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I think it is time for a new bicycle. For years I have been riding a 1984 Diamondback Trail Streak. It has been a very good Mountain bike, I will keep it as a spare. However it has been very difficult getting replacement parts for it. It also has more squeaks, creeks, and other noises than my body does.

The new Mountain Bike is a 2016 Diamondback Hook Series Hardtail Mountain Bike (hardtail means no rear shocks) in blue.

I was surprised to discover that bicycles come in sizes now frames come in small, medium, large, and extra large. based on your height and inseam measurements. So I take a medium since my inseam measurement is 28 inches. They also come in several wheel diameters in this case it has a wheel diameter of 27.5 inches. This means for the first time in my life I will be able to put both feet on the ground with the bicycle still between my legs, but not sitting on the saddle. It also has disc brakes and only one gear in front, the rear cassette has eight gears. My current bike has 3 gears in front and a 6 gear freewheel. This means I am going from 18 gear combinations to 8 gear combinations. However the eight speed cassette actually has a broader range than the old gear package. Since I do not do any major hill climbing I should not have any problems, and if I do want to climb a big hill I will just use the old bike if the new one can not make it. Front shocks will help with the bumps too. The very best thing is the new bike weights 10 pounds less than the old bike. Which will help with the hardest part of any bike ride carrying the bicycle up the two flights of stars to my apartment.

I will keep you updated on how the new bike works.