Ah, the age-old daydream – what would you splurge on if you hit the jackpot?
Sure, responsible stuff like securing homes for family or becoming a philanthropist crosses your mind. But let’s be honest, a huge chunk of that cash is going towards a seriously awesome new bike.
We posed this very question to the tech-savvy crew at BikeRadar, and their dream bike choices were surprisingly diverse.
From wonderfully niche downhill machines to drool-worthy yet practical superbikes, we’ve covered pretty much the entire spectrum.
What would you spend your lottery windfall on? Got any lucky lottery rituals? Share your thoughts in the comments below…
Liam Cahill’s Nostalgic Pick: A Rim-Brake Giant TCR
Imagine this Giant TCR but much, much fancier for Liam Cahill's dream rim-brake bike.
If millions landed in my lap, I wouldn’t be chasing the latest superbike trends.
Nope. I’d be hunting down a pristine, used rim-brake Giant TCR. Then, I’d elevate it to dream bike status with a Shimano Dura-Ace R9050 Di2 groupset.
I’ve experienced the magic of a similar setup on the Roubaix cobbles, and it remains one of the finest handling bikes I’ve ever ridden.
This wouldn’t be a museum piece, though. I envision throwing it into tight corners during local road races. Of course, it would get a fresh, custom paint job first.
Azure Blue, not chrome, would be my color for maximum pop, with a clear lacquer over bare carbon graphics for a touch of subtlety.
Handmade carbon wheels, built by my friend Rob using chrome Tune hubs, are a must. For tires, something dependable like Continental GP5000s, but with fancy TPU inner tubes for that extra edge.
Naturally, it would sport a top-tier power meter, perhaps a Power2Max NG. Finishing touches? A Ritchey Neo Classic bar, crisp white bar tape, and a white saddle to complete the look.
Tom Marvin’s Niche Dream: A Starling Sturn V2 DH Bike with Classified Hub
Tom Marvin's dream niche downhill bike, a prototype Starling Sturn V2 DH bike from 2018.
While downhill biking isn’t my usual terrain, if I were to embrace the van-life, dirtbag, seasonaire lifestyle again, my dream bike build would be a super-niche Starling Sturn V2 DH bike.
The Sturn is a beautifully crafted steel downhill bike. Its singlespeed, high-pivot design, with the chainring on the non-drive side, evokes the iconic Brooklyn Machine Works long-travel downhill bikes of the early 2000s.
It features a Jack Drive system, where the chain ascends the chainstay to a sprocket around the main, high pivot.
This pivot-mounted sprocket is driven by another sprocket on the opposite side, which, in turn, is powered by a chainring on the left crank arm.
The high-pivot design, with its constant chain length drivetrain, provides a rearward axle path and zero chain growth, eliminating pedal kickback. This would be ideal for smoothing out those brutal braking bumps that develop on bikepark downhill runs.
The system also eliminates the rear derailleur, protecting it from rock strikes, and theoretically lightens the rear wheel, reducing unsprung weight and improving suspension sensitivity.
A singlespeed setup would probably suffice – after all, lift-assisted riding means you only need a few pedal strokes before gravity takes over.
However, since money is no object, I’m going for a ‘dinglespeed’ – a two-speed downhill dream bike.
A Classified powershift hubshell, potentially impossible for a downhill bike, but fitting for Tom Marvin's lottery-winning dream bike.
I’d integrate the new Classified MTB rear hub and, with my unlimited budget, commission a machining shop to create a custom singlespeed sprocket for this electronically activated 2-speed hub (which typically requires a specialized cassette).
To complete this dream downhill build, I’d add a plush coil-shock fork, robust alloy downhill rims (carbon might be a bit too flashy for my seasonaire persona), a selection of Maxxis tires, and powerful Formula brakes (purely for aesthetics).
Tom Law’s Lightweight Fantasy: An Asco Uber-Light Trail Bike
Tom Law's dream bike, the exceptionally light Asco trail bike from Last Bikes.
Despite my usual preference for downcountry bikes, a lottery win (assuming I haven’t blown it all on classic cars) would lead me straight to a super-lightweight trail bike.
Since joining BikeRadar, I’ve been tackling more challenging terrain, so something with a bit more travel than my beloved Transition Spur would be perfect.
Last Bikes’ stunning Asco tops my list.
The Asco shares a similar suspension layout to the Spur with a flex-stay rear end, but boosts travel to 130mm with a 140mm fork.
The lightweight construction of the Last Bikes Asco frame, Tom Law's dream trail bike.
It’s incredibly light, with the lighter frame option weighing a mere 1.79kg without the shock.
It also features clean cable routing and a reliable threaded bottom bracket – kudos to BSA and standard internal routing!
My dream Asco build would include RockShox Flight Attendant suspension, a SRAM XX SL T-Type Transmission, a 200mm Reverb AXS dropper post (lottery win means impossible is possible), Trickstuff Piccola HD brakes, Berd Hawk30 wheels with their unique rope spokes, and a classy Chromag cockpit.
Because it’s my dream build, I’d have Maxxis custom-make a Forekaster tire in MaxxGrip compound for the front, paired with a MaxxTerra out back. Dreamy, right?
Ashley Quinlan’s Sensible Splurge: A Flashy BMC Teammachine SLR 01
Ashley Quinlan's dream bike, a turquoise BMC Teammachine SLR 01 road bike.
Even with lottery winnings, I’d still be somewhat practical with my money… except for that chalet in the Alps for BikeRadar’s exclusive bike testing (and my vacations, of course).
So, my lottery dream bike would still be something attainable off the shelf.
Most likely, it would be a BMC Teammachine SLR 01 – the same dream bike I’ve mentioned on the BikeRadar Podcast.
I’d choose a striking turquoise frame kit and customize it with my preferred components: ENVE SES 4.5 wheels with 28c Continental GP5000 S TR tubeless tires, and a Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 Di2 groupset, please.
I’d likely swap the stock crankset for a power meter version – though I’d need to consult BikeRadar’s power meter guru Simon von Bromley or our best power meter buyer’s guide to decide which one.
Ceramic bearings might seem like a lottery-winner must-have, but I’d probably skip them. They can be harder to replace at a local bike shop when needed, regardless of my bank balance. And I want to be riding this dream machine!
Jack Luke’s Tandem Dream: The Ultimate Off-Road Touring Tandem
Jack Luke's tandem dream bike, his current touring tandem 'Cecil', but envisioned even more perfect.
Owning a tandem (and talking about it constantly) is central to my personality, so my dream bike pick is no surprise.
After a major refurbishment in 2020, my (our?) current tandem is nearly perfect, but I could definitely make room for another in my lottery-funded modernist home.
I’d commission a custom steel tandem designed for fully loaded off-road adventures.
It would have clearance for 45mm gravel tires, mounted on robust 40-spoke alloy rims. These would be 4x laced to a SON dynamo hub in the front and something easily serviceable like a Hope Pro 5 in the rear.
Square-taper Middleburn cranks on SKF bottom brackets would drive a Shimano Di2 drivetrain. Shimano hasn’t updated its electronic mountain bike drivetrains recently, so I’d opt for XTR M9050 in a 2x setup until something new emerges.
Sensible touring cockpits for both riders and a full set of Ortlieb panniers on custom racks are essential.
The entire rig would be painted a glorious sparkly poo brown, and you wouldn’t see Laura and me for at least six months as we embarked on a pastry-fueled adventure towards the horizon.
Oscar Huckle’s Titanium Grail: A Modified, Campagnolo-Equipped Routt 45
Oscar Huckle's dream gravel bike, a Moots Routt 45 titanium gravel bike with wider tire clearance.
My dream bike is a Moots Routt 45 titanium gravel bike with a few carefully considered modifications.
I’ve always coveted a Moots – their attention to detail is unmatched, and I love the 3D-printed dropouts.
The frame would sport the ‘Stanley’ finish.
This finish features multi-colored logos on the down tube and top tube, paired with a gradient finish on the drive-side chainstay inspired by the Overlook Hotel carpet from Stanley Kubrick’s horror masterpiece, The Shining.
Moots' Stanley finish, Oscar Huckle's preferred finish for his dream Routt 45 gravel bike.
The Routt 45 accommodates up to 50mm gravel bike tires, but I’d request slightly increased tire clearance to confidently run 50mm tires in muddy conditions.
It would be equipped with a Campagnolo groupset, likely Ekar, as I prefer 1x drivetrains for gravel riding.
Since I’ve won the lottery, I’d spec custom Ekar shifters with Campagnolo’s UltraShift mechanism.
This allows for downshifting up to five gears at once – a deeply satisfying feature Campagnolo omitted from Ekar, fearing accidental over-shifting on gravel. Nonsense, I say!
A Chris King wheelset with matching headset and bottom bracket are essential. I’d choose Moots’ own titanium finishing kit and a Specialized S-Works Power Mirror saddle to complete my titanium dream.
Luke Marshall’s Modern Thrill: A Transition Relay PNW Carbon XO1 AXS e-MTB
Luke Marshall's modern dream bike, the Transition Relay PNW Carbon XO1 AXS lightweight electric mountain bike.
While many bikes tempt me, the one I’d buy today is a Transition Relay PNW Carbon XO1 AXS.
This 170mm travel, lightweight electric mountain bike features a Fazua Ride60 motor, a 430Wh battery, and mullet wheels.
Full-power e-MTBs are great, but for me, they don’t quite match the downhill performance and feel of a traditional enduro bike.
A long-travel, lightweight electric bike seems like the perfect compromise – I’m happy to trade a bit of uphill speed for enhanced downhill thrills.
I’ve ridden a lightweight e-bike before and was thoroughly impressed. It eased the climbs without sacrificing trail fun, especially on steep, technical tracks. I have no doubt this Transition would be an absolute blast.
Its removable battery is a huge plus. With my lottery fortune, I can buy a spare to eliminate range anxiety. Ride one battery in the morning, and swap to the fresh one for the afternoon.
The stock spec is already top-notch, though I would swap the coil shock for an air shock for my preferred feel. I envision endless smooth climbs and exhilarating descents. Perfect.
Warren Rossiter’s Elusive Gravel Dream: A Custom Cannondale Topstone
Warren Rossiter's dream bike concept, a Cannondale Topstone frameset envisioned as rowdier and fancier.
This should be an easy question, but the moment I considered it, I was stumped. I’m lucky enough to own many bikes that I consider top-tier for my needs, as showcased in a glimpse inside my garage.
Since that article, I’ve added a Cannondale SuperSix EVO, an S-Works Tarmac, and a GT Grade Carbon to my collection. A few more are also in the works.
With a custom Parlee Z-Zero, a custom Lynskey titanium, and a classic Giant TCR already in my garage, my road bike stable is pretty complete.
I’m also well-covered for gravel bikes with the GT, a Cannondale Slate, and the Kinesis ATR, but I still crave another gravel machine. The problem is, I’m not sure it exists yet…
I recently spent considerable time riding Giant’s impressive Revolt X. My test bike had a SRAM Red XPLR groupset, Zipp 101s, and RockShox gravel components.
What I truly desire is a lightweight, highly capable frameset like Cannondale’s Topstone – perhaps in Lab71 trim, given my lottery winnings – paired with SRAM’s new T-Type drivetrain.
This would require commissioning Cannondale for a completely redesigned rear end, but hey, I won the lottery, right?
Then, I’d build it with multiple sets of Zipp 101 wheels, each with the best tires for various conditions, SRAM Red shifters, an XPLR dropper post, and a short-travel suspension fork.
The exact fork is still under consideration – we’re currently testing seven gravel suspension forks, so I’ll choose the best from that group (stay tuned for the review).
For handlebars, I’d likely go with an Easton Carbon AX, and I’d perch myself on a Specialized 3D-printed Power saddle.
And while I’m at it, a custom paint job is a must.
That’s not too much to ask for a dream bike, is it?
