As I sat down to scroll through all of the Beautiful Bicycles I photographed this year, I quickly realized how diverse PiNP has become. Previous year’s lists never had a MTB, much less two and even though the site has begun to embrace dirt riding more and more, there are still three track bikes in the rankings. Most of these bicycles were made in the USA by small frame builders, but two overseas-manufactured bikes made the cut.

This year for the Top 10 list, I looked at site metrics, social media ‘chatter’ and my own favorites (which were remarkably in-line). All of these bikes got at least 100 Facebook likes and over 20,000 visits within the first week of posting. The latter two requisites were necessary to bring it down to ten bikes, from the dozens of my personal favorites. Also, I omitted my own bikes from this list.

I like to think of PiNP as a showcase for Beautiful Bicycles and how they get put to use. See the full Prolly is Not Probably’s Top 10 Beautiful Bicycles of 2013, in no particular order, in the Gallery!

Beautiful Bicycle: Lauren’s Icarus Commuter

This year, my lovely Lauren not only got a new porteur commuter, but an engagement ring. Still, to this day, I can’t figure out which one she’s more stoked on… Ian at Icarus Frames delivered the goods with this practical and flashy city bike. Highlights include the fillet brazed stem, White Industries cranks and mirror polished PAUL components.

Beautiful Bicycle: Kyle’s Stinner Frameworks Team Mudfoot Cross

Santa Barbara’s Stinner Frameworks was selected by the Mudfoot Elite Cyclocross Team to build a few frames. Adorned with hand drawings from artist and Mudfoot founder, Geoff McFetridge, these bikes were a huge hit. Kyle’s in particular had details for days! I just posted this bike last week but it skyrocketed to the list with ease.

Beautiful Bicycle: Jen’s Igleheart Disc Cross

I photographed this bike in the last remaining minutes of the day, as I was leaving Los Angeles on a trip earlier this year. It had literally just been pulled out of the mechanics stand at Golden Saddle Cyclery and was ready to go! Jen wanted an off-road machine that would fulfill the need for a race bike, when she felt like hopping into one of the SoCal Cross series. Personally, I love the paint and the segmented fork!

2013 NAHBS: Bishop Bikes Drillium Revival Track Bike

This was my favorite bike out of all my coverage for the 2013 NAHBS. Chris Bishop’s craft was matched by Drillium Revival’s classic Campy Pista modification. Plus, that color!

Beautiful Bicycle: Jesse’s Hufnagel Fire Road Racer

Olive drab, leather tape, Paselas… This Hufnagel is at home on the fire roads and singletrack of Los Angeles. Man, I still can’t get over how clean it is! Jesse, this thing should stay muddy. Even in Los Angeles.

Beautiful Bicycle: Stanridge Speed x Death Spray Custom Highstreet Track

Don’t mess with Death Spray Custom, or Stanridge Speed’s track bike criterium squad. Especially when they’re on these magnetic race machines! Inspired by one mechanic’s doubt in the frame material, the DSC paint job is unlike anything I’ve seen before.

Beautiful Bicycle: Seth Rosko’s 650b Single Speed MTB

A 650B rigid, SS MTB that weighs less than my cross bike? Sign me up! Brooklyn’s Rosko took some extra time when designing his own race machine. Complete with custom Black Cat dropouts and a whole lotta’ seat post.

Beautiful Bicycle: Chas’ Mash Cinelli Prototype Track

This is probably one of my most memorable photoshoots of the year. As the sun set over the mission, I battled howling winds and a terrorizing daschund to shoot this Cinelli Mash Prototype that Chas had thrashed for almost a year in races and on the streets of SF. Gotta love that Montana paint.

Beautiful Bicycle: Team Fat Chance MTB

Golden Saddle Cyclery provided me with more than enough bike porn this year and this Team Fat Chance is one of the best examples. A collector’s dream.

Beautiful Bicycle: Woody’s All-City Thunderdome Track

Speaking of Golden Saddle Cyclery, their mechanic and co-owner Thomas Wood is a gold medal olympic wrench and a part-time training coach. This bike marked part of his recovery from a MTB accident that left him wheelchair-bound for months. Those wheels!

Did I miss your favorite? Throw a link in the comments below!
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I hope you all have had a great holiday season. See you in 2014!