Help me choose the best bike: 2 c-dales, 2 fujis, 1 nishiki, 1 ironman master
07-20-15, 04:45 PM
#1
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Help me choose the best bike: 2 c-dales, 2 fujis, 1 nishiki, 1 ironman master
Most do not have sizes, the ones with sizes may not be correct either. In any case, I will try the bike out first. Sizes aside, how do these rank among each other. The two $300 bikes are wildcards and will be considered only if they are extremely better than the other $200 bikes.
My other question is are the aluminum cannondales on par with the steel frames of the time?
1) Club Fuji
Road bike 57cm
2) Fuji Roubaix
Vintage Fuji Racing Bike OBO
3) cannondale multisport 800
Cannondale Triatholon Bike
4) unknown cannondale
cannondale
5) nishiki prestige
Nishiki Prestige Road Bike 54 cm
6) ironman
Centurion master Ironman by David Scott
My other question is are the aluminum cannondales on par with the steel frames of the time?
1) Club Fuji
Road bike 57cm
2) Fuji Roubaix
Vintage Fuji Racing Bike OBO
3) cannondale multisport 800
Cannondale Triatholon Bike
4) unknown cannondale
cannondale
5) nishiki prestige
Nishiki Prestige Road Bike 54 cm
6) ironman
Centurion master Ironman by David Scott
07-20-15, 04:51 PM
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All of these are solid bikes, but waiting for a crowd-sourced consensus means theyre usually gone. I personally like the Ironman, then the Fuji, then the Nishiki. You have a good eye, and any of these are nice.
07-20-15, 04:59 PM
#3
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miyatalover, All of the bikes you listed will have a following on this forum. I had a Cannondale 2.8 for many years and sold it to try a different size, otherwise it's a very good bike.
Brad
Brad
07-20-15, 05:03 PM
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From looking at the length of head tubes, I think if 4, 5 or 6 fit you, then red cannondale (#3) is too big, and fuji's may be as well. I like cannondale, and centurion is well-loved by many C&V folks. As you said, go ride and see what fits. Some say cannondales are too stiff and others say that makes them "like rockets." Search cannondale on here and you'll find two recent threads that will give you a bunch to read.
Good luck!
Good luck!
07-20-15, 09:06 PM
#5
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Ironman
07-20-15, 09:21 PM
#6
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I envy you people that don't live in a bicycle desert.
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07-20-15, 09:23 PM
#7
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Ironman. Every thread that starts with x y z or ironman always ends with the ironman once you have a chance to ride it.
Its not cheap but the frame and components are all a grade above the rest. And it looks in great shape ready to go
Its not cheap but the frame and components are all a grade above the rest. And it looks in great shape ready to go
Last edited by jetboy; 07-20-15 at 09:31 PM.
07-20-15, 09:32 PM
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I'm no fan of the aluminum Cannondales (owned one very briefly), but many are. And they are freaking rockets.
People around here swear by the Ironman as one of the best bang-for-the-buck C&Vs around. Seems if you've got a chance to get one you should go with it.
People around here swear by the Ironman as one of the best bang-for-the-buck C&Vs around. Seems if you've got a chance to get one you should go with it.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
07-20-15, 11:30 PM
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That ironman sure is a pretty bike. Its also a 1.5hr drive from. #4 cannondale is about 45min drive and it's cheaper, maybe i'll check it out first. It appears you guys can tell the size by pics. I ride 56cm. Which bikes do you think will be too big?
07-21-15, 12:52 AM
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Quite a variation in sizing, but all pretty nice bikes and reasonably priced if in the $2-300 range, albeit with quite different secondary riding characteristics. Eg. the Cannondales will feel stiffer and faster, the Ironman might feel a little more twitchy or responsive, and each one would feel different if it was shod with different tires, etc.
An embarrassment of riches! Ride as many as you can and buy the one you like best.
An embarrassment of riches! Ride as many as you can and buy the one you like best.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 07-21-15 at 01:15 AM.
07-21-15, 01:09 AM
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It seems to me like you can eliminate some the biles based on size.
#4 would be my first choice as it has the most modern brakes (dual pivot), and Ultegra STI brifters. It may be a 56cm, but you need to go try riding it to check the fit.
My 2nd choice would be the Ironman, it also has a relatively modern group (Ultegra 6400 same as the Cannondale, but downtube shifter and single pull brakes. If you want the more reliable, longer lasting, less expensive to replace shifters (between the Cannondale with brifters and this Ironman) and a steel frame, take the Ironman.
#4 would be my first choice as it has the most modern brakes (dual pivot), and Ultegra STI brifters. It may be a 56cm, but you need to go try riding it to check the fit.
My 2nd choice would be the Ironman, it also has a relatively modern group (Ultegra 6400 same as the Cannondale, but downtube shifter and single pull brakes. If you want the more reliable, longer lasting, less expensive to replace shifters (between the Cannondale with brifters and this Ironman) and a steel frame, take the Ironman.
07-21-15, 05:55 AM
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Even though I am not a Centurion fan-boy, in this case, I would say the Ironman...
07-21-15, 06:45 AM
#17
Death fork? Naaaah!!
07-21-15, 09:46 AM
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8 speed Cannondale with Shimano 600 STI is the best deal IF everything works. Ironman Master is a fine choice as well.
Fuji Robaix is too rough. Club Fuji is a mess too.
Nishiki is a fine bike, needs some work.
The other Cannondale is a deal too, but will need some work.
Fuji Robaix is too rough. Club Fuji is a mess too.
Nishiki is a fine bike, needs some work.
The other Cannondale is a deal too, but will need some work.
Last edited by wrk101; 07-21-15 at 09:50 AM.
07-21-15, 10:36 AM
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IMHO the two most kick ass bikes up there are the Centurion & the Fuji Club. I've owned one of each of these over the years and love them both. Fuji's are just plain bullet - proof & Ironman is a nice solid ride. Good luck. (ps - somebody really screwed up the looks of that Club)
07-21-15, 10:44 AM
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Another Ironman vote.
Full disclosure: I've finally succumbed to RobbieTunes' proselytizing and am currently working on an '87 Miami Vice.
Full disclosure: I've finally succumbed to RobbieTunes' proselytizing and am currently working on an '87 Miami Vice.
07-21-15, 10:44 AM
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I would say the 1988 IronMan then the Cannondales. The Brifters are nice as long as they are working, but the down tube shifter are alot more resilient.
07-21-15, 11:30 AM
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Just to get in on an opinion, I'm going for #4 Cannondale with the Ironman as a backup.