Originally Posted by
rustystrings61
That is a much nicer bike than what I rode c.1975-78, which included many mountain miles and my only loaded tour. Stunning results!
Around 1978 I was riding a Huffy Thunder Road, so this Takara is much nicer than that too! Sometime in the 80's I stepped up to some green rattle can painted 10-speed (probably of the Varsity/Free Spirit quality) that my stepfather bought from a guy in West Virginia who sold bikes out of his garage as a side hustle. The Takara is much nicer than that one was too.
Originally Posted by
rustystrings61
I've had those Dia-Compe G and 500 brakes on several bikes now, and they're much better than their reputation - then again, I weigh between 160 and 170, depending on the season and my saddle time ...
Well, I'm pushing 240 at the moment and don't have great grip strength, but I was able to get satisfactory braking from the hoods (which I can almost never say with single pivots) and great power from the drops.