Classic & Vintage - "Fast" Road Bike for the Vintage Inclined

So I am in a position where the men in my life (boyfriend and dad) are getting really excited about light road bikes and are trying to convince me to try them out. My boyfriend recently got a Trek 1.1 and my dad has always been into performance bikes. Normally I would just ignore this but my interest in trying out different types of bikes keeps me slightly interested. So I've been looking at bikes but just can't like any of the new bikes out there. They really don't appeal to me aesthetically, nor do I get that pang in my heart of "I want that!". I'm just a classic/vintage kind of girl I guess.

I found a couple of bikes that might do, but was wondering if anyone knew anything about them.
The first is a 1985? Cannondale SD500. Its aluminum with a steel fork, pretty teal color, nitto stem & bar (all of which appeal to me). http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii159/mcnhbc/53%20cm%20to%2056%20cm%20-%20Over%20250/?action=view&current=002.jpg

The second is a Centurion Ironman Dave Scott Expert. Steel frame, pink & yellow paint, biopace, nitto stem (all of which appeal to me).
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9FJGUgMbNRxWMwuCy2u2ew?feat=embedwebsite

Would either of these be good bikes to experiment with (relatively) "light/fast" road bikes? Are there any other bikes I should be looking out for? I know I won't truly know how they'll do until I try them out for myself, but I thought I'd hear everyone else's opinion/experience.

Pretty bikes. If it were me, I would go for the Centurion... even with the pink.

Either way, you'll have a nice lightweight CV bike. If you wanted to upgrade with more modern parts, then you will have a great platform for that.

I've got a Centurion Ironman Expert, and aside from it sounding like a POS from Wal-Mart (Mine needs a number of things replaced) it's a great bike. I'll be modernizing it at least somewhat, not sure if I want to go with brifters and 9 or 10 speed, or bar ends and 8 or 9 speed. Depends on what I feel like spending. Either way, it's the bike I decided on instead of saving up for something made of carbon fiber.

I also had a Schwinn 564 when I was first getting into cycling, which is probably similar to that Cannondale. It had a very harsh ride. Unless the road was perfectly smooth, I just didn't enjoy being on it that much. Of course, I don't know if the Cannondale will be that bad.

i was going to suggest an ironman before even reading.. so now that i have read: ironman :D the pink and yellow is know as the "miami vice" colors around here. super cool

plus i would stick with steel over aluminum

Why is color so important to women? My wife always tells me the same thing " you can buy my any bike you want as long as it's pretty."

Why is color so important to women?

i think color is just important to men.. otherwise pink would be just as popular as matte black...

if you don't care about color, i've got a great bike for you:
http://www.pinkbikesite.com/wp-content/uploads/pbs_nataliejean.jpg

Ouch !

I'd spend some effort looking for an old steel bike. You can't beat the ride of a lugged Reynolds or Columbus frame. They're out there you just have to look. You should be able to find an old Trek or Bianchi, then after you've ridden it and fallen in love, have it repainted or powdercoated anyway you like.

Marc

lemondirgopie, While I've preferred Cannondales for the last couple of decades either of those two will be fine.

Brad

I owned an Ironman, and it was pretty decent. If it is in pristine condition, and the price is right, and it fits you properly ... go for it! You can at least ride it for awhile until you find something else, but you will probably really like the Centurion and not want to part with it. They are very well regarded, and they have quite a loyal following here on B.F.

I would go with the ironman in a second! Should be a really excellent steel ride, with just a little TLC.

In case you are curious, original ad for that very bike (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iTKbhvyAciI/SkWr5iBGu9I/AAAAAAAAAJc/CdP4AQtPRMU/s1600-h/centurion+ironman+expert.jpg).

And the 1987 Bicycling magazine review: page 1 (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iTKbhvyAciI/S-X2R1-0wzI/AAAAAAAAAfY/E6eluPDZLvk/s1600/ironman-review1.jpg) and page 2 (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iTKbhvyAciI/S-X2RbvYu2I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/TrHd90t7ePY/s1600/ironman-review2.jpg)

If you go to the HB bike shop to look at the Cdale you might find other bikes there to try in your size range. That's a plus. The prices seem to be all full market or even higher but according to his web site all bikes have been serviced, tuned and have new parts as needed. His prices are firm though as stated.

The Ironman is from a local flipper I believe and is way more than I have ever sold one for but perhaps there is wiggle room on the price. I have seen his bikes priced high and sit there for a long time.
If it were a Master with 600 bits and immaculate them maybe $325 but not $390 for an Expert with 105 IMO. And it's not "rare", at least not in the SoCal market.

If you, your BF or Dad has the time, tools and skills to find a bike that needs a little work you can score a much better deal than one from the HB shop or a flipper. If you want something ready to ride there are plenty of choices on CL in your market.

If you want to check current prices on the Centurion you can use this site....
http://bike.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/bike.cgi?cat=bik&fil=ironman&itm=centurion&state=&ps=&pe=&ys=&ye=&so=d&submit=+GO+

That "rare" one seems to have been deleted from CL. Did you purchase it?

Those are excellent choices, although I'm not so sure about that particular Cannondale.

The long cage (looks like a Deore LX) rear derailleur seems odd without a triple or a wide range freewheel. And for $400, I'd expect some brake hoods.


I would add some Schwinns to the list, like late 80s Tempo or Super Sport (teal/white and magenta/white respectively in 1987).

I like a newer Cannondale vintage, about 10 years newer, when they lightened up the frame but also took steps to mitigate the harshness.

I've had a few of the Centurions, putting it mildly, and am a fan of that frame.
It's the classic "Miami Vice" model. Though they can be a styling challenge, they are instantly recognized.
I've been looking for one for a while and think I've made a deal once again for that model.

Those things are conversation starters almost everywhere.
If your boyfriend doesn't like it, don't worry, some guy riding steel will definitely chat you up,
(and boyfriends, of course, can be replaced. There are only so many Ironman bikes.)

Your dad will probably recognize it for the icon it is.
Sally Hansen makes a "Fuscia Fuscia" nail polish that matches the bike fairly well, for touchup.

I can't see the ads, but pricewise, follow the lead of others in your area here on C&V.
They know their stuff.

My vote, obviously, is for the Ironman, if the price is right.
Excellent frame, excellent components, and very easily upgradeable to modern shifters.

With luck, I'll be riding one of those within a month or so.

Between those two bikes, the Cannondale looks to have been serviced and I'm seeing older gum wall tires that might need to be replaced on the Centurion, at least. I would prefer the Shimano components on the 'fuschia' expert over the Suntour.

Aside from the small issues like tires and (well, not so small) brake hoods, I'd go for the Ironman because it's steel. If there's any accidental bike abuse, it will probably last longer than the Cdale, just based on tubing wall thickness and the potential for beer canning.

Hope you're 5' 8" or taller; both of those bikes are sized for a rider at least that tall. You could always install a shorter stem, of course, if you're a tallish woman with long legs and short torso.

If it fits, I'd get the Cannondale. The "harsh ride" of aluminum bikes is a myth. "Road buzz" is nearer the mark; the larger diameter aluminum frame tubes amplify noise transmitted from the tires. People notice the "buzz" and mistakenly think that it has something to do with the "ride" of the bike.

I'd go down to the LBS your boyfriend got his Trek 1.1 from and demo a similar ride. Compare apples to apples.


the Cannondale or the Centurion are certainly go fast bikes of their time, but they do feel different than a spankin new road bike.

Here's the ad link for the Ironman, still there> http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/2474957024.html

The ad for the Cdale states it's a 54 and the ironman looks to be about the same, IMHO. My wife is 5'5" and rides a 54cm so I don't think you need to be 5'8" or taller, again, my 2¢.

Wow thanks for all the help! Looks like everyones voting for the Centurion.

I think I might look at some of the bikes at the LBS, ride them, and compare them to the ones at HB and the Centurion. There are some Jamis steel bikes that might be the closest to what I would like in a new bike.
Luckily my boyfriend is fine with whatever I do. It's my dad who is stuck in the fancy new racing bike mindset.

Trakhak, luckily I'm just over 5'8" so these should fit me. I'm interested in riding aluminum just for the sake of trying out different frame material, but at the same time I really do like that Centurion.

Also I going to have to agree with Frantik. I think aesthetic preference is really just a personal thing, not neccessarily a gender thing (just look at all the C&V bikes rebuilt to have a certain aestheitc). The thing is that a lot of bikes made these days err to a more masculine/competitive look. If it is designed for a woman it either has the same look with some pink thrown in or has some flower or bird decals. I'm sure there are some people that like this, but it's not what I prefer.

I really like bird decals.

If you decide to buy from HB, please see the bike in person and take someone along with you that knows what to look for (for your own safety). Contrary to what he advertises, he puts in minimal work, if any into the bikes. My bike came with the following:

Dented frame
Broken rear axle, later broken spoke due to all spokes being bent near hub flange next to freewheel
Poorly tensioned front wheel, later discovered bearings were shot and races severely pitted. For safety reasons, retired both wheels.
Worn out chain (stretched 1/8")

Your enthusiasm for vintage bicycles is understood but should be tempered with caution. An older bike, well kept is worth its price, a worn out one is not and at minimum can cost quite a bit to repair, at worst case can cost you life and limb.

If you decide to buy from HB, please see the bike in person and take someone along with you that knows what to look for (for your own safety). Contrary to what he advertises, he puts in minimal work, if any into the bikes. My bike came with the following:

Dented frame
Broken rear axle, later broken spoke due to all spokes being bent near hub flange next to freewheel
Poorly tensioned front wheel, later discovered bearings were shot and races severely pitted. For safety reasons, retired both wheels.
Worn out chain (stretched 1/8")

Your enthusiasm for vintage bicycles is understood but should be tempered with caution. An older bike, well kept is worth its price, a worn out one is not and at minimum can cost quite a bit to repair, at worst case can cost you life and limb.

Wow, sorry to hear that! That sucks.
Yeah, we've visited his little "shop" a couple of times. And you're right, you have to know what you're looking for. The only thing he has for him is the huge selection of bikes he has. Unfortunately it is because of this that his prices are so high because he has so much overhead. My boyfriend bought a really nice Fuji Del Ray but because he puts such crappy parts on it he has had to replace half the parts on the bike.

wow.. when i first was getting into c&v roadies i checked out HB and considered buying.. glad i didn't

I really like bird decals.

:D Haha, sorry. Like I said, it's a personal thing.

wow.. when i first was getting into c&v roadies i checked out HB and considered buying.. glad i didn't

I mean, he's not horrible. He's a nice guy but has a sort of "salesman" personality more than anything. You just have to really know what you want and what you're getting, along with the preparation that you will probably have to replace something.
I prefer the guy at the-climb.net. He's really nice and I got my Schwinn from him, but since he doesn't have any overhead he has a much smaller selection (but it's half the price of HB). He gets his bikes from expired storage units so he seems to have a sudden inflow of bikes at certain times of the month, and if you see a bike you want on his site you have to jump on it then because they go quickly.

If I caught the correct Ironman ad, it sounds expensive but maybe I'm just cheap.... Anyway, whatever the price, I'd probably recommend good quality lugged steel. If you shop smart, you can find a hand built frame with good components for very little money...especially compared to any new bike prices). With steel, if you were to become fascinated with brifters and 9/10 speed drivetrains, you could almost certainly cold set the rear triangle successfully and have a really nice ride. Of course, the truth is you can keep up with most of the guys (and gals) on the $5K "plastic" bikes using a 6 or 7 speed friction, downtube shifting steel bike so the whole allure of the "fast" "racing" bike is...well.....there's something to it for sure, but maybe not what a lot of folks would imply....in other words, you can still be pretty darned fast picking off the carbon fiber bikes on a fast road ride using nicely older technology and be able to enjoy a spirited ride while still appreciating the aesthetic of your bike.

More like a used car salesman...

Posted in the vendor forum awhile ago. The only thing he put on new was bar wrap.... $450 worth of junk. Prior to pulling the trigger, enquired on this forum if anyone here had personally dealt with this shop and none had, though some had seen his enticing website - that should had been a red flag.

The remaining original parts, crank, BB, derailleurs, and headset are pretty worn and will eventually be replaced with modern components. If the frame didn't ride so well the bike would have been scrapped.

My last bike was from Craiglist. Was looking for a beater for work and found an 80's Univega Viva Sport with the original tires still on it. It belonged to an older gentleman who loves Corvettes. His shop was one of the cleanest I've ever seen. The bike was under a tarp in a corner of his shop, nary a scratch on it and not much dust on it either.

For $85 it was mine. I will only buy what I can physically inspect. There are good deals out there but it takes time and some luck.

Lots of better bikes better buys than those on eBay. Do you really wanna ride something as common as a Cannondale? Really? Get yourself a classic steelie something that will cause people to ask about the bike at big group rides. The Centurion is a Japanese brand pretty heavy compared to other steel rides. Keep looking on eBay. I just bought a SLX Italian bike complete with newer Chorus/Veloce triple for $700 shipped from eBay. I think you can do better than the 2 you inquired about.

Lots of better bikes better buys than those on eBay. Do you really wanna ride something as common as a Cannondale? Really? Get yourself a classic steelie something that will cause people to ask about the bike at big group rides. The Centurion is a Japanese brand pretty heavy compared to other steel rides. Keep looking on eBay. I just bought a SLX Italian bike complete with newer Chorus/Veloce triple for $700 shipped from eBay. I think you can do better than the 2 you inquired about.

Can you recommend any specific bikes? The thing is I am new to these types of vintage road bikes and don't know what specific bikes to look for.

I could smell HB bikes through the CL ads so I wouldn't bother going in...

Brand name may not be factor here. What matters is the quality of the frame andthe components. One person on thisforum had a website dedicated on what to look for in vintage bikes but couldnot find the link to his site and hope he will chime in soon.

Look for a bike that’s well maintained or very low mileagesince some of the older parts can be difficult to come by.

Other questions to ponder:

The other is how vintage do you wish to go? Are you a gearaholic? Can you get by with 6, 7, or 8 gears in theback?

Do you care for downtube shifters or bar end shifters?

Would you consider retrofitting modern components on avintage frame?

Since you mentionedyour boyfriend and father enjoy spirited riding, maybe something with briftersmight work for you. Your quantity ofriding and style will determine the components applicable. If you really get into it. and find yourselfwrenching on your bike and want to rebuild your components, look to Campagnolo. Shimano wise, look to 105, Ultegra for mid-levelquality components. Though notrebuildable like Campy, they are quality units and should give many years ofservice.

Have you ridden on any of the newer bikes? The ride quality may surprise you. The new bikes are not cheap (devaluation ofthe dollar) but some used ones can be found hundreds off retail.

Does it matter to you whether or not the frame is made ofmaterial other than steel? Do you knowthe caveats of each material?

These are just a few factors to consider when looking for avintage ride.

Have you considered a Miyata 912? It was the top of their "semi-pro" line and a well-made, well-appointed, reasonably lightweight road bike.
Their sweet spot was 1983 to 1986 or thereabouts, back when the dollar was strong against the yen. For that matter, you could look out for road bikes from Panasonic, Univega, Nishiki, Fuji, and Centurion, all from that same era. And, if you want to spend more, add a Bridgestone RB1 and RB2 to your list. Best of luck!

Why is color so important to women? My wife always tells me the same thing " you can buy my any bike you want as long as it's pretty."

You may not have notice, but your upstairs curtains match the out door furniture.

One person on thisforum had a website dedicated on what to look for in vintage bikes but couldnot find the link to his site and hope he will chime in soon.

MY TEN SPEEDS (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/) (well, not my ten speeds).. great site.

Trekday2100 hit the nail right on the head. The most important is what type of riding will you be doing? Asking here is like asking at a Mustang vintage forum if they like Toyota Camry. You get a bias answer just because its a steel bike. Notice the off balance tip toward the Iron Man. Alum. is too new a material for them. I like Alum. bikes personally, but grew up racing steel bikes. That was all there were until carbon came out.

Do you dislike the sloping top tube bikes base on aesthetics? If you are just out for a fun ride, nothing serious like a 70 mile touring trip, or racing, them any of the bike mention will be more then fine. People are too uptight with materials and fit. If you are just riding 3 miles once every few Sundays to breakfast, fit is not too important (close enough fit that it isn't too big or too small so you are totally uncomfortable).

You mentioned the Jamis steel bikes. I think they are great bikes. They usually have classic, almost retro paint schemes and nice components for the price. If you are riding with groups or faster riders you will appreciate modern "brifters."

Brand name may not be factor here. What matters is the quality of the frame andthe components. One person on thisforum had a website dedicated on what to look for in vintage bikes but couldnot find the link to his site and hope he will chime in soon.

Perhaps randyjawa's site?

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/FREE_SITE_1/FREE_SITE_1_HOME.htm

@lemondirgopie - for what it's worth, I just started riding a found 1985 SR900 (more on it here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/745286-1985-Cannondale-SR900-Project)), and am loving the combination of steel fork and thick aluminum frame. Before I loaded it down with a rack and fenders and other commuting necessities, it was practically the same weight as my 2001 CAAD4!

BTW, I might be wrong, but what you have there looks more like a 1986 SR600. Check out the catalogs (http://66.147.244.179/~vintagm8/year/1986/1986.pdf) on vintagecannondale.com. I'm paying particular attention to the seatpost clamp, which has slightly different geometries between the lower and higher end SRs, and also to the design at the top of the steel fork. In '85, it was a triangle pointing down. In '86, (excluding the SR1000), it was an inverted 'U,' like what you have in your picture.

The only thing I can't figure out is that your color seems to be a custom job. That font was only used on the top tube in '85 and '86, I think, but I can't find that particular color scheme anywhere in the catalogs. Maybe someone else more knowledgable in this forum can help with that, but do take that Cannondale for a spin if you can. The responsiveness and lightness of those old aluminum C'dale frames is a ton of fun!