I'm back!

Well, at least I'm on my way back.
Several years, health challenges, age...

Anyway, after a period of being "cycle-less", this is my new whip:

1988 MB-3

1988 Bridgestone MB-3! 

Yes, I know it's old. Hell, I'm old. In the 80s, Bridgestone was quite an innovator. Grant Peterson was spec'ing and marketing the line. They were "insider hip". Bike industry folk knew they were hip. Insiders with experience who were the thoughtful types. People who didn't care about the current fashion trends.

But the public? Apparently they didn't get it, unfortunately.

Japan's lugged-steel frame-building capabilities were at an all-time high. Their work was the equal of anyone's. And, In case you didn't know: Lugged Steel Bicycle Frames are superior to every other frame technology. They last longer, they're repairable, and they look better. And Bridgestone's Japanese-built bikes of the 80's were among the very best around. Thier upper 2 or 3 models worked as well as custom, handbuilt bikes. Bridgestone's XO, RB and even some of their MB series were highly respected and sought after. Here's what the specs of the MB-3 looked like.

• Ishiwata Triple-Butted Chro-Mo frame. Not quite Tange Prestige, but good, lively, strong construction.
• Unicrown Fork. Tig-welded crown, lots of clearance and strength.
• Deore-XT gruppo. The "full gruppo" - Derailleurs, Shifters, Brakes, Cranks, even Hubs.
• Top-mount shifters. My personal fave.
• Ritchey stem, Nitto bar. As good as any.

My short-term to-do list for the bike:

• New cables
• New Continental Contact Speed file-tread tires - check! (WOW, grippy!)
• New grips - check!
• Overhaul all bearings
• Brake pads
• Saddle-bag & pump holder
• Water Bottle cages
• Cut-down handlebar 
• Saddle - check! 
• Pedals - check! 
• Brake levers - check!

Long term, after more research and putting some miles on:

• New handlebars- Porteur? North Road? Dirt Drops? (The whole handlebar thing deserves a post of it's own)
• Brooks saddle (B-17 or Cambium C-17 or C-19) No better saddle to be had!
• Front rack - Randonneur or possibly even a porter (have to research what the front Trail dimension is)
• Front bag - appropriate to the bike's geometry
• Frame bag
• Rear rack - for a bag & Panniers
• Panniers
• More tires!
• Lightweight tubes

I plan to use the bike as a Commuter/Gravel/Adventure/Allroad bike. I've only owned a couple of other Mountain Bikes, and never used one as my all-around daily. Well, there was a time when I rode my Stumpjumper daily, but I also owned a nice roadbike at the time.

This pic of a 1986 Stumpy is exactly like my old one, except for the tires and my custom one-piece Landshark stem/handlebar. Damn, I loved that bike!

This "new" Bridgestone MB-3 is uncannily similar to my old Stumpy. I guess this Old Dog is in a cycle rut, but at least it's a comfy one.