So a simple question; what's you're favourite bike that you have owned? Not necessarily the best or most exotic, but the bike you have a real soft spot for?
I've owned a good few, starting with a basic steel frame I salvaged (nicked) from a skip and built up when I was about 15. I then owned a series of improving bikes through my late teens - a couple of 531 steel frames and then a Vitus 979 which I had for about 15 years. Since then a couple of Bianchis.
Then onto mountain bikes - my first was a Kona Lava Dome (94 or 95), rigid, canti brakes. A Scott Genius and then one of the first Giant Anthems (the 80mm one). Since then I've had a (briefly) an Orange Five, a Nukeproof Mega and now an IBIS Mojo as well as a Charge Duster Skinny.
Can't say any of them have been bad bikes, though I didn't much enjoy the Genius. But the standout by a mile was my Vitus. For those that don't know it was one of the first aluminium road bikes (along with the similar Alan bikes). The frame used fairly narrow gauge ally tubes and was glued at the lugs. Because of the small gauge ally tubing it was quite flexible (front derailleur rub was almost inevitable when hard out of the saddle). But this also made it the most comfortable bike I've ridden and didn't seem to prevent it from being super quick and responsive. Every road bike I've ridden since has felt leaden and unforgiving by comparison. Mine was eventually built with a full Campag Chorus groupset and to my eyes was a thing of beauty. Pic below shows the same frame:
To my huge regret I sold it about 15 years ago. I really wish I hadn't. I'm going to keep a close eye on eBay and build myself one this year with a similar spec. ...... if anyone has one.......
As for mountain bikes, without doubt, the one I have a soft spot for is the Anthem, though the Kona runs it close. Neither are built up anymore but they won't be getting sold
2001 Trek Fuel 90, seeing as it got me back on two wheels after a long absence.
Prior to that? This beauty (only mine had the first Look clipless pedals):
1986 Bianchi Premio
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Both of my current bikes- my Calibre Dune is always a laugh to ride, and my Remedy 29 is just fantastic at what it does (took a bit of effort to get there though).
And the one that got away, my Ragley Ti. Ruined me for lesser hardtails, I couldn't have replaced it like by like but it got sold to fund the fatbike (and a 3d printer...)
Surly Big Dummy, for sure. 
OnOne Fatty with a carbon fork.
One I'd never sell? Singular swift. Owned for 9 years so far
That would be my Road Logic. I'm not saying I'll never sell. But it would have to be something pretty special that replaces it.
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I had a canondale f600 hardtail in like 96/97, it was the small so had the killer v style frame, canary yellow. Loved that bike. It was perfect! Ran it for xc all dayers, trials, dirt jumping, limited dh we had. It got nicked, I was destroyed!
The klein that replaced it just didn't do the job
Trusty Rusty, AKA 'Triggers Brush'. The only 2 original tubes are the RH seat & chainstays. I've had it since 1995ish but it was built in 1990.
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Still my everyday 'ride from the house' bike & I'll NEVER get rid of it!
Mid nineties mongoose iboc comp. First proper build from frame up. Had zoom finishing kit, dx thumbies, p2 fork. Awesome and climbed like a goat. Looked amazing too with it's bonded frame. I gave it to my dad in the end. It is still in use, but only does allotment runs with tools bungied on.
I'll never sell my old Marin. I've had it since 2000, I think it's 92/93.
But for now my favourite bike has to be this;
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It's a Dave Hinde something or other. I don't know why I like it so much I just do, it's not like I'm even into the sort of riding it's best for.
(I'm not responsible for the paint job)
05 Demo 8, did my best riding on that. Stolen 🙁
04? Apollo Vortice BMX, bought to get from A to B at uni, absolute riot. Sold so I could afford to take a girl out on a date...
it it would have to be a pretty dire set of circumstances for me to consider selling my 5010...
My Whyte T130.
Does everything absolutely brilliantly...
Unlike others though, i would sell it.
My old ST4. Amazing trick of being a short travel, firmer feeling bike, with a just enough travel in reserve when needed, nippier than a Five, lighter than a Five, lower than a Five. Less monster truck more WRC rally car...
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/download/file.php?id=9996
My old Intense Tracer FSR. Did everything so well and the suspension felt way more than the 80mm on offer. I was gutted when it got stolen. 🙁
The pic (if it worked) is not my bike but the same frame color.
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Hard to choose between my first full sus - 1999 RM Instinct and my Yeti 575, I suppose I had them during my peak riding years.
Got to be my Production Privee Oka.
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4767/39966045662_f3992a1cde_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4767/39966045662_f3992a1cde_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/23TEqYN ]POka. Shutcastle. January 2018[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/79912681@N06/ ]kayak23[/url], on Flickr
I picked it up pretty cheap as an Ebay bargain and instantly it was leagues ahead of other hardtails I'd owned before, such as a Transition Transam, Dialled PA, Norco Bigfoot, Identiti Jekyll, Tomac Omen. I realised then that steel, built in a specific way can do great things for ride quality.
Only trouble with it was, the colour was boring black and grey...boring, boring, boring...
Because of this, I bought a PP Shan 917. Beautiful bike but it always felt a smidge short for me, while the Oka was about 30mm longer in the toptube.
So, I got the Oka painted as above.
Perfect 🙂
My old steel Sunn Cyclos CX bike, the first bike that fitted me properly. I brought the frame for £20, added a £35 wheelset, original green Michelin muds, loved it.
Well I have had a few to choose from (understatement alert) - but I'd have to say my Scott CR1 SL - it's just exactly what I want in a road bike. Light, fast, comfy with the right wheels, nippy handling.
Had one when the frames were sold off cheap, chopped it in for a Defy and regretted it, then was lucky enough to get a nice one at a super price off the classifieds courtesy of theboatman Stevie. Cheers pal!
I hope to spend many more happy years with it.
Kiddyback tandem. More smiles/mile than any other bike I have owned. Most of my kids old primary school have ridden on the back. It has been everything I could have wanted. It cheers the soul in dark times, gets kids chatting, goes fast and far. And provides all the strength training you could ever want!
for myself, it's my fixed wheel road bike. Rode the m25 ring on it again this weekend. I'd like a higher quality steel version eventually.
For me it is my Pugsley. Never fails to make me smile. I've had some great rides on it and it was also a 20th wedding anniversary present which adds to the attachment.
Other bikes I have are great too. I also have some past bikes that have left good memories.
But if picking just 1 bike. It is the Pugs.
One I'd never sell:
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4632/39999949341_410087d50b_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4632/39999949341_410087d50b_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/23WEcmZ ]2018-01-16 13.24.06[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/warpcow/ ]Mike Jones[/url], on Flickr
One I did sell and wish I never had:
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4695/26127842908_a7c0e57a87_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4695/26127842908_a7c0e57a87_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/FNQ2q9 ]2013-11-26 15.01.48[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/warpcow/ ]Mike Jones[/url], on Flickr
Liteville 301 - got nicked - gutted!
My beloved Sheryl.
A Top Fuel 110. Fully XTR'd and everything was kept top spec.
We had a party for her including Champagne at the top of a local hill once.
Loved that bike.
It was stolen and I spent 2 years trawling eBay and Gumtree looking for her. Not sure what I'd have done to the tea leaves if I'd have caught them in the act. Finger nails and drilling teeth simply wouldn't have satisfied me...
A Tracker when I was a kid. Everyone else had Grifters with twist shift, but the Tracker had 3 speed Sturmery Archer thumb shift, suspension and a massive drum brake that seemed to send people over the bars. Best Christmas present ever, but it weighed a ton!
It’s a tough one really as I have had plenty of bikes I have loved at the time but they always get moved on in the end. Ride wise my current Segment and p7 are best and I think they’re great but am under no illusions that they will chopped in at some point. Never really missed any of the modern bikes I have sold as I have been lucky enough to get an equally great one next.
Regrets would come from my retro bikes. I wish I hadn’t sold my original 89 Clockwork in the early 2000’s, wish I hadn’t sold the mint 92 21” Vitamin T I got hold of and really enjoyed building, riding and looking at a full resto 93 Clockwork I did.
I have a 2003 S-Works M5 hardtail, which I still adore. It's old now, and has a very light but flexy wheelset that needs to move on, but the handling is telepathic and there's still nothing faster over light to moderate twisting terrain.
Cannondale Rush (original one). The perfect XC bike.
Whyte T129 SCR Works '15.
Best bike I've owned. It did a little bit of everything well. Wish I didn't sell it. I had a T129 '17 for a while, but it did nothing for me. Slightly geo & spec changes ruined it for me. Would buy this back in a heartbeat.
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(I know it should only be one, but it's so close that it needs to be included).
Stooge Mk1/2.
First Rigid & SS bike. It opened my eyes to what's possible and what you can get away with. It was like a big BMX and it was ace. I also had a Mk2 and would love another.
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Bianchi Azzura - 1986. My first proper road bike, it absolutely flew.
Yeti 575 from about 8 years ago great bike always felt special riding it.people would stop me just to look at it.wish I could afford another yeti now but sadly out of my league.
Nukeproof Mega AM. Just amazing.
The is the one that felt the most special:
Still in use by my eldest (in the photo - now 15)
Funnily enough, both of the ones that I'd nominate are currently hanging in the shed waiting for me to get round to selling them. The fact that I haven't done so for months should probably tell me something though.
First is my Surly ICT, my first fatbike. Not the fastest bike, but always fun. Proper monster truck, go anywhere stupidity. I also think it looks great in photos 🙂
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Then there is my trusty 2013 26" Five. I've bought other bikes to "replace" this a few times now. Most recently a Smuggler, which was undoubtedly a better bike in all respects. But I still ended up selling it and going back to the Five. Not sure why. Again it's not the fastest, but always fun (there is a theme here). I am contemplating trying the full-suss 29er thing again this year though, so maybe I will finally sell this Five, but I wouldn't bet on it.
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I don't think I'll ever be able to part with this.....
Mu old 456, the geometry just worked well even if it's no longer fashionable. Either that or my CAAD4 road bike.
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My Genesis Fortitude Race. This is an early incarnation of it, it had a few upgrades after this.
A Raleigh Burner in 1984!
Thereafter I would have to say my 2009 Lapierre Zesty 514 which I sold last year. Unfortunately it's replacement with all the newfangled modern updates hasn't recaptured the love of full suss riding that I had on that thing.
I would have said my old 2006 Enduro until recently, but I seem to have rediscovered a love for steep n' fast so now it's my old Cove Shocker.
This one isn't mine, but mine was Orange, I don't seem to have any pics of it any more. I spend a FORTUNE on a custom build, including Avid Code brakes which almost never worked, but on the few times both ends were working they'd try to pull your face off and 888 WC TI fork which looked amazing but were harsh as **** whatever you did with them. I rode it about half a dozen times a year, the rest of the time it sat in my living room looking lovely - then I stripped it to sell, and no one wanted the frame so that hung on the wall for a it, rebuilt it again with Hope V2s which worked every time, had little feel but were more powerful that the Codes! And another set of 888 WC TI which, despite costing me £900 a few years before, were being sold, brand new by the UK Dist for £250.. they were still harsh. Rode it in whistler, nearly put my back out trying to lift the thing and then finally sold it to a guy in Cypress.
I've just noticed that Cove now make a 650b conversion kit for them which also makes them longer (but only the back, not the top tube of course) and slacker (slackness was never a problem with Cove!) so I really want another one!
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.8px;">Still in use by my eldest (in the photo – now 15)</span>
This is superb recycling (arf) of classic 26" wheel bikes 🙂 My 575 is in use by my 15 year old. It's a bit Trigger's Broom though - only the grips and brakes are the same as my photo!
My old Dekerf ... always fun and cant imagine not having it
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8002/29771074965_c2e791aaac.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8002/29771074965_c2e791aaac.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/MmLxnX ]IMG_20160909_164748402_HDR[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/46083140@N06/ ]aus23[/url], on Flickr
Charge Plug.
Nothing special really, but the combination of big tyres, full length mudguards and decent, quiet reliable brakes has made it my go to bike every time. I've had some amazing rides just exploring little back roads, especially between Falkirk and Cumbernauld, and it's just kept rumbling along even when the road turns out just to be a track. Basically living up to the 'gravel'/'allroad' label perfectly.
Unfortunately, and perhaps predictably, my wonky knees and hips are contriving to make pushing a single gear a bit uncomfortable, so either I need to shell out for a bigger freewheel, or maybe go the whole hog and stick some gears on the back and a bar end shifter on the bars. The bike is good enough to deserve it.
I look back at my old 2005 SX Trail very fondly - it was too heavy, the seat amgle too slack and it was a bit porky but it was bloody ace and a lot of fun. The subsequent bikes were 'better' (better fit, longer, lower, slacker etc) but they haven't been as much fun - my current Scout gets pretty damn close though.
My stolen Stanton Ti Switchback (frst generation) is also a bike that I miss an awful lot - it was very very pretty and nicer to ride than the second generation version despite being shorter. For me, the first generation Ti had an awful lot more feel and zing than the later version.
Mmm Dekerf Elysium... Nice!
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Gotta be my Rumblefish. </span><br style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Over five years with it now and no inclination to change bikes.</span><br style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Out of all the toys I’ve bought over the years including many motorbikes and expensive fancy cars, the Rumble has to be my best purchase. I’ve had more fun and larks with this bike than with anything else.</span><br style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">There are many other bikes out there which I’m sure are way better, but it does everything I ask of it and it fits just right.</span><br style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">I’m sure in the right hands it could do a whole load more though …</span></p>
Arrghhh .. why can't I edit the html tags out - they weren't there when I previewed.
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Gotta be my Rumblefish. </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Over five years with it now and no inclination to change bikes.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Out of the toys I’ve bought over the years including many motorbikes and expensive fancy cars, the Rumble has to be my best purchase. I’ve had more fun and larks with this bike than with anything else.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">There are many other bikes out there which I’m sure are way better but it does everything I ask of it and fits just right.</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">I’m sure in the right hands it could do a whole load more though …</span>
Gotta to be my Rumblefish.
Over five years with it now and no inclination to change,.
Out of all the toys I've bought over the years including many motorbikes and fancy cars the Rumble has to be my best purchase. I've had more fun and larks with this bike than with anything else.
My Kona Bandwagon - we've been together for 8 years and been through some tough times. commuting 20 miles per day over Cumbrian hills in the winter of 2010 springs to mind.
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My Ibis Mojo. Not my first or last FS bike but the one which truly taught me what an AM bike was capable of.
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I’m rather enjoying my Ibis plus mojo I gotta say! Fun fun fun !
I like riding ti hardtails though too but a decent full suss like the Ibis is a revelation.
Singular Swift, i'm rebuilding it at the mo for another season.... big shout to seatpost man for keeping her alive...with no mediums around I was starting to panic!
my first proper BMX Supergoosemongoose- fully drilled rims for weight saving!- long long gone
My robert Millar King of the Mountain as its my first road bike- up the attic potentially re buildable
My old Haro Sport BMX. Not only was it a great bike but we had so many fun times together. Road trips, jams, comps or just out riding with mates and dicking about. It was made extra special as it was a replacement for the only bike i had stolen. My mate Will, (owner of DIG BMX) was in America and knew i needed a new bike so blagged this off Brian Blyther for me. BRIAN ****ING BLYTHER!!! 😀
Back in the day you didn't really take pictures of your bikes in a field or leant against a tree, so the only pics i have are with me on it.
Some of you may not understand this but it was my Yeti 575.
Had to sell it because it was too small for me but God I miss that bike.
Easy for me - My 853 Inbred. It's 10 years old now and it's had 100mm, 115mm, 120mm 130mm and 140mm forks on it, plus rigid forks. It's been 3x9, 2x10, 1x11 and singlespeed, it's been my mountain bike, my commuter and my tourer. It's been 3 colours, welded twice (one new chainstay) and nearly had the mech hanger ripped off at 2 weeks old (I was annoyed!)
Its not without its faults but the new chainstay cured the catastrophic chain suck , and they can have it when they pry it out of my cold dead hands. If I can no longer ride it I'll strip it to a frame and hang it on the wall.
Similar to OP, started on a custom-build based on an old 80s road bike (Carlton Cyclone) at 15yrs old. Loved it a lot rode 1000s of miles.
Hardtail: Cannondale F type (very sadly gone)
Touring: British Eagle tourer (very sadly gone)
Do it all: 1990 was a lugged steel Dawes ATB with Exage and Biopace, loved it to pieces.
Now is a Genesis monstercross/tourer. Nearly sold it because missd an MTB, but am glad it stayed as is a perfect blend of oldskool ATB and the Carlton roadie/tourer. A great great bike.
Favourite utility bike: Batavus Personal. Bloody brilliant. Carries tons, takes no maintenance except a squirt of brake grease once a year.
Santa cruz blur 4X loved that bike, apart from the bearings and bushes committing hari kari every 3 months
My two current bikes, a DMR Trailstar LT and a Specialized Pitch, no need to move on from either of them despite the deeply unfashionable 26" and unbreakable 8speed.
Why did Spesh name a recent 29er hardtail the Pitch too? Weird, it's like the Ford Kuga / Cougar...
Surly Steamroller. So fast, so comfortable, so much fun!
choppersquad
Some of you may not understand this but it was my Yeti 575
Why wouldn't people understand? Cos they've not owned one?
Some nice bikes on here, including Bregante's Richey, which is a lovely looking bike.
Surprised to see the Dave Hinde MTB on page one. The bloke is a knob, but picked a surprising good frame out of whatever catalogue he used. My uncle still rides my first ever proper MTB as an everyday bike with slick tyres.
For me, I can't ever see myself without a bike like my Genesis DayOne, though I would like to make a posh tubed version of it.
I have to agree with a previous poster on the Orange ST4 being a ridiculously capable bike for the amount of travel it had.
It climed like a mountain goat, devoured Singletrack and went downhill just as good as the Five it replaced. Really regret selling it and miss that bike so much, I emailed Orange when they had been discontinued for about a year and they had one kicking about they would sell me but I decided to build another Cotic Soul instead (Soul was a very close second though). I am constantly scouring eBay for a nice 16” ST4 frame, I think I’ll end up with another Soul though to be fair as I have loved and regretted selling the 3 I built/rode and sold.
Not sure if I’m just trying to relive my youth but I am also on the hunt for a 1997(ish) Trek 930 with the red and black paint or a Trek Y22 in the nice cream colour they did It in, rode and cracked 4 of them but I’d have another in a heartbeat.
Motorbike wise... probably my 1997 TL1000s, only recently parted with it as I was offered a good price for it and had to make some room, waiting to see if the K4 GSXR1000 that replaced it makes me smile as much.
Still in use by my eldest (in the photo – now 15)
He's going to be sooo pleased that you posted that picture of him!
Santacruz superlight, sold before 26” bikes lost all their value but regret it now
Genesis fortitude race, took ages to find a good second hand one because i dithered first time round
Tarmac disc, so much fun compared to Roubaix that it replaced and it stops when i want to
Raleigh mustang rigid mtb.
Was a complete BSO looking back, but it was the start.
It would have been my Gary Fisher Marlin Disc until I cracked the frame on more first ever visit to a trail center (FOD). Got this 2012 Trek 3900 as a replacement under warantee. Put all the parts from the GF onto it. The Deore Hydros must be over 10 years old by now. 3rd set of forks! Multiple drivetrains, handlebars, stems. It was much better when it had suspension but my maintenance routine wasn't sufficient for daily commutes off road.
These are better bikes but I've ridden them enough recently to remember!
Hmmm, liked them all but most have come and gone.
I guess my 2004 Cannondale Jekyll (600 maybe) first new and complete bike since my 89 Mustang. Really opened up proper biking for me and was more than capable for my skill level at the time.
My 09 Five is a close 2nd as it fits like a glove and again I can attempt anything on it that I am capable of doing. Kept for long enough to be grumpy old man out of date for most new standards. Only tempting to swap to a later one <2013 to get dropper capability, new taper forks and Maxle.