What is your "dream" bike?

[zoom-zoom]

Or what my hubby likes to refer to as his über bike. This isn't necessarily a top-of-the line bike worth tens of thousands, but what you think of when you think of the single best bike for your needs and wants.

Mine: custom titanium Seven Mudhoney with SRAM Rival or better (I hope SRAM eventually offers and electronic shifter option) and disc brakes. I would have a set of wheels mounted with road tires and a 2nd set with CX tires. This would be a bike I could use for everything except more technical single-track.

Both my road and CX bikes are only a year or less old, so this isn't something I'd be seriously looking at for probably another 5 years or so. Perhaps something for my 45th birthday... :)

[Savra]

Personally, it keeps changing. First I REALLY wanted a Surly. Now that I got one I think a Bike Friday would be great. And then there is the carbon rode bike. Apparently, I'm not of the - there is a PERFECT bike out there - kind of person. I do love my Surly though.

[ny biker]

I'm quite happy with the bikes I have now.

[Owlie]

Right now, something that fits! Something like a Ruby or a Jamis Quest.

Thinking down the road, I'd like a custom (because I'm a fitting nightmare) steel or Ti road or CX bike (with two sets of wheels for the CX bike). Ultegra components. If I go the CX bike route, disc brakes would be nice. My other thought was a custom steel road bike that would resemble an old-school road/touring bike but would actually fit me, with decent but not super high-end components and the ability to take a rack and fenders.

Then I'd want the go-fast carbon, and a mountain bike, and...

Uh, okay. But the cross bike with spare wheels is probably more me.

[Pip]

I was visiting another city in New Zealand recently and wandered into a bike store there. I immediately came across a Trek WSD 29er - in pink and not outrageously expensive. I could easily have pulled out my credit card right there and then but I can't really justify it right now. I've only just bought my first MTB (a four year old hard tail), and it's just fine for my current needs. I am still tempted to give the store a call though and get that bike on a courier down here!

[Chile Pepper]

I'm quite happy with the bikes I have now.

So am I! I adore my bike and wouldn't change it for anything else.

[Artista]

A semi-custom, Terry Isis Sport with Di2. My mom has this model with XT mountain gearing so that she can get up the hills well into her senior years. Her bike fits her beautifully and the top quality, steel frame rides like silk. Mine would be red...or maybe green like Mom's...or yellow could be good...or maybe the white and pink in the picture. Too bad that I won't have to make up my mind anytime soon.:(:D

My mountain bike IS my dream MTB, though.

[7rider]

Mine: custom titanium Seven Mudhoney with SRAM Rival or better (I hope SRAM eventually offers and electronic shifter option) and disc brakes. I would have a set of wheels mounted with road tires and a 2nd set with CX tires.... :)

That sounds like one sweet ride. :)

Personally, I don't dream of the bike anymore. I dream of a two-car garage so we have a single place to put all the bikes we do have!!

[rivergal]

My "dream bike" is the one I rode this week, after 3 months not riding due to a foot injury. Forgot how nice "Cinders" fits me, and glad things are healing up nicely.

[Kiwi Stoker]

A fully custom carbon Calfee tandem with Shimano Di2 triple gearing (that doesn't exist yet but hopefully soon).

Nice, light and fast and heaps of fun with DH.

[VeganBikeChick]

Right now mine is a Surly Cross Check. If only the budget would allow. I will never buy a bike based on price again.

[nscrbug]

I recently acquired my dream bike - a custom Ti Seven Axiom SL with Ultegra electronic shifting, and HED Belgium rims laces to Chris King R45 hubs. So far, I'm very happy with the bike itself, but I haven't put enough miles on it to determine if the fit still needs "tweaking".

Linda

[uforgot]

Mine keeps changing too, along with my bank account.:eek: I've decided that I'm not a go fast rider. I keep wanting to stop, have a beer, take some pictures, then get on and repeat. I took off the clipless pedals a year ago, just sold my only drop bar bike, and now I just want to ride and smell the roses. I just want a bike that will be gentle on my dslr camera and hold a cooler I guess!

[zoom-zoom]

I recently acquired my dream bike - a custom Ti Seven Axiom SL with Ultegra electronic shifting, and HED Belgium rims laces to Chris King R45 hubs. So far, I'm very happy with the bike itself, but I haven't put enough miles on it to determine if the fit still needs "tweaking".

Linda

Winter is dumb. I hope it will soon be nice enough for you to start really testing out your new baby! :)

[TxDoc]

I'm quite happy with the bikes I have now.

+1, my bike is my dream bike - life is good... :)

[radacrider]

I'm quite happy with the bikes I have now.

+1, especially my freshly built, MB-1.

[tulip]

A dreamy Luna Eclipse with carbon forks and seat stays, Ultegra...oh wait, that IS my bike!

[Crankin]

I have given up. Even my custom Guru doesn't feel right. DH keeps saying that I expect too much, but I still may have to switch the bars at the least, and the gearing and pedals maybe. I know these are small things (components), but for what I paid, it sucks. I love the plush feel of the titanium, but I always feel like I am working too hard on this bike. On the other hand, I love my Kuota, even though it's probably not really right for me.

[rubysoho]

Maybe it is because I haven't sat on a top-of-the-line but I absolutely adore my Ruby. I spent over a month riding my Tricross and enjoying it but yesterday I finally took the Ruby out for a spin and it was heaven. I like both bikes but the Ruby is still my favorite.

[pll]

More than a dream bike, I need riding time...

Reading about crankin's experiences with a custom build reminds me of my fear of going custom: not being entirely satisfied with the outcome. That, plus the higher expense, will keep me away from a custom bike for many years, even though I'd love to get a bike with SS couplers to take it with me on trips.

[Antaresia]

This isn't necessarily a top-of-the line bike worth tens of thousands, but what you think of when you think of the single best bike for your needs and wants.

As a car-free urban commuter this a question I'm currently fighting myself over. I can afford a nice-looking new single speed, but the flashier it is the bigger the target for theft. I REALLY want a nice colourful bike, like the kinds in this gallery (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23880929@N02/page2/). But what I NEED is a crappy 90's frame covered in stickers with boring rims and grungy bar tape. It's so painful.

I already have two perfect bikes, there is no ONE perfect bike if you like different types of riding. So, I have beater-haul-stuff-mixte, and daily-commute-work-horse-cycle-cross. Now I want an around-the-city-single-speed.

My perfect bike = steel frame, slick tires, free wheel, fenders, rack, rim breaks.
Everything else can be mix & match.

[Catrin]

I am blessed because I already have my dream bike :) My full custom Gunnar fits me like a dream, is far lighter than my LHT was, and rides like a dream.I am really looking forward to my second season on her!

[Jo-n-NY]

I am another that has my dream bike. As a huge fan of Specialized bikes when getting my Ruby I would have liked to get the S-works since my husband, son and best friend all own them, but I wasn't a fan of an all black bike which is what the offered at the time. I absolutely loved the ruby red which they made in 07 so I got the Pro. I truely love this bike also do not get me wrong. I put 10,000+ miles on her and I still have not parted with her.

Then when we went to 2012 Specialized launch last July in Monterey CA and test rode the Amira S-works for 2012 I couldn't believe how sweet the ride was.

Well, when my husband surprised me with the bike in December I was overwelmed with emotion. I only put a couple of hundred miles on it since I mainly ride the trainer in the winter, but when we went out yesterday and road some nice hills on our lovely north shore, I just told him how I can't believe how much I really love this bike.

So, yes, I own my dream bike. The fit, the sharp color, and the sweet ride.

[hirakukibou]

I have my dream bike: My Red Luna. She is my "baby" with her Ultegra double and wheels I built with red Chris King hubs.

[moderncyclista]

+1, my bike is my dream bike - life is good... :)

Yeah. I second and third and fourth that comment!

I've thought of the term "dream bike" before. I like Rivendells for their looks. But, yeah. And....

Sure, there are better component groups....but I don't race.

Sure, there are hand-carved lugs and fancy paint jobs....but I want something I can park anywhere.

Sure, there are other options ... but I feel lucky and blessed to have modern and vintage bikes that get me through everything quite nicely. :)

[Becky]

My dream bike changes with whatever type of riding I'm doing at the moment, and as my riding preferences and skills evolve. I'm very lucky to have a stable of nice road and mountain bikes, as well as a pretty kick-@zz commuter. None are particularly high-end, but I built most of them from the frame up, and they have my favorite components as well as lots of sweat equity. Even the "stock" ones have been tweaked to my preferences.

If money were to rain from the sky, I'd like to add a steel or Ti "road sport" bike for multi-day supported tours, all-day rides, etc. to the stable. Something like a Gunnar Sport or a Singular Osprey. I'd also like to swap my full-suspension frame with 26" wheels for a short-travel full-suspension frame with 29" wheels. The Salsa Spearfish seems like an ideal candidate. Finally, I'd buy a steel disc-compatible cyclocross frame as a replace frame for my current commuter, and build up some sweet disc-compatible wheels to match.

[Owlie]

More than a dream bike, I need riding time...

Reading about crankin's experiences with a custom build reminds me of my fear of going custom: not being entirely satisfied with the outcome. That, plus the higher expense, will keep me away from a custom bike for many years, even though I'd love to get a bike with SS couplers to take it with me on trips.

True. I'm a fitting nightmare (super-short torso, long femurs) , and frequently not-so-in-love with the color palettes available for women's bikes, so custom sometimes seems like the best bet in the long term. But I'm terrified of not being satisfied with the results because I don't know precisely what I want.
Not that it matters right now, 'cuz I'm broke.:p

[nscrbug]

More than a dream bike, I need riding time...

Reading about crankin's experiences with a custom build reminds me of my fear of going custom: not being entirely satisfied with the outcome. That, plus the higher expense, will keep me away from a custom bike for many years, even though I'd love to get a bike with SS couplers to take it with me on trips.

I totally get this. I took a HUGE leap of faith, by going custom with my latest bike. Which is something I thought I would NEVER do in a million years because I too, am (as Owlie so eloquently put it) a "fitting nightmare". For the past 4 years that I've been cycling seriously, I've had a myriad of fit issues and it was always suggested to me by many of the women of this forum to go custom. I expressed the very same fears of not being completely satisfied with the outcome...and even now, as a custom Seven owner, still have those fears tucked away in my head. I only have a little over 120 miles on my Seven...it's still too soon to tell if it "feels" totally and completely right to me. I'm still getting some hand pain/numbness, but with it still being winter here, I can't rule out that it's from the cold. I'll have to wait and see how my hands feel once the temps warm up a bit, to know for sure.

But yeah, I completely understand the reluctance to go custom, if you happen to be an extreme case like some of us. Been there...done that. Keeping my fingers crossed that I made the right decision. :eek:

Linda

[moderncyclista]

More than a dream bike, I need riding time...

Reading about crankin's experiences with a custom build reminds me of my fear of going custom: not being entirely satisfied with the outcome. That, plus the higher expense, will keep me away from a custom bike for many years, even though I'd love to get a bike with SS couplers to take it with me on trips.

Not to play devils advocate, but Surly makes a version of the Long Haul Trucker with SS couplers called the Trucker Deluxe! No joke, I ride my LHT the most out of all my bikes. I just rode home in 40 mph winds and I didn't feel like I was going to get pushed over at all. Stable, sure-footed and rugged. Not a speed-demon, but hey no bike is perfect. Surly comes darned close though. (I feel like I deserve a free-bike from Surly because of how much I talk them up. LMAO. :D )

[Sky King]

Not to play devils advocate, but Surly makes a version of the Long Haul Trucker with SS couplers called the Trucker Deluxe! No joke, I ride my LHT the most out of all my bikes. I just rode home in 40 mph winds and I didn't feel like I was going to get pushed over at all. Stable, sure-footed and rugged. Not a speed-demon, but hey no bike is perfect. Surly comes darned close though. (I feel like I deserve a free-bike from Surly because of how much I talk them up. LMAO. :D )
The LHT deluxe is a nice one at a great price.
Of course having just attending NAHBS I was experiencing the "bright shiny object" syndrome - now I am pining for about 20 different bikes ;)

[Hartmame]

I've actually been thinking in terms of the bike that got away. I wish I had picked up a 1995 Kona CinderCone. I purchased a 14" 1995 Kona Kula, I love this bike I still own and ride it but, I would like to have a steel version too and the Cinder Cone would be great.

I also would love to own a 48cm Bridgestone XO-1, the orange one!!

There are more I am sure but these are the ones that I still wish I had.

[zoom-zoom]

Ack, it looks like I may be getting my über bike in the not-too-distant future! :eek: We are part owners of a bike shop…we sell Seven. DH just bought an insanely expensive last year's BMC for a steal…we're talking <1/3 original retail. He knows that I'm frustrated by the lack of options in higher-end cyclocross frames in my size (there are smaller frames, but generally only in entry-level materials and components…I already have that. If Redline made their Conquest Carbon Pro Disc in a 44 I would already have one -- LOVE my little Conquest, but it's relatively heavy with Apex). We're starting to talk Mudhoney SL Ti…Ultegra Di. I would probably still ride my Cannondale Supersix for things like Duathlons…or maybe eventually pick up a TT bike. DS is 13 and pretty much can fit that and my Redline (and my mtn. bike…and he thinks the fat bike is all his).

[Jolt]

My "dream bike" would be something that is a good all-rounder, efficient for road riding but able to handle non-technical off-road riding as well. It would also need to be able to haul things and to take fenders without being limited to skinny tires. I would probably stick with steel, for durability. And I'm short, so 26" wheels would be best to avoid toe overlap (a deal breaker for a bike that will be ridden off road), especially with the fact that I would be adding fenders. If the Surly Cross Check had 26" wheels in the small sizes like the LHT does, I think that with a swap to a triple crankset it would fit the bill nicely (provided, of course, the fit was good). The Salsa Vaya looks like it would be good, though I am not sure about the idea of disc brakes.

[zoom-zoom]

though I am not sure about the idea of disc brakes.

And I won't buy another bike without discs, with the exception of a TT bike, perhaps. I'm sold on that stopping power under wet/icy/muddy conditions.

[Catrin]

And I won't buy another bike without discs, with the exception of a TT bike, perhaps. I'm sold on that stopping power under wet/icy/muddy conditions.

Yes, THIS. They also are better every year as the manufacturers develop more experience with them. Assuming I ever buy another bike, it will have disk brakes for sure!

[mzone]

I may have just bought my dream bike, but it'll be a while before I allow myself to ride it outside. The Michigan roads are more dreadful than usual with all of the snow and freezing, and now flooding is revealing big chunks of missing roadway.

I got a steal of a deal on steel, a Velo Orange Campeur. I've been pouring over Crazy Guy on a Bike journals and reading touring books. I'm ready to take off and ride around the country when I retire, but in the meantime it'll serve as my commuter.

[zoom-zoom]

Where in MI are you? I'm in Grand Haven and most definitely feel your pain!!

[Jolt]

And I won't buy another bike without discs, with the exception of a TT bike, perhaps. I'm sold on that stopping power under wet/icy/muddy conditions.

How complicated are they really in terms of maintenance? That's my main area of concern.

[zoom-zoom]

I've never heard anyone express that they are any more difficult.

[Rebecca19804]

Ack, it looks like I may be getting my über bike in the not-too-distant future! :eek: We are part owners of a bike shop…we sell Seven.... We're starting to talk Mudhoney SL Ti…Ultegra Di...
Woohoo!!!!

[Rebecca19804]

+1 with those who have their dream bike.

I finally got mine last year: a custom titanium Enigma Etape.

i totally get what some of you have said about being worried about taking the plunge and then not totally loving the result. I used to wake up sweating about it... in those 3 months between placing the order and collecting the bike. BUT. I knew my fit issues (long legs, short torso, but also short femurs, severe pronation in feet, mis-aligned knee caps with arthritis). I also knew exactly what kind of riding I do, what I want to do more of, what I will almost certainly never do. Basically, I knew what I wanted from my bike.

Funny thing, my framebuilder has been quoted as saying that the perfect customer is the one who knows exactly what they want... and doesn't change his/her mind after placing the order. I guess he gets lots of that. :rolleyes:

It did take a few months to get used to the bike, it being so different from all the make-do compromise-fit stock geometry road bikes I'd had before. It's not just the relative position of the contact points, it's your centre of gravity and the way the bike responds to what you and the road demand from it. Even then, in those first few months, I tweaked the position in several small ways (one at a time) before settling on (http://velovoice.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/custom-enigma-etape-update-final-set-up.html) what is now a fantastic -- and I do mean fantastic -- set-up.

What I love (now!) about this bike is how it says nothing to me during a ride - the bike is invisible, I am floating on air. I put the effort in and revel in what my body can do -- and my bike is a total "enabler" without claiming any credit. In fact, when asked what I think of it, I reply "It is remarkable for being totally unremarkable."

[Rebecca19804]

How complicated are they really in terms of maintenance? That's my main area of concern.

Hydraulic brakes have still got some wrinkles to be ironed out, but mechanical discs are great. I'd say maintenance is a lot less/easier than with any form of rim brakes. I have Avid BB7s on my Enigma and am looking to swap out forks on my Surly Cross Checks to have discs on the front at least. With the exception of my vintage mixte, I'd have discs on all my bikes if I could.

[mzone]

I may have just bought my dream bike, but it'll be a while before I allow myself to ride it outside. The Michigan roads are more dreadful than usual with all of the snow and freezing, and now flooding is revealing big chunks of missing roadway.

I got a steal of a deal on steel, a Velo Orange Campeur. I've been pouring over Crazy Guy on a Bike journals and reading touring books. I'm ready to take off and ride around the country when I retire, but in the meantime it'll serve as my commuter.

Ann Arbor. I visited the bike at my LBS yesterday and ordered new bars and tape. It's also getting frame saver treatment. It'll be a week before I bring it home, but I might need to take it a few hundred miles south to ride it when it's ready!

[zoom-zoom]

That's the worst! Both of my road bikes arrived in Nov...so very few outdoor rides before yuck!

[rebeccaC]

What I love (now!) about this bike is how it says nothing to me during a ride - the bike is invisible, I am floating on air. I put the effort in and revel in what my body can do -- and my bike is a total "enabler" without claiming any credit. In fact, when asked what I think of it, I reply "It is remarkable for being totally unremarkable."

that's my feeling about my seven....perhaps knowing what you want/need and a good conversation with the builder makes for a big difference in the satisfaction with the final build


not necessarily a dream but one day i'd like to have this steel, wood and leather sweetpea for my city riding

http://rchauvin.smugmug.com/photos/i-qXWsnVx/0/XL/i-qXWsnVx-XL.jpg

[Owlie]

How complicated are they really in terms of maintenance? That's my main area of concern.
I have Avid BB5s on my CX bike, and they were a bear to adjust properly. The dual-piston ones (BB7 and higher models, I believe) are easier because you get better adjustability. I have no idea about hydraulic discs, though.

[tulip]

+1 with those who have their dream bike.

What I love (now!) about this bike is how it says nothing to me during a ride - the bike is invisible, I am floating on air. I put the effort in and revel in what my body can do -- and my bike is a total "enabler" without claiming any credit. In fact, when asked what I think of it, I reply "It is remarkable for being totally unremarkable."

That's how I feel about my Luna. It's like riding a cloud. It's nearly 10 years old now but I have no desire to look for another road bike. This one is perfect, timeless.

[mzone]

I added some orange to my Velo Orange Campeur and visited it at my LBS today. I will get fit on it in a week and bring it home (no point in doing anything earlier as it's not ice-crater worthy!).

This was my 50th birthday present to myself. :D

[Gustafson]

My dream road bike is Schwinn Men’s Phocus 1600 700C Drop Bar Road Bicycle, Silver, 18-Inch. I found this site which gives a complete unbiased review about this bike in here (http://roadbikehub.com/schwinn-mens-phocus-1600-700c-drop-bar-road-bicycle/)

[smilingcat]

My dream bike was my Ti frame Lite speed. After my last serious crash, yes the bike came out unscathed, I sold it. I still have fond memories of the bike. We had so many memorable rides and so many hours on it. It was nimble, quick on acceleration, good on corners, very stable at high speed, not twitchy.

If I were to ride on a diamond frame again, I would like to ride on Ridley helium or colnago frame, drive train would be Campy record, just because, and well fitted seat. I really like speedplay pedals.

My dream ride is velomobile for now. I don't have to worry about balance, I have less chance of another serious head injury, more or less out of the elements, looks uber cool. My velo design is still in ether though... :(

[rebeccaC]

I grew up on a Schwinn, and am quite nostalgic for the company. But they were bought out, and the modern Schwinns are not really the same. :)

well mostly but....waterford still offers the schwinn paramount....a custom built, beautiful and classic design. :)

.....and i'm STILL having a luv affair with my campy record seven!!!!!
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5709/23990912735_36dec40cc7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/CxZGwt)

[Catrin]

I still have the frame from MY dream bike - my lovely custom Gunnar (Waterford). Sometimes it is better to save up and take a little longer to get what we really want :cool:

17910

[rebeccaC]

Sometimes it is better to save up and take a little longer to get what we really want :cool:

+1....and that's a very nice gunnar!!!!!!

[Trek420]

My Mondonico is my dream bike. I'm researching dream wheels for it. It now sports carbon deep dish wheels and since those are now about 10 years old I'm dreaming of something new I'd like non-carbon but light and fast. I'll be asking my LBS unless anyone here has suggestions.

[Helene2013]

If they were not so expensive (as I'd have to go through USA) and not lose the warranty (as you lose it when through another country - unless you go back there every time to get somehing serviced on it), it would definitively be a Bianchi. Would it be suitable for the type of riding I do...I don't know. But it is the style that makes me drool.
http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/dama-bianca/intenso-dama-ultegra/ - "only" 2700$ but with the +40% exchange fees, customs/duties to pay on it to get it to Canada "legally" and loss of warranty, and not counting I'd want a di2 on it, which is extra, it is just too much for me at this point in my life.

I did have a dream bike (my beautiful Kuota Kharma) but I just could not get used to its handling. This one I loved so much I cried when I had to let it go.

I have my Specialized Amira now which is riding sooooo well and love the riding. But hate hate hate the colour. And I tried having it repainted but Spec said I would lose the lifetime warranty on the frame. Oh well. I guess sometimes you just can't get it all and my safety must come first. So Amira it is for now. Some people could kill to have one like this (not cheap) but to me, it's just a bike.

But I do love my Crux which I got the frame from USA (lost the warranty on it, unless I go back there) and got it all customized at my dealer but everything else is warrantied by my dealer. If the Bianchi would have come with just the frame, I would have taken a chance. But it is a whole bike. :( But hubby did promise me when we retire and we are planning to stay 6-7 months a year (winter) that if I still want a bianchi...we'll go get it. :) Good enough for me.

[rebeccaC]

My Mondonico is my dream bike. I'm researching dream wheels for it. It now sports carbon deep dish wheels and since those are now about 10 years old I'm dreaming of something new I'd like non-carbon but light and fast. I'll be asking my LBS unless anyone here has suggestions.

+1 on Sugar Wheel Works!!! Not only well-built wheelsets but Jude will have a good conversation with you about your wants/needs….and of course you just have to luv the Portland bike community! She also builds the wheels for Sweetpea and Vanilla. I got my city fixie wheelset from her.

it may be worth a call to talk about it in any case or you could drive to portland, take her wheel building class and make your own with her help :)