I just took a stroll up Mill Street and looked in the window of the LBS.
There on sale was an all brand new mountain bike with the following spec:
A carbon fibre frame, with alloy lugs and alloy rear triangle (I'm sure I've seen pics of these - they were quite prized many years ago) V-brake only - non-suspension geometry.
Alloy tapered fork, threaded steerer, V brake only
120mm quill stem
Wolber Tubular 1.9 MTB tyres on Wolber tubular rims
Deore Octalink chainset
LX gold finish rear mech
A special deal price of £600.
I don't know what to think about this. Some poor sap is going to go in there asking for a great mountain bike for blasting over Cannock Chase. He is going to go away pleased as punch, having been given professional advice from Stafford's oldest bike shop, and is going to end up riding a total joke bike. What's going to happen the first time one of his (15 year old at least) tyres pops?
How old is all this kit? 80's 90's?
That XT sharkfin chainstay protector is still sitting in the window, tempting me to spend £4.95 as well.
I'd love to go and see what else he's got up in the attic. Every now and then he digs out one of his non-suspension corrected alloy V-brake frames and builds it up with a 100mm RST or Ballistic fork. I think Scruff saw a Carlton road bike from the 1970s (brand new though) with 36/40 spoke wheels and nutted hubs a few weeks ago that he really coveted
