The BEST RIDING BIKES...what's your top three of all time ?

[wadsy]

Re:

This Moots YBB I built a few years back was the best handling I've experienced...

I've yet to get out on my latest DBR Axis TT but I have high hopes for that!...it's a full on retro build (except the tyres) with sus fork and under 20lb again, so should be good!





I must admit I also really like the ride on my KHS Montana Team as well. The slightly steeper head-angle makes it really quick handling-wise and the rigid set-up takes me back to my roots and really connects you to the trail




Another great ride was a lightweight Merlin I build for an RB buddy, the combination of the lightweight (sub 20lb) the top-end titanium frame, and light wheels really made this come alive and it really 'flew'



Cheers

 

[cce]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=168125

i think with the mad high end stuff, you reach a point where there's not really any better, just different. I havent ridden a moots, or a fat or a klein, are they better than this.... probably not. are they different, almost certainly, might those differences accord to my preferences.... possibly

this bike is bloody great though, so they'd be hard put

 

[Ductape]

For me:

Vintage: I had a 1986 Ritchey TimberComp that was a dream to ride. Dirt drop setup.
More modern: Ugly as heck and only lasted 1.5 seasons before I broke it. Probably from riding it harder than it was meant to be. 1998 Kona King Kikapu. Loved the ride, but it was an ugly bike.
Retro: My favorite rider as of now. 1996 WTB Phoenix. Love to ride this bike but it is a long ways from 1996 specs.

Bonus: When I got my 2001 Kona Stinky Primo it was a dream in the downhill. Heavy with plush suspension. Absolutely sucked when the trail went up, but it was like riding a couch going down.

 

[Baulz]

Re: Re:

This Moots YBB I built a few years back was the best handling I've experienced...

I have a Dekerf soft tail that is one of my favorite riding bikes. It rode like a hardtail in many ways, but was really smooth and had great traction on climbs.

 

[M-Power]

Re:

Good points CCE. The subtle and sometimes big variations in handling of bikes made from the same material and with similar geometry never fails to intrigue. Will the Bontrager question ever be answered ?

Truly amazing bikes Wadsy I can only imagine how good that Moots full sus must feel. Looks like rare Ti bikes dominate the highest rankings, so far anyway. Any reviews of Bradbury Manitous, Marin Ti FRS, Cunninghams, Mountain Goats and other unicorns fire away. :mrgreen:

 

[jimi911]

Re: Re:

This Moots YBB I built a few years back was the best handling I've experienced...

I've yet to get out on my latest DBR Axis TT but I have high hopes for that!...it's a full on retro build (except the tyres) with sus fork and under 20lb again, so should be good!





I must admit I also really like the ride on my KHS Montana Team as well. The slightly steeper head-angle makes it really quick handling-wise and the rigid set-up takes me back to my roots and really connects you to the trail




Another great ride was a lightweight Merlin I build for an RB buddy, the combination of the lightweight (sub 20lb) the top-end titanium frame, and light wheels really made this come alive and it really 'flew'



Cheers

I'm gonna toss the higher end KHS bikes in the most underrated retro bikes ever pile. I rode one as a teenager (buddy had one) and have had two in the last year. They are really great riding bikes.

 

[longun]

Re:

Kona explosif
Pace rc200
My fuquay

Looking back I've had, ridden many bikes at some point, the choises above Are reflected as off now, not bitd. I never had expensive bikes myself but had the oppotunity to play on them from time to time. my riding has changed over the years also, from learning to ride Dartmoor with a hardtail to jumping doubles and now just riding everything. I don't judge a bike on how it rides but how it makes me feel while riding it and how I need to adapt with it.
Good thread

 

[Coleman]

Re:

I've ridden a few over the years, but for me the go to retro bike in the garage is my Salsa Al La Carte. Comfy, fast, sure footed, descends very well, its handled local XC races, HONCs Mayhem, FoD trails and there is never any dramas.

My Orange Prestige was the closest which I should never have sold.... The other one that I really rated was the Bigfoot Smokestone (also gone but another in the bag).

Also loved the Marin Team Ti (going soon), RC100 (gone), Klein (gone), Xizang (gone), FRO (gone) and 1992 Raliegh Technium Peak (great bike but gone).

Bikes I'd like to try are a Bonty, FUNK (in progress) and a early Merlin (in progress).

Early 80's bikes are fun and I love the history and looks of the late 80s stuff but as riders I prefer the early 90s (evolution I guess).

 

[M-Power]

Re:

Nothing wrong with GB Reynolds or Japanese Tange etc but I'm a big fan of US steel, True Temper & Dillsburg aircraft certified cro mo. How a bike makes you feel IS everything. I have still not taken the plunge trying modern. I just love the trail feel of the retro bikes way too much.

That's a lot of iconic bikes you have passed on Coleman but you still love the steel Salsa If I could only keep one it would always be my first steel Fat. Let's not forget these iconic bike will probably hold their value better.

 

[joss]

Re:

Bontrager Race Lite - XT throughout, very smooth feels (and sounds) fast

Roberts XC2 - XTR/XT almost zero rolling resistance, feels like it could fly.

Any Dekerf