Keepers

[Kirk007]

It has been a long wet winter, riding only bikes that I've installed fenders on, which means that the bike I've had the longest, my Kirk travel bike has sat neglected since October. Today out we went and I was reminded why this bike has been with me a decade as of this year. It has taken me through Shenandoah NP and the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina; up Independence Pass to Maroon Bells and on the roads of Durango among other places in Colorado; through lava fields on the Big Island and to Makena Beach on Maui; for a ride with its builder in Bozeman and on the roads of Jackson and Grand Teton Park and miles and miles through the Willamette Valley of Oregon.
Twice I've thought of and even tried to sell it; what a mistake that would have been. What's your keeper?

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2906/32809697884_7c29310856_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RZhh7h)Kirk (https://flic.kr/p/RZhh7h) by Greg Costello (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145602903@N02/), on Flickr

[weisan]

kirk pal, if you are ever tempted again...call me. I will gladly take it off your hands.:D

My keeper you ask? Pretty much everything in my stable currently.

Serotta CXII
Eddy Merck Corsa Extra
Rivendell Road Standard
Merlin Ti Cross
Coupled Surly Trucker Deluxe
CoMotion Periscope Tandem
Probably my one and only custom steel travel bike

The rest are expendables but that doesn't mean I am in the rush to sell them anytime soon:
Cyfac Absolu
Eddy Merckx MXL
LOOK KG281
Nashbar touring

[KidWok]

This Seven Alaris acquired here from the forum seems to be purpose built for long distance riding and fender mounts make it indispensable in the Pacific Northwest.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c151/TaiLee77/Mobile%20Uploads/20150912_113751_zpsf80vfowv.jpg

I often post photos of my Gunnar Crosshairs, also acquired here.

Most everything else I own is lovely, but non-essential.

Tai

[witcombusa]

They are ALL keepers :beer:

[witcombusa]

The rest are expendables but that doesn't mean I am in the rush to sell them anytime soon:
Cyfac Absolu
Eddy Merckx MXL
LOOK KG281
Nashbar touring


That just ain't right, putting a MXL and a Nashbar in the same grouping :no:

[Bruce K]

I have 4 keepers:

Serotta Meivici with Davis Phinney Foundation logos
Kelly Bedford built road bike
Mike Zanconato built single speed cross bike
Serotta Ti cross bike with etched hot rod flames

BK

[gomango]

Good question.

I've sold nine bikes in the past year. That includes Chris Kvales, a couple of Tommasinis, two De Rosas, a Niner, a Surly and if the fellow ever pays me the rest of the money, a McLean.

I still have a couple of Serottas, a Bilenky, a Hollands, a BMC Monstercross, a Croll, a Yeti SB5 and a bunch of framesets.

I've learned to not become overly attached to objects.

But to answer the question, I'd say the Yeti SB5 is by far the nicest mtb I've owned over the last thirty years and its not going anywhere.

http://www.yeticycles.com/bikes/sb55

[Hilltopperny]

I've sold off a bunch and now have a 4 bike rotation including a Marcelo, duende cross, guru praemio r and a guru photon. I almost sold the duende cross, but glad I didn't. I don't see that one going back on the block nor my praemio r or Mxxxxxo.

[Black Dog]

This is my Keeper. I usually keep bikes for ever, but if I had to keep just one this would be it. 1991 Colorado II

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/BlackDogryka/Serotta%20CII/IMG_2946_zpscvn7ndy6.jpg (http://s900.photobucket.com/user/BlackDogryka/media/Serotta%20CII/IMG_2946_zpscvn7ndy6.jpg.html)

[choke]

If I had to keep just one it's an easy choice...the Strada Bianca.

If I can keep more then I'd add the Losa, Pogliaghi and Frejus.

[NHAero]

I think we need to see pix of the three Italian bikes.

If I had to keep just one it's an easy choice...the Strada Bianca.

If I can keep more then I'd add the Losa, Pogliaghi and Frejus.

[Cicli]

The Merlin.

[exapkib]

Easy-- my Yamaguchi.

I love the workmanship, don't get me wrong--so smooth, so 'right.'

It is, however, the ride that makes this the one.

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o641/1zaxxon/IMG_9343_zpsxtcpvikm.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/1zaxxon/media/IMG_9343_zpsxtcpvikm.jpg.html)

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o641/1zaxxon/IMG_9363_zpsdtrpxsvf.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/1zaxxon/media/IMG_9363_zpsdtrpxsvf.jpg.html)

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o641/1zaxxon/IMG_9361_zpsauwgcmu4.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/1zaxxon/media/IMG_9361_zpsauwgcmu4.jpg.html)

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o641/1zaxxon/IMG_9356_zpsxevhezjk.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/1zaxxon/media/IMG_9356_zpsxevhezjk.jpg.html)

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o641/1zaxxon/First%20Ride%203_zpsk3s8lbyy.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/1zaxxon/media/First%20Ride%203_zpsk3s8lbyy.jpg.html)

[Frankwurst]

Only One? My Riv Atlantis. It's a big, heavy, slow and just flat ass comfortable work horse. Kinda like me. On this bike I don't worry, hurry or give a s%$t about anything. Of course I really don't do that when I'm on any of my bikes but this one makes it real easy.:beer:

[parris]

For me it would be my Club Special and my JKS.

I've owned the Club Special since the summer of either 86 or 87 and it's been the one bike I kept when I stopped riding for a bunch of years. When I got back into the sport it was waiting and essentially ready.

The JKS because it's built for me. In addition to the great ride with no bad traits it fits like a pair of well broken in boots.

[john903]

Here is my old trusty friend a Match built Hampsten Cinghale from 2000. I have many miles on it and it needs some serious tlc this year, but it is the bike that I just never get tired of. I even sold it once to a friend then bought it back. Wow what a terrible picture. Question if I have already posted a picture how come I can not post it again? I posted a picture of my bike on March 11th in the production bike section but no I can not post that one here, it is much better picture too. Oh well I am trying to get the hang of this picture posting thing.

[msl819]

This Serotta CRL was refinished by Keith Anderson and it along with another that is larger are two that i plan to give to my sons one day. I am still sorting saddles on this one. I have ridden other bikes, newer, lighter, etc. but none better. The other CRL sports a 6700 drivetrain and more "modern" wheels. Both are great!

[scho74]

Beautiful bikes!

I've owned my Crosshairs longer than any other bike. It's too versatile (and fun) for me to give up. I have a go fast bike that's sitting around lately because I just can't go fast anymore.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1695/23589241749_d5c15d1aa2_b.jpg

[zmudshark]

My keepers are generally bikes they cannot easily be replaced. Right now I have three bikes each in two locations. It turns out that there's two De Rosa's and one Cinelli in both locations. I am lucky in that I can ride stock sizes and don't really require a custom. I have a De Rosa professional and a De Rosa Primato in both locations. I also have a Cinelli SC at one home and a Cinelli NSC at the other. I don't need three bikes at each location and would love to sell one but can't bear to sell any of them. I guess they're all keepers.

[msl819]

Beautiful bikes!

I've owned my Crosshairs longer than any other bike. It's too versatile (and fun) for me to give up. I have a go fast bike that's sitting around lately because I just can't go fast anymore.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1695/23589241749_d5c15d1aa2_b.jpg

My old Crosshairs is the bike I most regret selling for all the reasons you mentioned. It was just a fun bike to ride.

[GParkes]

Ditto on the DK.

[choke]

I think we need to see pix of the three Italian bikes.Heh.....here you go.

The Losa (more here (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=184385))

http://cycle.ciocctoo.com/losa1.jpg

I don't seem to have any really good pics of the Pog.

http://cycle.ciocctoo.com/cino8.jpg

Frejus (more here (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=200732))

http://cycle.ciocctoo.com/frej1.jpg

[choke]

Question if I have already posted a picture how come I can not post it again? I posted a picture of my bike on March 11th in the production bike section but no I can not post that one here, it is much better picture too. Oh well I am trying to get the hang of this picture posting thing.The forum software only lets you post it once. You can try resizing or renaming the pic....that often tricks it into letting you post again.

But the easier method is to go to your pic, right click on it, select 'view image info' (or something similar depending on the browser) and then copy the address. This allows you to use the 'insert image' icon to post it as a regular pic rather than an attachment.

This pic I presume? Nice bike.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697936085&stc=1&d=1489282195

[David in Maine]

1697936947

My almost 20 year old Tamarack custom touring bike. Shown here freshly re-painted and upgraded.

[scottaharper]

I have been a serial frame switcher and usually keep a stable of 4 road bikes. I enjoy all my bikes, but I think the one that is my keeper is my Merckx Millenium 3. Being a clydesdale, I need a stiff bike and the Merckx provides that in spades. But there is a certain calmness to the ride that I have never experienced in another bike. It is probably a tad small for me, a 63cm would fit me a little better than this 61cm, but it is more than close enough for my needs.

http://scottanddana.com/images/bikes/merckx_med.jpg

[NHAero]

Love that Frejus!

[mhespenheide]

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697933521&stc=1&d=1485154564

This one is my only truly-hard-and-fast keeper. It's nothing special, just an '87 Bianchi Campione d'Italia. It was a mutt even when it was new, with Columbus Cromor tubing, Suntour shifting, Ofmega cranks, and Modolo brakes. It was the cheapest model that Bianchi made that was built in Italy, and that likely means it wasn't the highest quality even then. But it was my fist "good" bicycle, bought as a high-school teenager with gift money from grandparents and money saved up from a summer job. I raced it in a few USCF junior events in New York state in the late 80's, but mostly rode it around the backroads of Dutchess County and dreamed of Italy and getting out of my small town (which wasn't really that small, after all, but it felt like it at sixteen). I've replaced the components many times, but the frame remains. Thanks to the amazing patience of my parents, who stored it in the rafters of their garage while I flirted with a succession of other bikes. Now, though, I can't imagine replacing it. It wouldn't be worth anything much to anyone else, anyway.

It's a keeper. I'm attached to my other bikes, but they're not the beginning.

Ironically, it's back to being semi-relevant these days as it fits 700x32's. Here, she stands almost ready for Eroica California -- just need to swap out the pedals.

[Dave B]

Well obviously for me the Rapha Cross IF. That one is a keeper for sure...I don't want to buy that three times anyway.

The one I keep grabbing is the SEVEN I got here last year. It was supposed to be too long (well only half a cm) however, it just feels great. Rebuilt it this winter with Campy 10speed and it is even better than before.

love this thing! It was the bike that I rediscovered my love of cycling last summer.


http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k240/dnjbradley/Bikes/IMG_7914_zpsh3kmjjac.jpg (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/dnjbradley/media/Bikes/IMG_7914_zpsh3kmjjac.jpg.html)

[Vonruden]

I tend to roll over the Fleet frequently, these are the ones I can't see selling anytime soon.

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/4FD21556-C1BF-44FB-AA7F-E5BE1501CD01_zpscx1b5vo7.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/vonruden1/media/4FD21556-C1BF-44FB-AA7F-E5BE1501CD01_zpscx1b5vo7.jpg.html)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/15DDB4AB-B89A-4079-8E4E-C44A22ECE21A_zpsklrsmz62.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/vonruden1/media/15DDB4AB-B89A-4079-8E4E-C44A22ECE21A_zpsklrsmz62.jpg.html)
The Workhorse rain bike
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/B5715377-163E-4534-87D0-9E0CC0572F5C_zps69ogb5s0.jpg (http://s1266.photobucket.com/user/vonruden1/media/B5715377-163E-4534-87D0-9E0CC0572F5C_zps69ogb5s0.jpg.html)

[rounder]

Serotta nhx. I bought the thing new in 1991. It was the only bike I rode for about 15 years. Went from Shimano 600 to Durace 7400, and then to Record 10. Rode it a lot. Now has a nicer Campy seatpost and Rolls saddle. Along with a couple of guitars, it was the best thing I ever bought.

Still have it, and also a few newer bikes that I also like.

[rodcad]

[QUOTE=Vonruden;2148938]I tend to roll over the Fleet frequently, these are the ones I can't see selling anytime soon.

You'd be nuts to let any of those 3 bikes go unless the fit wasn't right. Well done sir.

[colker]

This is my Keeper. I usually keep bikes for ever, but if I had to keep just one this would be it. 1991 Colorado II

http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac209/BlackDogryka/Serotta%20CII/IMG_2946_zpscvn7ndy6.jpg (http://s900.photobucket.com/user/BlackDogryka/media/Serotta%20CII/IMG_2946_zpscvn7ndy6.jpg.html)

Is that a 54cm? w/ a 120mm stem? Hmmmm...

[Black Dog]

Is that a 54cm? w/ a 120mm stem? Hmmmm...

Yes, yes it is. I will now be moving to an undisclosed location. :D

[colker]

Yes, yes it is. I will now be moving to an undisclosed location. :D

I just gave a Go to a highly trained comando team.

[Black Dog]

I just gave a Go to a highly trained comando team.

I am ready for Seal Team 6...Bring it!!! :no: