How about a pleasant exception story? One of my customers has a 20-year old Merz loaded tourer that she is in the process of either replacing or augmenting with a new frame. One of the builders she talked to was Glenn Erickson who builds a fine frame, most certainly knows touring gear, and like many Northwestern builders has a ton and a half of respect for the work of Jim Merz. Glenn's reply to my customer, once she explained what she was riding and what she wanted to do was something like, "What's wrong with the Merz? Are you sure you really want another bike." Mme. Customer has decided to augment the Merz with a sportier bike and partly as a result of that conversation, a new Erickson is one possibility she's considering. And, if there's a dangerously old, decrepit 57cm Singer randonneuse or Masi Special out there in someone's garage, I'll be happy to protect them from it.
David Feldman
Vancouver WA
> Sam,
>
> Fine with me, that just means more for us! Want to off that old rundown
> useless Seiber track bike??
>
> Brian Baylis
> La Mesa, CA
> >
> > Well, in one case I can tell you this is the truth. A friend of mind
has a
> > 1970s model that one day when we were riding decided to break. It
failed
> > between the bottom of the down tube and the BB shell. I am not trying
to
> > make the statement that all old bikes fail but this one certainly did.
I
> > VOW NOW NEVER BUY ANOTHER OLD BIKE only aluminum titanium and carbon
fiber
> > for me. I should go with the carbon fiber by doctor recommended fiber
years
> > ago and I did not listen.
> > Sam DiBartolomeo in Southern CA
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> _______________________________________________
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