Originally Posted by
Chicagoan
very interesting thread, I am new to classic bikes, but have recently started collecting them (to my parent's dismay, even though both of them love my Varsity since it is from their Era). I'm sure that I am younger than alot of the guys here, I'll be 16 in a few days. But back to the topic at hand. I am fine with the performance of my Varsity. The brakes could be better, but they are fine now after I paid $140 to get the bike tuned up (needed new derailers). The other day, I was cruising at about 18mph when some roadie in a superhero costume flew past me. I kept up with him for the next half mile, then I got close enough and saw that it was some old dude ( no offence), Hillclimbing wasn't his his thing and he slowed to a crawl. The look on his face was priceless as I clanked past him on my 40 year old Varsity. So yeah its a bit heavy but its fine for commuting. It even tows my trailer to go and pick up garbage finds.
Long Live the Ten Speed!!!
I hope your parents realize that you could be doing a lot worse things than collecting bicycles....
At age 15, I had a garage full of bikes, none particularly collectible. I had one "good" bike, a Nishiki. At 16, I got a job, my dream job at the time, working in a bike shop. One more good bike, a restored Italian road bike of doubtful heritage, then they were all gone and I was driving. I didn't start seriously riding again until I was in my early 40's.
So.........don't give it up like I did. I am glad I rediscovered it once again, but sorry that all those non riding years got past me.