My commuter is my beater -- 1970 Peugeot UO-8 w/ SunTour barcons, Sugino aero crank, Cyclone rear derailleur, Shimano Titlist front, KoolStop pads, junky Avocet saddle which needs to be replaced, period correct Pletscher mousetrap (best rear rack ever), small cylindrical Bellwether front bag (again, best ever). Total investment was maybe $100, thanks to used parts on eBay and a $10 yard sale donor bike. It has a delightful faded glory look -- those 1970 Peugeot decals were classic -- and is far more fun to ride than any bike this cheap has a right to be.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069