Absolutley not, just like cars (I'm talking 'hobby' or fun cars). The chase is half the fun, the buying, speccing, building, customising.
Changed my last car, an old Lotus, after two years just recently, always found it interesting talking to the old boys in the club who would proudly proclaim how they ordered this car new in 1997 and still have it... I respect that, but also - have you never fancied trying something else?
Love the bikes I have now, absolutely bought the right ones, but none of them will last more than a couple of years before I get itchy feet. Anbd something always has to go to make room for the new stuff.
You may often ride other bikes, and you may buy new bikes, but you’ll never sell this bike, and still ride it often enough to warrant its ownership
Well, if that's the criteria - then it's undoubtably my Tripster. Ridden more than the other bikes, cos I commute on it. And it's a great pre-gravel-bikes gravel bike. Pretty too 🙂
There's not a "The One", but there's definitely some bikes that I bond with and enjoy much longer than others.
My mk1 Cotic Soda was one. Light, springy, went like poo off a shovel. Never stopped enjoying riding it, but it got to the point that chopping back and forth from my full sus took 2 or 3 rides to get used to riding it quick again. Used it for 11 years as an MTB, then it had a second lease of life as a gravel bike with 650b wheels and rigid forks.
Swapped that in 2018 for a MkV Soul, which I still have, and is currently the nearest to "the one". Light enough and nimble enough I can chuck it around properly; long enough, slack enough, solid enough to take some real abuse. Still got some give to it (but not like the Soda). Unfashionable wheel size, but I can still most riders honest on it, and there's very little I can't attempt up or down on it. I've ridden DH courses on it, multiday bikepacking stuff and a LOT of just razzing round the woods and moors. Rarely does it not make me grin like a loon.
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The other easy one is my Enigma ELite HSS. 40th birthday present to myself. Took a lot of finding, but by the time I was out the carpark on the demo I knew it was right. Pretty light for a steel bike, rim brakes are absolutely fine on a summer "best bike" and I enjoy the feel of making it go. Just pedalling the thing makes me smile. I need to be in shape to get the best out of it, but that's part of the appeal. 9 years on, its only cost me tyres, brake pads and a chain, which is nice too...
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🤔I've had many🤣
My old V1 sample 520 frame Genesis Equilibrium. It's accumulated so many winter miles that I'm determined to see how long it lasts. The carbon fork came off it at about 10 years old, now has a nice Tange lugged fork. I should have a Croix de Fer in the garage too really but I chopped and changed there, didn't keep one long term.
Giant Defy 2014 with 10 speed 105. Upgraded with Hope x Pacenti wheels.
Its now been semi-retired and replaced by my new Basso Venta but i'll never sell the Giant and intend to use it for occasional summer blasts.
Its hugely sentimental as i bought it to do a charity ride from London to Snowdonia in memory of my brother who died in 2013. Have also ridden it from London to Amsterdam in 2018.
I’ve only got a Giant Anthem Advanced. I know my limits at 55 so light and comfortable suits me fine. I can get a decent lick out of it and it’s good for a 3hr wang about.
It’s got my old ti Jones bars on so no one has ever asked for a go on it 😂
Absolutley not, just like cars (I’m talking ‘hobby’ or fun cars). The chase is half the fun, the buying, speccing, building, customising.
Changed my last car, an old Lotus, after two years just recently, always found it interesting talking to the old boys in the club who would proudly proclaim how they ordered this car new in 1997 and still have it… I respect that, but also – have you never fancied trying something else?
This is an interesting one, earlier this year I bought another Peugeot 205 XS - having owned (and rallied) one for about 10 years previously. I love the little thing, and had put it on my list of things never to be sold, but just lately it's not been starting great, the local roads are so bad the interior is constantly making horrific noises, and there are quite a few niggly little jobs cropping up, that I've thought maybe I'd be better off with something a bit newer like a Clio 172 or 182. Just deciding you're never going to sell something seems to be a bit self harmish, why deprive yourself of something better.