By Glenn E. Bo
After a memorable winter that bestowed an unusually high amount of snow upon us here on the East Coast, country and city roads now beckon, and they have never looked more appealing. If you’ve spun the winter away on a stationary bike or are still hibernating in a gym, awaiting warmer weather, give yourself a nudge and head over to the nearest bike shop. Even if you’re content with your current ride but have yet to roll it out the door this season, a visit pays dividends, for there’s nothing like the smell of a bike shop in spring to motivate oneself to hit the road. A caveat: The scent is intoxicating and you may return home with a new bike, which is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if it’s one of the bikes featured here.
If you’ve ever longed to throw your legs across a custom bicycle, 2011 is the year to realize your dream. Custom-built frames, tailored to your body and riding style compete effectively on price with higher-end offerings from larger manufacturers, provided the components are selected wisely. Clothes are tailored, cars are optioned and living spaces are fashioned to suit one’s personality, so why overlook something as personal, functional and beautiful as a bike? There’s a new crop of builders creating stunning machines that won’t require riders to be on a waiting list for years.
No one bike does everything well (though some come close to being great all-around performers), so if you can have only one bike in your stable, be sure it’s designed around the type of riding you do most often. While we lust over the latest carbon and custom offerings just as the Tifosi do with the release of each new Ferrari, we know that staying focused yields a two-wheeled companion that will see the most use and deliver the most enjoyment over the long haul.
We were once told that “adults don’t take three-hour bike rides—only kids do.” But choose the right bike and three hours will seem like child’s play. Whether you’re new to road riding, an enthusiast looking to upgrade or a club rider seeking more performance, the bikes on this list merit attention and will perform admirably. It doesn’t hurt that they also have looks, performance and personality to boot. The only thing they lack is you.
Made-to-Measure: Seven Cycles Halcyon
Touring cyclists, take note: This could be the last bike you’ll buy. Seven only sells frames and, in tandem with your local dealer, you provide it with all the measurements and data it needs, in addition to completing its exhaustive questionnaire, to tailor a frame specifically for your body. When completed and shipped to your dealer, you choose the optimum components to complete the bike. Seven also utilizes manufacturing methods dedicated to minimizing environmental impact for a truly green ride. Specify cantilever brakes for assured stopping power—that is, if you ever want to stop.
More info on the Halcyon