I've been looking for a particular bike for three years. I found it!
02-10-16, 12:09 PM
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I've been looking for a particular bike for three years. I found it!
About five years ago, I went to see a 1970 Raleigh Sprite listed on craigslist. It had been in the rain for far too many years and I had to pass on it. As the seller and I said our good byes, he said that it was too bad I only liked vintage bikes as he had another for sale. It turned out to be a kinda beat up 2008? Fuji Absolute 4.0 that was the best bike I ever owned. I like tall bikes even though my legs are not particularly long. As soon as I threw a leg over it and gently started to pedal. WOW. In seconds I knew I was going to buy it. It just wanted to roll. Do you know what I mean? It wasn't clean. There was obvious paint damage from a bike chain lock bashing around the top tube. I loved the colour. A bronze that I had never seen on a bike.
Anyhow, that bike carried me through more urban riding than I have ever done before. I put some serious miles on that bike thinking nothing of cycling all the way across Toronto to meet a friend or catch a movie.
Two years of my best riding experiences ever came to a tragic end three years ago when I was looking out my window and realized that my bike was gone. Never to be seen again. I was crushed.
Over the last 3 years, I have scoured the online ads in my area daily and cruised pawn shops. I tried a new Absolute last year and liked it but didn't love it on the test ride. It didn't fit me as well and it didn't just naturally want to roll the way my beater version did.
Two nights ago, I see an ad for two bikes just outside the city I live in. A bad picture and and little description in the posting. There is one fuzzy picture of two pikes in a shed. The one in the back has a bronze kinda frame. Holy ./=!@<. The picture is bad but that is a 2008 Fuji Absolute 4.0.
I'm picking it up tonight.
I just needed to share all that. Today is a good day!
Anyhow, that bike carried me through more urban riding than I have ever done before. I put some serious miles on that bike thinking nothing of cycling all the way across Toronto to meet a friend or catch a movie.
Two years of my best riding experiences ever came to a tragic end three years ago when I was looking out my window and realized that my bike was gone. Never to be seen again. I was crushed.
Over the last 3 years, I have scoured the online ads in my area daily and cruised pawn shops. I tried a new Absolute last year and liked it but didn't love it on the test ride. It didn't fit me as well and it didn't just naturally want to roll the way my beater version did.
Two nights ago, I see an ad for two bikes just outside the city I live in. A bad picture and and little description in the posting. There is one fuzzy picture of two pikes in a shed. The one in the back has a bronze kinda frame. Holy ./=!@<. The picture is bad but that is a 2008 Fuji Absolute 4.0.
I'm picking it up tonight.
I just needed to share all that. Today is a good day!
02-10-16, 04:28 PM
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Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
02-10-16, 05:42 PM
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Yeah! I stumbled on my bike by accident and didn't know how well I'd done picking it until later. I don't know what I'd do without it.
02-10-16, 06:25 PM
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How are you going to feel if it's your own bike you're buying back? :-D
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02-10-16, 08:28 PM
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02-10-16, 08:29 PM
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Not my old bike. It was much more beat up. This one looks pretty good. Seller called them mint on the phone. I'm excited. Pick up is delayed for 24 hours due to snow and slow roads.
02-11-16, 06:45 PM
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Good news. Bad news
Good news, it's twins!
Bad news, They are both too small for me.
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
I'll still enjoy cleaning and tuning them up and finding good homes for them.
The search continues.
Bad news, They are both too small for me.
Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet
I'll still enjoy cleaning and tuning them up and finding good homes for them.
The search continues.
Last edited by tommywpg; 02-11-16 at 06:53 PM.
02-26-16, 03:02 PM
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epic quest
02-29-16, 02:57 PM
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Yeah, looks like the black one is one size larger than the bronze? Were they a his/hers pair?
Do you know enough to pin down the specific geometry of the grail bike? Maybe some of the experts around here can (a) explain why the new Fuji Absolute feels so different to you, and (b) recommend a bike with as similar geometry as possible?
Do you know enough to pin down the specific geometry of the grail bike? Maybe some of the experts around here can (a) explain why the new Fuji Absolute feels so different to you, and (b) recommend a bike with as similar geometry as possible?
01-01-17, 07:26 PM
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Just noticed your old reply here. That's a good idea. I'll bet I can find the specs online. Thanks.
Yeah, looks like the black one is one size larger than the bronze? Were they a his/hers pair?
Do you know enough to pin down the specific geometry of the grail bike? Maybe some of the experts around here can (a) explain why the new Fuji Absolute feels so different to you, and (b) recommend a bike with as similar geometry as possible?
Do you know enough to pin down the specific geometry of the grail bike? Maybe some of the experts around here can (a) explain why the new Fuji Absolute feels so different to you, and (b) recommend a bike with as similar geometry as possible?
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