If you could only have one vintage 12-speed...
09-04-15, 02:05 PM
#52
Senior Member
Just about ANY mid-80s 'mid-quality' and up road frame would do me just fine - provided it fits properly! While I still love my mid-70s Fuji S-10S, the (cheap price-point) mass-produced Japan-made bikes got better and better through the 80s. Miyata, Univega, Fuji, etc... A mid-late 80s steel frame from any of those is a good start!
As you can probably tell from my picks/tastes, I'm not a top 5%er. Those 'top-percent' subtle nuances are lost on me along with the vast majority of cyclists.
As you can probably tell from my picks/tastes, I'm not a top 5%er. Those 'top-percent' subtle nuances are lost on me along with the vast majority of cyclists.
09-04-15, 02:12 PM
#53
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At the OP's price point (tops $300), I'd be looking for a top end Japanese bike. They're out there. Why not get a top of the line bike with nice components?
09-08-15, 09:51 PM
#54
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I actually just found a mid-70s Raleigh Record in my basement...
Its in rough shape, but I think itd be a fun rehab project. Just trying to figure out if its worth it since it was a low end bike. But I love the safety brakes and retro look
Its in rough shape, but I think itd be a fun rehab project. Just trying to figure out if its worth it since it was a low end bike. But I love the safety brakes and retro look
09-08-15, 10:16 PM
#55
Senior Member
I have this Falcon Victory 12 speed bike sitting in my basement. The tubeset is Reynolds 531P (Professional) which is pretty rare and very light. Unfortunately, it is way too small for me so I will be selling it. I really wish it was my size so I could add it to my stable of keepers. I am dying to give it a ride. I bought it and rebuilt it for well within what you set your budget at.
Last edited by rjhammett; 09-08-15 at 10:25 PM.
09-08-15, 11:45 PM
#56
Senior Member
While there is a huge list of great bikes available for under $300 out there; I have to second Robbie Tunes in his observation about Centurions. I've found three or four Semi-Pros and Pro-tours for that amount or less, even in the ridiculous SF market. Fantastic bikes; lots of great '80's Japanese technology at that price point.
09-09-15, 05:22 AM
#57
Senior Member
An early eighties Specialized Sequoia; or a 1983 Trek 630 which I have. For custom or semi custom, a bike from René Herse or Singer or Toei .
09-09-15, 05:43 AM
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09-09-15, 08:53 AM
#59
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My beautiful, smooth riding 1974 Legnano Olimpiade Record Specialissima painted a cool Root Beer Brown metalic. Braze ons for 2 water bottles had been added when I found it. Very professionally done. You could see the Lime gold color on the fork tube and inside the seat tube. Previous owner had painted the bike brown ages ago and the present paint was horrible. So I stripped it down and left the fork all chrome. This was my first entire paint job done with a single stage PPG automotive acrylic enamel. 
09-09-15, 09:58 AM
#60
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Since the OP bought a Lemond (a great bike too), I will consider the "only one vintage 12 speed" question with my favorites.
If my objective was racy = DeRosa
If my objective was smooth rider = Merckx Corsa Extra - century geometry
If my objective was sporty daily rider = any of a bunch - I settled on a 531 AustroDaimler
If my objective was flash = Classic Italian with shiny Campy - C-Record
If my objective was racy = DeRosa
If my objective was smooth rider = Merckx Corsa Extra - century geometry
If my objective was sporty daily rider = any of a bunch - I settled on a 531 AustroDaimler
If my objective was flash = Classic Italian with shiny Campy - C-Record
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
