I’m guilty of chasing after the hottest new bikes. They’re fun, but most don’t stay in my quiver for more than a year. Many are forgotten soon after they’ve been sold. But there have been a few stars that stood out. Many of these bikes are now discontinued, and I find myself asking, “Why did I let that one get away?”
Fortunately, The Pro’s Closet has the world’s biggest selection of used bikes, so I now have the chance to rekindle some old flames. For this Dream Bike Quiver, I chose some of the best discontinued bikes from the past 10 years. These bikes may no longer be in production, but I think they’re as good as (or better than) new models. Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Road bike: 2015 Cannondale SuperSix Evo Black Inc. - $5,198.99
Wait a minute, the SuperSix Evo is still around! In fact, I reviewed one last year (and loved it). But as good as the new SuperSix Evo is, I long for the classic styling of the previous version. Until the redesign in 2020, Cannondale stuck with round tubes and a traditional double-diamond shape. In a world full of truncated airfoil tubes and dropped seat stays, the SuperSix stood out in a good way, and this Black Inc. version is as good as it gets. The frame is fully blacked out, and it uses “BallisTec Nano carbon” to make it lighter than the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod. This classy Campagnolo Record build weighs a touch over 15 pounds.
Aero road bike: 2017 Specialized Venge ViAS Expert Disc - $5,899.99
I’ll complement the ultra-light SuperSix Evo with a fast aero bike for flat rides — the Venge ViAS Disc. The Venge was discontinued after the release of the 2021 Tarmac SL7, which matched its aero efficiency with lower-profile tubes. But if I’m going to go aero, I want deep aero tubes and matching wheels. Aero bikes should look like jet fighters. The Venge ViAS is a perfect example with thick, angular tubes and the wheels tucked tightly into a beautifully shaped cutouts. I picked this Venge for its blingy gold accents, but also because it’s practical with disc brakes and externally routed bar and stem (the ViAS rim brakes and integrated cockpit were a bit finicky for home mechanics).
Hardtail MTB: 2015 Salsa El Mariachi - $2,149.99
I’ve had an on-again, off-again relationship with the El Mariachi for years. I’ve owned three (two steel and one titanium) and regret selling each one. When it comes to steel XC hardtails, the “El Mar” is just about perfect. The geometry isn’t modern, but it’s agile and perfect for racing or bikepacking. The frame uses triple-butted tubing which rides well and can take a beating, and the Alternator dropouts make it easy to singlespeed in a pinch. The El Mariachi was replaced in 2017 with the aluminum Timberjack, which has boost spacing and updated geometry, but it lacks the skinny steel tubes and goofy name that gave the El Mariachi so much character.
Trail MTB: 2018 Yeti SB5 Turq LR - $6,082.99
The SB5 was usurped by Yeti’s latest superbikes, but it’s still an absolute shredder. The 127mm of rear travel might seem short by today’s standards, but with the Switch Infinity linkage and a well-tuned shock, it feels both supportive and bottomless. I know it’s cliche, but the SB5 helped me set Strava PRs on all of my local trails. I took it to enduro races, downhill bike parks, and even did a few short track races on it. At the time it was my perfect quiver-killer. The only downside to the SB5 is that you can’t put a water bottle inside the frame. But I actually like how svelte the older frame looks without the sharp kink in the down tube to accommodate a bottle.
Total cost: $19,331.96
Wow, getting back together with some of my old flames is going to cost me. But it might be worth it if any of these discontinued bikes become future classics. Or maybe I shouldn’t worry about the money and just bring these bikes home because I love them.
The one bike in this dream quiver that I would buy right now is the El Mariachi. The affordable price, eye-catching color, tough steel frame, and great memories of my previous El Mariachii all add up to make it an instant classic. The only thing I’d do after bringing it home is convert it to a 1x drivetrain.
Did I make good choices? Are these discontinued bikes worthy of a dream quiver? Or are there other bikes that are more deserving? Let me know in the comments!
