I'd always been on road bikes, (which is fairly odd as I live in Edinburgh, the land of lungbursting hills and cobbles) when I got bored of constantly straightening wheels. So I bought a cheapo own brand from the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op. I suddenly gave up on the road bike and used it for most of my trips, sadly it was stolen after a few months. So insurance money ready I decided to buy a "proper mountain bike.
Bearing in mind first and foremost it was to be a hardy street bike I was instantly attracted to Kona as the straight forks and short frame looked perfect for chucking around in traffic. I was right. To be honest though the main attraction was that they looked cool as funk compared to other things with the different coloured forks and super low top tube (which turned out gave too small a triangle for a D Lock, D'oh!)
I loved it and very quickly started changing bits on it, obviously a Selle Italia race bike saddle as that was what I was used to, then lots of other lightweight and funny coloured bits of alloy thingbobs followed. Then in time the most vicious nasty looking beartraps pedals I could find. Loved them, shins hated them.
Last big spend was a set of wheels, super light Mavic rims and deore LX hubs as it was the most I could afford. These were kept with offroad tyres and slicks were put on the standard Bontrager rims for weekdays.
I sold it after a couple of years to upgrade to an Orange. Sold it to a friend for his girlfriend so they could have romantic Sunday cycles. Sadly on their first romantic cycle she fell off and was bitten by the beartraps, hospital, many stitches and skingrafts on her knee. Whoops.
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