Chr0m0ly 

Hi all,
So I've got a couple Cannondale ST's, and a Miyata 710, and a 912. They're awesome bikes and I've always thought of the Miyata's as racy but apparently the geometry is pretty tame for a racing bike.

So I'm curious to try something twitchy and I'm looking for recommendations!
What's a good example of a really unstable twitchy bike?

I've heard good things about Cannondale Criterium bikes, anything else? I'm more interested in Japanese vintage steel from the mid eighties but mostly because I've had good experience with them.

Thanks!!

sloar

Cannondale SR and Pro Miyata are 2 nice twitchy crit bikes I have owned.
Theres a cool green Cannondale SR 500 on ebay right now.

qcpmsame 

I owned a '91 Cannondale SR 300 Crit geometry, it was a super quick handling bike. It was really close to the twitchy classification. I notice various SR Cannondales on eBay regularly, be certain its the specific crit geometry, the frames were the same for the various spec levels, the components ans wheels made the difference. Try checking the Vintage Cannondale website for the identifying characteristics for each model.

Bill

himespau 

I've heard a couple of the late 80's Schwinn Tenax models might fit your bill.

Lascauxcaveman 

Not my '87 Tempo. That one's midway between tour and twitch, IMO. My '90 Centurion Diamondback TG (antecedent to the Iron Man) was pretty twitchy. That one would be worth a look, if you prefer steel.

On the aluminum side, I've never owned a Cannondale SR, but by their angles, numbers, and outsized reputation, they should be at the top of the twitch list. Maybe the Klein Quantum, as well.

Bianchigirll 

If you can ride a 60cm frame I know a young lady selling the twitchyist road frame you'll ever get.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ium-frame.html

OldsCOOL

My '88 Cdale Criterium Series. Look no further. Stiff, super responsive, lightning quick, and the handling is intuitive. You think, it moves. It is the King of Twitch. The harder you push it, the more it rewards you with a big smile on your face.

Chr0m0ly 

That Rigi is AWESOME. 😳
I'm 5'10" and both my Miyata's are 60cm which is at the top end of what I can ride comfortably. For a twitchy bike I want to aim for the middle of my size range, something around a 56-57cm frame.

...though I really like the double seat tube...

I did find a local Cannondale for 250.00 OBO but it was a 52cm and an '86 which is the year before they started the Crit geometry.

I have more patients than dollars right now so I'll keep an eye out for someone "getting rid of an old Cannondale road bike" and keep you posted.

Any other ideas for models come to mind, please post 'em!

pullup

A lot of Dutch racing bikes are specially made to ride criteriums with their short wheelbase but this Gazelle AA Super frame was made especially with this purpose in mind.

This is my mid eighties example. 84/86. i just bought it and still have to build it. This one would be to small for you of course but there will be bigger examples.



Look at the monostay and the little dent in the seattube to make room for the rearwheel.

seypat

A Team Miyata would have different geometry than the other 2 you have. See if you can find one of those. I also have a Lotus Legend Compe. It was/is an entry level racing frame with different geometry than the standard Lotus Legend. I haven't built it up and rode it yet.

satbuilder 

Find a Tesch bike.

EDIT: Not an unstable bike by any means.

3speedslow

Two brands to bring to your attention. The Raleigh USA Super Course 1984 and the 1989 Gazelle Formula race. Both are excellent bikes with nice crit geometry.certainly also the early 90's OS Paramount.

ldmataya 

Are you trying to talk yourself into a nice 3Rensho Super Record Export

I have ridden one, but it was way too long ago to recall anything other than how beautiful it was.

dunrobin

if you're willing to try something a little more modern this aluminium bike fits the bill
20170424_140054.jpg
sworks aerotec e5...twitchy, superlight for 2005 at 15.5lbs no allowances for comfort.

plonz 

I have a couple of same/similar bikes already mentioned, Tempo and Supercourse (mine is a Competition). Both are fast but not what I would consider twitchy or crit contenders... having that pent up nervous energy that needs the rider to constantly moderate.

In my stable, I only have one bike that fits what I believe OP is describing and that's my Raleigh USA 531c frameset. I don't know if it's the geometry, the 531c tubing or both but this bike is flat out fast. And noticeably "twitchier" than anything else I own. It's my go-to for aggressive pack riding but I try not to be caught out for more than 40 miles on it.

I have a Trek 760 with 531c in waiting. I'm anxious to see if it shares these same attributes.

Chr0m0ly 

This is great! Just what I wanted. People with hands on experience and a growing list of what to keep an eye out for.

And yes, something that requires constant attention or it gets away from you is what I'm looking for. I have some very stable bikes and I want to try out the other extreme of bike geometry.

If I had to draw a line in the sand for dating, I'd put the cut off at brifters.

3speedslow

These make good ones as well. Likes constant steering attention but not twitchy feeling. I missed that in your opening.
Early 90's Diamondback TG Expert or Master. Both OS Tange tubed

dunrobin

20161126_163301.jpg
ignore the brifters...mbk super record 753 steel..tight wheelbase and super stiff and usually not collectible. comes with a chrome 753 fork. other 753s may have the desired ride. It's stiffer than my lemond 853.
lemonds and some serottas have a longer wheelbase.

3alarmer

..

plonz 

mmmm... that Gios is tasty!

bradtx

Basically this was the era of the crit geometry. Integrated shifting signaled the end of the need for an ultra quick handling bicycle... No longer was there a need to pre select an exit gear while coasting (very fast) into a turn, turning, and then pedaling hard out of the exit.

The Cannondales aren't unstable, or 'twitchy' at speed due to their trail, but in a fast hard turn there is no warning when the tires, primarily the front, are about to lose traction. They are twitchy when using aero bars as the shoulders and elbows lack the fine motor control of our hands. It can be done, but takes practice.

My point is basically to use the Cannondale's geometry when comparing to other brands, and there were other brands that raced well, to have an idea of how the bike will handle.

Good luck in your quest.

Brad

3alarmer

...it's pretty "quick" (which is what I like to call bikes with less stable steering geometry, as opposed to "unstable" which is pejorative ). Had to slide the adjustable dropouts all the way back to get 700x25's on it, but they just fit.

Bianchigirll 

While not technically a '80s bike the Bianchi Proto with Columbus MAX tubing, in 57.5 would have a 39.25" wheelbase and chainsstays roughly 15.5 or 40cm. I normaly run tubulars on mine original but the x25 Pasela tires are tight fit on the backup

RobbieTunes

This

OldsCOOL

Oh heck yeah.