Over the years I’ve collected a bunch of bicycles and have bought enough parts and accessories to run my own bicycle shop. But out of all the things I own, there’s one thing that I’ve refused to get rid of, and that would be my Gary Fisher Tarpon Frame, seen below.
The Tarpon or as Moe likes to call it, the Crap-on or Tampon, was my first mountain bike that I owned as an adult. There’s something about it that makes me want to keep it. After I bought my first full suspension bike, I gave the Tarpon to Priscilla. Then once we got her a new bike, it then went to my brother. But after a few years, I kinda missed the thing. So I gave my brother a different bike in exchange for the Tarpon. Anyhow, I’ve had the Tarpon for about 9 years now and its currently hanging on a hook in my garage waiting for the next project.
But I’m sure there are a few of you that have similar stories of items you refuse to give up. I’m curious to know what it is. Could it be a frame, wheelset, grips, saddle…who knows. Tell us what you won’t sell or throw away.
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Show Commentsha! that’s my ’97 Marin pine mountain! I still ride it and it’s smoother than most of the modern bikes around.
A 1994 Trek 930 Cromoly Hardtail.
My first bike I bought with my own money.
I just build it back up this year replacing everything but the frame. 2010 XTR drvetrain, Fox shock, FSA carbon goodies….
My UMF Hardy 1 TEAM frame, fo sho! I wouldn’t sell that in my life! I’ll just keep it until it breaks in half. Then I’ll hang it on my wall!
the first real mtb i ever got was a Performance AL bike. low end, but it did me well. I only have the frame left now hanging in my basement. I think i’ll make it into a singlespeed baby trailer hauler.
but then i’m still riding a ’99 litespeed HT with 63mm suspension and 8 speed xtr lol
I was hoping GhostRider would comment. I know that he’s got a couple bikes that he’s had since the 70’s? One of his Trek road bikes he sold, bought back or something like that…
I wish I could have hung onto a lot of the bikes I’ve owned over the years…a Vitus 979, the Rocky Mountain MTB I had in the late 80s, etc.
The one that HAS hung on with me is the Bianchi/Piaggio Rekord road bike I purchased brand-new at the Bianchi factory store in Milan with money from my first job (back in 1983). Here it is: http://velospace.org/node/3019
The only original parts are the frame, fork and headset cups, but I love that bike as much as I did the day I bought it. I’ve tried to convince my wife to let me hang it over the fireplace, but she ain’t havin’ it.
Another bike that I’ve owned a total of FIVE times is still with me (to stay, this time) is a 1984 Trek road bike, purchased from a co-worker in 1993 not long after I moved to Florida. That one is here: http://velospace.org/node/27657
The story behind it is here:
http://www.bikecommuters.com/2007/12/02/the-bike-that-kept-coming-back/
As you can see, the rebuild went nicely…9-speed Campagnolo drivetrain, fresh powdercoat, etc.
I should add that I have a ton of parts that I won’t part with, either — mostly vintage Italian stuff, including my grandfather’s last pair of Campagnolo hubs. I had Peter White Cycles in NH lace those up into some wheels for the Bianchi. There are tubs and tubs of goodies in my shed…
My older brothers 1976 Peugeot road bike I remember him riding when I was a kid and my own 1988 red Cannondale SM700. The Peugeot is on a trainer in the basement and the Cannondale is on a hook waiting for a SS conversion
That would be my 97 Trek 8500… My first real mountain bike, used in my first real race.
It’s almost still all original.. down to the still perfectly true radial laced front wheel and Offset rim rear wheel. I’ve replaced the shifters and Cassette and chain, but with the exact same parts.
My 1988 Specialized Rock Combo has actually never seen a trail- it has been a solid road machine though many transformations (and one RAGBRAI), and currently serves as my Friday commuter. Still has the flared drops with bar-end shifters.