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.
Location: Noosaville, Sunshine Coast, Australia
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