Simple. List your first ever 'quality' steel/other bike purchased. Where from, how much, and do you still have it? What's your virgin steel story?
Here's mine: when I was 15 someone my dad knew in the pub with was selling a 'proper bike, ten speeds, plus saddlebag' for £25. My dad gave me the money and fair play, he set me off on my own to buy it ! I was really excited. The bike was three flights up on the top floor of a really rough maisonette, and the guy who answered looked like Faggin and Catweasel all rolled into one. He did not invite me indoors, but rolled the bike out to meet me. With a kind of flourish!
It was a real state, but I could see it was like the old guys bikes in the club, with v fancy Nervex lugs and was probably 531. They taught me how to ping a tube to see if it was butted and low and beholdbThe Flying Scot 245L (1963) was mine (turned out it was part of a pair built for husband and wife, and years later I would meet the 'other half' 244L.) They were unusual in that they had double butted Huret ends with no holes in.
It was painted a horrible rattle can black but the 'The Scot' head badge was still attached. I was made up and offered the guy £20 on the spot which he duly accepted. The other fiver went towards a pair of leather cycling shoes and a pair of leather mitts.This was my main ride, taking me all over England and Northern France till I was 18 years old and could afford a Carlton.
I sold it. Idiot. And every time I see one now with the elegant wrap around seat stays and the weird 5.5mm Allen Key seat bolt, I get very nostalgic. Here's 277N which I later purchased and again, stupidly sold on
Here's mine: when I was 15 someone my dad knew in the pub with was selling a 'proper bike, ten speeds, plus saddlebag' for £25. My dad gave me the money and fair play, he set me off on my own to buy it ! I was really excited. The bike was three flights up on the top floor of a really rough maisonette, and the guy who answered looked like Faggin and Catweasel all rolled into one. He did not invite me indoors, but rolled the bike out to meet me. With a kind of flourish!
It was a real state, but I could see it was like the old guys bikes in the club, with v fancy Nervex lugs and was probably 531. They taught me how to ping a tube to see if it was butted and low and beholdbThe Flying Scot 245L (1963) was mine (turned out it was part of a pair built for husband and wife, and years later I would meet the 'other half' 244L.) They were unusual in that they had double butted Huret ends with no holes in.
It was painted a horrible rattle can black but the 'The Scot' head badge was still attached. I was made up and offered the guy £20 on the spot which he duly accepted. The other fiver went towards a pair of leather cycling shoes and a pair of leather mitts.This was my main ride, taking me all over England and Northern France till I was 18 years old and could afford a Carlton.
I sold it. Idiot. And every time I see one now with the elegant wrap around seat stays and the weird 5.5mm Allen Key seat bolt, I get very nostalgic. Here's 277N which I later purchased and again, stupidly sold on
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