Hahahaha, FINALLY I can open a 'what...' thread :-)

Seriously: Looking to buy a bike to have next to my year 1900 replica. That is a hoot to ride and I love it but with 14.4 kilos and no gears it is a bit of a challenge here in the mountains.

A tarmac racer and hard must is that it needs be RUGGED. A normal frame strength will do but like Roubaix resistant wheel set is indispensable for the odd piece of unmetalled connecting stretch with rocks.
Seems a bit of a bummer to pay extraextra for lightweight and then put 36 spoke rims in but it is the way it is. No way around it.

I will also, without a doubt drop is occasionally. Thus carbon seems a bit wannabee but that may be bike luddite prejuce.
Well, 'luddite'... I do simply LOVER the new electronic shifter like ths Shimano Di. Soooo cool. Sadly sooo expensive too. Not sure it is worth THAT much in use.

The market is baffling me. Man, there are so SO many bikes on offer. India is a growing contender to my surprise.