RE: [CR]Amongst Francophiles?,is Herse the ultimate?Only curious.

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

From: <"kohl57@starpower.net">
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Fri, 6 May 2005 12:47:53 -0400
Subject: RE: [CR]Amongst Francophiles?,is Herse the ultimate?Only curious.


Original Message: ----------------- From: Harris Spracher bianchipan@yahoo.com Date: Fri, 6 May 2005 07:51:58 -0700 (PDT) To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Amongst Francophiles?,is Herse the ultimate?Only curious.

"I was sort of daydreaming(what's new),and the thought crossed my mind. How do those here in Dale's living room,that prefer French feel about an ultimate ride?Would it be accurate to say that a Herse would be the one mark that most of you "lust" for?"

I lust to ride what I already have. I already own the "ultimate" French lightweight. A 1969 Peugeot PX-10. And before you all hit the delete k eys or let loose with the tirades about Simplex this and that, sloppy paint an d details and the fact you could actually afford to buy one when you were 17

(no wonder you distain it today!), let me tell you why.

She's fast. Really fast. Beats practically anything on the path and do es. Light as **** (21-22 lbs honest weight). Handles beautifully. Best rid e out there. Smmothest, surest shifting and lightest weight 10-speed derailleu r of the era. Yep. No doubt. Simplex Criterium rocks. Absolutely rac e proven; had to have won more races than any mass produced lightweight of her era and over a remarkably long period c. 1964-1976. Designed and built not to look pretty or to satisfy the egos of framebuilders or buyers, but simply to do what racing bikes are supposed to: win. And finally, that white livery matched with Peugeot white-black chequerboard kit.. absolute to tal retro classic. The best. Molteni kit looks like some flammin' pumpkin fest. Yuck.

Mine even has Mafac "Racer" brakes that barely squeel.. so there!

So nope, I wouldn't trade my PX-10 for all the Herses and Singers on the planet. No way. Not even in Dale's living room. I hear PX-10s were a lmost unseen at the Cirque. Amazing. Too busy being ridden and raced elsewhe re to be fussed over I reckon. Even better.

Peter Kohler Washington DC USA

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