For four years my daily commute to work included a 12 percent climb (Lusk Bl. in Sorrento Mesa, for those familiar with San Diego). I began with an early 1970s Varsity with aluminum rims, (shimmed) downtube gear levers, and a 6-speed freewheel, but I soon switched to a same-vintage Peugeot UO-8 a coworker gave to me. I put aluminum rims and a cheapo aluminum crankset on the UO-8, along with an old Campag. NR derailleur and shifters, plus one of those funky old normal-high SunTour Spirt front derailleurs. I did enjoy the Peugeot's 5-kilo weight advantage on the big hill climb, although it was pretty inconsequential on the rest of the ride. However, the Peugeot eventually cracked a chainstay, a fate I doubt would ever have struck the Varsity.
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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