UO-8: As a grad student, I worked at a Peugeot-Nishiki dealership. When my girlfriend -- now wife -- needed a bike, I bought it as a bare frame and custom-built it for her. Later, when fear of traffic drove her to mountain biking instead, I repurposed it as my commuter/shopper/beater. I still consider the UO-8 to be one of the better bargain basement "10 speeds."

KOM-10: After buying my elder son his first mountain bike, I decided I should get one, as well, to ride with him. A local firefighter was selling his "Team USA," made-in-America, red-white-and-blue Schwinn, so how could I resist? It still suits my rather non-technical, multi-track style well, despite the lack of suspension. It is also a blast to ride in 4th of July parades and in general on patriotic holidays.

Campione d'Italia: My first road bike was a bottom-of-the-line Bianchi, so I always had a soft spot for the marque. When my neighbor gave up narrow-tired road bikes in favor of a mountain bike, he gave it to me, so how could I resist? The metallic charcoal color is unusual and looks quite good, though I am sure a celeste one would be more valuable.

Modell Campagnolo: A college chum gave me a rough one, sans fork and various other parts, in 1972. I rode it until the frame broke, but always remembered the marque. When a neighbor was selling one with a dull red paint job for $20, I snatched it up. I have always been a sucker for the elaborate lugwork.

Sieger: This is the top of the Capo line. I found this one for sale while I was completing the restoration of the second Modell Campagnolo and decided to splurge, even though I did not really need another bike.

Bottom line: A lot of random drift and happenstance, more a matter of taking advantage of opportunities that arose than of any solid strategy or plan.