smd4

That will look amazing.

markwesti

90 bucks and some Kriol , could be your N+1
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sf...578437575.html

texaspandj

Man, I Love this Bike.
I already have this year Ironman (86) and size (54cm) but I'd be inclined to buy it again if the logistics were right.
Man, what I gotta do to get it... besides come up with bike money.
This bike is what Dreams are made of.

Classtime 

I had to sell my ‘86 that fit like it was made for me because my Richard Sachs got jealous and I had to choose. I have 7700 on my wife's 54cm Miami Vice but that Groupo really belongs on that ‘86.

madpogue 

I just noticed, reading the ad -- does 2x6 = 15 now in California?

There was a red/white '86 at the Madison swap today, table right behind me. Clone of mine, but the exact right side for my departed wife. The kind of bike I woulda bought in an iron minute just to have matching bikes we could ride together. We had so many other "his&hers" pairs, this would've been the cherry on top. Sigh.

baroo

[had to cut photo and link bc don't have ten posts yet]

Just my size and have been looking for one since my '89 expert was stolen a few years ago. Had a nice exchange with the seller. He's willing to take a bike shop in Costa Mesa / OC area, but cannot himself ship it. If anyone has recs, please let me know. I'll post on facilitator thread, too.

markwesti

Well that made my day .

markwesti

Not mine . Friendly price , Comp TA . Could use a new saddle/bar tape , but you get flint catchers .
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/...579484312.html

markwesti

OK , it's an Elite RS . but still YOWSER .
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/...576412695.html

seypat

Hot!

seypat

Also Hot! The ultra rare good match of saddle/bar tape.

texaspandj

Digging those wheels.

seypat

Good story on one of the sellers at this swap. It's worth a look.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-jan-21-a.html

attylah

Here’s the initial mock-up. Didn’t realize the front derailleur I had for it was a braze-on, so things have stalled while I wait for a clamp on to arrive.

texaspandj

It simply doesn't get much better than that.

AdventureManCO 

Finally got this thing well enough to get it on the road for a test ride. I expected some definite teething issues but was so ready to try riding it. First time I've ever ridden an Ironman was today.

Definitely some things to work out. The rear hanger is not true, so my shifting ability was somewhat limited. Also need to just put a brand new cassette on the rear. Was trying and futzing around with this one from the parts bin, but the chain is fresh and I'd like to start fresh with the cassette as well. The rear derailleur itself may need a little alignment work as well. Was an Ultegra pickup from the co-op, but had tons of road rash, so its obviously lived a rough life but shoot, it cleaned up great and was tight. Bearing pulleys now are like butter. But I wonder if it is slightly 'out'. The brifters, well, those are just brakes at the moment. I did the unthinkable and took the right brifter apart (was an 8-speed Sora, I think? Not sure...) and man, there is a reason why you send those to professionals to get rebuilt. In any case I wore out the brake lever return spring just trying to fit the bits and bobs back together. With how insanely complicated it was, I don't think brifters are for me. I think I'm going to build my own 'Gevenalle' and use that. I very much like the index feel and I really want to stay with 7 speed.

Need to replace the pvc headset spacer with aluminum, get some grip tape on there, and some new brake pads, but overall the day was a success. The bike felt light, airy, springy, with quick steering and yet plenty of give. Reminded me of my Columbus-framed Trek 957.

The bike is in the 'raw' state and I like it. Will probably keep it like that, just protect the bare steel. Never worry about scrapes. It was a short, but fun ride.

markwesti

'Scuse me while I kiss the sky , ahem . You got me blowin , blow my mind .Well that stem anyway .
https://ventura.craigslist.org/bik/d...586379998.html

markwesti

Fairly friendly price and they aeroed it .
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/...588558227.html

ramzilla

My 1987 Ironman frankenbike

with a brand new set of tires. Rides like a dream.

ramzilla

oops, here's a pic w/new tires & handlebar wrap..........

AdventureManCO 

Wow, so, okay. I guess that I didn't really get to give this one a proper ringing out, as the derailleur alignment issue (as noted above) kept me from really putting the pedals down. The shifts were not really on point, and something looked wonky with the alignment, so I waited until I got a new 7 speed cassette in the mail, then I figure I'd take a closer look. Turned out to be completely the derailleur. I got two RDs from the co-op, an Ultegra and an older XTR. The Ultegra was not 'in parallel'. It had some road rash that I cleaned up, but apparently it took a hit and was knocked hard enough to be bent out of true...



I put the new cassette and the XTR derailleur on, absolute perfect alignment and shifts lined up precisely.

I took it on a ride w/ my son, who is on a Specialized Crossroads (he is a little small for it, but will grow into it) -




That gave me a chance to take it for a nice little, albeit slightly relaxed, shakedown ride. Rode great!

Then we got home but it still kept calling to me. So I decided to just take it out solo and put it through it's paces. Oh wow...its just insane. It hits that sweet spot of being stiff, yet compliant. It feels great under acceleration, and soooooooooo smooth. The 7 speeds are all I will ever need and the riding position feels wonderful. This bike is a game changer. I was enjoying some of the other rides I have but this one is next level. The other bikes, I take for a spin and then hop off and think 'Hmm, nice ride, but I wonder what I can do to make it a little better' or ponder the ride qualities as if it is something yet to be discovered, not really jumping out or standing out. This one just smacks you right in the face, there is no wondering. It has really shown me what a properly fitting bike should be like, and just what it is capable of. It makes me realize about 1/3 to 1/2 of my road bikes are undersized for me. Also, it is not so esoteric or rare that I couldn't find another frame if I needed to (I might just keep my eyes open for a spare just in case). I now totally get what RobbieTunes was talking about.

I've really enjoyed aspects of the other bikes I've had or ridden...the PX-10, the little Randonee (which really is a great riding bike), and others. This is the IT bike. I mean it was that good. Quiver killer territory here. This and the Trek 750 (Multitrack) is really all I need.

The Ironman was THE model winner of the cumulative 'favorite ride' project I did a few weeks back...and now I see why.

I still need an aluminum 1" 50mm headset spacer, and will build a 7-speed indexed thumb shifter setup for it. Needs new brake pads, and a few tiny other things to enhance it. But really, it is 98% there, the rest is just pocket change.

I really need to thank all of you in the IM community for hyping this bike as much as you have. It is a transformative ride. I'm officially a convert.

It is 8pm here and 39 degrees outside and time to read to the kids and I want to take it out right now.

Romany275

I can add a third color for 1989. Mine is a master with a black and white fade. Non-lugged frame and I have yet to see another one like it. There are pictures of it a few pages back but I’ll post some better detail photos soon.

romany275

attylah

And finished. Dura Ace 9 speed build. With the Thomson seatpost and titanium spindled Speedplay pedals, it weighs in at 21 lbs even. Literally floats down the road….

markwesti

^^^^ What are those tires ? Cool .

attylah

Those are Vredestein Fortezza's. I was going to swap them out for an all black option, but kinda like the blue with the frame, and they roll sooooo smooth....