1989 Ironman ready for the road.
07-10-19, 05:25 PM
#1
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Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
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1989 Ironman ready for the road.
All cleaned up and tuned. Took a short spin on it this even and it rides great. At 60 c.m its on the at the upper end of my size but I really like it.
07-10-19, 08:55 PM
#2
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Nice! I need to get my butt in gear and finish my black 1989 IM Expert.
07-10-19, 09:58 PM
#3
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Niiice. Classic proportions and look with that saddle, seat post and stem/handlebar height, despite those funky Ironman graphics.
Seriously, once you get the bike and body dialed in, it's almost like a comfort bike. Some days when my neck is aching, I'd rather ride my Ironman than my hybrid. Something about the Ironman fit feels better even on my achy days. Which includes Tuesday's 35 mile ride, half of that with a large group, in really hot weather.
I'd planned to ride my hybridized Univega mountain bike-lite, but for some reason lately it just doesn't feel right and my neck aches more. I raised the stem about 1/2" and tried another saddle, but something just wasn't quite right. And while the Univega's rigid fork is so springy it's almost like a suspension fork, it wasn't a problem with soft or hard ride. It just hasn't felt quite right since my neck was injured by a chiropractor who was way too rough last week. I had it almost perfect in time for Tuesday's group ride, but the rear wheel was creaking too much and I realized I need to adjust the wheel. I need to tighten the non-drive-side spokes, which will change the dish. Then I'll need to swap around the hub spacers. Too much trouble on short notice, so I took the Ironman instead.
Between the Ironman's fork -- a perfect, for me, compromise between springy and good handling -- and 700x25 tires run at lower pressure, it just feels right. A shorter stem courtesy of @RobbieTunes last year really helped.
I've actually considered getting another Ironman that's borderline too large, like a 60 cm. My '89 Expert is 58cm and I'm 5'11", with 33" inseam, so I can get comfortable on anything from a 56cm to 60cm with some adjustments. My Univega is 60cm and what I really like about it is how high I sit. Great vantage point in traffic, and usually the upright position is comfy. With a taller bike you don't need to raise the stem to get more comfortable.
The downside is the longer top tube on some bikes mean you're more stretched out. But usually that can be addressed with the right stem and handlebar.
And my all time favorite racer, Jacques Anquetil, usually favored a bike that was slightly too large for him, with a more stretched out riding position without needing much drop between saddle and handlebar. It doesn't make me any faster, but getting a little more aero from being stretched out sure makes it easier when tackling headwinds.
One of my schemes includes getting another Ironman to convert to a stealth-sporty city bike with albatross or similar swept bars. A 60cm frame would let me flip the bars for a pseudo-path racer style. But it'll need to be black or gray.
Seriously, once you get the bike and body dialed in, it's almost like a comfort bike. Some days when my neck is aching, I'd rather ride my Ironman than my hybrid. Something about the Ironman fit feels better even on my achy days. Which includes Tuesday's 35 mile ride, half of that with a large group, in really hot weather.
I'd planned to ride my hybridized Univega mountain bike-lite, but for some reason lately it just doesn't feel right and my neck aches more. I raised the stem about 1/2" and tried another saddle, but something just wasn't quite right. And while the Univega's rigid fork is so springy it's almost like a suspension fork, it wasn't a problem with soft or hard ride. It just hasn't felt quite right since my neck was injured by a chiropractor who was way too rough last week. I had it almost perfect in time for Tuesday's group ride, but the rear wheel was creaking too much and I realized I need to adjust the wheel. I need to tighten the non-drive-side spokes, which will change the dish. Then I'll need to swap around the hub spacers. Too much trouble on short notice, so I took the Ironman instead.
Between the Ironman's fork -- a perfect, for me, compromise between springy and good handling -- and 700x25 tires run at lower pressure, it just feels right. A shorter stem courtesy of @RobbieTunes last year really helped.
I've actually considered getting another Ironman that's borderline too large, like a 60 cm. My '89 Expert is 58cm and I'm 5'11", with 33" inseam, so I can get comfortable on anything from a 56cm to 60cm with some adjustments. My Univega is 60cm and what I really like about it is how high I sit. Great vantage point in traffic, and usually the upright position is comfy. With a taller bike you don't need to raise the stem to get more comfortable.
The downside is the longer top tube on some bikes mean you're more stretched out. But usually that can be addressed with the right stem and handlebar.
And my all time favorite racer, Jacques Anquetil, usually favored a bike that was slightly too large for him, with a more stretched out riding position without needing much drop between saddle and handlebar. It doesn't make me any faster, but getting a little more aero from being stretched out sure makes it easier when tackling headwinds.
One of my schemes includes getting another Ironman to convert to a stealth-sporty city bike with albatross or similar swept bars. A 60cm frame would let me flip the bars for a pseudo-path racer style. But it'll need to be black or gray.
07-10-19, 10:30 PM
#4
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Niiice. Classic proportions and look with that saddle, seat post and stem/handlebar height, despite those funky Ironman graphics.
Niiice.
Seriously, once you get the bike and body dialed in, it's almost like a comfort bike. Some days when my neck is aching, I'd rather ride my Ironman than my hybrid. Something about the Ironman fit feels better even on my achy days. Which includes Tuesday's 35 mile ride, half of that with a large group, in really hot weather.
I'd planned to ride my hybridized Univega mountain bike-lite, but for some reason lately it just doesn't feel right and my neck aches more. I raised the stem about 1/2" and tried another saddle, but something just wasn't quite right. And while the Univega's rigid fork is so springy it's almost like a suspension fork, it wasn't a problem with soft or hard ride. It just hasn't felt quite right since my neck was injured by a chiropractor who was way too rough last week. I had it almost perfect in time for Tuesday's group ride, but the rear wheel was creaking too much and I realized I need to adjust the wheel. I need to tighten the non-drive-side spokes, which will change the dish. Then I'll need to swap around the hub spacers. Too much trouble on short notice, so I took the Ironman instead.
Between the Ironman's fork -- a perfect, for me, compromise between springy and good handling -- and 700x25 tires run at lower pressure, it just feels right. A shorter stem courtesy of @RobbieTunes last year really helped.
I've actually considered getting another Ironman that's borderline too large, like a 60 cm. My '89 Expert is 58cm and I'm 5'11", with 33" inseam, so I can get comfortable on anything from a 56cm to 60cm with some adjustments. My Univega is 60cm and what I really like about it is how high I sit. Great vantage point in traffic, and usually the upright position is comfy. With a taller bike you don't need to raise the stem to get more comfortable.
The downside is the longer top tube on some bikes mean you're more stretched out. But usually that can be addressed with the right stem and handlebar.
And my all time favorite racer, Jacques Anquetil, usually favored a bike that was slightly too large for him, with a more stretched out riding position without needing much drop between saddle and handlebar. It doesn't make me any faster, but getting a little more aero from being stretched out sure makes it easier when tackling headwinds.
One of my schemes includes getting another Ironman to convert to a stealth-sporty city bike with albatross or similar swept bars. A 60cm frame would let me flip the bars for a pseudo-path racer style. But it'll need to be black or gray.
Niiice.
Seriously, once you get the bike and body dialed in, it's almost like a comfort bike. Some days when my neck is aching, I'd rather ride my Ironman than my hybrid. Something about the Ironman fit feels better even on my achy days. Which includes Tuesday's 35 mile ride, half of that with a large group, in really hot weather.
I'd planned to ride my hybridized Univega mountain bike-lite, but for some reason lately it just doesn't feel right and my neck aches more. I raised the stem about 1/2" and tried another saddle, but something just wasn't quite right. And while the Univega's rigid fork is so springy it's almost like a suspension fork, it wasn't a problem with soft or hard ride. It just hasn't felt quite right since my neck was injured by a chiropractor who was way too rough last week. I had it almost perfect in time for Tuesday's group ride, but the rear wheel was creaking too much and I realized I need to adjust the wheel. I need to tighten the non-drive-side spokes, which will change the dish. Then I'll need to swap around the hub spacers. Too much trouble on short notice, so I took the Ironman instead.
Between the Ironman's fork -- a perfect, for me, compromise between springy and good handling -- and 700x25 tires run at lower pressure, it just feels right. A shorter stem courtesy of @RobbieTunes last year really helped.
I've actually considered getting another Ironman that's borderline too large, like a 60 cm. My '89 Expert is 58cm and I'm 5'11", with 33" inseam, so I can get comfortable on anything from a 56cm to 60cm with some adjustments. My Univega is 60cm and what I really like about it is how high I sit. Great vantage point in traffic, and usually the upright position is comfy. With a taller bike you don't need to raise the stem to get more comfortable.
The downside is the longer top tube on some bikes mean you're more stretched out. But usually that can be addressed with the right stem and handlebar.
And my all time favorite racer, Jacques Anquetil, usually favored a bike that was slightly too large for him, with a more stretched out riding position without needing much drop between saddle and handlebar. It doesn't make me any faster, but getting a little more aero from being stretched out sure makes it easier when tackling headwinds.
One of my schemes includes getting another Ironman to convert to a stealth-sporty city bike with albatross or similar swept bars. A 60cm frame would let me flip the bars for a pseudo-path racer style. But it'll need to be black or gray.
07-11-19, 10:19 AM
#5
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Nice looking bike Robert , glad you are having fun with it . Something to think about , maybe depending on your reach . I would put a much shorter stem on it , something like a 60mm . Also get the shortest crank arms you can find .
07-11-19, 10:42 AM
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Your bike caught my eye. Good job and the eye catcher is the paint job. It compliments your build really well. My guess is that it will prove to be a very comfortable ride, being at the upper limit that you are OK with. Some bikes that have come my way were, according to fit requirements, to big proved to be very comfortable and fun to ride. Well done!
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07-11-19, 05:40 PM
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That bike is clean, baby! Sweet looking ride.
07-12-19, 01:50 AM
#9
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I have the same model but since I'm a little guy mine is a 54. I have done some upgrades to mine and will be putting some pretty serious miles on it in just over a week. I haven't been able to ride it much so since the upgrades so I plan to do a 100K group ride day after tomorrow and then its off to RAGBRAI! 428 miles in 7 days.
