When I was 15 years old, residing in Roanoke, Virginia, I was riding a Peug eot UO8 that I had fitted with Shimano 600 components. It was my first bike with QR wheels and alloy components. Trying to understand why everything I bought for it never fit right was my first introduction to the joys of Fre nch sized components and threading (my local LBS knew better but still took advantage of a kid and his paper route money). While riding home from summer school one hot, windy August day, I had a nas ty climb at the end my commute. I weighed about 60 pounds less back then an d was a much better climber as a result. I noticed a Plymouth Duster parked unusually far out from the curb and made a mental note to avoid the car. T ucked down in the drops, I hammered up the hill and plowed into the rear of the car. If not for the toe clips, I surely would have landed on the hood. It knocked the wind out of me, bloodied my left hand, and destroyed my fra me. The next thing I remember was standing at the top of the hill, holding my bike on my shoulder, and looking down the street at the Duster. That nig ht I visited a local eccentric bike shop called Dixons (not the shop that t ook advantage of me) and bought a used low-end Miyata frame. I transferred the parts and was back on the road the next day.
Robert (frontal impact) St.Cyr
Davis/Sacramento Ca. USA