Frame designed by Georgena Terry for women. One of the first women-specific designs, especially for shorter riders. No sacrifice in speed with the 700c rear, but ample standover and short reach for riders of shorter stature. Some have been turned into somewhat aero tri-bikes, but I'm sure they handle funny. The 520 front gave the bike quick steering, as can be expected, but every woman I've met that had one thought it was the best bike she'd ever had. I see a pair of them at local triathlons in the summer season here, a mother and daughter have them.

They more than hold their own, even against many tri-bikes today. They're not very heavy, because they're not very big. The major drawback is if something happens to that front wheel. The high-end 520 rims are pretty hard to come by, and the Ironman came with Wolber Super Champion Alpine rims, no slouch even by today's standards, about 420g for the 700c size, and eyeletted.

Next up is racing tire availability. A 24x1 will generally not fit. They say the recumbent dealers may have the rims and the tires/tubes. I simply don't know. These frames were offered by Fuji, Nishiki, Trek, Terry, Centurion, Miyata and others. The Ironman version was Tange 1 and was an Expert. I bought a Terry Despatch model for a slightly used helmet, and parted it out.

I've always hankered to buy an Ironman version and build a tri-bike out of it, lend it to some shorter rider for a triathlon, and watch her mow down a good bit of the field on a steel Tange 1 mini-beast. I'm sure I could get the weight competitive with a disc rear and judicious use of the right modern components.