Conference noted::bicycle

    Trek 5500.  Aka known as "The stealth" until I bought a Dodge of
    the same name.  Accelerates like a rocket, now if I only had better
    turbo chargers.  :-)
    
    That's it.
    
    ed

    Sella Italia Flite saddle -- light and comfortable
    
    Bryne Speedplay pedals -- light and functional
    
    Mavic hubs -- light, and pretty much maintainance-free
    
    Dura-Ace STI -- heavy, but I never miss a shift
    
    Richard Sachs frame -- a steel rider's dream
    
    Ritchey steel stem -- for those of us who can't see paying $250 for
    this part!
    
    Justin

re .0

A slight digression here.  Are you saying that you got 3000+ miles out one set
of those Continentals?  I have the same tires on my bike and I'll be lucky if
I can get 1300 or 1400 out of the rear tire.  At least, like you, I have not 
any flats since switching to Continental.

Mark

I have purchased two bikes in '92. My SLX Framed BASSO, that I must admit, I was
slightly disappointed in its ride. That is until I found out I had the bottom
bracket on so tight that it was hard to spin the crank by hand. After 
adjusting that, the bike is feeling much, much, better.

STI levers. 

Mine are 600 Ultegra and they work great. I love how I never get caught 
in the wrong gear when someone jumps or in the middle of a climb out
of the saddle when you want to shift up. 

MB-5 Bridgestone MTB. 

I bought this only yesterday, yet I can tell this will be the best purchase I
made this year. I didn't have a lot to spend on a MTB, but this bike is an 
honest MTB. Ritchey Vantage rims with 2.1 Mega bite tires, 32 hole hubs aluminum 
chainrings 24-36-46 spacing. Also it has Deore thumb shifters. Many people
have touted the benifits regarding top mounted shifters. (Less moving parts,
friction option and quicker shifts) I for one liked the new rapid fire levers 
compared with low end top mounted levers. That is until I used the Deore top 
mounts. They shift without the time lag that you find in rapid fire. A very 
positive feeling. The geometry is great. The bike climbs great and descends 
equally as well.

Now I am into the old accessory trap. SPD pedals, SPD shoes, Onza bar ends,
the list goes on and on. But that will have to wait for the purchases '93 note.

Tom

Aluminum frame, small diameter bonded lug construction. Anodized red tubes.
20c wheels. Really sexy and really comfortable to ride. It is quite a move up 
from the entry-level Panasonic I bought back in '87.  And, as Ed alluded to, 
if only I had a new engine! 8-).

-Patrick

After Tom's memo, I feel a real cheapskate..

My colleages gave me a pair of Castelli Thermo-something leg warmers - they are
wonderful!

Two hybrid (knobbly) tyres for my old racer. It means I get the 
benefits of a racing bike (efficiency & handling) with the benefits of 
a mountain bike (bumping down curbs, off road use, immunity to punctures, etc).  

Another advantage is that the tyres make my bike hum, so other cyclists 
know when I'm about to overtake them :-)

    Happy purchases this year:  
    Specialized Stumpjumper Future Shock,
    XTR Rapid Fire Plus,
    Its own Avocet 50 (opulence at its finest),
    
    Happy purchases this year (NOT!):
    That stupid electronic air guage
    A couple of Performance EX tires that wore out after 600 miles
    NiceLight.  Nice flashlight for backpacking; useless on a bike.
    A pair of Nashbar gel gloves that only lasted a 1000 or so miles,
      before they proceeded to leak that crap over everything.

>Avocet 50 computer:  I like being able to measure my climbs, plus it gives me something
>else to put on my mileage log

- same here. another vote for avocet 50. i wish it had a percent gradient
readout though. can you say ciclomaster?

- to open focus here wider than purchases of equipment i like to put forth the
cycling trip i took in france as the best "cycling purchase" i've *ever* made.
if you are thinking about buying that $3000 unobtanium super-bike next season
or dumping all sorts of money on other superduper equipment i would like to
suggest that maybe you might enjoy it more to spend the dough on that "dream
vaycay" you've always wanted to take like i did. you won't be sorry. 

karol

    
    
    Campognolo Record Derailure with Syncro Shifters - the shifting has
    actually improved as the components get older. Amazing

    A Miyata Nine-14 - my first bike in 14 years, my first experience with
    a racing-minded bike.  It goes where I point it and scoots when I want
    it to.  Now I can go out and play boy-racer for the few moments it
    takes for the "engine" to break down.  And I love the indexed shifting.
    
    Clipless pedals (used, thankyou Justin!) for the bike, and shoes for me. 
    Again, my first experience with a cleated shoe of any type.
    
    Andy

    My favorite purchase was a pair of inner tubes for my MTB, because
    that's all I bought this year.  I made up for it by buying a PC, laser
    printer, sound board, tape backup, disks, software.....

    
    A Santana Moda MTB frame - Columbus MAX tubes, all fillet brazed,
    internal cable routing, etc.  Its a real work of art; as nicely built
    as Santana's top-end tandems.  I can't wait to get it finished and go
    chip up the sexy purple metallic paint job.
    
    Unfortunately, I'm sure that next year's favorite purchases will
    include the last of the parts - building up hot bikes has turned into
    an adventure for high-rollers or patient shoppers.  I wish I were the
    former.
    
    Will

re .3 

In retrospect, I do remember replacing the rear tire mid-way thru the summer.  It wasn't
totally gone yet, but I decided not to take a chance on it (I saved it for the rollers).

I guess I was so excited about the lack of flats that I forgot I bought a third tire. 
Sorry.

	Bridgestone MB-2 
	fun bike!  Makes me feel like a kid again.  1993 purchases might
	include an Allsop Frankenstem for it.  And SPD pedals.. and SPD
	shoes... and a paintjob....


	PARK Bike Repair Stand
	Top of the line stand: makes working on the bike a joy!  At least
	compared to the time I tried to take my chain and chainrings off
	while the bike was laying on its side on my tiny patio with the
	potted tomato plants and overgrown bushes poking me in the eye
	and getting caught in the spokes... 

    RE .4
    
    I'll second the purchase of a SLX BASSO, with STI.  There is a world of
    difference between my touring style Cannondale and the BASSO.
    
    WORST PURCHASE:
    
    One of those mini-pumps.  They are real light, and look good, it's just
    a shame it can't pump up tires to 100 psi.
    
    
    	Rob	(Yes Diane, I'm still happy with Ray's old bike.)

    First year on a bicycle in about 20.....(all my other two wheel bikes
    really did use gasoline)
    
    I really like my Offroad 352. Aluminum frame, Deore LX, Avocet cross
    tires.  Excellent choice for a Cross bike for me (new to biking, more
    road than cross country, tender rear). Went for a 34miler last Friday
    "around" Peterborough. Pure fun putting on the mileage.
    
    Another winner was a Performance 250 computer for $19.95.
    
                              

    Gee, have I spent no money this year ?  sure didn't seem like it.
    
    So, somewhat loosely:
    
    A Plate of Spaghetti consumed in Barcelonette after 180km/4400m 
    (3 cols), or perhaps the beer I had before the meal...
    
    Yes, that will stay in my memory long after all the new derailleurs,
    chains, tyres and wheels are long dust...

On the experience front, the best purchase I made this year was the 
Pyrenean Raid. I looked forward to that all year and felt a bit lost
afterwards - no purpose in life anymore! Some of the investment in that
was in the form of miles on the bike and that's left good memories too.

On the hardware front, the best bit was free - my new pro-titanium dynatech
frame from Raleigh. Best frame I've ever had. Other than that, 23mm Conti
Supersport Ultras were an excellent buy. Going up to 23mm from 20mm 
eliminates pinch flats, and the rubber is slick and grippy. I had an
Avocet 50 from last year and that's still giving excellent service. Oh,
best buy must have been the half-price bright pink Descente bib shorts!


Rod

     Best Purchases:
                     - Artcos stem
                     - Ti bolts
                     - Ergos !!!!!!!!!
                     - Back to Avocet K20's (balogna skins)
                     - Oakley Sub-Zero... 1st and only race I wore them I
                                          placed 2d
    
     Worst Purchses:
    
                     - Continental Grand Prix foldable clincher (700x18)
                     - Foster cleats (don't get the LOOK cleat - it s*cks)
                     - Jones cyclewear (this stuff is built for Buddy
                                        Hackett body types)
    
     Chip
     

2 excess baggage tickets to bring my TREK with me to the Ice Fields Parkway in
Alberta, Canada and on a trip to Colorado!  Fantastic ride'n.

...Ed ;')

re .20

Rod, what are we going to buy for 1993 in Raid terms???   I wanted to do it in
"sens inverse", but I guess it would have to be on my own beacuse of the "seen
it, done it" types.  Even so, it would be good training for some other loonie
outing...

Here a list of my most favorite (beautiful) purchase of 1992.

	1)	A Kestrel 200EMS frame

	2)	Campagnolo Delta brakeset

	3)	Campagnolo Ergo power grips

	4)	Crafton Ultralight Crankset


Bert Brummel.

    I was never a real biker, usually 4 lunchs a week for 15 - 20 miles and a 
    couple 60-80 mile trips during the summer, but this year I bought a 
    Specialized Rock Hopper along with an Act computer, Bar ends and other 
    small goodies. I just love MT biking, it brings back the way I used to 
    ride as a kid, I spent most of my time in the woods with my old
    stingray, seting up jumps, taking shortcuts to the beach and just plain
    old having fun. With the new MT bike I can again explore the power
    lines and just go anywhere I want to go. I don't do all that many miles
    but MT biking isn't really about miles.
    
    But it sure is about having fun.
    
    Alan

    
    Favorites:
    1. Campy Ergos!
    2. Lois Garneau (sp?) bib shorts - really comfortable.
    
    Honorable Mention:
    Trek 5500 - if only it had Campy instead of Shimano.....
    
    Worst:
    Paramount wireless computer with HR monitor
    
                                                          

    Let's see......
    
    Bridgestone MB-1, very cool bike with lots of Ritchey components
    and it only weighs 23pds. Anybody want to ride sometime??
    
    Bridgestone RB-2, pretty stable and useful when I don't have time
    to explore with the MB-1!
    
    Avocet 50, quite useful!!
    
    SPD pedals for the two bikes, and Ground control shoes.
    
    Specialized Sub-6 helmet.
    
    Oakley Sub-Zeros.

     Additions to '92:
    
                       o Ti axle bolts for the jockey and pulley wheels
                       o Ti hub axles (f/r)
                       o Ti rear derailleur hanger bolt
                       o Ti 20 pc. Delta brakeset kit
    
        I feeeeeeeeeeeeeel goooooooooooooood!
    
            Chip

    The great choices:
    
    * Avocet 50 computer - It's fun, bt more importantly, it's
    	extremely useful for setting training rides
    
    * Profile Airtryke bars - A pain in the *ss to install, but
    	well worth it
    
    * Open Corsa CX tires - great traction
    
    
    The mistake:
    
    * Silca floor pump - it never works quite right on both tires...
    
    
    regards,
     -Rich
    
    p.s. The next purchase is STI!

Favourite potential purchase of 1993..

2 Brooks Pro saddles, PLEASE..........

  I just can't seem to get out of this Cannondale routine that I'm in to (why
knock a great thing?).  
 
  Just bought my 3rd edition...this one is a 1993 Delta-V 700 mountain bike.
The Delta-V frame is built with an integrated front oil/air shock within an
oversized headset.  The shock is adjustable on-the-fly and can also be
adjusted for body weight by changing the air pressure of the return "spring".
So far it's working great!  The 700 comes with good quality Riche wheels,
Panaracer tires, & Deore LX so it's a nice step up from the low-end group
on my last Mt Bike.  I also through on a set of Durango bars (which are great
for climbing) and a headlight (so I can take my dogs out for a light romp on
weeknights).

  Admitedly, I still can't keep up with the big boys through the woods but
I'm starting to feel like I can at least hang on through some of the rocks
& roots of Leomenster State.  Now if I could just find some extra cash to get
rid of those sneakers...

-Steve

PS.  You know that steep climb that you've never been able to get up without
falling over?  Well I went back to mine yesterday and cleaned it!  Yahoo!

	My favorite purchase of this year was upgrading my nine year old
	Motobecane with Ultegra components.  Its a new bike!

	Can't wait to do Ride the Rockies with it.

	Kent

		    
    Best purchase:  STI (although it was a gift to me, not a purchase)

		    Deore XTR rear cluster & derailleur for my road bike
			(love those LOW gears!, works great with the
			STI shifters)

		    Doing the Pedal the Peaks Tour in June

   Worst purchase:  Doing HeartCycle's Yellowstone Tour in September


    (re .17 -- Rob, I'm so glad the Basso found a loving home!  It's too
     beautiful to be hanging from a garage ceiling.)

    - Diane

    Best Purchase...
    
    Klien Rascal, Horizon linear fade w/ Rock Shox to match.
    Included...XT group w/ rapid fire plus, Flite titanium saddle, SPD and 
    Onza bar-ends.
    
    The ride is as sweet as it looks.
    
    Kevin 

    
    
    Kevin that sounds like a nice machine....let me know if you want to
    exchange it in the future, just incase ;-)
    
    Shaw

    Shaw,
    
    .35
    Exchange it, are you kidding me?  With all of the selling I had to do 
    on my wife to get this baby I'm looking for ways to have it perminately
    attatched to my hind side.  At best you will have to wait until I prove
    that 5 year cost justification formula I used on her to get it.
    
    All kidding aside, it is a terrific handling machine that I could not
    be more happy with.  Thanks for the offer.
    
    Wait a second...a Ti seatpost, bottom bracket, hubset, skewer set and 
    bolt kit would be a nice addition for '93.
    
    Kevin
    
    be nice  

    
    In the "I can't believe a cheap gadget can be so good" category, I have
    to say that the Third Eye Chain Watcher I just put on the tandem is
    great.  Dave Wittenberg has recommended these things in the past;
    they mount on the bottom of the seat tube and prevent throwing your
    chain when going for the small ring.  My wife and I used (probably) the
    last pretty day of the year to test it.  We couldn't beat the thing.
    
    At $8.00, its a best buy.  A little black plastic and a hose clamp,
    installs in 2 minutes, shouldn't ever need adjustment.  Two thumbs up.
    
    Will