What is your "dream" bike?

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.