
#12
weapons-grade bolognium
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Across the street from Chicago
Posts: 6,344
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 985 Post(s)
Liked 2,378 Times
in
891 Posts
TOTL Catalog Schwinn for 1981. You could still get a Paramount "Elite", but that was a custom order through the dealer
#13
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,650
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3090 Post(s)
Liked 6,596 Times
in
3,782 Posts
Except for the limited edition 170, my now departed Super Record equipped Trek 770 was the top of the line in 1985.
Last edited by cb400bill; 07-18-21 at 10:35 AM.
Likes For cb400bill:
#14
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10963 Post(s)
Liked 7,490 Times
in
4,189 Posts
Some really nice examples and some really curious examples so far.
The pink 770 is smokin! And the Girodana to start things off is always a great one to see. It has pretty ideal measurements for my eye.
The pink 770 is smokin! And the Girodana to start things off is always a great one to see. It has pretty ideal measurements for my eye.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,177
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
51 Posts
Oh boy, great fun.
1979 Jim Merz custom touring, full Campy and Cinelli with Suntour bar-cons, custom racks with integrated Eclipse pannier slide on mounts and paint to match Silca with Campy head. Super Champion 40 spoke wheels with low flange hubs.
This was built for Paris-brest-Paris but turned out to be a bit small so a Davidson was rushed through and ridden to a very good result.
This bike rides amazingly well, I took it to Leroica 2017 and was flat out down a long gravel hill where the faster we went the more stable it rode.
1979 Jim Merz custom touring, full Campy and Cinelli with Suntour bar-cons, custom racks with integrated Eclipse pannier slide on mounts and paint to match Silca with Campy head. Super Champion 40 spoke wheels with low flange hubs.
This was built for Paris-brest-Paris but turned out to be a bit small so a Davidson was rushed through and ridden to a very good result.
This bike rides amazingly well, I took it to Leroica 2017 and was flat out down a long gravel hill where the faster we went the more stable it rode.
Likes For Feldman:
#16
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,513
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2422 Post(s)
Liked 4,395 Times
in
2,092 Posts
Yeah, some interesting interpretations of “top of the line” happening here so far. Perhaps @cudak888 should post his Raleigh Superbe as it was top of the line in the category of Raleigh’s upright bar Sports-like models for some time.
The whole "glorifying the top-end stuff" seems a bit gratuitous though, so I'd rather not participate.
-Kurt
Last edited by cudak888; 07-18-21 at 09:38 AM.
#17
Senior Member
I think these were the top models for the year/maker but then again... '72 Holdsworth Professional, '92 Merckx MX Leader, '92 Colnago Master PIU Decor, '90 Pinarello Montello, '86 De Rosa Professional/Super Prestige, '89 Tommasini Super Prestige, '90 Serotta Colorado II
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,043
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4511 Post(s)
Liked 6,381 Times
in
3,669 Posts
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,054
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,802 Times
in
1,408 Posts
There are dozens of threads glorifying low-end bikes, yet one on high-end bikes makes you take your ball and go home?
#20
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,513
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2422 Post(s)
Liked 4,395 Times
in
2,092 Posts
-Kurt
Likes For cudak888:
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: GWN
Posts: 2,538
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1858 Post(s)
Liked 606 Times
in
403 Posts
I know that our BF C&V group has wonderful members who won't use their bikes as a means of ego tripping - but flippers and my-collection-is-better-than-your-collection types coming through Google in future might interpret this thread as such. Given that, I'd rather not participate.
-Kurt
-Kurt
Likes For Wileyone:
#22
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,513
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2422 Post(s)
Liked 4,395 Times
in
2,092 Posts
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,158
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3810 Post(s)
Liked 6,698 Times
in
2,611 Posts
I hear the bell ringing; time to go back to our junior high classrooms.
#24
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,626
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3888 Post(s)
Liked 6,484 Times
in
3,208 Posts
Likes For SurferRosa:
#25
Senior Member