BMX bred kid....loves speed of old Univega
 

A slight cross post.

My mother in law gave my son (12 almost) her '78 Univega Gran Turismo. I fixed it up, meaning a lot of cleaning, removing old grease (original I am sure), new tires, tubes, liners, seat, bar wrap and put on a speedo. (pics soon)

My son has been bicycling forever...he didn't have a trike, he had a bike with training wheels (which came off when he brought me a wrench at 3 1/2 and inisted they come off), he had a trek kids mountain bike in heirited from a neighbor and then Santa brought a Haro Bmx bike.

He thought the Univega project was ridiculous...."I'll never ride that"..... telling other kids, by dad is kind of a bike nerd....always doing something with the the bike.

So when I finished, he rode the bike.....and was floored at how fast was and how much easier to go fast than his BMX bike. The BMX hasn't been ridden since.

The only problem is that he is faster than i am...so I am having to work harder on getting in shape.

Bottom line, I would bet that most of todays kids, raised on mountain, bmx and cruiser bikes (nothing wrong with any of these ) have no idea of what a fast, fun ride a classic road bike is. So we should encourge them, it will add smiles all around

I have to confess that I'm one of those kids. I've always had cruisers and my Haro Shredder bmx. My first "big kid" bike was my 21 speed Kona Mtn bike. But lately I've come across vintage road bikes thru my roommates and find myself very addicted. Can't wait to get my vintage project completed to ride.

I love my Giant Rincon, but love the look and ride of vintages roadies.

Yeah, same timeline for me.

7yo: Schwinn Predator
10yo: GT Performer
13yo: Specialized Rock Hopper
19yo: Haro SR 24
Today: Many road and track bikes

I love passing BMX "bred" kids on a 28 year old Pinarello with my 55 year old body. Some of these "kids" are not kids anymore on their little BMXers with their knees bent up under their chest. When I go by them like they are standing still I sometimes wonder if they think I am Superman or if maybe it is the brick they are riding that is the difference? I dunno.

LC