The first Hungarian bike shop we visited. |
So before we left for our trip to Hungary one of my secret self-centered goals was to come home with a bicycle. Preferably something old and something Italian.
During the several drives between families homes I spotted two shops. One morning Wife, LilGuns and Wife's Uncle 'Steve' brought us over to the both shops. At the first I found a nice pair of gloves and a decent Specialized riding jersey. At the second shop we got a really nice German made handlebar bag and a Cofidis cycling cap. At this point I pretty much declared victory for bike shop related souvenirs.
A couple of days later 'Steve' and I with LilGuns left the house early to walk for groceries. He said we'd be quick and will stop at a bar and get groceries on the way. its about 8am. Well, yep we stopped at a shop were we each got a shot of palinka and an ice cream cone for Sam. Did the shot and walked over to the small grocery store for breakfast foods. Of course this included paprika's.
About an hour later George showed up and I could hear they kept saying 'bickli'. That i figured they must have been talking about another bike shop. So the three of us went over. We walked in and were looking around. I was a shot, and two beers in at 9am so i wasnt really thinking clearly. I didnt really see anthing of interest, mostly hybrid style bikes, until i turned around and this 'wet white' frame with chrome fork were hanging. I started to look at it and didnt think too much of it. Then 'Steve' reaches over, pulls it down and sticks it in my hands.
About an hour later George showed up and I could hear they kept saying 'bickli'. That i figured they must have been talking about another bike shop. So the three of us went over. We walked in and were looking around. I was a shot, and two beers in at 9am so i wasnt really thinking clearly. I didnt really see anthing of interest, mostly hybrid style bikes, until i turned around and this 'wet white' frame with chrome fork were hanging. I started to look at it and didnt think too much of it. Then 'Steve' reaches over, pulls it down and sticks it in my hands.
'Hmm, this is pretty light. Oooo. huh?' I think and mumble as I look over the frame. Clearly a racing frame. 'How much is this? 20,000 forint, about $87USD. 'Whats the size? do you have a ruler?' 'its a steel frame, right?'and since I know basic frame geometry I sized it up. Apparently 54 cm. MY SIZE. 'Is the bottom bracket english or italian?' Italian. I was slowly digesting the facts here. And as light dawns on Marblehead I say to George,' for $87 its worth the risk to send it home. I havent heard of a F. Moser but its got all the right signs of a good bike.'
I bought it. and the shop guys removed the fork for shipping. We got it home and sized it to the luggage, too big. We quickly returned to the shop and they had an extra bike box and spacer for the rear dropouts. Afterward, we packed the bike and and called around for shipping. Fucking UPS wanted $576 dollars to ship it back home. FAHKYOU GUYS. We went to the regular post office, $75 dollars US; AND it got to the house in 6 days, undamaged.
TO BE CONTINUED
wow! congrats! Yah UPS is a joke, plus they probably would have lost the bike or damaged it. Can't wait to find out how it rides!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool story, Joe! I look forward to seeing the bike after you build it.
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