Thursday, August 25, 2016

Ken's 1992



Serial Number: X123492
Date of Purchase: 11/19/96
Purchased from: Ed Sullivan (no, not THAT one)
Frame Size: 59cmComplete Bike or Frame Set: Complete bikeOwner Name: KenCity: Alexandria, VAURL:
Description:  In 1996 my CompuServe ‘imaginary Internet friend” Ed Sullivan posted that he had a 1992 Purple XO-1 for sale. I jumped at the chance to own this legendary bike. Ed had purchased it during Grant’s end of business fire sale. I had never met Ed (we later rode together in Moab) but he had his local bike shop pack it up and ship it before receiving any money from me. In a few years it became my foul weather commuter, with the addition of SKS mudguards and a Tubus rear rack. I’ve gone through 3 wheelsets,  1 set of chainrings, two rear derailleurs one bottom bracket ,one headset (and rebuilt the Stronglight once), and have generally ridden it hard. But never put it away wet - after a wet commute, I delight in putting it up on a stand in the garage, grabbing a bourbon and going to work. I seem to rub against the the original Bridgestone Avocet saddles the wrong way, so replaced the original with a Brooks Swift. I have put 36,000 miles on my XO-1.




Friday, August 19, 2016

Pete's 1993


Serial Number: B321024
Date of Purchase: 6.28.2016
Purchased from: Craigslist
Frame Size: 55 cm
Complete Bike or Frame Set: Complete Bike
Owner Name: Pete
City: Cleveland, Ohio
URL: N/A

Description: I had been looking for a 1993 XO-1 for several months.  As luck would have it, I found a local listing only 10 miles from my home and contacted the seller within hours of the listing.  The frame was in good shape.  Some nicks and poorly matched touch ups, but good bones.  Original parts include the Nitto bars, shifters, front derailleur, stem and (maybe) brakes, as near as I can tell.  I sourced a vintage rear 105 derailleur on eBay.  The wheels crank, etc. are vintage, but not spec. Incredibly, the seller also had a 59 cm in his barn, earmarked for his friend in Australia!