nothing to be embarassed about.

I ride a moto as well, and it's a damn fine bike. Given all the parts are off-the-shelf...but that's a bonus since it means you can more likely find a suitable replacement. My problem is Kinesis quit making my spcfic frame...the new one lacks DT shifter mounts, and I like the cable guides that mount to those

If you are curious what frame you have, check out kinesis's web site http://www.kinesis.com.tw/ and peck around there for the frame that matches yours.

I have no idea who makes their "m-wings" parts though, but they seem to be of reasonable quality. They are pretty hush hush about their branded parts, however their email suport is quite fast. I often got a response by the next day if not the same day.

About the only things that people have against them are their pricing schemes...which are a bit deceptive, and some people think of motobecane as a "bike boom" brand. Actually they made some very nice bikes in their time...plus few bike boom cheapies had campagnolo record on them

True the modern company isn't as fancy as the old one, but hey if it's a good bike, it's a good bike. Basically if anyone talks smack about the bike brand, shrug it off...bonus to using off the shelf parts is the thing will at least be of comparable quality.


oh, and for a car...I'd go an early 80s RWD buick regal with a 3.8L turbo engine, of course done up as a twin turbo intercooled. Forget flash, I'd rather have 400hp in a midsize car that weighs about as much as your average compact of today does