I had a couple of Eaton's Gliders (rebadged Raleighs from England) when I was a child. They were pretty basic - heavy steel single-speeds with coaster brakes, and very reliable. Quite expensive for the day when inflation is taken into account. After outgrowing the second one @ around 13, I didn't ride a bike again until I was in my last year of college. I bought a used Canadian Tire 5-speed from a classmate for $60, and rode it for a couple of years.
Then, it was time for my first bike-store bike. In April '84 I bought a Norco Bigfoot mountain bike for C$425. It was 3 x 5 speeds, and had Chang-Star cantilever brakes. In retrospect I should have gone for the Norco Sasquatch - a lot lighter, and quite an upgrade, but hard to justify @ C$600. The Bigfoot was my primary bike until late '02. At that point the rear derailleur got sucked into the back spokes and bent that part of the frame. Jr took it over a couple of years later, and converted it into a single-speed fixie winter commuter. He rode it for several years until the frame finally broke.
Anyway, here's a much younger me with my pride and joy in '84. I bought a Bell hard-shelled helmet in '85, and later got cycling clothes. My hair seems to still be here although it is a lot shorter now, and has changed colour. As well, I've bulked up a bit with valuable adipose tissue.
Then, it was time for my first bike-store bike. In April '84 I bought a Norco Bigfoot mountain bike for C$425. It was 3 x 5 speeds, and had Chang-Star cantilever brakes. In retrospect I should have gone for the Norco Sasquatch - a lot lighter, and quite an upgrade, but hard to justify @ C$600. The Bigfoot was my primary bike until late '02. At that point the rear derailleur got sucked into the back spokes and bent that part of the frame. Jr took it over a couple of years later, and converted it into a single-speed fixie winter commuter. He rode it for several years until the frame finally broke.
Anyway, here's a much younger me with my pride and joy in '84. I bought a Bell hard-shelled helmet in '85, and later got cycling clothes. My hair seems to still be here although it is a lot shorter now, and has changed colour. As well, I've bulked up a bit with valuable adipose tissue.
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