This was a CL find last fall, and OK, I'm not wild about the graphics, but I sure do like how it rides. What I'm wondering now is, what other bikes would this have compared with when new, in terms of price and components? It's Tange 2 with a 105 group, nothing elite by any stretch but just a very nice, solid, dependable Toyota/Honda sort of bike. I believe it's from 1988.

Directly comparable to a '88 Schwinn Tempo. But, the Panasonic's color scheme is better which should tell you how terrible the Tempo's was.

You mean this? What's not to like?

1988 catalog



Hey.

It's like they ran out of blue paint before they could finish the top tube.

I have that exact DX3000 in that exact size. Indeed a wonderful riding bike, (though unfortunately a little small for me.) If yours fits, I'd consider it a keeper (just change that bar tape!)

It would also have competed against other 105 equipped models such as the Bridgestone RB-1, Centurion Ironman Expert, Miele Lupa, Peugeot Triathlon, Shogun Samurai, Specialized Sirrus.

I'll take the 1988 Panasonix DX-3000 and raise you a 1988(ish) Lotus Classique. Shimano 105 group, Araya rims and Ishiwata EXO quad(?) butted tubing. As far as I know the Classique was the only Lotus to use the 105 group. The paint fades started with Lotus in 1987 and by 1988 there were quite a few models to choose from. You gotta love the pink to white fade!




For a little less garish model color, but still Shimano 105 equipped, was the 1987 Classique, with Ishiwata triple butted tubing and LOTUS engraved handlebar. Available in Violet and Emerald Green. Dealer price $372.95, suggested retail price $549.95.




1986 Classique was Shimano 600 EX equipped and used Tange #2 for the frame. Check out demz kool water bottles!

Do I? I don't want to. Please don't make me.

There's a bike in that ad??

What? That's brand new Fizik tape! I decided to embrace the palette rather than struggle against it.

Thanks all for the replies. I thought this was going to be a flip bike, but it didn't sell, so I started riding it. Now I think it's a keeper. A good deal on a bike makes it a good flip candidate, but also makes it easy to hang on to, I've noticed.

I like the tape and think it was a good choice.

Thank you, although I believe the two pink bikes you posted below (which are hot, btw) make you a biased respondent.

I embraced the palette with this PT-3500 also, though maybe a bit less whole-heartedly.

And a Centurion Lemans, frame-wise

Lest anyone forget.

The Golden Era of Japanese bicycles. I really think things went downhill from there, but that's an extremely personal opinion. My Taiwanese Raleigh's not too shabby either. Got kinda excited looking at a $150 Schwinn Traveler the other day.

Centurion, huh? Are those any good?

^Don't get him started!