This is an update/continuation of my Old Issues post from awhile back.

I never have liked the idea of bikes as wall hangers or garden features. Maybe for bikes that just are no longer safe to ride; they can be put out in the pasture so to speak. So I was really torn when I broke the granny chainring on this bike last year; thinking at the time that if I ever find a replacement, should I just hang this time capsule on the wall?

The crankset is a Spécialités TA Cyclotouriste not something that is compatible with what is now a Shimano dominated market.  Even looking to the original crankset manufacturer, I wasn’t finding direct replacements.  So it took about 6 months to find the 26-tooth replacement chainring for this 40 year old bike and at least another 6 months to find the right hardware; and having to buy a whole crankset just for the hardware was more than a little tough to swallow, but I did it and I have a few spare parts left over.  Anyway, after making the repairs, and putting back on some more period correct brake pads, I was ready to take a lap around the neighborhood before committing this antique to the wall.

Then I broke down and risked a 9 mile cross country ride at Galbraith.  Very glad I did.  Maybe I’ll do it again someday, but I think that I will keep the rides few and far between as well as tame.