Beautiful bikes

[rydabent]

In my old age, since about 2005 I have gone totally bent. But the most beautiful bike I have ever seen was at a RANS rally. It was a titanium frame Stratus with a metal flake paint job. It looked like the paint was 3D and the metal flakes were floating in the paint.

[Flowrider]

Nice, and for me, the best bike I've ever ridden so far was my Giant Reign, a 26" dual suspension. Other than regular services, the maintenance for wear and tear over 7 years doing regular mountain bike rides was minimal in cost.

You know you can actually get attached to a bike and be sad when it goes. I upgraded to a Giant Fathom which has been great so far

[JJMarsh]

(07-21-2026, 05:18 PM)rydabent Wrote:  In my old age, since about 2005 I have gone totally bent. But the most beautiful bike I have ever seen was at a RANS rally. It was a titanium frame Stratus with a metal flake paint job. It looked like the paint was 3D and the metal flakes were floating in the paint.

That sounds like a beautiful bike! Titanium frame with metal flake paint is a great combination. Stratus is a classic bent.

[Mr. Beanz]

I've had 15 or so bikes but the nicest paint job I had was on a Lemond Chambery. Could never get a pic to do it justice but the yellow paint has some great metal flakes that reflect blue and green as if floating in the paint. I didn't really like it at first as it was a frame and fork replacement on a warranty claim but once I got it out in the sun, I fell in love with it. Not to mention the best riding bike I have ever been on. Sadly the frame cracked on a climb at the alum section of the bike. I miss that bike!

   

[GirishH]

This might be considered sacrilegious or cheating, but when I rode my fat bike, I thought it was the most beautiful bicycle in the world—simply because it introduced me to so many beautiful places, people, and cultures.
   

Now, as I ride a friend's MTB, I think it's just as beautiful because it has shown me the magic of the monsoons across the Western and Southern parts of India. MisterGordo would have been an ideal partner too, but since he's not here, I had to "cheat."
   

(07-31-2026, 05:28 PM)Mr. Beanz Wrote:  I've had 15 or so bikes but the nicest paint job I had was on a Lemond Chambery. Could never get a pic to do it justice but the yellow paint has some great metal flakes that reflect blue and green as if floating in the paint. I didn't really like it at first as it was a frame and fork replacement on a warranty claim but once I got it out in the sun, I fell in love with it. Not to mention the best riding bike I have ever been on. Sadly the frame cracked on a climb at the alum section of the bike. I miss that bike!

[Sidewinder]

Best bike I ever rode was my tricked-out Powerlite Cruiser... wish I had photos of it. The bike got stolen, it's a long story, so I'll skip that part, lol. My Powerlite had Araya rims, stainless spokes, Bullseye hubs, Specialized knobbies, alloy cranks & pedals, alloy neck & bars, 2-finger Haro brake levers, good grips (can't recall the brand), and a few other bells & whistles. It was a freewheel, set up specifically for pool & park riding, but it also hauled ass around the (mostly) flat town of Coronado. To this day, I miss that bike... I could lift it with a finger, it was that light! Oh, well, at least I got to ride it for awhile before some wanker stole it... I hope the jackhole got hit by a truck, lol. Naturally, on the day it was stolen, I was distracted by alcohol and a couple of good-looking gals from San Rafael. My friend was with me, and his bike got stolen too... a regular Schwinn beach cruiser.

Haven't been here at the site in awhile, been riding out the ridiculous heatwave... not much home rehab work getting done either, but this heat will pass! The cats & I are lying low, waiting for cooler fall days, lol.