I'll post pics eventually, but I scored an Ironman Expert on the local Craigslist a couple of weeks ago and finally had time to give it a good, long ride.

Wow is all I can say! O.k., I can say a bit more. This is the first Tange 1 frame that I've ridden. I've ridden Columbus SL, Columbus Tenax and Columbus SP. Never tried SLX. Of all the frames that I've ridden, this is by far the best ride quality. I was pretty close to my Schwinn Tempo, but after riding this Centurion, the Tempo got sold. Hated to do it, but something had to go.

This Ironman Expert is the one with yellow and purple colors, the "Miami Vice" scheme. I can't bring myself to say pink. But it really isn't pink. One of my oldest daughters said it was pink, but that was just to annoy me. I prefer mauve, or purple, lilac, whatever.

Anyway, full Shimano 105 group with Biopace cranks. Now the good part. This bike had 10 miles on it. Legitimate. I met the original owner, a tall woman and her husband. His Trek was also for sale. He no longer rides and he said if he does again he will probably buy a hybrid.

The wife explained to me that she bought the bike hoping to like road biking and her husband wanted company on long rides. Well, she went a couple of miles the first time, a couple the second time and a whopping 4 or 5 miles the last time she rode it. She hated every second. Just wasn't her thing and she felt scared on the road. So the bike hung in the basement. Where have I heard that before? But in this case it is definitely true. The bike looks like it just came off of the showroom floor. Zero scratches. One small paint chip from moving it around I guess. The freewheel is bright silver, no black at all. The chain and cranks are pristine. The Wolber Alpine rims are straight and true and spin wonderfully. I know I have to have everything greased up, but when I do I'll have a practically brand new ride. It's a 1987 model. I won't ride it again until I have time to service it, but it looks wonderful hanging in my garage.

I have been fortunate to find lots of nice bikes in the past, but this one is the best condition by far.

I'll post pics in a few days. Anybody else have an Ironman and want to share?