love the old bikes! built one for a 20 mile bike trip my church was doing--"Free Spirit" department store frame, some borrowed chrome fenders, a Sturmey Archer hub from a scrap JCPenny special, the speedo of an exercise bike hose-clamped on, mustache handlebars, some old dia compe brakes, and i was walking away from people with brand new (walmart) "racing" bikes. would say bicycling is 10% equipment, 40% rider, and 50% knowing what you're doing. that bike cruised. also have a 1972 Raleigh right now that is the twitchiest bike ive ever had. generalizations REALLY dont work!