[CR]Junk bikes VS Racing bike VS whatever....

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme)

Date: Sat, 28 Jun 03 15:17:23 +1200
From: "Wayne Davidson" <wayne.collect@xtra.co.nz>
To: "CR BIKE LIST" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]Junk bikes VS Racing bike VS whatever....

Hi all, I thought after reading the various emails over the last couple of days, that maybe a new title and clarification was required. 1) The main thing that always cracks me up is, what the general public call racing bikes vs what I call a racing bike. I hope this will not be too long winded, and not a canidate for the humourous awards. We all know what a serious cycle racer would use to race on, and thats what I would call a racing bike. Sure someone in fine condition could jump on any 10-12 speed bike and race on it, but really there are some basic requirments that someone with marbles would use to race on.
   Sure I have 2 lovely bikes and have had a few in the past, that I sure did call racing bikes, but I never raced them, just a daily rider for me. But that is a personal choice.
   Some people seem to think that any bike with 2 deraileurs is a racing bike. I really hate the term racing bike, some are just 10 speeds, that is the most common term here in NZ for such a bike. Some of the early 10 speeds that were NZ made, where either shimano 600 or Suntour VG equiped, they were under 30 pounds, but really they were not raced, but some people call them racing bikes.
   Hey don't get me wrong, they are nice bikes in their own right, I personally would love a Healing 12 speed in Purple/violet, with all that flowery shimano 600, but old age has taken its toll, but one day I'll be in the right place at the right time and get on. I just about have a Morrison Monarch in red sorted, they were Suntour eqiuped.
   I am just doing my little bit to help educate Joe Bloggs to call a 10 speed a 10 speed and a racing bike a racing bike, sure theres touring bikes and lightweight commuter bikes all those others out there, but I am just keeping it simple before people fall asleep over this topic......regards wayne davidson Invercargill NZ.....