slowtostart

Some of you may have read the post about my new commuter, a '74 Sprite. Shortly after that purchase I bought another, a men's version, for its rack since that was less expensive than a replacement rack.

Looking at the two, side by side, the lady's version looks so much nicer and I think it is the little extras that make the difference. Bicycle jewelry? I was imagining the care taken to choose each accessory and started wondering what the additional costs would have been in 1974. Does anyone know the 1974 prices for the added front Dynohub, front and rear lights, Raleigh bell, and Huret speedometer. It also has chrome brackets for a missing frame pump. How nice it must have been to feel so spoiled. The men's version has none of these and looks even sadder without its rear rack.

I'm off now to purchase a brass wire brush to start work on the other wheelset and starting to feel possessed by these bicycles!