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Old 05-15-22, 08:32 PM
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genejockey 
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
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Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace

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Another vote for Columbus Schwinns! I have a 1989 Circuit I picked up last year that was complete except for the little black rubber nub that goes in the rear brake pivot bolt. I got a longer stem and seatpost and a bigger handlebar, but otherwise it's original:


That one set me back $450, but it had everything original!!
Another option would be a Centurion. I got this 1985 Ironman for $300, in ready to ride condition, though I did drop some coin recabling it and such:


While we're on Japanese bikes, there's also Lotus. These used high quality Tange steel, brazed by Tsunoda. Here's a 1982 Lotus Classique that had spent most of its life indoors. It was $175, though I did need to get a longer seapost and a saddle that wasn't a torture device.


So, really, you can probably leave most of the $1000 in the bank, if you know what you want, and look carefully. If you're not mechanically skilled, you might want to look for a bike that is already fixed up. Rebuilding old bikes is easy and fun, but it's not for everyone.
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