It Happened To Me Again!
 

There I was just minding my own business looking at all the pictures of bikes on Craigslist when don`t you know this picture pops up of a frame that I covet from the late 1980`s. My stable if pretty full of 1980`s racing bikes but this stupid picture is taunting me. The red and white fade is drawing me in and then I notice the Superbe Pro Crankset. Evil! I need another bike like I need a hole in the head. Still this is taunting me so I open up the link and look at more pictures. Superbe Pro brakes and derailleurs. Banging my head on the keyboard, the price is to good to be true.

I convince myself that the bike is too far away and move on. I have to run some errands today. I get the address of the place I need to go to drop off paperwork and wouldn't you know, its only 10 minutes away from the bike. I tell myself no but the fade paint just keeps calling me. I pick up the phone and text the owner if it is even still available. At that price I was sure it was gone. I get the text back that yes it is and he is home all day. EVIL!

I convince myself that it would not hurt to just check it out. It was probably dented up and the components trashed. So I went. I told myself I would just walk away if the components were scratched up and the hubs were not Superbe Pro hubs to match the group. I could not tell from his pictures. Probably cheap replacement hubs on those wheels.

So I get there and look at the bike. Oh my she looked so pretty. I should have walked away then. The Crankset looked new. Hoods were bubbled but already new that, brakes looked good. I then started to check out the frame. A couple scrapes and a few paint chips. Darn! But the ace in the hole was the wheels. That was going to make me walk away.

I looked at the rims, looked brand new, spokes were nice and shinny and they spin true. What? Oh no! My last chance. The hubs. I looked. Ah Ha!! Not Superbe Pro!! I cried. They were mint looking Dura Ace. DARN!

Ok my mind said save your marriage, make a low ball offer and when he says no, get in the car and leave. I made the lowball offer and watched his face. It looked like he was going to say no. Perfect right? Wrong! He came back with 5 dollars more than my low ball offer. In the car it went. I now have the bike hidden in the garage and feel the sense of danger if my little spitfire figures out there is a new bike in there. It was not my fault. Stupid Craigslist!

And it is...

:( :)

The piper awaits!

Oh yeah, this....

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I used to enjoy trying to race home at lunch to hide the latest fedex bike box before family saw it. Then it was a matter of casually riding it one day and seeing if anybody noticed! I can see why you bought it, looks pretty mint and no doubt a nice racing rider.

Your logic was flawless OP, but once you decided 'it wouldnt hurt just to check it out' it was all over. ;) Nice bike though.

Wow that is a nice score.

.
...this is a problem that a lot of guys run into until they reach critical mass. Critical mass is the number of bikes you need in the garage before your wife can no longer tell if there's a new one in there. Be patient.

If it's a real problem, PM what you paid for it. If it really was lowball, I'll add a Benji for your trouble and you can ship it my way :)

Thank guys. You guys crack me up.

This was sold as a frame set by Schwinn in 1988 and 89 as part of the Paramount line. Tange Prestige tubing hand brazed in Japan. Feels very light. Suntour Superbe Pro is indexed and works well. The seat post is even Superbe Pro. The saddle is a bit rough. Anyone know what after market replacement hoods will work for the levers?

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...9_Ltwt_03.html

Nice!

You were gonna get it all along.

"I now have the bike hidden in the garage and feel the sense of danger if my little spitfire figures out there is a new bike in there. It was not my fault. Stupid Craigslist!"

Beautiful bike, but soon will come the question: When did you get(or How long have you had) that bike? Don

Sold in 1987 as well.

I never, ever, pass on a Prologue, unless the price is stupid high. I've bought four, unfortunately, only one was my size. So the other three have moved on.

I hate when that happens. Tough luck! I guess the only thing you can do now is try to make the best of the situation by riding the bike.

Dull-looking bike. She'll never notice.

Just tell her to be happy that it's bicycles.

https://jalopnik.com/the-bmw-addicti...n-s-1794882542

Boy, that's nice!

I will just tell her I had it for years and then ask her if she is having memory issues. :)

Wow-whee!!!

Looks awesome!

Great read

Very nice! I'm a big fan of SunTour Superbe stuff too.

my first thought is... have you considered counseling/therapy for this Craigs List obsession? Better to go cold turkey than to suffer through divorce.

my second thought... what's the deal with the red & white bikes? Not that there's anything wrong with it, but it seems to be a dominant theme.

Having seen some of your bikes.. I'd say that it's time to sit down and write down a list of what bikes you really want to acquire. Rather than buy the next shiny (or *very* shiny) bike that pops up, make a plan of what bike is really worth the cost (both in dollars and domestic tranquility). My last two vintage bikes have been a Hetchins Magnum Opus and a Raleigh Team (which you've seen), and based loosely on this principle.

Still.. if that Schwinn was a little bit larger, I might make you an offer too. ;)


Steve in Peoria

Well this is a mixed message if I ever seen one? Are you enabling or sending me to rehab? If your going to get a divorce make it for a Hetchins or Raleigh Team? BIG $$$$$$ :p I can see it now, you spent how much money on that bike?