Giant MCM Team, bought recently as frame only, built to my dream spec. First bike in my years of riding that hasnt given me some kind of back ache, just feels right, loving the carbon for its nice smooth ride.
Of course not all clockwork are the same, they changed through the early 90's then when reintroduced in the bike the late 90's they where different again.
I always think a lot of people forget that just because it has the same name does not make it the same. They are often quite different to just a year or so before.
Two bikes, firstly my new insurance replacement for my Diamond Back Axis XT which was stolen in 1998 and replaced with a Kona Cindercone, this bike is awesome, I now know why there is so much love for Kona. But my biggest suprise was when i purchased my first 1996/97 Orange C16R from 'Sylus' great bike, felt awesome to ride from day one, however with the tweeks i've done, replace STXX-RC with XT, and adding PACE RC38's it just keeps getting better, recently rode it at the Retrobike Nationals Series Thetford Forest and it's never felt better
My Rigid Pace RC300, and somewhat annoyingly due to my personal dislike of GT's in general, A GT Zaskar I purchased for a friend, had delivered to my work in rural oxfordshire (at the time) and had to ride it back fully loaded with a weeks clothes & kit on my back. 10 miles, hop on a train and then do a further 7miles back home in London.
And it was a total delight (until the puncture 1 mile from home) Since then I have been less dismissive of the common as muck top end triple triangle things.
Ridiculously lightweight but with a very compliant rear end; seems sometimes like theres a huge rear tyre cushioning you for the next bump. So comfortable. Which is probably why I'm seen riding it more often than not.
My Proflex was a joy as well so we'll see what happens with the next one.
Surprisingly considering the love for them on here, I'm not really getting it with the Stumpy at the moment. Whether it's that the frame is too small I don't know but it's a bit strange.
The C-16 is the all purpose machine. Does everything it is asked of and more. Perennial commuter for me; a ride in your sleep bike.