mine was a 1971 raleigh chopper in ultra violet because it brings back so many childhood memories and it cost me £38 quite a small fortune in those days!
2009 Genesis Core 40, the fastest, most comfortable and do-it-all surprise for a grand. I only bought it as a 'spare' but I've barely touched my £4k full-suss since it arrived.
Easily my current 575, but the RM Instinct comes close. First full sus, such a light, quick bike. I remember summers of endless power in my legs and I'm sure it was the bike. My brother has it now.
The one on the left (ie. definitely not the one on the right!)
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I cant remember how much my first Chopper was, but I gave £200 for this one and then spent a fair bit on it... Its almost identical to my original except I have a 5 speed sturmey hub built into this one, but I don't have the bezel trim for the twin shifter so just running it with the original 3 speed. I will never sell it so value is unimportant now.
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I have loved all my bikes... too many to picture..
I had a 1993 Manitou HT. the stiffest lightest bike i ever had..
My current bike (Ellsworth Truth) is a close second place.
1990 Stumpjumper Epic.
Brought it back from the US where I'd been working, v. few in the UK.
all my bikes are the best when I'm on them
Funnily enough, it was my recently deceased 2003 Rocky Mountain Element (same as the Instinct posted above) - it should be a bit crap being a basic suspension design and being a size too small for me but somehow it was the most confidence inspiring bike I've had (for XC/Trail type stuff) so I'm pretty gutted at having broken it (snapped the driveside dropout/chainstays) 🙁
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too difficult a question
You might be able to get replacement chainstays?
Mine was a 1999 model btw.
I've only ever not got on with one bike that I owned, a 1999 Cannondale F1000 but that's my fault, I bought it a size too large
If I had to pick one it'd probably be my Evil Sovereign
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The one I'll never sell? My 96 Dekerf.
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2005 Whyte 19. Quite simply the greatest, most flattering bike I've ever owned.
Loved em all at some point. But something new/better always comes along.
Ultimately, riding isn't about what bike you ride, it's about the memories you have regardless of what you're riding at the time.
'88 Fisher CR-7. Cos nostalgia rules.
The one that just arrived today.
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Why? Because its the first bike I have bought second hand that hasnt had a cracked frame and I havnt been ripped off. 1 out of 4 is a pretty crap string of luck.
supergoose mongoose loved that bike saved all my paper round for a year Broke it on the bottom tube it clean snapped off doing a rad jump over something large just felt the bike go long as I landed ...feeling sad now describing this really miss it ...that was over 20 years ago
[img] http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f368/72SeanyBoy72/DSC00751.jp g" target="_blank">http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f368/72SeanyBoy72/DSC00751.jp g"/> [/img]
I agree with mr dialled bikes... All except my iron horse, or as I called it, the shonky donkey.
Usually the current one I own, as rose tinted as my view of my wonderful old Konas and Oranges is, each bike I've bought since has been genuinely better to ride.
My Five was the first bike that made MTBing as, possibly even more exciting than Windsrufing was...
Got to be my Turner - had it getting on for 5 years now and still enjoying...[img] http://www.heavygoods.org.uk/images/Bike Photos/5_Spot_lift.jpg[/img]
uphilla - I take it you used the chairlift to descend? 😉
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It just sits there, crying out for adventures and big long rides whenever I'm not out on it.
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This one, &....
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This one, which happen to be the same one. About 12 years between photo's & It's now my only bike. Irreplaceable as far as I'm concerened. (It's a 'Triggers Brush' as well mind)
My Ti Inbred - just coz its ace, and its the bike I compare everything else to and it always comes out on top...
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had it seven years now, still rides nice
The bike that got me into mountain biking - a muddy fox courier comp. I think it was an '89 model. Lovely brown crackled paint over red- with nice acid house yellow cable outers and logo. I always thought it looked like lava cooling down after an eruption, (but I was indulging in a lot of chemical and herbal substances then- it was considered rude not to)
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Toss up between my Cannondale DH Gemini or my Specialized Enduro pro. The Cannondale was ace doing a month in France rode it every day while I was their all ways regret selling it. The Enduro was a fun do it all bike but two weeks in Canada nearly killed it off.
My GHP bmx bike a long time ago!! Just the best bike I raced and the memories of the whole 80s race scene.
Titus HCR. 6 years old and still competing in XC races every now and again.
My current bike I reckon. DMR Trailstar frame with a mish-mash of various parts. It now has a dual ring setup on it but otherwise the same.
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It's the best because it can do everything and isn't that heavy. Saddle up for XC, put it down for jumping and downhill.
The Pikes feel so good, best forks I've used. Confidence inspiring as they feel stiff with the 20mm maxle. Only thing I'm going to change on the bike for now is a Thomson post and eventually do an overhaul of the drivetrain with some nicer looking parts!
mike-at-dialledbikes - MemberLoved em all at some point. But something new/better always comes along.
Ultimately, riding isn't about what bike you ride, it's about the memories you have regardless of what you're riding at the time.
high5 mike!
The one that got me started some 20 years ago. Muddy Fox Alu Comp. Lasted about 18 years until the frame snapped just before Cristmas. its been through a lot including 3 Strathpuffers. Got the frame welded with a view to rebuilding, but now the bottom bracket has seized in the frame and every bike shop i've tried, are unable to shift it.Its hanging up in the garage now just waiting...waiting...waiting...
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1 coz it's the dream bling bike, the other coz it's just functionally spot on after loads of 'almost right' bmx's.
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... Because its my first custom bike build, its light and amazing to ride 🙂
my fave bikes are the two i still have... my 18 year old Zaskar L.E. and my 15 year old Pantera AL.
For Manwells . . .
[img] http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=y648fc&=1&nostamp=1&quality=70 [/img]
Looked like this after restoration . . .
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Reckon my best bike ever would have to be the old flying V . . . pretty near perfect do-it-all bike
[img] http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=y0mycy&=1&nostamp=1&quality=70 [/img]
. . . although over this weekend I shall mostly be building up [i][b]'the one'[/b][/i] . . . watch this space 😉
The best bike I ever had was actually probably my old Federal Division BMX. So many good times had on that over 2002-2004! Wish I could properly get back into bmx but none of my mates ride any more. No pics of that sadly.
I would have to say this -
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my "old" Turner 5 Spot because it just felt as plush as hell, sorted geometry and so easy to maintain. Sold it because I stupidly thought there was better out there. So I've addressed that problem now and have this -
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But there's one bike that gets more comments and more praise than any I've owned and it's the one I think I built up to a spec that it really deserved and that was my Merlin Oreas. Defintely my best ever hardtail
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mamadirt that restored chopper is awesome how much do you want for it?
I had a 'Birds of Colindale' 531c training bike in the 80s. Covered miles on it. My mate has found some photos to scan of it.
531c frame
MA40 greys on Campag Tipo.
Cinelli bars and stem
Brooks saddle
SR Royale chainset
Modolo brakes & levers
Campag F&R mechs
Salmon profil mudguards
Nice to ride it was.
Chopper was sold soon after the restoration Manwells - fun while it lasted but hey, you gotta move on 😉 . YGM with a couple of links.
1999? Giant 890 ATF hardtail with Rockshox Indy forks.
2004 Kona Coiler, just a total blast to ride, coincided with a change in riding style/aims from XC whippet to all-round play riding. Just sold the frame (against advice from other ex-Coiler owners) as I have 2 new bikes that do a similar job. Hope I dont come to regret it.
In Morocco last spring (in 38lb alpine build, the guides just loved hoisting it on top of a 4x4 every morning... 😀 )
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this (GF hi-fi deluxe 2008)[img] 
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beats this (Frame build CD prophet 09)
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(as it is now) by a long way.
kona coilers just rock 🙂
But my DMR switchback is just epically (spell check says its a word so I'm happy) good, rode it for the first time in 6 months on Saturday, pointed straight down some zig zagged sphincter clenching steps and lived to tell the tale 🙂
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EDIT: now with high roller semi slick rear and high roller front, both 235 SPC, front kevlar, rear steel.
1996 Kona Cinder Cone, think it was the last year they were Cro-Mo frames, was so so sweet on singletrack.
I always fancied a De Kerf, but never had the cash for one.
Leart how to be rad on one of these
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the bike is long gone but the rad is still there [some sort of emoticon]
the thing that started it all,
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thanks for the link mamadirt.
best bike that i still ride alot...11 year old 6" travel super v with modern-ish spec, somewhere between a prophet and a heckler...
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most fun? surly pugsley easy... goes where other bikes dont...
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its between these two for now, kind of wish I had kept the enduro, but then I wouldn't have the alpine. I WANT THEM BOTH!!!!
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mama - have you sold your new model Tazer? I like those.
As for me, my old Trek 970 from about 1990 was great because it's what started me off with mountain bikes (I'd been a BMX kid until then) and had loads of fun at Uni in Newcastle on it - races with mates, weekends away and lots of riding out to Chopwell woods.
2009 Genesis Altitude 20, I enjoy riding it.
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1986 - My old Wilson BMX. Reynolds 501. Landing Gear. Pro Class rims.
My dad bought me the frame, then i worked my ass off (paper round, Saturday jobs)to buy the best parts i could afford to build it up. Taught me a love of riding, and quite a bit about life.
Went all over the North racing it. Happy days indeed 🙂
Munqe-chick, what sort of riding is there in Morocco? Think that's where we're going on our "family holiday" and apparently there are guided mtb rides nearby. Likely to be any good or a bit tame since they're just guided tours rather than "proper" mtb holiday stuff (afaik)?
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One of these two. Very capable - unlike the doughnut that rides them.
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Diamondback Viper, would sell my mother to have it back.
For me its now an easy question - my Ventana
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It was the bike that stopped me being a serial bikeswapper - the first one i kept for longer than 12 months without getting bored of it.
Unbelievably I've had it for 3 years now and it still has the ability to amaze me and make up for my complete lack of natural talent.
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why? because it was my first singlespeed and now makes for commuting smiles 🙂
I wonder if Hora will ever find some bike that is worth keeping for more then a week. Here's hoping eh? 😀
Best bike I've owned is the current one - a 2008 Orange Five. Was the basic S, with upgrades, this seemed better value than spending out on a higher model. Upgrades were:
TALAS RLC 100-140mm which had the TALAS upgraded under warantee to an 09 unit
Hope headset
Hope Pro2 Hubs
Since then I've switched an old faithful XTR rear mech from a previous bike & replaced the external bearing crankset for some Middleburns.
Seems to me that as well as the versatility, they're tougher than most similar bikes.
This one, built up over a year on a tight budget, noname frame from LBS where I grew up a present from the then wife, XT hubs from a bike shop in China, carbon bars from another in France, RC31s paid for with student loan, other bits as cash became available.
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It got nicked four years ago and while the one that replaced it might [i]technically [/i]be better...
That El Ciclon looks as nice as ever Justa
Cheers chucky - rides even better but then you know that 🙂
Take your pick.
http://mybikes.fotopic.net/c734186.html
Enduro, Heckler & Alpine all great fun but having fond memories of the Switchback right now.
Back in the day I had a roadie frame with a Raleigh chopper wheels front and back, it was 3 speed fitted with flat bars and I used to ride it in Garwen Forest better known as 9foot.com
I have since owned several bikes but somehow, maybe because the summers were longer, the grass was greener...
I can't choose.
There's my first proper bike - a 2003 Rockhopper that I kitted out with Hope Minis and sold to a mate who still has it. I get all nostalgic whenever I see it.
My 2004 Enduro, which I've covered thousands of happy miles on. I still have it, but it's in need of forks, wheels and cranks and lives in the garage.
My 2008 Rock Springs, massively entertaining and a very confidence inspiring. Compared to the Enduro it climbs like it's made of lead, is too short in the top tube for all day riding but is guaranteed to put a smile on my face. Since buying it last year I've only used the Enduro twice.
This baby... coz it is unridden yet and the excitement is killing me!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48915937@N05/4482644050/in/photostream/
when I was 12 i had so much innocent fun on my cheap falcon bmx, just riding about town with my mates and messing about, trying to do all the stuff we saw in the mags. It was just meeting up after school, and pissing about on bikes and getting into scrapes and adventures.
I had bikes before that, and bikes after, it was the Falcon that mattered. Probably an age thing! It was a piece of shit!
[img] http://www.bikepedia.com/Images/image.aspx?filename=2000 Specialized Rockhopper A1 Comp FS.jpg[/img]
10 YO
Still going strong
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