Finishing this week is fine patriotic fashion, this 1985 Raleigh Team USA sent in by Bryan D. in Lufkin, Texas. I would have to say, this is my favorite era of OTS. Oh, say, 1980 to 1987. The frames were still lugged, wheels were alloy, brake cables were still Bézier, cable guides and stops were brazed,  and SunTour still shown. Really, you don’t need anything more.

I ride this beauty regularly in Lufkin, Texas. I first spotted it in a relative’s backyard and quickly talked him into giving it to me. It had come from a neighbor who stored it in his garage for most of its life, but was trying to get rid of it, so it was in pretty good condition, requiring only cleaning and re-lubing. Note the device under the shifters. It’s a “quickstand,” used to engage the front tire while parked.