Cycling has done more than I would have thought possible to improve my level of fitness and overall health. I've always ridden bikes, but started training for
time trials competition back in 1978. The older I get, the more glad I am that I did.
I'm flying the Campagnolo logo on this page because I've been using their components since 1978 and have nothing but praise for them. There is no company in
any other industry I know of whose products stand so high above those of their competitors in terms of engineering, materials, finish quality, reliability and
parts availability the way Campagnolo does. A bicycle that's fitted with their parts is more responsive and more satisfying to ride, and will far outlive
anything less. And if you ever need parts for any Campagnolo components, you'll be able to buy them. Yes, Shimano makes fishing reels, but did you know that
Campagnolo manufactures the transaxle housings for the Ferrari Formula One team?
Below you'll find links to many companies in the bicycle industry. Many of them have been around for a long time, and as far as I know they all make decent
stuff.
My 2000 Breezer Lightning, with an American Classic aluminum cassette, an Avid SAAGO stem, polished Dura-Ace cranks, 2.2-inch Continental Race King
Supersonic 470-gram tires on Mavic 717 rims, and a Ritchey WCS headset and seatpost, weighs 21 pounds.
My 1998 Gary Fisher Big Sur, shown just as I bought it from the original owner in 2009, with the original Bontrager tires
The same bike, now 25 pounds, with an Avid SAAGO stem, Koski Engineering bars, 2.5-inch Syncros Point 'N Chute Factory 3 tires, and Cat-Eye LED lights, set
up for taking the dog for runs, anywhere, anytime
Above: My 17" 2000 Klein Adroit Pro, with 2.5-inch Syncros Point 'N Chute Factory 3 tires on Mavic 717 rims, geared three by nine.
Below: My 18" 2000 Klein Adroit Pro, with 2.5-inch Syncros Point 'N Chute Factory 3 tires on Mavic 717 rims, geared one by nine.
My larger 2000 Klein Adroit Pro mountain bike is set up to be comfortable on trails and on the road.
All three of these bikes have Alpha Q carbon bars, Avid V-brakes, Dura-Ace chains, Ergon grips, Mavic 717 rims, Slime tubes, and SPD pedals.
Road bike builders
My fillet-brazed David Tesch S-22, built in the mid-1980s with Dura-Ace 7400 and Cinelli components