I met an Engineer while working at NASA a few years back who had built one of those while he was working for Cannondale in the '80's.
One day he rode it in, after seeing me riding my Pedersen to work earlier in the week. He offered to let me ride it and I took it for a spin. It was pretty light, and I couldn't resist the temptation to ride a wheelie on it, big mistake! This rider was a motorcycle enthusiast, and had switched the brake levers left to right. I went back on my arse so fast I couldn't even get a leg out. That hurt. At least he bore no grudge, wish I could say the same. Ten years earlier, a mountain bike buddy did the same thing to me, only this time I was wearing walking shoes and simply threw his new OCLV carbon team bike down the street and jumped clear. That was cool.
David Snyder
Auburn, CA USA
> In the early 80s when BMX was peaking there was a push (unsuccessful) to
> race what they called F1. It was a criterium bike with 20" wheels. The
> concept was to road race in small areas like mall parking lots. Hopefully
> getting kids who were BMX racers interested in road racing. A couple of
> manufacturers were involved. I test road a titanium machine from (I
> believe) Merlin. All I remember was that it was wickedly fast and a lot of
> fun. 6 speed weighed about 10 lbs.
>
> Does this jog any memories? Any of those bikes still out there? Should be
> on topic, I remember it from '82.
>
> Steve Leitgen
> La Crosse, WI