The "Ridden lots of bikes, which was your favourite" thread.

[ABlipInContinuity]

I totted up the number of bikes I had owned the otherday. It turned out to be a massive 14.

Some moved on because they were cheap rubbish.
Some moved on because they were skip bikes and my supply of skip bike parts dried up.
Some moved on because they were stolen.

But it's was interesting to think about which ones I really liked.


My favourite was the Airborne Valkyrie Audax. It did most things road orientated very well. I liked this bike for it's comfort, versatility, and never letting me be beaten by a "carbonified" roadie even though it was sporting guards and laden panniers.

The next one is my current fixie. It's more comfy than the outgoing one. And I like it just for it's simplicity.

The third was an older gas pipe raleigh MTB. I didn't worry about where I left it. Used it in all weathers. Strapped all kinds of loads to it. Even though it was quite heavy, I got kinda attached. It was also a hand me down from my older brother. Unfortunately it was stolen.

And finally, possibly, recently acquired 90s Cannondale rigid MTB. It's very stiff. It's very light. Rides surprisingly smoothly and accelerates like a very fast thing. It is also versatile too. But best of all, it wasn't expensive.

The tandem, is in a league of it's own for enjoyment, however.


So... what bikes have been your favourites and why?

[Frenchie]

My 1993 Orbit Pista (Track); a rigid, light and fast machine, surprisingly at ease on the road although slightly too steep at the front on some bumpy downhills. A tight frame on which I feel perfectly comfortable. I've toured with it (with a Carradice) and I've raced it; in fact I TT'ed on it this season. It's called Maitre Jacques and I just love it.

PS I've ridden a fair few other fixed bikes, but not that many bikes in total.

[Wobbly John]

My favourite is the one I am riding at the time.

When I just had one bike, changing to a different bike felt very strange. Now, with a huge assortment of contraptions bicycles to choose from, it all comes natually - be it a fixie, recumbent, one that steers the wrong way or bends in the middle. 

 They all have different uses and I try to use select the one most appropriate to the task. I am often supprised, however, by how well some bikes perfom duties they initially seem impractical for, such as using my Wobblebike for a Forum ride. It just goes to show what a versitile machine the bicycle is.

[Manotea]

How I miss my first fixie which had a bling 853 frame and was really, really nice to ride. It was fast, too.

You don't know what you've got till its gone.

Sob. 

[clarion]

My favourite is the one I come back to time and again.  Tourer, commuter, roughstuff, shopper, everything bike.

And, most importantly, the one that got me back riding after so long away.

Orbit Silver Medal. 

[gonzo]

I think the one that impressed me most was my old Trek 1200. It was like rip-off viagra; cheap and stiff! Also, it's the only bike I've ever won a 'real' race on.

[MSeries]

My favourite is the one I am riding at the time.

Same here. I get used to a particular bike when using it exclusively for a few weeks or months, then start to thinks it's my most comfortable and my favourite. But then I start to use another and think the same thing about it. "Favourite" is a difficult word in these sorts of questions. Choosing my favourite cake is easy.  I choose which bike to use based on the ride I am embarking on, if all my machines were suitable for all rides I choose my Merckx but that isn't the case. I wouldn't use it for commuting, too good for the city streets and it wouldn't do the biek justice.

[border-rider]

The Matt Chester.  Every time I ride it I remember that I'd forgotten how good it was

Number 2 must be the Pompino that I put together in 2003 and did PBP and LEL on.  That was a fine bike, the inspiration for the MC.

[Si]

Race bike: Fred Williamns Lightweight Special was most exciting road bike, not light compared to today's carbon superbikes but railed round corners and was comfy for a race bike of its day.  And had a certain character to it too.  Recently reborn as a fixie.

Tourer: Dawes.  Comfortable, reliable, load lugger.  didn't pretend to be anything else, just got on with the job.

MTB: Zaskar, for a super light XC (22lbs) bike it was very comortable yet climbed like a rat up a wossit.  Tought with it.

Folder: old Birdy Blue.  Seemed a lot faster than the modern Birdies.

Tandem: Burley Samba. Tough, comfortable and, for a steel tandem, light.

Of the above I think that the Fred has the most miles on it by a long chalk. Pity it's getting too painful to ride, and the odd spot of rust is showing through.  Would have it poweder coated by the fork and rear tringle are chrome.

[blackpuddinonnabike]

Cotic Soul - and not just because it's brilliant to ride. It marked a sea-change in my life. I'd not long separated from my ex, and it was the first bike I'd built myself, something I'd always wanted to do, but would never have been allowed to.

It still puts a smile on my face every time I ride it.

[kyuss]

My favourite is my current Kinesis KiC2.

I do have very fond memories of my old Emmelle Dolomite, bought second hand off a friend. Certainly the most comfortable bike I've ever had. I loved that thing.  

The drive side crank rounded off so it spent 2 years shimmed with some razor blades, and I crashed it more times than I care to remember but it kept on going. I lost count of how many rattlecan paintjobs it went through too (my favourites being silver with lime green spots and the maroon and burnt orange fade).

[Mr Larrington]

Kingcycle.  I was obliged to sell it to raise funds for the purchase of Cosimo the Stealth Baron.  Light for a recumbent, even with the wrought-iron after-market suspension forks fitted and handled like a lively thing.

[Salvatore]

Kingcycle.  I was obliged to sell it to raise funds for the purchase of Cosimo the Stealth Baron.  Light for a recumbent, even with the wrought-iron after-market suspension forks fitted and handled like a lively thing.

I am given to understand that yours was one of the first Kingcycles produced.

Mr Kinqsbury sends his regards.


My all-time favourite is my current Omega best bike. It carried me over 1000 miles of variable roads in just over 5 days without me suffering any soreness, stiffness or numbness, so deserves pride of place in my garage.

I also have a soft spot for a silver 531c Rapide from the Freewheel catalogue, which got me round the first LEL.

[LEE]

I'd love to say this one, becasue I've owned it 22 years from new and I think it looks beautiful



but it's actually this, because when you need to get somewhere, it doesn't matter if you're carrying a load of gear or whether the road is covered in crap, or both, it gets you there with no fuss and in comfort.

[Aidan]

Aaaaargh...........................................!

I've re-written a reply with all my bikes as favourites, each in turn, then re-thought it, and started again

My Soma Smoothie gets ridden the most, My Airborne Zeppelin is a joy to ride, but I have a real soft spot for my Pompino and I'd have to choose that because if I go out for a ride purely for the enjoyment of riding, thats the one I'd pick first. Or maybe...

[mike]

the serotta is the best bike I've ever ridden but it's not my favourite, that would be my first XACD Ti frame, which is now fixed.  I lent it to a friend for a couple of weeks and worried about it every day.

[Wobbly John]

Kingcycle.  I was obliged to sell it to raise funds for the purchase of Cosimo the Stealth Baron.  Light for a recumbent, even with the wrought-iron after-market suspension forks fitted and handled like a lively thing.

I happened to find a picture of Mr Larrington in a giant condom on his Knigcycle the other day. 



 

[mr_brooks]

I'd love to say this one, becasue I've owned it 22 years from new and I think it looks beautiful

You're not alone - that is beautiful. I seldom get patriotic, but just had a patriotic moment looking at that pic!

[drossall]

My favourite is the one I am riding at the time.

Same here, but unlike MSeries it's not because I adapt and start thinking it's better than the others. It's just enjoying the riding, whatever the bike.

The one I ride most is the cheapest, a gas-pipe steel fixed.

[rogerzilla]

The Fuji.

The riding position is ludicrous (it's set up to be correct with tri-bars bolted on) but in terms of silent efficiency it can't be beaten, and it looks like a praying mantis.  The 70" gear makes me work, so it ends up being the fastest A-to-B bike I have.  There is absolutely nothing on it that rattles, judders or creaks.



In terms of versatility, it's hopeless.

[Hot Flatus]

I've never got rid of a bike I really like. Best ride ever is the Look 585 with DA and Ksyriums, trek 5500 with same wheels comes a close second. The xacd fixie is fabulous for what it is.

[Polar Bear]

My audax bike which is built around a second hand original Airborne Carpe Diem frame is currently my favourite solo machine and has been ever since I put it together.

However, having acquired Margaret Hilda Daisy recently she somehow gives me far more riding pleasure than any other machine has ever done.   I cannot quite put a finger on why but she is such a joy to ride.

When I like a bike I tend to build a wish list of upgrades and slowly but surely they happen.  Both bikes have long wish lists 

[Frenchie]

The Fuji.

The riding position is ludicrous (it's set up to be correct with tri-bars bolted on) but in terms of silent efficiency it can't be beaten, and it looks like a praying mantis.  The 70" gear makes me work, so it ends up being the fastest A-to-B bike I have.  There is absolutely nothing on it that rattles, judders or creaks.



In terms of versatility, it's hopeless.

It is a lovely bike -- lovely colour too. It looks efficient, purposeful, fast, yet so simple... 

[Mr Larrington]

I am given to understand that yours was one of the first Kingcycles produced.

My original frame was #8 from the first batch of ten, but was replaced later with #123 coz the head tube had been brazed in some way off vertical when viewed from behind...

[Paul Smith SRCC]

...My favourite was the Airborne Valkyrie Audax. It did most things road orientated very well. I liked this bike for it's comfort, versatility, and never letting me be beaten by a "carbonified" roadie even though it was sporting guards and laden panniers...

That’s mine as well, or at least my Van Nicholas Yukon is, the bike the Airborne Valkyrie Audax evolved into (I reviewed it here).

I like it for the same reasons as you do, even if I can’t confess to never being beaten by a roadie on it, that happens far to frequently  , it us superb for light tours which was the main reason I bought it, to replace the frame I used in my write ups below, that frame I now use as Work bike Fixie

Paul_Smith