Originally Posted by
randyjawa
I responded to this at length (but deleted the first response) and while I was doing so there were many other responses offered. And my only defense is this...
Big Green was my first vintage road bicycle. I stripped a perfectly good paint job. Spent a couple of hundred dollars building the bike up. And guess what?
It proved to be much too large for me. I am 5' 10" and the Sekine had a 62cm seat tube but I didn't even know that it made any difference. Honestly! To that add that the frame was bent. And the bike was an entry level offering to begin with. Short of getting the rear wheel spinning as fast as I could and then sticking my wo-dolly-wo into the spokes, I could not have made many more mistakes with the bike.
In spite of my humble and incredibly stupid beginnings, I am still at it. Today, a lot of people think of me as some kind of expert, when it comes to vintage road bicycles. I am anything but. But Big Green did one good thing...
I caused me to build and publish
MY "TEN SPEEDS", a website intended to help others avoid the mistakes I, and the OP, made with our bicycles.
I must also apologize to all of the forum members who have presented themselves in a positive and helpful fashion. I did not intend to offend any of you guys/gals or belittle your contributions to this forum or the people who come here, seeking advice. Thanks very much folks.
You don't need a defense Randy...I'm not attacking you and we're all friends, I just don't think it's reasonable for someone to do what the OP did. If he wants to attack the people here who offer help on a daily basis, I think it's fair to call BS. Most people don't need Italian racing bikes and the hi-ten bikes have their purpose. I have no issue with them and would never insult a newbie for making a mistake. Neither did anyone on the thread about the OP's World Sport. As you suggest, we should offer guidance and help. What I take issue with isn't the bike he sold, it's his attitude.
I made a ton of mistakes on my Raleigh Pro. It was my first vintage frame up build and I goofed some stuff. I also didn't call the people who helped me old grumps and I doubt you would have done that to people who helped you either. I don't spend that much time on the evaluation section, but every time I have I saw helpful people offering their expertise and knowledge to promote the hobby and sport. I sure haven't seen old grumps.