I need help - racing bike
 

So I have a Shogun 200 which weighs about 500 pounds when I ride it. I have a Centurion Ironman that I'm not sure will be done for my half ironman and century ride next spring/summer.

I have to find a race bike. Something in an 80s model, preferably Japanese. What am I looking for? What are my options for a good race bike that's pretty easy to find? I used to have a Fiji that I adored and parted with about 16 years ago when I moved across country. I got a Trek hybrid 12 years ago and hated it and didn't ride again until getting the Shogun 6 years ago. What should I be looking for in terms of models? I'm okay with trying to find a fixer bike or riding something that's a little on the heavy side, but the Shogun has lived up to the name and really does feel like an invisible hand is pushing me back while pedaling.

Help, guys... It's the end of season and I'm looking at the craigslist posts and wondering if anything will work for me. I don't want another touring bike, I need a racer.

Whats going on with the Ironman that needs six months to get on the road???

Miyata 912, Pro, or Team.

Ironman.

**** or get off the pot. Seriously? You have the perfect bike and just about forever to get it ready? :foo:

There are soooo many bikes to recommend. Just about any Japanese bike linked to on this page will prove worthy, in my opinion...

Rather than search for the exact bike, learn about what makes a vintage road bicycle a good one. You can find many tips on this in Vintage Bicycle Quality. Once you have an idea of what quality criteria to look for, then you can take a look at Bicycle Finding Methods. Using those simple techniques, I have found hundreds and possible over a thousand vintage road bicycles and some of them were purchased for less than a large box of beer...
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3b0090b1ae.jpg

Ditto with @Lascauxcaveman.

Ironman.

Hamburger is out there, but you have steak at home.
What does it need?
Ironman Empire was built one at a time.
We have people.

Procrastination, mostly. I have two small kids and time isn't always available. The bike itself needs to be completely disassembled, repainted, and rebuilt. And I'm also a tax accountant, so I have that pesky work thing consuming lots of time from January to April.

Or...maybe this is just a thinly veiled justification for me to get another bike? "No, honey, I really do need a third bike to ride."

Ship the Ironman to me and get it back a couple weeks later.

Fin.

Like the man said, we have people.

Where in NH are you? I'll be up there first week of November to visit our son and daughter in law, in Wolfboro, NH (Brewster Academy teachers.)

Getting a bike totally stripped is a one day event, if you have the tools. Cleaning is maybe another couple of days, paint stripper for prepping the frame set, works fast usually. You would be ready to send the frame set to the painters and get the components shaped up and assembled from their cleaning while it's away.

Add in a couple of days each way to spend time with the children, of course.

Like the two gentleman above said, "We Have People!"

Bill

...or just find another Ironman that doesn’t need so much work. Great bikes, and not hard to find.

That's actually what I'm looking at right now. Even stripping all the components off, I could get a new frame (hopefully without a stuck seat post) and probably save money and effort. The hard part is that I'm looking for a 52-54cm frame. I'm seeing a lot of much bigger frames and really the 54 is the top range for me.

I'm in southwest NH, 2 miles from Mass, 17 miles from Vermont as the crow flies. Wolfeboro is a lovely area--have fun on your visit! Too bad the foliage will be gone by then.

15 minutes a day will get it done in a month or 2. Maybe an hour on the weekend.

rccardr in the House .

Have you asked about this one? Not much to go on but the price is right. Sounds like the seller doesn’t know much about bikes. Or how to sell one.
https://westernmass.craigslist.org/b...959127147.html

Having raised two children, wife a teacher and I in a bike shop working 10-12 hours a day, you may have a time management problem. I recall working in the basement late at night after getting home from the shop at 9 or 10. Unfortunately the kids were asleep by the time I got home, but it provided me an hour at a time to work down there. Yes, I was tired, but stuff got done.

54cm?
 

Short stem fit?
What do you want on it?

This may be the best thread I'll read all day. Week. Month, even.

I miss riding in New England... :(

I think you're thinkin' what I'm thinkin' :D

There might be a bit of a bias in favor of Japanese bikes such as Centurions among the C&V crowd here. They're great bikes, but there are others worth considering.

For example, some of us consider a C&V Cannondale to be as good a racing bike as any that were available in those days. They sold around New England like crazy in the '80s, and they still tend to be reasonably affordable on Craigslist and the like.

Agreed. 100%
However, he already has an Ironman, and we need cult members.

+ a zillion.

If I haven't told you yet this year Randy, thank you so much for putting your page together.

Yes, She does have an Ironman and plans on only riding 80s Japanese bikes. ;) (I know I'm a unicorn here, it's okay guys.)

Because I'm stubborn and feel like I need to appreciate quality. I like them, they're reasonably priced, and easier to work on because I have the tools available. Honestly, I see all the people in my triathlon group getting these pretty carbon fiber bikes and I just can't justify buying a bike that I would fear dumping or pay more than I've paid for several vehicles combined.