Good question,
@partsguy, in that I'm still figuring out what kind of rider I am.
[OP - sorry for the hijack, but I hope some of this will prove relevant.] Right now my "long distance" bike is my only lightweight, a Schwinn Speedster, 3 speed. As I venture off the MUP more frequently (and go farther distances), I feel I'd benefit from a more efficient bike. The last road bike I had was a 1987 Trek 560 pro-series with 105 (not mine pictured, but identical) which I purchased used from a bike shop in the '90s for $200. I also loaned it to a guy who was deported, and never knew what became of it. I didn't appreciate the bike when I had it (cause it was "obsolete"), but it really did everything I needed. 12 gears, lugged frame, cool paint job, pre-Taiwan, working brakes, light enough that I could car top it. So while I love older bikes, something from that era would probably hit all the marks, and be price friendly as well.
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