I have never been a natural athlete, and, as a child, I had significant physical coordination challenges. I was finally up the task of learning how to balance a bicycle the summer I turned 12, and my first ride was a 45lb. Schwinn "middleweight"with 26x1.75" tires, a "cantilever" frame, "paperboy" handlebars, and a 2-speed Bendix coaster hub shifted by a handbrake-style lever. I bought it for $15 from a middle school friend who later became a bicycling companion.

I asked for a road bike that Christmas and got a $55 bottom-of-the-line Bianchi Corsa with Huret gears, wingnuts, a tensioned leather saddle, steel rims, and steel Universal sidepull brakes. I put a lot of miles on it and during my college years gave it to my girlfriend (now wife of almost 44 years), when I bought a $150 1971 Nishiki Competition. For what it's worth, those were the only new bicycles I have ever owned -- everything since has been purchased used.