I've been mulling over this question for a while, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm really happy that I don't have to have just one bike forever.
I currently have a 1998 Ibis Mojo as my "Mountain Bike" (but much more like modern "gravel" bikes in its setup, with original WTB Offroad Drop bars, unsuspended fork, and new RH 55-559 Humptulips Ridge knobbies that really go a lot faster on pavement than any previous knobby tire on that bike); a 1999 match-built Rivendell Road sort-of-custom as my "mostly paved" riding bike; and a 2005 orange Quickbeam as my commuter. I guess I got "serious" about riding when I received a Bianchi Volpe in 1989 as a college graduation/22nd birthday present. That'll be 33 years, so, assuming I can ride for 33 more years (to age 88!), I'd be about halfway through my "more than just riding to class" riding years. Of course, having had metastatic cancer, I realize that there's a good chance I won't make it to 88, but I can always hope. With my 2nd surgery in late 2020, I get my "very likely cancer free" silver star sticker at the end of 2025, and "really very very likely cancer free" gold star sticker at the end of 2030. One bike would have to replace all 3. Honestly, even if I only had space for one full sized bike, I'd find space for a Brompton and use it for commuting, while keeping the full sized bike for "go far" (no longer "go fast") rides. Material: I've never had a titanium bike. I've broken a few steel frames, but I'm no longer over 100kg, so I doubt I'll break any more, but I'd go for brushed titanium. It's just pretty! Style: I'm OK with a sloping top tube, but I like a straight top tube. It's just a nice place to put my frame fit "adult sized" pump, plus there's room for two full sized water bottles. Handlebar: All my bikes have drop bars, but the WTB's cause the most wrist and hand pain after a long ride, so either a less flared "off road" drop bar, or something different like a Jones H bar. I'd like to test the bar for a week or three first. Wheels/Tires: I'd build this bike around 48-584 Rene Herse Juniper Ridge or 55-584 Umtanum Ridge "fast knobbies." Front would absolutely have to have a dynamo hub. I've never had one, but might get a dynamo setup someday "soon." Gearing: This will cause some consternation: Pinion P-18 with Gates belt drive. I ride 28-622 tires on the Rivendell, 24-36-46 with an 11-23 9-speed. That's 113 gear inches for the highest gear and 103" for the 46x12. 103 gear inches or thereabouts is fine, I could live without my very highest gear. On the Ibis, it's 24-35-46 with 12-36 9-speed, and that works out to be a 17.5" bottom gear and 19.7" next-to-bottom gear. Do I absolutely have to have that whole range? No, that's why I have the two bikes, but the thought experiment is about one bike, and the P-18 would do that. Playing with http://www.gear-calculator.com (which is a fun toy!), there's no pull-down for 48-584, so picking 50-584, with the P-18 and a 32t chainring and 30t cog (the standard gearing for a Pinion is about 1:1, with 30/30 being a good starting point), that gives me a 101" top gear and 16" bottom gear. I'm not getting any younger, so a lower top and bottom gear seem reasonable. It seems that the Gates drive chainrings/sprockets are in even teeth only, so 32/30 it is (but 33/30 would be better, oh well). Pedals: This is where the "1 bike only" requirement is a problem. I love my Grip King pedals on the Quickbeam, but I also love Ritchey XC ("mountain bike" style or "walk like a normal human being when off the bike" style) step-in pedals on the Ibis and Rivendell. I guess I could get the Grip Monarch and appropriate shoes. Racks and Bags: Yes, but the question wasn't about what racks/bags to have forever, so I may change those over time. Fenders: Probably, I like them on the Quickbeam, but tend to avoid riding in the rain on the "go far" Ibis or Rivendell. Anyway, barring a lottery win, I doubt I'll be buying something like this any time soon, but it's been an interesting thought experiment. Drew -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e25db248-b522-49aa-b32e-2b87b72f201an%40googlegroups.com.
