It's funny, I read this thread and agree with everyone! 20" or bigger/smaller, There's a place and reason for all of them in a collection. Some like the bigger bikes for their size and classic appeal. Others like the aggressive styles of the smaller bikes. Watever the reasons for collecting or not, the bottomline is that we all have the same interests but different ideals.
Many of the members just don't have the room that the bigger bikes take up. Others live in an area where BMX rules, so there's more out there at cheap or free. Reasons for the larger bikes could be the same. Why two 26" inch bikes when you could have a really nice tandem for you and your wife to ride? Why a trike when two wheels take up less than room than three? Why have a chrome frame when a painted frame doesn't show fingerprints as much? Every collection has a reason. I'm just glad we live in a place that allows us to have hobbies!
I grew up during the musclebike era in a muscle car area. The old stigrays, spyders and others were cool, but to me, not practical. I have never like the heaviness of the old Stingrays, they weighed a ton and were half the size of regular bikes! I had a Typhoon and never looked over my shoulder at my friends musclebikes. Notice I said over my shoulder?!
I did own several variations of 20"ers as a kid but always had my trusty Typhoon. 20" bikes, to me were toys to be played with, tricked out or beat into the ground. The old 26ers were transportation you relied on as a kid/adult.
Now a days we have a couple of Schwinn Pixies, a Roadmaster Harley bike (the black one, been outta the box and pedaled around our storage, but that's it) and a few older 24" to 26" bikes. In our Freak/Rat stables we have every size imaginable and they all get ridden! Sometimes into submission! :mrgreen: Trikes, tandems, 12 1/2, 16" and up if they're ridable they get ridden!
Awhile back a few of the FBM-GL members were talking and a conclusion was reached. We need several bikes for the variations and distances of our rides and events. Although we often share our bikes with others, many of the guys have or are building several bikes to fit the needs of our activities. Most of us also have "loaner bikes" ready for last minute rides or newbies to our hobby.
This was a reat topic and helped to gain some insight of other members.
Thanks Uncle Stretch and all who havbe chimed in!
The grinder/cutoff saw /welder is always smiling and waiting for all sizes, makes and models! Just wether my brain is faster than my trigger finger!
A few months ago I made a comment to Shwinnmesa about my giving him any Stingray parts that I run across. I may be getting a couple of frames towards the fall of this year. I also have some other Stingray parts waiting in a box for you. Nothing special just Stingray parts.
I also have a neighbor who is slowly handing over some of his old bikes. He's given me two of his old LeTours and promised me his original Orange Krate when he decides to get rid of it. Sorry Zach, ya won't be getting this one! I will eagerly accept this Krate and cheerish it, not so much because of what it means top me but what it has meant to him! Great guy who has a very big heart!
Just thought it would be neat to have a section where restorers could show their stuff and then when you saw the parts they were missing you could sell them that chainguard that you dont know what it fits or that really old morrow hub you have no use for. Oh well I gave it a shot. Back to the cabe looking at a bunch of unrestored pieced together,non matching paint, simi complete tank bikes. 
