I've seen derogatory remarks towards "gaspipe" bikes here. I always figured it was low end, thick wall steel tubing that made for a heavy bike. Is that what it is? My Columbia certainly seems that way.

However, today I looked at a Sears bike. It looked like it was a knockoff of an English 3 speed; but I think at some point a bike shop converted it to a 5 speed, as it had, well, a 5 speed hub (forgot to look but must have been Suntour) with a Simplex derailler. The rims were steel but had some sort of fancy pattern on the brake area, and the frame looked like it had lugs for the various attachment points. Anyhow, I thought it didn't feel too bad on weight, and when I tapped a tube it sounded more like exhaust pipe than thick wall tubing! Is there an opposite end of gas pipe, or was this bike made of "gas pipe"?

[Of course, I didn't think to bring a magnet with me, nor a tape measure. Have to remember that for next time.]