My first RAGBRAI in 1983, RAGBRAI XI, I rode a police auction 10 speed my Grandfather picked up for ten bucks. It was typical heavy steel tubing, 26″ wheels (590mm size) with steel spokes.
On the century day, the rear der cable broke, and finished 105 miles with 2 gears. By the time I got to Dubuque, a number of spokes had broken. It made it somehow, but I never rode it again after that ride.
Currently, I’ll ride my GT Team Carbon, Campagnolo Super Record 11 spd, with Hed Belgium rims, Time XPro pedals for my 37th RAGBRAI.