Opinions, what's a must-own for a newbie collector/rider?

[Thias]

For that kind of money (2K) I think it would be important to to think about what you want to do with that bike once you own it. Will you hang it on the wall or are you interested in riding it. Get a feel for the technical differences of those bikes.
Because with those perfect wallhangers it would be a shame to ride them in anger...

Me for example, I don't have no bikes on the walls. I want to get my hands dirty and try as many bikes as possible. So I spent my last 2k on 15 bikes and some nice parts.

 

[CTK]

Re:

My money would go on an early Merlin.

 

[T'boo Ted]

easy, since you;re thinking yeti and fat... and haven't tried Ti, then a Ti fat chance (or yeti arc ti, but thats a bit newer).

or for aluminium, then a Zaskar, reasonably cheapish to buy and you could fit it out with great stuff.

 

[flipwils11]

easy, since you;re thinking yeti and fat... and haven't tried Ti, then a Ti fat chance (or yeti arc ti, but thats a bit newer).

or for aluminium, then a Zaskar, reasonably cheapish to buy and you could fit it out with great stuff.

Thanks, yes titanium would be fun. I would be buying it to ride occasionally not just hang on a wall. Some of that riding would be single track, technical, so it could get dinged...

 

[KDM]

Start small and cheap. Find out if it is about the collecting or riding or a combination of the two. 2k pushes garage queen level bikes and those rarely get ridden, damm expensive and very large ornaments.

Personally I would buy the bike that meant the most to you as a teen/young adult then learn your skills by making it as good as it can be without going beyond its worth. After that the world is your lobster.

 

[bartsince1975]

Re:

I'm just starting to get back into this retro as well, and also thinking, what's next. For me, I just lurk around here and think, what parts I still have that I can use, what bikes did I like, what type of ryde do you want in your quiver. At some point you will just know what to get.

Or maybe, someday you will just find an unbelievably beautiful frame you have got to have and it's called faith. Enjoy.

 

[34henry3w]

Re:

Get an Ibis Bow Ti...for me that the most iconic, rare, beautiful...checks all boxes. If I could only have one bike, that would be it.

 

[531brazed]

must-own ? whatever takes your fancy. Leave the ones that dont.
must be in your size and get ridden too

 

[T'boo Ted]

easy, since you;re thinking yeti and fat... and haven't tried Ti, then a Ti fat chance (or yeti arc ti, but thats a bit newer).

or for aluminium, then a Zaskar, reasonably cheapish to buy and you could fit it out with great stuff.

Thanks, yes titanium would be fun. I would be buying it to ride occasionally not just hang on a wall. Some of that riding would be single track, technical, so it could get dinged...

Heck, I've been throwing my Xizang down the trails, some I still have bettered on my new FS bike with discs and 120mm travel on the technical stuff.

 

[M-Power]

Re:

^^ love posts like this. Agree with sentiments above. I'm biased obviously but for $2000 I'd be looking to invest in a nice Somerville made Yo Eddy with period correct parts. IMO ignore most of the hero Pro rider endorsed hype for pretty race bikes of that era, most of which are just too harsh to enjoy riding hard for more than 90mins, even with shocks. The Yo is the ticket a real joy to ride all day, tight yet lively and comfortable and quite pretty with a good paint job. The Fat brand is back and there is a resurgence in interest in the brand in the US at least.