Re: [CR]was shorty fenders, now sign of "The Turkey"

(Example: Humor)

Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 10:43:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: "David Ross" <dlr94306@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]was shorty fenders, now sign of "The Turkey"
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


For some reason, "drop bars turned upside down" has become a defining mark of "The Turkey." Hard to imagine why, since it's a practice that goes back to at least the beginning of the 20th century. Haven't bars of all shapes and sizes been bolted up in every conceivable position if it serves a purpose? I've seen plenty of "bullhorn" bars that were really standard commuter-bike bars turned over.

I have a number of photos from days of yore with drop bars turned up, including one or two of famous racing men on their days off. And what a bargain for the weekend warrior: flipped up for comfort during the daily ride to work, turned down for the TT on the weekend. A number of bicycle manufacturers have also installed them this way at the factory:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/old-stuff/Repco_ad_1960

So next time you see a Turkey ride by, be aware that the rider may be more historically correct than you!

Dave "all mine are turned down right now" Ross Portola Valley, CA USA

John T.Pergolizzi wrote:
> In Brooklyn, there was, although now rare, a certain type of
> rider with way too small a frame, really long seat post and the
> compulsory "vise-grip" multi-adjustable one size fits all plier attached
> to the seat post.
> Usually most, if not all, the nuts on the bike had teeth marks
> on them. Ahhhh, yeaaa,.....aaahhhhh.......most.

and John Thompson replied:

Don't forget the drop bars turned upside-down so you can reach them
with
your seat way up there...