[Chuck D]

I absolutely HATE shimano Brifters. But I accept easily accessed and reasonably priced shimano so there's a way to make 10 speed campy ergos index shimano 9 speed. Just change the leverage ratio of the derailleur.

Well worth it to have comfy brifters (although SRAM makes some quality stuff).

Your complaining to the wrong guy! I still like and use downtube friction shifting.
Everything works with everything else.

[Farmer_John]

Here's one of my favorite builds



Nothing special really. Just liked the way it turned out.

[Chuck D]

Here's one of my favorite builds



Nothing special really. Just liked the way it turned out.

I think single speed mountain bikes are pretty cool. Nice.

[Farmer_John]

Your complaining to the wrong guy! I still like and use downtube friction shifting.
Everything works with everything else.

True dat!

Perhaps then you'd enjoy my old Torpado I rescued.



I had an old Phil Wood hub hanging around and a Valentino front that I laced up to a NOS set of Campy rims...I love bitsas!

[Chuck D]

Phil Wood hubs!
You sir are a true connoisseur.
I have one on the rear of my B'stone.
They also make a really good penetrating oil. I've had the same bottle in my tool box for 20 years.

[Chuck D]

Torpado wasn't one of the better known Italian builders (here in the States, anyway.) but the few that I've seen looked well made. There was an older guy named Vito (since passed) who rode with us who had one. He seemed to like it well enough.

[Farmer_John]

Phil Wood hubs!
You sir are a true connoisseur.
I have one on the rear of my B'stone.
They also make a really good penetrating oil. I've had the same bottle in my tool box for 20 years.

I've preferred using his grease since the 70s.

[malky]

Pederson bicycles.
They look a bit weird, but are seriously comfortable, and stressless to ride.

[malky]

How many of you " had " one of these. I started at the age of twelve, delivering car parts and payment demands on one  after school. Must have been an early introduction on how to menace people.

[Richard230]

Here is something a little different. They say there is nothing new under the sun, but this may be an exception:  http://cleanrider.com/and-now-fuel-cell-bicycles/

[The Old Coot]

I don't know BUT I always thought the idea of a bicycle was the peddle it? Add a motor and you're on the way to a motorcycle. That is how they started off you know.

[Richard230]

My understanding is that the pedals were to get you up hills.  Reports from the era say that pedaling the early motorcycles up hills was likely to give you a heart attack. I think everyone was happy when motorcycles finally had enough power (and a transmission) to no longer need pedals.

[gizzo]

My bike is far more prosaic. When I started a new job 15 years ago I treated myself to a new bike. It was (and still is) an Avanti rigid frame/fork MTB. Pretty basic stuff. Shimano Acera, nice alloy rims, some kind of V brakes. I've been riding that thing all this time. I'd estimate about 100km a week so around 5000km a year or around 75,000 km all up so far. I've replaced one bottom bracket, a headset, a couple of seats and grips, a set of pedals, several sets of brake blocks and lots of tyres, and the cranks because I found a nicer set.
It's totally nothing special but gets me around.

Other week, I bought my daughter a second hand almost new 24" mountain bike for $35 (retails for about $300). She loves it. Is the same brand as her previous, which we've also been rocking for 10 years and 2 kids. So I guess this one will last until she's ready for a big bike. Bikes don't need to cost the eath or be made from exotic materials to give good long service.
Happy days!

[malky]

The best bike I ever had was a Specialized Rock Hopper. I bought it new when they first came out, first bike I owned with indexed gears. I did everything on it, toured, raced, commuted. It spent the last 6 years running single speed. I wore out several bottom brackets, chains, wheels etc. I bought a Surly Steamroller to replace it, good bike but not the same. A steel framed bike will outlast it's owner easily, consumerism tells us otherwise.

[Ice]

 The bicycle shed is empty for years save for one dual sussser that doesn't get used much. 

 Reading this thread has me following a lead to a Specialized Hardrock. It would be for healthy exercise and general purpose transportation. 

 At least that's the story I'm sticking to.