Lou, Seeing how this po' stuff could quickly degenerate in this group, I will give this as my one po boy story: desperate for tires as I was at 16, and not knowing the secrets yet of changing a tube in a tubular, I spent the better part of three nights in front of the TV stitching up the liberated carcass of some el cheapo junko tubularo; probably a Hutchinson SuperSprint. Second ride, the side wall blew out. I felt really bummed till some old timer told me of how they would use garden hose for tires during the Second World War.
John T.Pergolizzi Brooklyn, New York Oh, the good ole days. I need a beer
John Pergolizzi said: When I started racing on the track in 1976, I had NO money and used used stuff across the board
I've been poor too and scrounged what I could. I rarely throw anything away. I've got boxes of old cables, housing, nuts, bolts, broken parts, and used tubular tires. Back in my poor days, I used the flatted tubulars that I had repaired as either my spares (as most of us probably did) or I used them on my indoor trainer, until the tread literally came off. I also started my notes that became the Used Bike Buyers Guide. I no longer have to be so frugal, but I've not totally abandoned my being cheap practices, other than not using the trainer at all anymore! Saves wear and tear on my old body, although that isn't the reason. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL "Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life,"--Brooke Shields, during an interview to become Spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign.