I want a Tarmac SL6 but I haven’t come across a rim brake frame in a color I like. I want a fast, light, aeroish bike that will take 28mm tires aero optimaized on wide rims (probably 30+mm overall). I don’t think of an SL6 as a dream bike though.
I love Colnagos. The new V3RS is kind of like the Italian version of the SL6. The V3 though doesn’t have drool worthy paint jobs like the C64. I guess I’d need one of each if I’m dreaming…
The current emonda discs is absolutely horrible with cable routing. Cant believe the designers allowed to have the front disc brake cable to be mounted on using zip ties.
Roadmachine or Domane for me. Love the clean look of the bikes that now have totally hidden cable routing through the cockpit. I don’t think the Tarmac has this yet (might be wrong, and I’m sure they’ll be addressing it soon if not), and a lot of other brands have some catching up to do, they either only have this on their aero bikes or in some cases not at all.
And for a dream bike a custom paint job would also be a must, so the Trek Project One service might sway me in that direction.
Depending on the use I’d also consider building up a performance-oriented gravel frame like the 3T Exploro or Open Upper as a primarily road going machine that can double up for offroad use (maybe with a second set of wheels). I’m looking at this currently, only limiter that I can see is chain ring selection. Can only fit a 50T on those frames I think, and if you want the option to chuck on a really wide gravel tire then you probably should go 1x as well. Both of which are absolutely fine 99% of the time but might not be ideal if you wanted to use it for races or group rides with fast flats or descents where you still need to be able to apply power at high speeds and would want not just a top gear but also reasonably tight spacing on the high gears. Not an issue for me as I have an aero road bike to use for those days, but possibly a limiter for a single quiver bike like the OP is looking for.
On the Exploro and OPEN, I road an OPEN on the long approach option to Haleakala on Maui and it felt sluggish on the road. Long after, when I was searching for a gravel bike, the short description by Vroomen was the OPEN was an mtb that did road and the Exploro was a road bike that did dirt. I bought the Exploro and absolutely love it. It performs great on the road and on the trails, where it spends the vast majority of the time (pavement time is simply to get from one trail to another), it handles the terrain and obstacles I’m willing to do 
(basically the stuff I seem to recall doing on a fully rigid Stumpjumper mountain bike I raced on in the late 1980s, though being older, probably not nearly as aggressive as then). Your mileage may differ and my impression of the OPEN may have been influenced by a rental config & gearing.
Cervelo aspero
I have a SystemSix AXS Hi-mod, so I shouldn’t really say anything else, but if money was completely no object, probably a BMC TimeMachine 01 Road
I’m patiently waiting for this too. I just cannot commit to a Madone for my type of riding which is fairly hilly (nor my wallet really) , and I think if the Emonda got the Domane tube shape treatment it would be a great update. The BB doesn’t concern me much, having 12,500mi on my original in my 2016 SL6 BB90 with no issues. I hope they don’t move to a drop seatstay design, just because I think its kind of ugly, and makes so many bikes look the same nowadays. I also hope they don’t include the downtube storage thing, while its cool it adds a failure point in the frame just like the DUO Trap hole that also needs to go and die in a corner.
That said I would probably be buying the SL and not SLR just due to price. I think at this point, a rim brake version is just out of the picture, not because I don’t want one, but because I just don’t see them offering it.
Totally agree! That’s one reason I’m superhappy with my Giant TCR… I really like the look of the frame
Mine would be a custom steel build, with enough clearance (and disc brakes) to do gravel and road.
Frankly the TCR and Emonda at a glance look very very similar, aside from the seatmast/cap thing, but both use something funky vs a traditional post. Especially looking at the junction of the seattube/toptube/seatstays, I like that smooth molded look.
Oh yes… they look indeed very similar… without logos it would be pretty hard to tell the difference 
Depends if the gran fondos are for competition or fun. Competitions and speed i would pick a light weight bike with mid depth wheels. light but comfortable finishing kit, not going all out on the lightest kit since i would be on the bike for many hours.
If for fun then i would sacrifice a bit of weight for comfort and get a ti or really custom bespoke bike that was a bit heavier and more comfortable geometry
I went through this exact question 2 years ago and bought a Factor 02, with 5.6 and Etap. Its very light and relatively aggressive but not slammed. It covers all bases really well and i love it. nearly everyone has a specialized or canyon in my club and wanted to be different. lovely bikes in their own right but this is a dream scenario…
Here’s another question to help me build up my new bike…
Trying to decide between a set of ROVAL CLX50 and Mavic Comete. Has anyone ridden both, if so how do they compare?
Several years ago I had Moots build me a Mootour. I added carbon fenders, and a Ti Tubus rack. With full Ultegra, and Mavic wheels (that I took the stickers off so they would be plain black, and now can’t remember what model they were), carbon fork and drop bar, and Brooks saddle, it’s still my dream ride. I don’t think they make the Mootour anymore, but if they will make you one, you will not be disappointed.
Look 785 Huez RS
or
Time Alpe D’Huez 1
Yes, I love French bikes. 
