Intro
The best bikes of 2011 vary widely in style, from grocery-getters to watt-shredding, wind-defying performance machines. Get a bike and get out there. Smile and wave, because frowny, tough-guy faces aren't cool.
Raleigh
25. Raleigh Record Ace
Price: $1,950
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Complex Says: Raleigh has a long history in cycling. Once made in England, now outsourced to Asia, these bikes are still high-quality in a number of disciplines. This road-going version is a modern, lugged Reynolds 520 frame. With a durable Shimano 105 2x10 drivetrain, classic looks, and a modern geometry in a proven steel construction, you can pass this bike on to someone else in 20 years.
Fit Bike Co.
24. Fit Bike Co. VanHoman Signature
Price: $679.95
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Complex Says: East Coast legend Van Homan gives back to BMX in many ways. He has a BMX shop (www.twobyfourstore.com) and a good team supporting some rad dudes. And he claims a stack of riding accomplishments that more than warrant his signature bike, which will let you ride like a little devil.
Don Walker Cycles custom track bike
23. Don Walker Custom Track
Price: $1,500 and up
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Complex Says: Don Walker has been making bikes for a long time now. He founded the North American Handmade Bike Show (NAHBS) in 2005 to bring together like-minded artisans. Have Don make your dream bike and go to the NAHBS if you can.
Cielo cx racer special edition
22. Cielo CX Racer Special Edition
Price: $2,495
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Complex Says: A special edition CX bike from Chris King and his Cielo brand. All profits from the sale of these bicycles will be directed to support of disaster relief in northern Japan.
Calfee
21. Calfee Dragonfly Pro
Price: $7,249
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Complex Says: A U.S.-made carbon-fiber beauty from carbon-fiber pioneer Craig Calfee. Not cheap in any sense. It comes with a 25-year warranty!
Terrible One
20. Terrible One Ruben Alcantara Frame
Price: $339.95
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Complex Says: A rider who can and does do anything he puts his mind to, Ruben Alcantara has pushed the level of riding for some time now. Watch Etnies Forward or Grounded videos for a sampling of what Ruben does on his BMX. Michael Sieben graphics are awesome, a good match for Ruben's creativity. Get this frame and you will become an amazing rider and better person, rescuing cats out of trees as you jump over them.
Moulton
19. Moulton AM20-2
Price: $1,895
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Complex Says: The latest version of the smooth-riding AM bicycle, with cleaner lines, smaller pack size and reduced weight. The NiCrMo Spaceframe features a shorter seat tube (and extended Moulton 953 seat pillar) and improved mounts for carriers and bottles. If you want a foldable bike with a trellis frame so you can pretend its a Ducati with genuine Campagnolo Athena drivetrain, then look no further.
Specialized
18. Specialized Crux Expert
Price: $2,750
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Complex Says: With cyclocross-specific geometry and dialed components, this bike can take care of it. You are responsible for the burning in your lungs, though, as you try your first cross race.
Specialized
17. Specialized Globe Haul 1
Price: $630
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Complex Says: A built-in rack that can hold at least one proportionate girl, a 2-by-7 drivetrain, built-in lights, and fenders all for $630! Smart utility.
B Cycle
16. Denver B Cycle
Price: Rent by the half-hour
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Complex Says: Many cities are developing public bicycle systems, including Denver. Swipe your credit card, ride to another docking station, leave the bike. Do it again.
Electra
15. Electra Mulholland
Price: $798.89
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Complex Says: The cruiser scene in many cities is a social one. Wednesday night rides with plenty of alchohol and hundreds of people is a scene straight out of an introverted bicycle riders horror movie. The Mulholland is a simple, classic cruiser with just enough flair. Watch out for drunkeypants, he`s going to T-bone you!
Sunday Bikes
14. Sunday Aaron Ross Pro
Price: $774.99
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Complex Says: Sunday has a quality team of riders and engineers at its disposal, and the product shows it. This is the Aaron Ross pro model, stacked with quality Odyssey components and an orange all over that you can`t hide anywhere, unless it`s a pile of oranges or a Sunkist soda.
Surly
13. Surly Moonlander
Price: $2,350
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Complex Says: The giant tires allow you to ride over stuff once thought impossible. The Moonlander is a good bike to ride in Alaska or the Great Sand Dunes. For added effect, wear an inflatable sumo suit when riding this.
Feather Cycles
12. Feather Cycles Custom Track
Price: $1,750 and up
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Complex Says: With attention to detail, DIY craftsmanship, and a genuine English accent, BMX legend Ricky Feather turns out some nice bikes in North Yorkshire, England.
Fairdale
11. Fairdale Parser Express
Price: $899
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Complex Says: Shifting BMX sensibilities into the big bike world, the Parser and Parser Express models come with quality cro-moly tubing, integrated headsets, rust-proofed tubing, and lots of quality components and good detail in the design.
Circle A Cycles
10. Circle A Custom Frame
Price: $1,500 and up
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Complex Says: Here's what Circle A Cycles has to say about its quality: "We may be North America's most sarcastic frame builder, but we're not prone to false modesty....We'll not mince words: we build the best bikes on the planet." This particular Circle A is a custom Columbus XCr stainless tubed lugged road frame. The dudes at Circle A Cycles will make you a beauty of a bicycle that will be one of a kind. All they do is custom.
Specialized Venge pro
Surly
8. Surly Big Dummy
Price: $1,840
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Complex Says: Some people drive a diesel truck to the store to get a gallon of milk and some Marlboro's. Be a real man and ride a Big Dummy! This is the truck of bikes, able to haul up to 200 pounds of cargo! If you need to pick up 50 pounds of dog food, a couple skinny girls, and some beer, this is your machine.
Dahon folding bike
7. Dahon Eco C7
Price: $460
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Complex Says: If you live in a closet or like to put your bike in a large backpack when you travel, this is the ride for you. It's a packable bike that will make you feel like a giant.
FBM
6. FBM Steadfast 2 Frame
Price: $369.99
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Complex Says: Steve Crandall started FBM making shirts and lighting things on fire. He has created a storied history based on riding bikes, having fun with your friends, drawing tranvestite monkey wrenches, and hanging out in the woods. The Steadfast 2 BMX frame features traditional geometry with great American craftsmanship.
S&M Bikes
5. S&M Intrikat Frame
Price: $369.99
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Complex Says: S&M has been making quality BMX bikes for a long time now, setting the standard for rider owned/run companies. A simple functional flatland frame designed by Chad Johnston, the Intrikat rides flatland without pegs but plenty of originality.
Hoffman Bikes
4. Hoffman Condor Frame
Price: $289.95
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Complex Says: Behold a Mat Hoffman signature frame with modern geometry. This bike reproduces the graphics of the original frame, which Mat flew around on years ago, inventing tricks and helping the sport grow. A must-have for BMX collectors, just make sure it gets ridden as well.
Sunday Bikes
3. Sunday Gary Young Pro
Price: $774.99
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Complex Says: Google Gary Young and watch some video of him in action. He's one of the world's best all-around riders, who can ride just about anything with style, speed, and tech prowess. This model features unique throwback graphics with great detail, Odyssey parts, Gary Young magic, and Sunday quality.
Specialized
2. Specialized Stumpjumper Evo 29 Hardtail
Price: $2,350
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Complex Says: Full suspension is fine but not necesary on all trails. Hardtail attributes are less mantainence, bettter aesthetics. The Evo adds to this simplicity by leaving out the extra chain rings on the front of the drivetrain, making the bike lighter and simpler. With 10 cogs in the rear, plenty of gear range is still there. This bike is a good compromise between a single speed and a 30 speed. It feels like a big BMX bike with gears. Nimble, simple.
Specialized
1. Specialized Epic 29 Comp
Price: $3,300
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Complex Says: Aluminium is remarkable, the third most abundant element on Earth. It wont rust, and if you break your aluminum frame, it can be made into a plethora of things. The Epic comp is made of Aluminium, and it has full suspension, big wheels, efficient pedaling, and stealth aesthetics. Head to the woods!