Daily driver - KOF 2002 Mercian Vincitore fixed-gear - full fenders, lights, capacious Carradice Nelson saddlebag, OT parts but not so much so, 'cause hey, it's a fixed-gear!
Gentleman's day touring bike - KOF Rivendell Road Custom, built by Joe Starck. I told Grant I wanted the bike that Jacques Anquetil would have ordered from Rivendell, and though the parts are mostly OT, they ARE in the spirit of vintage French road racing bikes of the early '60s - Campy hubs and derailleurs operated by friction shifters on the downtube, T.A. cranks and pedals, clips and straps ...
Go-fast bike (when I can make any bike go fast!) - 1982 Mercian Colorado, built by George Bryan (I think!) for Tom Mereness back when he was racing for the Mercian/Harvest/The Spoke team out of Boulder. Currently built up with barely OT parts, though someday I may find a Super Record group to hang on it. Dented top tube, faded paint, mild rust in spots - but oh, does this bike handle well, and oh, does it make me feel fast!
Vintage go-fast bike - c.1970 Peugeot PX-10E, built up from a frame Charlie Young gave me a few years back at the Cirque. Mostly period parts, Mafacs, later Simplex alloy LJ derailleurs, steel-centered Phil Wood hubs with rust laced to mismatched Mavic tubular rims (the front one is tied and soldered!). The ride is unlike anything else, and it feels surprisingly quick. Thanks again, Charlie!
Vintage gentleman's day touring bik - c.1962 Dawes Realmrider with a freak build - 4-speed Sturmey Archer FW hub instead of derailleurs, appears to be original issue, 27-in wheels, Brooks B17 and red Bluemels, initially rescued for $10 from the Anderson (SC) Jockey Lot, an enormous flea market where the same c*&p gets jockeyed from table to table. I sold it to the late, much missed Chris Beyer, then regretted it and made arrangements to buy it back from him. He was cool with the deal, and we exchanged some mild pleasantries, and that was probably my last communication with him. Joe B-Z handled the transaction when the estate sold the bike back to me. I rode my first post-heart attack metric century on this bike, and every time I see it I remember Chris.
Russ Fitzgerald
Greenwood SC USA