Ha! When I was about 12, I asked my mother to upgrade from a Sears stingray-style bike to a 10-speed. She thought 10 speeds sounded a bit racey, and bought me a 3-speed, ladies frame Brittany from Sears. God, how I hated and loathed that bike! I don't know if there was anything actually wrong with it, but it wasn't what I wanted.

Eventually, my dad caved and bought me a beautiful bright blue Peugeot with orange striping of some sort, probably a U0-8. It was quite expensive at the time, as I remember. I rode it through college, but when everyone started getting aluminum bikes, it seemed so heavy and "vintage," that I sold it.

No good memories about those Sears 3-speeds, but I see them turn up in great condition here all the time. Guess the folks who bought them back in the early 80's didn't ride them, either!