No mate, not necessarily, it's just been that long since I rode anything else. And same with the modern bikes, I haven't kept up with modern tech and stuff. I'm finding it a bit bewildering to be honest. Thanks.
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Ah, in that case I think I would seriously consider going flat bar with bar ends. I'm not overly bike techie but with rebuilds have done everything except build a wheel or install a headset (I have taken apart and serviced) and am thankful that I have never had to worry about the compatibility issues drop bar folk have to fret about if they are not using friction shifters. I must admit to much preferring flat bar as a riding experience but it also makes things a lot simpler and often cheaper. You can use V brakes very easily for instance which are very economical, very effective, and pretty easy to fit. In short, flat bar will be way less bewildering and I'd ignore all the rot about hand positions - with my long bar ends I have three and that's quite enough - the fourth, hands behind my head as I whistle joyfully admiring the views over the hedges the drop bar folks are oblivious to is always as an option as well.
Bike tech is advancing at a hell of a rate at the moment and not always for the best - I'd get on with your second hand buy and restoring/tinkering before the bike industry totally discontinues all the good solid stuff and, 1984 stylee, eliminates anyone who remembers it.
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I know mate, I have. She's on about Christmas already. I'm looking forward to locking myself in my shed with plenty to do and tinker with.
Yes, Christmas will surely cost a fair bit maybe you can ask for some assorted bike bits - or flog some of her old forgotten stuff from the back of the wardrobe to build up a paypal fund for bits.
Keep us posted - I may be able to recommend some bits once you have decided which way you are going
Sorry have messed up the multi-quote thing - trust it can be deciphered.
