[CR]Freschi

(Example: Humor)

To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: <marcus.e.helman@gm.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2006 11:17:38 -0500
Subject: [CR]Freschi

About 5 years ago when I got back into cycling after a long absence, I sold my '80 Tom Ritchey (a beautifully made frame, but not a great fit, and never a truly satisfying ride) and looked at a LeMond and a Freschi at two different shops. The LeMond was late '90's with a welded steel frame and Campagnolo Mirage parts. Much older, the Freschi was white, with Campagnolo NR or SR parts and sew-ups. I think there were cutouts in the lugs. I do remember that the rear triangle was very tight, and the back of the seat tube had been dented to allow a bit of extra clearance. It was a pretty, although somewhat plainly finished bike. The owner of the store had received it as a trade years ago, and had hung onto it because it was kind of cool. I bought the LeMond when the owner of the other store pointed out a non-Campy brake shoe on the Freschi and said that with a bike like that even finding brake shoes would be a project. He was right, but I didn't understand how small a project such a thing would turn out to be. I am not sorry that I let the Freschi go. In the long run that kind of geometry would not have suited me, and the LeMond provided an easy reentry into cycling. It hadn't really occurred to me that it might be possible, and even fun to get a pro level bike from the past and have it as a regular rider. A year later I bought a used Casati, and shortly after, found this group. So maybe I owe that Freschi some thanks after all.

Best regards,
Marcus Helman
Huntington Woods, MI