The Bridgestone MB-S was my bike for many years as a teenager. It replaced my MB-6, which was also a great bike, although a bit more laid back than the MB-S. I have done my best to keep it in vintage condition, and with the exception of the tires and saddle, everything on it was manufactured in the early nineties. Its now a fair weather bike, I keep it around for nostalgia and the occasional errand, and try not to work it too hard.

Simply put, I love this bike. I love the way it rides, and it became a trusted friend during the four years when it was my only bike. I have repaired a broken chainstay, repainted it, and as I got money, restored it to its old glory. It may not have a "practical" use anymore, but I simply can't let it go, and plan on keeping it for many years to come.

I got this bike during my third year of Y-Riders, a summer camp where I rode my bike every day of the week. The first year, I rode an old restored road bike my parents had in the basement. The second year, I got a brand new Bridgestone MB-6, which was a leap up in terms of quality. The third year and beyond, I rode this Bridgestone MB-S, unique at the time for its front suspension, and a truly race-ready bike. When I got to college, this bike became my primary mode of transit, and riding instead of driving has become a habit I hope to maintain until I'm old and gray. I estimate that I've put nearly 10,000 miles on this bike during its lifetime, and there are more to come.

The setup of this bike has evolved over the years. In the early nineties, stiff suspension and really extended riding positions were all the rage, and that's how I set it up. Now, however, I have the shock set up extremely soft, and have installed a shorter stem with a bit of rise. I've been unable to change everything to modern setup, however, so its still a throwback to the past. But, that's part of its appeal.

During use as a commuter, the right chainstay cracked from fatigue. I had the option of replacing the bike, which was not an option due to both the price and my own inability to to let the bike go. Having no welding ability of my own, I decided to take it to a professional. After being referred to a few people, my Bridgestone frame eventually ended up in the skilled hands of Mark Nobilette of Nobilette Cycles, who sweated the right chainstay out of its lugs and installed a new one in its place. This left the paint irrepairably damaged, so I then went to the auto body store, bought some decent paint, and painted the frame and the front fork in a beautiful metallic blue. The process was certainly time consuming, but I believe the bike deserved it after the years of service it had given me.

Now, I trawl eBay on occasion in search of vintage parts to keep the bike in peak condition. It is my intent to keep it in nearly new condition, but I try to avoid putting parts on it that would never have been found on it originally. I take it out now and then, when the weather's nice, just to remember what made me enjoy cycling in the first place.