If you could only have 1 Bike

[dsimon]

What would it be?
I have have had numerous bike not as many as most here but decent non the less.
Serotta CSI
Serotta Legend
Steelman stage race
an Ugly pink and purple Basso (ELOS)
a Centurian
and Now my Parlee Z3which is a phenomenal bike. so I would keep my Parlee

[mtechnica]

A lugged carbon racing bike with 11 speed shimano

[smontanaro]

What would it be?

If I had to decide right now? Probably my Jim Redcay (https://www.flickr.com/gp/49705339@N00/Z8XEp3) or my RRB (https://flic.kr/s/aHskXMRBfE). Maybe my Schwinn Volare (https://www.flickr.com/gp/49705339@N00/gF0P99). Tough choice... I'm pretty sure I could narrow things down to just three, however. :)


Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[dsimon]

See its hard to say Just 1 bike

[dave thompson]

What would it be?
I have have had numerous bike not as many as most here but decent non the less.
Serotta CSI
Serotta Legend
Steelman stage race
an Ugly pink and purple Basso (ELOS)
a Centurian
and Now my Parlee Z3which is a phenomenal bike. so I would keep my Parlee

You're much to old to have such a sporting bike like a Parlee.

[csm]

If I have to choose from what I have..... my Salsa Fargo.

If I could buy another.... a Domane.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[R3awak3n]

from the bikes I current have, Elephant NFE.

but if I could get a new bike I would do something similar to the elephant, but in titanium (steel fork though). Pretty much a NFE that is 8 lbs lighter.

[Matthew]

I have: Moots Rigormootis 26er, Colnago EPS, Serotta Meivici, and Moots Compact. I would keep: Moots Compact. But the Colnago is a very, very close 2nd.

[Ralph]

My Cannondale CAAD 10 would do fine as my only bike. I have a sleeve pressed into BB shell (50 G) with epoxy that effectively makes it a 68 MM BB. So can run square taper Record, or a square taper triple crankset with no issues what so ever. Would use Zonda C 17's with 25 or 28 MM tires on rough roads....plenty of room. Most times around here use older Zonda's with 23's. Aluminum frame is light and won't rust (if exposed will corrode), and with internal routing of brake cable, sweat doesn't get on brake cable bosses....a big deal to me here in hot Florida in summer. With it's CF fork....ride is about the same as my custom steel with Enve Fork. Best of all......frame, fork, and head set cost me $590 new. Probably main negative of bike it that it doesn't cost enough to be considered special.

[Tony T]

Firefly Ti :)

[booglebug]

Eriksen Ti
No wait, my Seven
Maybe my Duende

Still thinking!

[Elefantino]

Look 585. A classic that does never, will never, go out of style.

[Duende]

I'm hoping it will be my Mosaic GT-1, with its new Campy H11 disc gruppo! Should have it in a couple weeks!!

[jlwdm]

Serotta Nove built for me in 2007. Labor Day weekend I will have owned it for 10 years and have never once thought of getting rid of it.

My Spectrum super might be right up there but I keep it in Seattle and have only ridden it 50 miles in 6 3/4 years. Hard to compare.

Jeff

[Gsinill]

Now my Parlee Z3 which is a phenomenal bike. so I would keep my Parlee

And you would have to ask the mods to change your forum name...

[dsimon]

SHUT UP DAVE i need room on the slopped TT for my gut....

[tbike4]

It would be steel so my Serotta Atlanta which is cosmetically challenged, I mean it has patina. It just feels right.

[alexstar]

Just one? my Kirk JKS-X with Terraplane seat stays. It killed any desire I had for more road bikes. Ahh, bliss.

[joep2517]

There's nothing that rides as nice as this.

1697943383

[Gsinill]

Casati Ellisse

[xeladragon]

My Firefly

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4167/33786327824_7b7008e62b_b.jpg

With two wheelsets: one with 700x28 slicks for the road, and the other with knobbies for off-road.

And with a 50x34 up-front instead of the 1x I'm running now.

But I would really miss my Zanc and Santa Cruz 5010.

[54ny77]

Probably my Ottrott.

[tv_vt]

Only one bike? Easy - a Hampsten Strada Bianca ti S&S. I'll have that one for the rest of my life.

[choke]

That's a very easy question for me to answer....the Strada Bianca. It will take me pretty much anywhere I want to go on a bike.

http://hampco.ciocctoo.com/080615a.jpg

[mbrtool]

I have an Ottrott and a Ellis 29er that has clearance for 54mm studded snow tires for the winter. I put 32mm on the Ellis for non winter use. Both are a joy to ride but since having the Ellis I can ride +250 times a year. I'm glad I don't have to pare down to "1" but if I did the Ellis would be it. Hypothetical questions are very difficult to answer accurately.

Ray

[p nut]

Hopefully, we're just talking road bikes. Which would be something like an Open UP, or the new Domane without the dumb Future Shock. Or if custom is on the table, a Ti frame with 27.5x2.2" clearance, and tight road geo.

[eddief]

i've learned a lot about fit, geo, and materials. My new Domane checks all the boxes and it was "off the rack." But numero uno is the Carver. Granted, not hi zoot in any way. Fits perfectly, looks damn decent, and rides the best overall of any of the other 39. Smooth shall we say.

[joosttx]

Those rear dropouts are dope

My Firefly

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4167/33786327824_7b7008e62b_b.jpg

With two wheelsets: one with 700x28 slicks for the road, and the other with knobbies for off-road.

And with a 50x34 up-front instead of the 1x I'm running now.

But I would really miss my Zanc and Santa Cruz 5010.

[weisan]

CSI pal, how long you and your sixth wife been married?

[sashae]

from the bikes I current have, Elephant NFE.

but if I could get a new bike I would do something similar to the elephant, but in titanium (steel fork though). Pretty much a NFE that is 8 lbs lighter.

I think that'd be along the lines of Justin Bagnati's Seven Evergreen, which'd probably be my choice too.

Not his, but a nice execution. I'd go steel fork as well.

http://theradavist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Ians-Seven-Evergreen-S-All-Road-1-1335x890.jpg

[biker72]

2016 Specialized Diverge Comp DSW. Not the fastest or lightest bike I've ever owned but overall the best.

[yashcha]

I dream of a day when i can make a downsize to this: Coupled Ti-Firefly all roads with Sram Etap hydro and 2 nice wheelsets (700CX25, 650BX40).

[ColonelJLloyd]

from the bikes I current have, Elephant NFE.

but if I could get a new bike I would do something similar to the elephant, but in titanium (steel fork though). Pretty much a NFE that is 8 lbs lighter.

Same. My most recent bike pretty is pretty damn close, but I made choices to keep it within a reasonable budget. If I were to do it again with the intention of it being my only bike I would do it armed with what I know now and, if I spent 3x as much, it could be a do-it-all bike with very little compromise aside from time spent swapping wheelsets.

That said, my bike weighs 26.0# with aluminum fenders, dynamo lights, pedals, 2" slicks, cages, front rack, hydro discs and thru axles. Frame and fork are steel and substantial weight could be saved, but probably not 8 pounds. Maybe if it were a completely custom carbon frame and fork. Maybe. It's fun to think about.

[JasonF]

I have already decided (except for the tandem):

[Hilltopperny]

I'd keep my duende cross if I were only allowed one bike to do it all from my current stable of bikes. If I were to have one built it would be very similar, but in titanium.

[joosttx]

Mosaic XT-1

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4310/36015205845_d6c3de54ed_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4271/35308553105_8d935cd013_b.jpg

Its been my only bike since this spring. That will change in a week. Anyway, looks like high-end titanium bikes that accept big diameter tires are winning the thread. Probably because they are smooth to ride and versatile.

[R3awak3n]

Same. My most recent bike pretty is pretty damn close, but I made choices to keep it within a reasonable budget. If I were to do it again with the intention of it being my only bike I would do it armed with what I know now and, if I spent 3x as much, it could be a do-it-all bike with very little compromise aside from time spent swapping wheelsets.

That said, my bike weighs 26.0# with aluminum fenders, dynamo lights, pedals, 2" slicks, cages, front rack, hydro discs and thru axles. Frame and fork are steel and substantial weight could be saved, but probably not 8 pounds. Maybe if it were a completely custom carbon frame and fork. Maybe. It's fun to think about.

26 is respectable weight but all that imo. 8lbs would be hard to shed when you have fenders and racks and like you said, maybe just a pipe dream. I would not want too many weight weenie components on it either because these bikes are meant to be beaten on, they are no garage queens.

I could however imagine a rob english weight weenie frame with a steel fork with front rack and ligthweight bag. I think it would be pretty cool (not a good 1 bike only bike but very cool, very light for what it is, very versatile).

[ColonelJLloyd]

Anyway, looks like high-end titanium bikes that accept big diameter tires are winning the thread. Probably because they are smooth to ride and versatile.

Yeah, I don't think there's really a better way to go about an "only one bike" choice. There are some very compelling stock frame options nowadays as well as several versatile carbon forks to suit ones needs.

That's a great looking Kirk above. Steel frame that fits 700x32 with caliper brakes is all most any of us needs 90% of the time. I won't be parting with mine anytime soon.

[Jimbo251]

Hampsten Ti Strada Bianca.

I need non corrosive bike for Portland rain. Need Fenders for Portland rain. Need bike to fit a decent size tire. Need bike to go fast with skinny tires in summer.
Check, check, check and check.

[R3awak3n]

agree, that kirk is rad. paint is awesome

[owly]

At the moment, it would be this:-
http://theradavist.com/2017/06/calfees-manta-rs-all-road-is-a-smooth-ride-for-rough-roads/#1

[GregL]

My 2004 LeMond Poprad. With a 46/34 crankset and 11-28 cassette, it goes nearly everywhere. When I go on vacation, I bring this bike and two wheelsets (one with 700x25 road tires and another with 700x32 Ritchey Speedmaxes). I can jump in with road group rides one day and hit trails and gravel roads the next.

Greg

[sparky33]

Moots Vamoots CR

Choosing just one is a bit to think about and is something I considered recently in a possible relocation abroad. Pragmatism might have me choose a versatile fenderable cyclocross type of bike to accommodate all types of riding. Though considering that this year's rides are mostly road and that the Moots is what I grab most days, I think I'd miss the Moots more than the others. Not bad for a bike I bought on a whim...but it's the first proper road bike that I always enjoy riding.

The conclusion to pass over my more versatile Kirk, Firefly and Zanc has me scratching my head a bit. These are excellent adventuring bikes but maybe less apt for the pavement that I'm very keen on riding at the moment.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170724/07c958c238661a750b7d562ab461a0c6.jpg

[livingminimal]

My Moth Attack Cross/Groad thing. I just did a week of riding road and gravel in NOVA/DC and It performed flawlessly on everything I threw at it. I even had 40mm schwalbe G-One Speeds and it was perfect.

[sparky33]

starting from scratch, I'd design something really snappy built around a middling dimension fork like the weirdo-fender Enve GRD or even the new Enve road disc which supposedly fits a 32 or so.

Mosaic GT-1 (http://onyourleftcycles.net/mosaic-gt1/)
http://onyourleftcycles.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/mosaic-g1-5-900x600.jpg

Baum Orbis (https://abovecategorycycling.com/journal/baumorbis/)
https://abovecategorycycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/IMG_0615-1024x683@2x.jpg

[fffuhq]

the only 1 i know is n+1:p

[sparky33]

the only 1 i know is n+1:p

well played sir!

[dsimon]

bending the rules huh
Rule #
12
//
The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.

While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.
TwitterFacebookTumblrPinterest

[SlackMan]

Although I do have other bikes, I pretty much ride only my Hampsten Strada Bianca Ti, so it would definitely be that one. Even if I could replace it with another 'only one bike' I have no idea what would I would choose to dominate it.

[gomango]

This is a toughie for me.

I love my Yeti SB5.

It's not going anywhere, as it's the best mtb I've ever owned.

In addition, folks are opening up and expanding mtb courses regionally at a pretty good clip.

Plus our annual trips to Fruita and Moab make this bike mandatory.

That doesn't solve the road bike issue though.

I really think I could solve that by with an Open U.P. or a Strada Bianca ti on the road.

We ride mostly gravel at this point, but they would be great choices for all around bikes if they had the right tires.

Fun to dream.

[R3awak3n]

This is a toughie for me.

I love my Yeti SB5.

It's not going anywhere, as it's the best mtb I've ever owned.

In addition, folks are opening up and expanding mtb courses regionally at a pretty good clip.

Plus our annual trips to Fruita and Moab make this bike mandatory.

That doesn't solve the road bike issue though.

I really think I could solve that by with an Open U.P. or a Strada Bianca ti on the road.

We ride mostly gravel at this point, but they would be great choices for all around bikes if they had the right tires.

Fun to dream.

I need a MTB

[KJMUNC]

My C40 Mapei is as good as all the hyperbole.....I'd pick it above all the others (and often do). Recently added SR11 and Hyperon clinchers and I think it's just about as good as it gets. Just enough room for 28s so I can ride any pavement and gravel if necessary. Just a wonderful all-round bike.

[gomango]

I need a MTB

Look at Yetis when the time comes.

Mine is built with Shimano XT, so it's got the fantastic frameset with durability/function dialed in at a decent pricepoint.

[texbike]

My Philistine response - Redline MonoCog 29r. It's a pig but oh so fun to ride (like a BMX bike for adults). Neighborhood cruising, trails, pub rides, and even a bit on the road.

A few years ago while in France following the TdF, we met a kid from Bend, OR riding up the Peyresourde that was on a MonoCog . At first we were a bit dismissive (typical roadie, right?), but we rode along and talked with him for a few minutes before continuing toward the top. About an hour later he rolled up to the spot where we had stopped to watch the show and decided to hang out with us. That's when he pulled a six pack of cerveza from his back back and offered to share with us. I learned several things that day - 1. Don't be a dismissive, roadie prick, 2. That kid (early 20s) was really cool!, and 3. You CAN ride a single speed mountain bike up European mountain passes. :)

So, as dumb as it sounds, I would choose a Redline MonoCog if I could only have one bike.

Texbike

[93KgBike]

My Bulitt.

[DarkStar]

My Goodrich Sportif!

[Bonesbrigade]

After putting a couple of thousand kms on my English, I think I could live with it as my only bike (I currently have 9 bikes in the rotation!). The English leans more toward a road bike, but I've done some pretty rough trails with it too. 3 wheel sets would be ideal though. A 700 road set with 28s, a 700 set with slick 35s or file treads and 650b set with 47s.

http://i63.tinypic.com/34r8t5d.png

[mistermo]

Baum Orbis (https://abovecategorycycling.com/journal/baumorbis/)
https://abovecategorycycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/IMG_0615-683x455@2x.jpg

When I opened this thread, this was the bike I thought of. I was at AC the other day and saw this. Perfect road biased, yet trail worthy bike.

Second choice was also on display at AC. OPEN UP, which is the flop of the Baum: trail biased, with road suitability.

[colker]

My C40 Mapei is as good as all the hyperbole.....I'd pick it above all the others (and often do). Recently added SR11 and Hyperon clinchers and I think it's just about as good as it gets. Just enough room for 28s so I can ride any pavement and gravel if necessary. Just a wonderful all-round bike.

Good post.