My Favorite Bike of All-Time
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- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
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My Favorite Bike of All-Time - Спорт
Thanks for your sharing your love for cycling.I bought a Serotta Ottrott frame in 2005,While i had to explain to my wife why i wanted to purchase a partial bike for more than i paid for my car,she could accept the purchase when she saw the smile on my face after my first ride.It is now 2019,with thousands of miles on the frame.I am now single,65 years old.cancer survivor both hips replaced got thru a broken femur,and i now ride 10 hours per week.This frame has been and will be my gift from heaven.Hey Bob i am very happy for your success.
I have a 2006 Ottrott, rode it until 2021, put close to 30K miles on it, finally had to hang it in a place of honor in my house. I loved it, fast, went downhill like it was on rails, just wonderful. Older I got the harder it was to ride a road frame with drop bars. Have a carbon Trek FX with flat bars now, but damn, do I miss that Serotta.
Bob, I met you at Purgy's in Purgatory around 2004 (?). Anyway. When I was in high school and college (late 80's / early 90's), I worked at a small bike shop in Oklahoma. One day we he had a younger teenager called in to ask us if we could work on his "Huffy racing bike." Now, as you alluded to, Huffy bikes were not expensive, and we often had folks bring in Huffies that were in various states of disrepair. Often repair estimates far exceeded the value of the bike. So, this kid calls, and we tell him to bring it on in. An hour or so later, he shows up, and to our surprise it was Eric Heiden's bike. His father was a promoter for 7 eleven, and it was given to him as a gift. A magnificent machine. We made sure to let him know what a treasure he had.
i've worked on thousands of bikes, always felt my best after i turned a regular Huffy machine into something fun.
instead of a no-brakes death machine
odd / random question, but is it Huffys or Huffies? Since it is a name I thought Huffys.
Hey Bob...I have one of those team bikes with your initials on the chain stay! I contacted some folks at Serotta after I acquired the bike and confirmed that it’s from the ‘87 season. The bike sits underneath an autographed poster of you negotiating the muddy gutter at Paris-Roubaix that same year (at least I think it was that year). One of the wheels has the 7-eleven team sticker still on it! So cool to hear your thoughts on these bikes. If you ever want a reunion, I could probably arrange it ; )
The rear cassette was called a freewheel back then, LOL! So glad you're still rollin'!
A piece of history. Those of us in our 60s who started riding in our teens can remember nailing on our own cleats on a cobblers shoe. The changes in the bikes, components, clothing, and availability have been amazing.
Roy Cohutta Yep.
...and remember not getting them nailed on quite right at times. Oh my aching knees! LOL
My first shoes had those nail-on cleats. A shoe repair guy nailed them on for free. In way, I'm still riding those days with m old Serotta with Mavic crankset.
Yup, spring of 1970, Detto Pietros with that nailed-on metal slotted cleat.
Our 'fit system' was to ride them sans cleat, get an imprint into the hard leather outsoles from the pedal cage, and then line that up with the slot in the cleat to nail them on. 🤣 😉
I have new TA cleats hanging on the wall in the garage!
That was a great visit into the older bikes. Have a history story to tell regarding the first bike I purchased in 1972. I grew up in Wisconsin and while studying at the University of Wisconsin I ran across a small bike shop called Stella Bicycle Shop. Two guys Dick Burke and Bevil Hogg owned the store and I purchased a really exceptional Stella Bike. The French manufacturer was little known but I worked with them to select my components. The derailleur was very important for me and I worked riding with so many of the greats and settled on the Simplex LG over Campagnolo. It was so accurate and as predictable as it could get back then. I remember the powder blue frame well and the only accessories were a spare sew up tire, a tire iron, glue and a small bag to hold behind the seat. I rode from Brown Deer to Port Washington WI. 5 days a week for many years when I was home in the summer a of course on Campus and SW WI. otherwise. I rode that bike for over 40 years. So that bike was my favorite bike and while Stella went out of business in 1975 Dick Burke and Bevil Hogg, started a new company in Waterloo, WI….Trek.
Bobke, I have been following the Tour de France since I started riding and remember the 7/11 Teams. It was great and of course my favorite rider ( no disrespect ) was Eric Heiden. Thanks for sharing !
By the way we raised our kids within 2 miles of Huffy Manufacturing and needless to say we had a few of those bikes over the years.
I wish you well, Mr. Roll, I wish you were still recording these!
You could take one of those 7-11 bikes and ride it around the world, for the rest of your life. That was the peak of steel frame building, where geometry, strength and light-weight all came together. Awesome era.
I rode for Eastside Wheelmen in the late 90s and early 2000s. Thank you for letting me fly your amazing colors Bobke!!! I wish I had a "huffy" custom Serrotta bike to this very day. Kudos Bobke, please keep up the great work!
Miss your videos, Bobke! Come back!!
Ben Serotta built beautiful bikes. I worked in a great shop that sold his custom frames and Ti bikes in the next wave. He built three frames for a 7'1" customer of mine that he, no doubt, would remember. The Ti road frame was so large it had a lateral tube like a tandem. The bikes were huge, none of our mechanics could ride them. Bob forgot to mention that they were the first team to use Shimano in the pro peloton in '86. The indexed shifting, internal brake housing routing, brake pads that actually gripped and pedals that used Shimano axles, needle bearings, a better spring (that made them vastly superior to Look) and much better cornering clearance (especially for American Crits) changed the component industry. Campy completely changed their tired groups and woke up.
What a cool time to work in shop with an American team in the peloton, Greg LeMond coming back (eventually with Bob and Gilbert Duclos Lassalle* at his side). I got to meet Bob at the bike show years later and he is just as cool and approachable in person as you would think.
Thanks for bringing back some great memories.
*I always thought that Lance should have ridden Paris Roubaix as a Super Domestique for George Hincapie the way LeMond rode for Duclos Lassalle as a payback for waiting for him in the '90 TDF. Duclos Lassalle was in a breakaway that finshed in his hometown and he pulled over and waited for Lemond. Bobke was also on one of those teams. In Greg's own words: "In 1992 I was physically having a great year, but Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle won it that year. A few years earlier in the 1990 Tour de France, I flatted and Lassalle was in an eight-minute breakaway and headed into a stage finish he would have easily won. But he pulled back and waited for me and if he hadn't I might not have won the Tour that year. I told him I
was going to repay that gesture at Paris-Roubaix one day. When the time came in '92 to repay the debt, I really felt great and chased everyone down to help Lassalle. That was my most satisfying Paris-Roubaix even thought I didn't win it (LeMond finished ninth)."
You described those Dura Ace LOOK pedals to the teeth...the only thing that came close were the Time Equipe which is what I used back then and still do now. The 1st gen with those rear plastic clip that’ll fall off if you take a corner too close!
1980 Pinarello Super Treviso in red with super Campagnolo groupo. Ahhhh. Toe clips and Sidi Francesco Moser shoes. Ahhhh again. An old toe strap to hold your spare tubular under your Concor Selle San Marco bicycle saddle. Those were the days!
Yup, and a Silca Impero frame fit pump to inflate that tubular when you flatted the one glued to the rim.
I love the mahogany Eames leg splint casually resting against the wall!
Is that what it is? I thought it was a piece of Bob's art collection. Like an African sculpture!!
Indexed shifting. I marvel that musicians playing stringed instruments (like the violin) manage to hit perfect pitch - quickly! - without needing frets. May help that they are not gasping for air whilst doing it? I used non-indexed DT shifters for years and one of the pluses was that the shifters were never "out of adjustment" on the intermediate cogs due to cable stretch or a different wheelset. Shifting without having to remove a hand from the brake hoods is a huge plus, though. Anybody else remember bar end shifters?
Oh yes, I've got a pair on one of my bikes, the rear is indexed and the front is friction. Friction shifting on a 2x front derailleur is a dream, just align your derailleur, set your limit screws and you get perfect shifts every time, not to mention unlimited "trim" options. The bar end shifters sure are easier to use than downtube shifters though.
Beautiful shot of you at 2:30. It had all the classical elements of what I regard as the golden age of competitive cycling - a lean steel frame, nothing aero, no helmet, and white socks.
I still remember when "Raleigh" was bought by Huffy. In 87 I was riding a Reynolds 753 Raleigh with Mavic GP4 rims/Campy SR group. I loved my Selle Italia "Turbo" seat...Still have a couple of my Reynolds 531 frames. Nothing ride likes steel. Well...carbon is very close but there's just no substitute for the mass as far as the "feel".
Sky at VeloCult in Portland (formerly of San Diego) has one of these Serotta-built Huffies on display in his shop, and a few other beauties.
During the build-up, I was sure Bobke was going to say the 7-11 team Merckx's, but these Serotta/Huffies were never made available to the public. I balked at a chance to buy Frankie Andrieu's Merckx (one of the first to come out about Armstrong) and have been kicking myself ever since.
Thanks for. the memories Bob. Your video transported me back to my cycling memories in the Boulder area in the early 80's and the Red Zinger Classic as American cycling was starting to emerge on the world stage.
I would have guessed that the Pogliaghi that Mike Neel gave you. I remember how much you liked it when you showed me at the parts house I worked at.
Our area's state rep (this was the ABL of A back then, PRE-'district' areas, they went by state) let me try his Campy Record equipped, Pogliaghi in spring of 1970, around the park where the local early season training races were held.
My FIRST time ever riding on tubulars, let alone riding a quality Columbus tubed frame, and I was totally and completely hooked on riding and racing from that time forward.
It was eye opening as compared to the '15 speed' (triple), about 30 pound, 1 1/8" heavy clincher tire steel rim Dynomax I was starting to ride on back then.
loved that bike as well, to this day I wish I had bought one. Keep the vids coming Bob, we love ya!
Recently found your channel after watching 2023 Tour. Love it and will strive to go through all your videos. Keep making them.
Great video, there’s something so pleasing about downtime shifters. Love em
And we loved watching you guys ride them!!!
Appreciate the trip down memory lane. I remember my bike was an actual “10 Speed” HUFFY, I think from Sears & Roebuck, with the down tube shifters. I loved that 7/11 was a major sponsor back then for American cyclists. I remember seeing the posters of you guys in the windows when walking in the stores. But, I only remember seeing limited coverage of the TDF, because I don’t think it was completely televised. Anyway, thanks again, Bobke. Hope you are doing the 2018 TDF TV coverage with Phil/Paul/Christian and Jens!!! Not a good experience watching cycling without your crew doing the commentary!!! I think I speak for all of us who love cycling on that note!!!
Another great video Bobke! This one brings back a lifetime of fond memories for me...A Huffy was my very first bicycle when I was five years old, and I grew up riding them because they were the best that my parents could afford. I started club racing in 1986, and I remember the pride that I felt seeing the Huffy brand represented by Team 7-Eleven in the Tour De France! In 1991 I bought my all time favorite bike, a custom Serotta Legend Ti Pro, which I raced on the road for 18 years before setting her out to pasture. In 2009 she was supplanted as my race bike by a carbon wonder, which does everything a little better with 1kilo less weight, but I have kept her relevant for "EZ On Sunday Morning" rides by keeping her components and wheels up to date. She is my "forever" bike, and she will be the last bike that I ever give up. Cheers!
Friction shifting was like playing a fretless bass. I kinda miss it.
Hampsten Cycles builds a modern steel frame bike that you can request in 7-11 colors. Looks the business and it gets you modern geometry and components.
After all these years i just got the 7-11, uniform........ Now i need the Bike.... Raul Alcalá and Bob are still my heroes .........
I could listen you wax on all day about bikes, racing and pretty much anything you want to talk about Mr. Roll! I hope you know how much you are loved and respected!
Love your channel and cycling insights. Always have been a big fan of yours.
Thanks for Watching
I rode (and still have) a 1990 vintage Bridgestone RADAC 3100, outfitted with the same Dura-Ace groupo and pedals that were used on this Serotta/Huffy. As Bob, explained, it was a great technological leap up, certainly so from the hodgepodge component selection and friction shifting found on my Austro-Daimler Inter 10. Also have the San Marco Rolls saddle (with titanium rails). Still love that bike.
Steve
Great subject and I appreciate you sharing...great vid Bobke!
Have a Serotta Ti circa early 2000’s. First nice bike I owned.
I loved the Rolls saddle. Used that model for thirty years!
My Trek 760 steel 1984, I still ride, updated components to Shimano 105, and got it powder coated, but it is my favorite bike!
GO BOBKIE!!!! Happy New Year!!! I enjoyed the Pod Cast that you and Lance did! 🚴♀️♱
Sweet bike, I remember you guys riding those bikes, thanks for the memories Bob.
I loved the nostalgic review of your team bike. I also have a bike from that era, it's a Bridgestone Radac with the Shimano Dura Ace 7 speed indexed shifters mounted to the down tube. I fell in love the bike the first I rode around the streets of Santa Cruz CA. It was an excellent bike and still have it hanging in my bedroom. I carried me on thousands miles and I never had any issues with the Dura Ace setup. I never raced but I did manage to do the Death Ride 5 times on my all alloy Dura Ace equipped Radac. One of the interesting things about the Radac frame is that the lugs were internally bonded. Thanks for sharing
Bobke Dude... Your favourite saddle is actually a Selle San Marco Rolls..
Great trip down memory lane, Bobke! While I never owned THAT bike (although I wish I could, hopefully you & I never get in a bidding war on ebay together - one of us will get taken to the cleaners!), I LOVED that bike & your team. I was in high school & just getting into/learning about real cycling - that bike was the "holy grail". My first bike (aka my first taste of freedom!) was a brand new Huffy Thunder Road when I was 5. I road that bike everywhere, loved & cherished it for 5 years. When I was 10, I got a hand-me-down 10 speed & then over the next several years, several bikes - none lasted as long or carried me as many miles as my old Huffy. Then, mid-80's, I got my first "real" road bike, a Raleigh Technium 440. Boy did I think that was the bee's knees! (I let that bike go... but found one just like it a few years back & picked it up for the nostalgia). Then I started working in a shop, started understanding what competition cycling was all about, & our "elite" line the shop carried was Serotta. Seeing you in the old VeloNews (& other industry rags) riding that white & red Huffy was inspiring to a young shop grommet just getting into the sport! As much as I wanted one of those rides, I could never afford one on a bike mech's salary. As I got older & my income increased I was able to get my first. Using the N+1 rule, I now have 3 Serotta's & ride them regularly in a rotation along with my newer carbon bikes (that I don't tend to keep more than a year or two before I upgrade to a newer carbon model). I don't think I'll ever get rid of the S's. They'll go on the wall when they're no longer rideable.
Thanks again, Bobke; love the vids in general... especially this one!
I think I saw that bike. Bob Roll, Coors Classic, bombing around Santa Rosa's courthouse square. Leading the pack that included Lemond and Hinault. What stood out was Bob's big grin. It was a coastal stage, but the route included about 3 crit style laps around the square.
I love your channel Bobke!!!
I still own and regularly ride a custom steel bike older than this. I replaced Campy Nuovo Record with
that same Dura Ace 7400 and it still functions just as well as it did then. Still the most solid and fastest shifting Ive tried. Its due to the short cables and housing. I get to try all the new tech.
I wont buy carbon bicycles. I used to machine carbon satellite components. I know what quality looks like!
Now I wrench in a shop for fun and laughs in my semi retirement. Its great to finally say “I really love my job”
Ive cut up numerous crashed and broken carbon frames and components. What I see is almost no QC. Quality is all over the place even on the high end. I see poor engineering and design. I see bikes designed by people that dont consider their maintenance. They are NOT wrenching on these bikes!
In 50 years of cycling experience Ive only seen a few steel bikes that couldnt be repaired. In 3 years wrenching in a high end shop, Ive seen dozens of carbon frames and components RELEGATED TO A DUMPSTER.
Wake up! Don’t drink the koolaid!!
Im not the 1st person to make such claims.
Uncle Bobke! Thanks for the video once again and the trip down memory lane. Those were my favorite bikes, too. I started following the sport when the Coors Classic rolled through my hometown of Loveland, CO in 1984 on the Cheyenne to Denver stage. My favorite bikes are from the late 1980's era. I wonder if it is because that is when I fell in love with cycling and cycle racing. I wonder what other people's thoughts are on their favorite era of bikes, if it is when they were 1st introduced to the sport. I still have a 1987 Trek 1500 with DA 7400 group, Cinelli bar and stem, and San Marco Rolls saddle. It's my favorite bike to look at and ride. True they are heavier than todays bikes, but such a joy to still ride. I hope you can be reunited with your old bike.
Nice! I was recently given an 86 Panasonic Team Japan as a first bike as I just started cycling last Novemeber, and I use it as a daily rider today, and I really love it. Very similar paint scheme as yours. I'm looking into picking up an aluminum daily rider so i can retire this one and restore it. I don't plan on getting rid of it ever though. Thanks for sharing!
Bobke,Love the bike as well, but rule number 1 sharing our vintage rides, Drive side photos!
Amazing insight on one of the most iconic bikes 😎
Wow.. a beautiful ride Bob. I'm happy you mentioned my friend Ben Serotta. He was my mentor in bicycle fitting and spent many weekends up at his home and factory in Saratoga Springs New York. All his frames including his titanium/carbon frames were all so very sweet to climb upon and ride or race with. A lot of people don 't know that back in the eighties and nineties he was actually the manufacturer of many frames that were sponsered by other companies with their names on the down tubes. What do you ride now Bob, I'm really curious. Keep the videos coming, I really look forward to them. Ciao
I thought for sure you were gonna say the Motorola team bike, that thing looked so cool. Enjoying your vids Bobke, great stuff.
I Really appreciate your of way of explaining Cycling related Stuff and giving us some Info. just feels natural with no pretending and that Kind of bullsh**
Bob- I was surprised you did not choose the 1988 merckx 7-11 team bike that was custom made for you!
It was a fantastic bike -I know because it fell into my hands a few years ago ( your name in the top tube, number hanger). Eddy custom made the geometry for you, had the same tight
rear triangle, shimano 7400 components. I also have that alsop team Ritchie softride mountain bike but I’m not so wild about the beam bikes. Just a collector.
My first bike was a Centurion Ironman Dave Scott -- with those white Look petals. They were great! Wow does that bring back some memories.
Started racing in the early 80’s, rolled as a cat 2 for a long time. Forgot all about the click shifting coming in.
Bianchi built Marco Pantani's bikes with a friction down tube shift lever for his front changer and the brake lever mounted index shifter for the rear changer.
We love you Bob
Great video Bobke. I have family members who used to work at Huffy's main plant in Celina, Ohio and I can remember them show casing the Serrotta made bikes they sponsored for 7-11 and the American riders on Le Vie Claire. It's a shame that all that historical knowledge of cycling manufacturing died with that Huffy Plant. I knew some guys there who did amazing torch work. After seeing those Huffy Sponsored bike I got rid of my Motobecane Super Mirage and bought a Schwinn road bike with Shimano 105 index shifters. What a huge improvement that was at the time.
It’s a beauty that’s what I was hoping you would feature excellent sir
Of course, a Serotta. I still routinely ride my Dura Ace equipped 1990 Serotta Colorado II and nothing comes close for ride quality.
I still ride those 1988 Shimano Dura Ace Clipless Pedals on my track bike torqued all the way. I bought them in 1988 when I was 16 - still solid as a rock.
I have a 89 Eddy Merckx 7-11 (Columbus SLX/SPX) with Dura Ace 7sp downtube shifters that I raced 91-96 and I use for coffee rides.
C'mon man, do you really expect us all 2 believe that ?
@@dannyho6786 Yes.
Bob Roll Rocks like no other
i love those crank-armed brakes like no other
Shimano single pivot
but i use Modolo levers
love the rolls saddle, in a way indexing took away some of the finesse of knowing where a what gear you where in.
When I was 13 a neighbor’s female cousin came down to NC from Chicago for the summer. Beautiful girl, we were all enamored. About all she could talk about was her boyfriend and his 10 speed racing bike. Of course I had to have one, too. I hounded my poor parents until they finally gave in. I remember going with my dad to the sporting goods store to pick it up. The owner said he’d never seen anything like it. This was summer of 1965. The bike was a gold, Schwin 10 speed. We used to tighten up the rear brakes so we could “burn rubber” (remember, we were in NASCAR Country) by applying the brakes at high speed. I loved that bike. My mom gave it away during a move while I was in the navy in the western pacific. Wish I still had it.
I had a Huffy bike at that time. I was 10 ish and had the bmx style bike they made. It was red and my first taste of freedom. It had pads on the top tube and between the handle bar grips that velcroed on. Memories......
Thank you mr roll for making this show. I have the exact same bike. I am in the process of cleaning mine up. I had knee replacement surgery but plan on riding again. Serrotta made a fabulous frame.
start easy, warm up on the bike, then stretch a bit, that is the path to recovery on a bike
and get a haircut... SA is vital
The only thing that beats that Huffy is eating blueberry oatmeal cooked in a brass pot and drinking coffee whilst riding the Huffy!!
Haha. Bobke got me on the blueberry oatmeal diet! I dont have a copper pot though. I like it with bananas and strawberries too. Sometimes all three together and a nice piece of steak before a mondo ride!! Plenty of coffee and fresh squeezed OJ as well. You cant beat a big breakfast before a hard ride.
Too bad you don't have one in your stable. Great video. Thanks Bobke!! Were all the bikes you used to race on sold after the season or were they destroyed? I want to know if I can find one out there.
Big fan !! My first bike a huffy 1968
I've got a Giant Cadex 980 C carbon that has indexing down tube shifters. Its awesome.
My favorite bike was a 1977 Schwinn Le Tour. Candy Apple red. Was my high school graduation present. Miss that bike. Take care, Al
Awesome video. Cool bike. “Snappy”. Is a word I want to use more now 🙂
We had a few of those frames up in the attic at Serotta. I think my Dave actually bought one while we worked there.
Bob you're the reason I'm into cyclimg as a fan I don't ride I don't have a bike but I watch faithfully whenever I can all because of you and your brutally honest commentary it's a shame that you have to tone it down these days because of your position in the broadcasting team congratulations by the way you are the only one who could fill the shoes anyway you the man Bob keep it up
Nice bike & presentation 🚲👍
While carbon is stiff, responsive and light, it can't beat the ride quality of a well made steel frame.
I also ride steel because it's a bit of a symbol for all that is honest. Sure, carbon is faster, but so is riding on PED's. Those who ride steel, desire the experience of riding more-so than the goal of just being faster. It's not about the destination as the ride is about the experience. Our best moments on bikes were not likely on the most expensive bikes.
steel's all feel
I ride titanium because I love the feel and the look.
Jay Tee I have a carbon bike and I ride mostly my surly all steel with fenders and brooks saddle because it doesn’t say. I am faster than you and I also don’t care what I am wearing. That leather saddle is now the most comfy. It only took a few miles. ;)
Chris Bates I love all my steel bikes too. I have a Ron Cooper with this same DA 7400. It still rides wonderfully! Everything except the freewheel, chain, rims and tires are stock. I cant afford handmade tubs anymore and Im done racing. Cheap tubs just plain stink.
I raced on a custom Ben Serotta frame set back in the early 90s primarily because of the 7-Eleven teams choice of that bike manufacturer. One of the best ever all steel road bikes.
As a longtime racer I had many bikes, my former job took me to numerous homes and one time a guy opened the garage door and hanging on the wall was a TELEDYNE TITAN!!! Very cool!! I raced SPECTRUM frames from my friend Tom Kellogg 😅😅🚴♂️🍺
Hey, I raced those Spectrum frames also.Tom's frames were meticulously built and extremely responsive. I still have the one he built me for crits and; although he's had to repair it a couple times from wrecks, it is still beautiful and rides and handles great. Oh, it was built in 86.
@@craigrohrer7337 good one buddy! Actually my first custom frame was a TOM KELLOGG 1978 😅😅🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️ TK was best man at my wedding!
@@arthurmchugh5184 Did he also build all of your TRACK machines??
I remember watching (mainly track pursuiter/team pursuiter) Ron Skarin win the '73 and '74 Tour of Sommerville (N.J.) crit on a Teledyne Titan, replete with first gen Bell hard shell helmet (he was the ONLY single serious racer wearing one at that time!!), and a mechanical, cable operated speedometer mounted to his bars. 😉
TK built 2 of my track frames. I moved to Trexlertown in 1981 and was racing my Assenmacher track bike I brought from Michigan. I raced Sommerville a number of times like 83 to 90 or so, later on was masters class
@@arthurmchugh5184 Yeah, speaking of funny named track bikes, my 2nd one (after my first fixed gear ride, a chrome Frejus as an intermediate) was a green, Belgian built, Dossche Sport, ridden as a junior from '71 to '74.
Hey Mr. Bob, I remember when you race for pro flex i believe and you looked like ZZ Top on a mt bike . That was so cool!
Still have my late 80's KHS, with Shimano components. Still riding it on the trainer when I can't get out.
Huffy bikes were made here in Dayton, Ohio. They had a long history here going back to the Wright brothers. Who built and raced bikes. They even built bikes for Huffy at the time.
That was where their corporate offices were. They manufactured the bikes up north in Celina.
Huffy was a desirable bike in its day. So was Schwinn and a bunch of others. Now I think the names are mostly owned by Pacific Cycles and made in China. Heck, even Cannondale is owned by Dorel (Pacific Cycle's owner) and made in Taiwan.
Schwinn used to make excellent quality, great value US made bikes! Now they're at least as poor quality as Huffys.
I think it's truly sad what has become of many of the old bike companies. Gone are the days of taking pride in one's work. Gone is true customer satisfaction. Gone is quality and engineering expertise.
They have been replaced by marketing BS, greed and profits.
Ive messed around with bicycles for 50 years. As a machinist Ive manufactured many things to some of the highest quality levels on earth. I still take this pride in my work. Now I wrench in a high end shop in my retirement just because I love bikes. I see it all.
Those bikes were works of art. I liked the Wheaties Shwinn team bikes also from that era.
I had a Huffy 'sting ray' bike as my first bike as a kid...my favorite sting ray of All-Time!
Hey Bob. If you want a carbon frame with bosses for downtube shifters, you could consider one of the early LOOKs or a TVT-92 (I have one of each) from that era. Standard diameter carbon. The TVT I have was NOS and is my daily ride. Super comfy and springy (like my old Pinarello Montello SLX), not like the modern carbons.
Great Bob! I still have my old PX-10LE, Reynolds 531 frame and fork, with Suntour Superbe components! They still shift great, but it is friction and on the downtube. I still ride it once and a while to relive old memories and just have fun. After 10's of thousands of mile the Brookes leather saddle still fits my butt, and only mine I am sure! If I remember correctly, you raced on a team sponsored by Suntour back in the day!
Nothing wrong with friction shifting! Nothing stops it from shifting properly except a broken cable. I still use friction bar ends on my tourer and drop bar mtb! So many people never learned how to shift!
Similar to my favorite bike I got in the late 80's. Ciocc Designer 84 Microf. C40 SLX. Internal brake cable routing. Stiff Cinelli stamped BB shell. Cinelli bar+stem. Sella Italia saddle. Dura-Ace group. Mavic MA40s. $1,900.
i salute the great Mr. Roll, ya long armed fierce ass bad ass from Oakland
Nice bike Bob, thanks for sharing! My awesome custom built race bike cost $1,200!
Absolutely a beautiful bike, there was a smaller team bike at local bike shop for display only. I forgot the riders name
Friction shifting is good up until 6 speed. 7 speed and up is a bit tough to feel where the derailleur is.
Awesome vid Bob. Too bad you didn't hold onto it.
I once owned a TVT back about 30 years ago, and deeply regret selling it.
I'll never give mine up.
As a boy before BMX even was, Huffy had the Thunder Road. My dream bike at 8 years old. The Serrota lust came later.
Thanks, Bob, and I am enjoying this conversation about favorite bikes, but just so all y'all know, the all-time best bike is the Schwinn Sting-Ray, just sayin' and tellin' it like it is. And surely I grin but a kid could do anything on that bike, just as soon as you took off the fenders. And why O why did we all do that, lol.
I still have my 1987 Schwinn Circuit, which sounds very similar in design. I still love it and ride it. I've got 3 kids, can't afford carbon fiber ; )
I don’t have a lot of bikes I’ve had in the past but I do have the memories.
Cool ,bike.
Bob were you on the 7/11 team and in NAPA in the mid 80-s ?
I still have my 1981 Miyata Aero Pro SunTour equipped.
I also have my 1983 SOMEC Campy equipped..
two of my favorites.
Liked and subscribed.
at 1:06 i see the mighty arms of the Dura-Ace brake calipers
cranked for maximum power, like a gorilla's arms
these brakes combined with Modolo brake levers, front brake at my right hand
gave me the best modulation and power of any of the thousands of bikes i've tuned up
Great video! I wonder if any of these bikes exist today? As a pro team rider did you get to keep the bikes when the team was done with them?
I love that saddle! What saddle do you like now?
Great video Bob. There's a 57cm 7-11 Huffy by Serotta frameset on eBay right now for a mere $4,000...........
You forgot to mention the Tag F1 watch in the same color . John Slawta of Landshark made this bike for Andy Hampsten.