I think this list is fairly ridiculous, it is not specific enough, it's just a list of brands not bikes.
Not enough parameters, IMO: price/value changes, years change, models change, technologies change.
When a big manufacturer like Trek, for instance, is listed does this imply all models? Or all 5900's? only? Or only this year's model? Only production models, or including custom, or only custom? (I think the differences are relevant, and the basis for judgment is different.)
A huge array of models compared to some producers who make only one model?
History: Crumpton, for instance, is not even in full production yet, can that really be judged?
There are plenty of fine custom makers from all over the world who are not listed, the "list" would become a directory, then....
What's the meaning of the "best": the most exclusive?
Eric, if you mean this, list the models, the reasons and your sources (personal experience/etc.) otherwise it's just a can of worms, I think.

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"Gimondi è un eroe umano, che viene sconfitto ma che continua la sua corsa fino a tornare a vincere." - Enrico Ruggeri

You're right, but when you look at his list you notice that he hadn't primarily innovation and light weight in mind.
I suppose Eric means "fine bikes" in terms of craftsmanship and overall reputation of a brand.

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What are the objective criteria for a bike manufacturer to get on this list? I suspect that, although it's fun to make such lists, the choices on the lists already posted are purely subjective.
My own subjective list would include Colnago in 1st, 2nd and 3rd places-then whatever other manufacturer anyone might care to include.

And this forum is about innovation and light weight
Maybe it's a language issue, but even "finest" bikes as opposed to "best" is difficult to define...if the poster sets more specific parameters ("artistic" is not a real parameter IMHO, I think both Sachs and Giant are "artistic"), it might focus the discussion and allow some real experience to come into it, and not just a list of brands we could find on Damon Rinard, etc.

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"Gimondi è un eroe umano, che viene sconfitto ma che continua la sua corsa fino a tornare a vincere." - Enrico Ruggeri

You have more experience than me ...


...Principia is marked in my list :

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Ciao Zauri

As Florian has said I take the list to mean bikes that excel in craftmenship. No offense, Trek makes a great frame, and with a lifetime warranty, its hard to beat as far as "value", but compare the craftmenship to other frames and its in another class. I compare my Kuota Khan carbon frame to a Trek carbon frame and its like night and day. Not many people walk over to a Trek and say wow that is a great looking ride, but in the 3-4 years I have had my Colnago and Pinarello, I still get this reaction from people.

"subjective", yes, that's the word I was searching for.

But why not a little bit subjectiveness on a site which is all about cold, objective weight figures.

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Even WeightWeenieness is subjective, someone posts a picture of Cat brakes, lists the weight, someone else says "yeah but they're ugly!" (and I think they're beautiful! )....that's why I love this site

So, that's cool, let's set some clearer parameters though or else just make a list of the "sexiest" bikes then, because nothing is more subjective than sexy, and not simply call it the "best"

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"Gimondi è un eroe umano, che viene sconfitto ma che continua la sua corsa fino a tornare a vincere." - Enrico Ruggeri

Aluminum:

Cyfac
BMC
Storck
Orbea
Fondriest

This is; Functional, Beautiful, Artistic, and Light

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Ride lightly!

indeed it is a very beautiful bike, but what about this...

Ok they all make fine bikes so choose one that you like...

Ti-
Seven
Serotta
Indy Fab
Spectrum
Moots

Steel-
Richard Sachs
Pegoretti
Vanilla
Serotta
Indy Fab
T.E.T
Sycip
And the list goes on...

Al-
Cyfac
Sycip
Pegoretti

CF-
uhhh Calfee and Parley... can't think of any

I agree a good job!

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Ciao Zauri

Merlin's quality aint good like it used to be, after they got bought up, all the welders went to either indy fab, serotta or seven...

They need to bring the old XLM's back...

Oh add Fat chance (now practically indy fab).

how so please elaborate, like i said before, i was disgusted with one of sevens custom frames - and alot of people that i know would do merlin over a seven