My long gone bikes were no collector's item , but were a couple of cheap, typically indestructable bikes. My growing-up bike was a Schwinn coaster fat-tire. Abused, never "oiled" except with 3-in-One, dropped on the driveway when too lazy to kick the kickstand. It was ridden in the rain and left out in the rain, ridden on gravel and dirt, its tires skidded for the hell of it endlessly, ridden barefoot, curb jumped, and generally thrashed and mistreated. Didn't worship bikes then...just used 'em. And could they ever be used, abused, and then re-used. Cost about $40, weighed about a ton, would last about forever.
The bikes I worship now really can't fill that niche nor would I want them to. Yet, I remember every square inch of that old maroon & cream Schwinn. Kind of like a parent you ignore until they're long gone.
Last edited by CrossChain; 04-27-07 at 07:55 AM.