What's the best riding frame

[93legendti]

My Ottrott ST and Kirk JKS with Terraplane stays.
The coupled Ti Spectrum I had was in the same categorie.

[stephenmarklay]

Originally Posted by martinrjensen

bikes are like wine. There are good ones and bad ones but not a best one. if you think you have tried the best wine in the world, you just need to drink more and diferent types of wine. All (back to bikes now) have distinct charactistics that if you can define them and notice, you will appreciate when you ride it. This is the best thing about having many bikes. You can have many differnt bikes and ride them all, no problem. Try that with women, go ahead, I dare ya....

From your signature perhaps it looks like you have been fraternizing with some classic bikes. Do you dare tell all?

[Matt Barkley]

Casati EM2 (w U2 tubing) wins because of 1 1/8" steerer but...
ties with DeRosa Merak Deda SC61 10A
ties with Masi/Pegoretti Deda EOM 16.5 steel

...just what I like. Quick, light, nimble, comfortable! they make you want to ride faster and and harder on the flats and up any hill.

[tacopropelled]

Before i broke it, my Bianchi veloce with the weird stays that they used for a bit was my favorite. It was stiff and fun, and occasionally made me feel like an overgrown kid on a giant bmx.

Had a few road bikes between then and now that left me feeling flat.

My club special shares a lot of the qualities my bianchi had. It just puts a smile on my face when I get on it.

[Jack Brunk]

Hard to say what material when great design is added in. A pegoretti CCKMP with the lighweight U2 tubing was the best climing and all around all day 15k climbing day.
A peg love #3 with scandium tubing was right up there as well. I'm really digging my new Primus Mootry 29er steel hardtail. Smooth, fantastic power output and the design is outstanding. I do believe that design and fab is a large part of the total equation when it comes to the best bike.

[kramnnim]

I would've cast another vote for the Look 585, but I've enjoyed the 586 I just got...seems to be a slight improvement.

[cuda2k]

The best of the short list I've had the pleasure to ride thus far, would likely be my 83 Gazelle Champion Mondial AB-Frame, full 531c. Quicker to respond than my Serotta Nova, but still provides stage-race levels of comfort in my opinion. Currently built with a mix of Campy 10sp parts and Campy/Open Pro wheels.

But ask me again in 6mo and I will probably be happy to describe the ride of a Kirk JKS-C with terraplane stays.

[lavi]

Don't know why, but it was my Merckx MXL. I sold it of course.

[fiataccompli]

impossible question to answer, I think. If anything I think my Columbus SL 1986 (or so) Bertoni Professionale (56cm frame) in a retro-modern build w/ 10spd Record & anti-weight-weenie Brooks B17, 36 spoke wheelset, is perhaps my favorite...though it is not the first one I will reach for each time.

I keep building and tweaking things to find that ideal frame/fit/ride, but I think in truth what was said above about wines applies quite appropriately. What kind of riding I'm in the mood for may also come into play too...

[DarkStar]

Toss up between my Colorado Ti and the Goodrich. My '85 Gios Torino SR was very smooth, great long distance bike, never raced, far too nice to trash in some silly crit, and too whippy for my 190lbs.

[cnighbor1]

If you want to just float along with all bumps being minimized than it is my 1959
Hecthins

[Steve in SLO]

I can't pick just one, but amongst the notables have been:
Specialized S-Works M2
Merckx Team SC
Anvil Chisel
Speedvagen road
Moots Psychlo-X
Meivici
Black Sheep 29er

I still own 5 of them.

[dlui]

I love my Bridgestone Velo 3000, came out before the RB series. Bought frameset at a swap many years ago, built it up with DA 8sp. still part of my stable.

[slidey]

Winner: Ridley Excalibur.

Competitors: Merckx MX Leader, Merckx Premium

[veggieburger]

Here's a little more of a generic answer - a cross bike.

I appreciate the relaxed angles, generally wider tires, more upright riding position and forgiving gearing. You have the ability to go plenty fast, and also ride dirt trails. Plus cross bikes are just...fun.