grand bleu redux
1984 Schwinn Sierra, 23"
Integrated "bullmoose" bar and stem, steel, no name (stock)
Steel, with forged sloping fork crown (stock)
"Made in Japan" hubs with high, solid flanges, and Araya rims (stock); Continental T&C tires
Same as front (stock), with six-speed 14-28 Shimano freewheel
Sugino double crankset (stock); Shimano sealed bottom bracket
Serfas Cosmo saddle, generic seat post
old MKS road pedals and toe clips, patented bottle-cap dust caps; SRAM chain
Shimano mountain (stock)
Shimano Deore XT cantilevers, Dia-Comp levers (stock)
Tubus Costom rear rack, Nitto M-12 front rack, SKS fenders
Zip
The happy ending to a long, sad story. Originally purchased one of these back in the summer of 2006 as my winter bike. Liked the frame details, including the fastback seat lug, forged ends, and sloping fork crown. Took it down to the frame, built it back up, and had a great time riding it. Everything was wondeful until Dec. 13 of that year, when the bike was stolen. Tried like hell to get it back (police report, flyers, fist-shaking at the Fates, etc.), and when that didn't work, set about getting another. After several months of searching, turned up the same year, model, and color of bike, and in the same condition -- mint. That it was in California didn't stop me. Got it, rebuilt it exactly the same as the bike that was stolen, and now I'm riding again -- with a big, big lock, needless to say. (The original is still on Velospace too, may she rest in peace.)