MookieBlaylock

Thanks. Yeah, hyperglide vs uniglide is something I have avoided diving into. Let's hope for the best.

MookieBlaylock

I guess you had the same problem. What did you end up deciding?

texaspandj

I ended up just keeping it 7 speed with no regrets. However I do have a 89 ironman with 8 speed tricolor sti. I found a donor bike for 125 bucks and swapped out the group including wheels.
If your determined to go 8 speed you might think about doing the same.

MookieBlaylock

I'm thinking the same thing. I just wanted a shiny new part. My legs could use the work.

The tricolor sti is the 6401 group, right? That came out after Ironmans?

What if I got a 6401 rear derailleur and the accompanying wheel? I guess my front derailleur (6400) using index shifting wouldn't shift to all 8 gears, right? I wonder if it is friciton if it could.

I'm trying my hardest to make this bike somewhat-modern, but the amount of money put into it and parts switched out, little seems to be left over from the original Ironman - which is not the end of the world, but that's what makes Ironmans cool.

texaspandj

I'm pretty sure your current rear derailleur will shift the 8,9,10 speed in friction mode. So using a dremel tool to widen out a spline on your freehub may be your most cost effective route 8 speed. Beyond that you may have to redish,etc. There are few videos on youtube showing how to do it. I prefer the one by RJ the bike guy. His simple but effective way of communicating is strangely calming.

MookieBlaylock

He is good.

That's funny you said that about him. My wife said the same thing about him last night. She said he was my version of her cooking Youtube videos she watches.

AustinFitz

Well I just got home with the beautiful '85 that I had previously posted about! I've only had time for a quick spin around the block, and I haven't made any adjustments to it at all, but it feels very nice

canklecat

Yup. I like the way he fixes everything with an adjustable wrench, pliers and a wooden mallet.

Semi-seriously, though, RJ is one of the more accessible DIY bike repair mentors on YouTube. He makes everything seem like "Yeah, I can do this."

jetboy 

that looks cherry! ncie one!

CountryBiking

It looks like everything is original including saddle, bar tape, and brake hoods!! Sweet!! Very nice.

AustinFitz

Thank you! It really is in awesome shape. It looks great, and I haven't even cleaned it yet! It's actually pretty dirty lol. It was definitely taken care of though. I bought it from it's original owner who had kept up with it, and garage stored it it's entire life. I do believe it's totally original minus the Continental tires that were just put on last summer.

royleroy

After never seeing one in the wild, I finally happened upon a Miami Vice in what appeared to be close to my size:



Luckily the owner pointed this out right away



I bought it anyway for the parts (very cheaply) only to find this



So now the frame is in the trash and some of the 105 group will be put to use. The search goes on...

texaspandj

@AustinFitz Super Nice and amazingly stock.
Great acquisition.

AustinFitz

Thanks! I was just checking it out a little closer, and I noticed that what I thought was a cluster of paint chips on the top tube turns out to just be a few drops of tree sap! This thing really is in amazing shape!

texaspandj

Maybe its my phones poor resolution, but sure seems to me that frame is salvageable.

canklecat

The guy I bought the '89 Ironman from warned me the frames were vulnerable at the seat post clamp. Reminds me, I need to recheck the tension on mine and use some gripper goo to prevent slipping rather than cranking the opposing bolts too tightly.

texaspandj

Well actually no. The only time you'll have issues with the seat post slipping is if you're using a seat post that is too small. In actuality you'd want to make sure you are using grease on your seat post. It will help to keep the aluminum seat post from bonding to the steel frame. Which is the only issue Ironman are subject to or any steel frame for that matter. And probably what happened to @royleroy frame.

royleroy

I guess it could be, though the rest of the frame is rather poor too. Dent in top tube, lots of scuffs, etc.
It appears that someone jammed an oversized seatpost into it.

texaspandj

Well maybe, but it looks like the seat post has seized and they tried to remove it by widening the seat tube. Also the seatpost appears to be oem so not oversized. I was finally able to look at pics with the lap top and I still think that frame is salvageable but perhaps youre looking for something in better condition. I'm crazy enough to appreciate all Ironman bikes even the ones with scars.

jetboy 

I would not toss the frame for sure. make it a beater and give it to someone if nothing else. - hose clamp will make it work, even if it will never be pretty again.

royleroy

Good call. I'll hang onto it or let my buddy use it for wall art.

texaspandj

My 86 classic is in ok condition, but it has been clear coated warts and all and shines like brand new. I haven't ridden it much this year. it has period correct dura ace and is as solid as they come.
My 87 Miami Vice is pretty chipped up and was left outside for dead. Its pretty much stock and absolutely the most fun to ride. I'm not sure why.
My 88 yellow fade is in excellent condition and most modern with 9 speed ultegra. Its a size smaller than I normally ride making it a perfect rode bike for me.
My 89 smoke on the water is also in excellent condition and was previously my least ridden Ironman. That is til this year when my wife started a new job and I was relegated back to riding pulling my toddler in a baby trailer again. Initially I was using my wifes hybrid. But I got used to it so much that when I finally got on an Ironman it felt twitchy/quick handling. So decided to pull my daughter with my 89. Its the same bike I got from R.T. that had only 25 miles on it. I figure lifes too short not to be riding a good bike.
I may be hooking up the MV as that's the Ironman I intend to be riding on in a couple triathlons this summer. You know that old adage dance wth the one that brought you or train with what youll be racing.
Which reminds me of a story I told my wife the other day. She bought a new outfit to run in at alocal race. I told her that common belief is you should never race in new stuff without first testing it out. And then I shared this story of my 1987 season of triathlon racing. I had ayellow and black dx3000 Panasonic and bought matching swim tunks (speedo style) bike shorts,jersy,running singlet,running shorts, all from the finals catalog. Well I decided to test my gear out before my first race. The style at the time was to wear only trunks (No Shirt) unless you were doing a longer race... You got it. I did a mile swim at the junior college across the street from the apt complex I lived at. My girlfriend counted laps and timed everything. After the swim I got on my bike and cycled 25 miles in my speedos, then got off my bike and ran 6 miles again in my speedos. this all happened around noon on a Monday or Tuesday. Man how crazy. Wish I had the nads to do that now, more to the point the body to do that now, It was 30 years ago and about that many pounds less ago. Come to think of it I don't think I was that brave but more what my wife said "what an Idiot"

holden west

Wall Street Journal:

AustinFitz

I was messing around with the '85 Ironman that I just picked up the other day and thought I'd take a pic of the tire clearance. I've heard from several people that the '85 had more clearance than the later years.

It currently has 25mm Continentals on it, and does look to have plenty of room to move up!! Please excuse the dirt and grime... I still have yet to tear it down for a good cleaning

MookieBlaylock

Nice!