Help me pick a mid-80s bike!
#26
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,646
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2607 Post(s)
Liked 1,699 Times
in
935 Posts
Cuz he was tied to the chicken!
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#27
Senior Member
mtnbke has a point to a point. He is a large man, and I can believe that the performance of steel tubes can start to degrade as the triangle expands. I do think, if he was 5'6' he might experience things quite differently. aluminum is not a bad idea but...
if you really want a rocket - i'd suggest a KUOTA K-factor CF bike (or the like.. i recommend the particular since I had one): light, stiff but flexible, and absorbs vibration way better than aluminum. it is purpose built do go fast, and to do it very well: too well in my case as I am a geezer by now and the bike demanded more from me than I was able to give.
If I was 18 again it would be a different world - one that was not accessible when we were kids.
if you really want a rocket - i'd suggest a KUOTA K-factor CF bike (or the like.. i recommend the particular since I had one): light, stiff but flexible, and absorbs vibration way better than aluminum. it is purpose built do go fast, and to do it very well: too well in my case as I am a geezer by now and the bike demanded more from me than I was able to give.
If I was 18 again it would be a different world - one that was not accessible when we were kids.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Posts: 1,398
Bikes: Trek 720, Trek 620, Trek 520, Steel Schwinns, AD Puch, Kona, Nishiki Pro, All City Disc Spacehorse, Waterford
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 151 Post(s)
Liked 101 Times
in
52 Posts
I'd vote for the Prelude. I have a Tange tubed bike in the works, but have yet to ride one extensively. I have a bunch of Tenax bikes I love. Better yet, look for a '87 or so Tempo. This is a step up from the Prelude and s/b fairly plentiful. Good luck.
#29
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
I'm an Ironman guy, but if you truly want an older bike that "leaps" with every pedal stroke, a Cannondale Crit series bike is your huckleberry. After 50 miles, you may want to throw it in the ocean, but for a sprint triathlon or even a time trial, nothing says "go fast and then get off of me" like a Cannondale Crit series frame. Lighter than a comparable Kestrel 200 series, but stiffer, too.
The Centurion Facet was a lot like that, one of the first 7000 series welded Aluminum frames. Not as stiff as a Cannondale of the same era.
The Centurion Facet was a lot like that, one of the first 7000 series welded Aluminum frames. Not as stiff as a Cannondale of the same era.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,840
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2337 Post(s)
Liked 2,818 Times
in
1,539 Posts
Hi Oddjob, those are indeed the two candidates. I thought the Prelude was overpriced too, they just don't come around in my size very often. I actually took that bike for a test spin at the Brooklyn Bike Jumble last weekend (I can tell it's the same one because of the weird toe clips and general condition). The fit and ride was great, mechanically it seems fine, but the owner was asking $350 then and wouldn't come down (hipster premium?) I walked away, but wondered if I had made a mistake. The cosmetics on the bike are, indeed, kinda rough. If it stays on CL a while longer maybe I'll make an offer and see if he's softened up.
On the other hand, as you say the SS has some nice upgrades and looks to be in better overall shape. I have an email in to the owner to ask about the rims; if those are tubulars I'd have to replace them, I imagine the "mean potholed streets" would eat those up and me with them...
On the other hand, as you say the SS has some nice upgrades and looks to be in better overall shape. I have an email in to the owner to ask about the rims; if those are tubulars I'd have to replace them, I imagine the "mean potholed streets" would eat those up and me with them...
You could go the tufo route........ the Tufo s33 pro in 24 mm. buy them from ribble Tufo S33 Pro 24mm Tubular, TUBULARS ROAD/TRACK
right now 3 tires, 3 rim tapes, 2 bottles of regular sealant and 1 bottle of extreme would run about $116 or so (104 without the sealant ribble is out of stock)
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
313 Posts
Life is too short to ride heavy bikes. If you want a go-fast bike, find what fits and start filtering your choices through that size first. Go light, go fast. There is a difference in felt quickness in acceleration.
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
313 Posts
I'm an Ironman guy, but if you truly want an older bike that "leaps" with every pedal stroke, a Cannondale Crit series bike is your huckleberry. After 50 miles, you may want to throw it in the ocean, but for a sprint triathlon or even a time trial, nothing says "go fast and then get off of me" like a Cannondale Crit series frame. Lighter than a comparable Kestrel 200 series, but stiffer, too.
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: In the drops.
Posts: 162
Bikes: '72 Schwinn Model 834 Opaque Blue
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Wood work:
[h=2]Cannondale criterium series project - $100 (Bend)[/h][h=2]Vintage Cannondale - $250 (Peoria, IL)[/h][h=2]Cannondale criterium - $275 (Tampa)[/h][h=2]cannondale criterium - $299 (tampa)[/h]
[h=2]Cannondale criterium series project - $100 (Bend)[/h][h=2]Vintage Cannondale - $250 (Peoria, IL)[/h][h=2]Cannondale criterium - $275 (Tampa)[/h][h=2]cannondale criterium - $299 (tampa)[/h]