Regardless, it's a formula that just works.
I have a basement full of them, and after I get another one up and rolling, my reaction is always "Wow, what a nice bike".
I have had similar pleasant experiences with older Peugeots and Motobecanes, but sometimes the Pugs were patience testing with the sizes and gear clusters, etc.
Right now I have a high end Fuji touring bike from '86, a Centurion from '85 and a '77 Ross(USA- w00 Hoo) touring bike and always trading and looking for more "keepers". We have three shops within a short distance of each other here in Louisville that keep these olde classics rolling, so I think thats a testament to the design and manufacture of these bikes. Ive ridden newer bikes, and to me, an aluminum frame with index shifting is a step backward. Not something I could own. But, to each their own though


@ RalieghSport : Thank you for posting "My Ten Speeds" link. Very cool !!
And, keep posting away Archery Queen, I enjoy just looking at the pictures