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Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,109
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
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A lot of race bikes were purchased as frames only and the owner assembled the components to build it into a bicycle. Keep in mind too that most racers were didn't have enough money to build up a complete bike they way they would like. They often had a previous lower end bike that carried over some parts and a subscription to a magazine that had mail order parts available for discount prices.
So, you would build your own wheels. Carry over less than optimal components and end up with a mish-mash, But all that didn't matter. What mattered was how good you were. Nobody cared about which component group you had. Or if you have fancy handlebar wrap.