bikemanbob

I've been secretly coveting a Chrome Frame, and after many hours spent searching Craigslist, I found a obscure description and poor pictures in the Fort Wayne, IN CL (I live in the Detroit area). It looked like it had been listed for a short time, but it would not have lasted that long in Detroit. Because it was late, I emailed the person. In the afternoon the next day, the owner called. By that time, I had done some research and determined that it was likely a Panasonic DX 2000. Although a good bike, not a great one, but it was it Chrome! She agreed to hold it. So the next day (today), I pretended to go to work (my wife doesn't know I skipped out so please keep a secret), and I headed to Indiana. After the three hour trip, I arrived and gladly handed the owner $225 for the bike. I asked if anyone else had inquired. She said that someone from Chicago had emailed her and he was eager to buy. I don't know if I made a good buy, but I'm excited! I look forward to restoring it (and removing that comfort seat).

Thanks to Auchen for helping research the bike before the purchase! He has been a tremedous help!

bikemanbob

More Photos:

Eileen

Holy bug nuts. Groovy!

Wino Ryder

Man thats cool. I like the lug work on that beauty.

GrayJay

Interesting that it is butted hi-tensile steel. With all that chrome and lugwork it is a damm shame that they didnt just make it from Chrom-Moly, probably saved an ENTIRE $10 from the original production cost?? Even strait gauge Cr-Mo would have probably resulted in a lighter frame for comparable strength.
Do you have a weight for the complete bike? What is the seatpost size, it might be an interesting indication of how thick the hi-tensile tubing is.

Bianchigirll 

I like it! what kind of crank is that?

bikemanbob

When I read the frame and saw the label, I was somewhat disappointed. But when I picked it up, it was surprisingly light (even with the comfort seat). If I had a accurate scale at home, I would weigh it. The seatpost measures 26.6.

huerro

That is a sexy frame and other than the brake hoods it looks like the components are in good shape. Enjoy.

ColonelJLloyd 

Probably built in the same factory and near the same time as my Schwinn Voyageur 11.8.

bikemanbob

The cranks read Tourney!

wrk101

+1 Identical to Schwinn Voyageur 11.8. Nice chrome road bike from a desirable manufacturer for $225? Outstanding!

bikenut2011

Awesome score!! 3 hour drive each way shows much dedication!!

andy

bikemanbob

Thanks for confirming my efforts. Your help and comments is always appreciated. Thanks!

Oregon Southpaw

I don't know if I'd say identical. Similar to be certain. Voyageur 11.8's had cro-mo main-tubes. Looks like the components are the same/similar, save for the fact that the Voyageur had a sugino crank.

Also consider yourself lucky to find a nice bike from Fort Wayne. Its a bike desert.

tugrul

Looking at the 1979/80/81 catalogs, where they had the same top tube routing, the catalog claims 25 lbs for the 22". Not bad.

The chrome appears to be in good shape too.

bikemanbob

My guess would have been 24 lbs, but 25 lbs is likely right. Regardless, it feels light. Thanks for the link!

Frogbutter 

Dude!

auchencrow

Great Score bikemanbob! This is my first eyeful, and it's even more than I expected from that crummy CL photo.
Hey - and when Thrifty Bill says it was a good deal, you KNOW it was a good deal!

Now how are you going to explain this Chrome thing to your better half?

nlerner

Shiny!

Neal

Puget Pounder

Chrome > Hi-Ten

Nice!

ColonelJLloyd 

I've owned two of them. They're not identical.

Similarities

• Manufacturer
• Chrome
• Derailleurs/Shifters
• Handlebars

Differences

• Tubing
• Head tube lugs
• Fork
• Dropouts
• Cranks
• Pedals
• Brake Levers

Very cool bike and very similar to an 11.8, but the DX 2000 isn't a re-badged 11.8. Mind you, I am not poo-pooing the DX-2000. I think it is sweet! Just clarifying for posterity's sake.

GrayJay

1020 high-tensile steel has about 1/2 the tensile strength of better CrMo steel so much more of it is needed to make suitably strong tubes that dont fail structurally. 26.6mm seatpost equates to having a "thin" butted section of the tube of 0.9mm thickness (top of seatpost is not butted thicker like rest of the ends of the 3 main tubes). For comparison, columbus Aelle CrMo is 0.8mm strait gauge (unbutted) and the thicker ends of SL are 0.9 and for SP are 1.0mm. The 1020 tubes probably add a couple pounds of weight to the frame.
Just interesting to note that it was apparently cheaper to go through the hassle of butting the 1020 tubes rather than just use CrMo strait gauge tubes (which would have been lighter). At least it wasnt built of 2.0mm thickness unbutted gaspipes! The one benefit is that the 1020 high tensile steel has about the same stiffness as CrMo so the thicker 1020 tubes should make for a very stiff bike which could be beneficial for loaded touring (though it might break).

bikemanbob

Thanks Auchen! The bike won't be the problem; if she learns of the trip, then I'm in trouble. She thinks I'm nuts; the trip to Indiana would only confirm it. I just need to give her the money from my next sale and all will be good!

canyoneagle

Congrats!!!!!!
I remember the ads for the chome Panasonics. Great find.