Great looking bikes. Do you agree?

In my recent post about integrated seatposts, I mentioned three bikes that are among my favorites currently on the market, the Ridley Noah, the Giant TCR, and the Cervelo P2C. That post got me thinking about other bikes currently being sold that I really like. I haven’t ridden most of these, so my opinions are based purely on aesthetics. In addition to the three that I already mentioned, road bikes that I think look great are the Trek Madone 5.9, Orbea’s Orca, the Specialized S- Works Tarmac, Giant’s OCR composite 0, and the Scott CR1 team issue. It is tough to pick a favorite, but I will have to go with the Noah. I like the clean design of the frameset as well as the striking graphic treatment, especially the way that the frame graphics flow continuously onto the fork. You have to admit that the Noah is a great looking bike. Then again, maybe you don’t agree. If so, let me know. I didn’t set out to pick only carbon bikes, but the ones that I think look the best all happen to be made from it. Coincidently, my least favorite current bikes are carbon as well, the Pinarello F4: 13 ( I don’t understand the shape of the Onda fork) and the curvy top tubed DeRosa Tango. Less is more is a principle that doesn’t apply to those two framesets; they appear visually busy to me.

As long as I am listing my favorite road bikes, I might as well throw out a few mountain bikes that I really like. My top three are the Trek Fuel X 9.5, the Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR Carbon, and the Ibis Mojo. Though it is not really the type of bike I am normally interested in, I also like the tube shaping and the finishes on the Specialized Enduro Elite. I am tempted to pick the Mojo as my overall favorite because it looks great and really stands out from the current crop of mountain bikes. For some reason though, I am really drawn to the FSR Carbon, so I have to give it my top pick.

Let me know your favorite bikes? Like I said, my picks are based solely on aesthetics. Opinions vary and maybe some of you really love the bikes that I don’t like. I am curious what bike (or bikes) currently on the market that you would chose if money were no object. Leave a comment and let me know.

One last thing, I will be traveling for the next three weeks, so don’t expect any new content for a while. In the mean time, check out the blog links in my sidebar for some great bike blogging.

Posted

March 3, 2006

Miscellaneous

James

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Comments

9 responses to “Great looking bikes. Do you agree?”

Michael Downes

March 3, 2006

James,

I quite agree with your opinion of the Ridley Noah. In fact all the Ridley bikes are pretty cool. I think they have really pushed the boundaries with their color & graphics as well as the frame styling. Did you know that the styling for the Ibis Mojo was done by an industrial designer called Roxanne who works for Pottery Barn of all places.

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James

March 4, 2006

Yes, I was aware of the fact that the Mojo was designed by someone who usually doesn’t design bikes. I think it is great that Ibis was willing to look outside the industry for inspiration. Roxy is mentioned in several places on the Ibis website and is featured in an interview by Scot Nicol.

http://ibiscycles.com/about/where/roxy/

It is no accident that the Mojo stands out among other mountain bikes that borrow styling cues from each other.

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steel is real

March 5, 2006

the new 7-11 replica framset from Eddy Merckx is sweet

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Jonathan Irwin

March 15, 2006

BMC Pro Machine SLC 01 – Best visual design of a bicycle frame…hands down.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&PRODUCT.ID=1833

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MarvinK

May 10, 2006

I wholeheartedly agree with the other BMC SLC01 comment–you can’t beat that. Unfortunately, I can’t afford $3600 frames, either! I will end up with a Scott CR1 Pro or a mid-level Ridley, I imagine.

I’m not a big fan of the aero seat tube/post look… I prefer most other Ridley looks to the Noah, and prefer the look of the Roubaix to the Tarmac. Those Giant carbon bikes offer an amazing value, given their specs, ride and appearance.

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Todd

July 15, 2006

I have a Ridley Damocles in the Belgian National Champion colors. It is a great frame! I had a Trek OCLV like everyone else around here and I liked it. I wanted a monocoque frame with a higher head tube, sloping geometry and unique tube shaping. It’s much stiffer laterally at the bottom bracket and more compliant horizontally in the saddle compared to the Trek. I get favorable comments on its look and uniqueness. It’s a pleasure to ride!

Todd

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Anonymous

October 29, 2006

i had the damocles and how now moved to the Noah. I found the Noah to be an even stiffer frame than the damocles. The noah seems to climb a bit smoother with even less loss of transfer from the pedals to the wheels. I also upgraded to the kysrium ES wheels.

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mark

November 23, 2006

I used to like geared boad bikes until I discovered track bikes. Nothing could look better than the clean lines on this old track bike

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2006/nov/JonBirdseye.htm

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Favorites revisited | Bicycle Design

March 4, 2010

[…] of the great variety of bicycle types that interest me. The question immediately made me think of a post from years ago- March 2006 to be exact- in which I listed a few high-end road and mountain bikes that I really […]

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