Road bikes were still beautiful in that era. They had a jewel-like quality with thin tubing, fancy lug-work, downtube shifters, neat frame pumps and more. Today it's all high tech, but the aesthetics suffer.
shareYou can keep that old outdated garbage. I started out in the late 80s on a steel bike with 52/42 chainrings, cage pedals with toe clips and down-tube FRICTION shifters.
My current frame is still steel (531 Pro Competion tubing, fully restored and painted two years ago), but it's nothing like what you are describing. Down tube shifters? You keep them. STI was one of the best changes made in a long time. Clips and straps? You keep them. I do NOT want to give up my KEOs (or Looks before that). Standard 52/42 chainrings? You keep them. I love the greater force/easier spinning that my 53/39 gives me.
Bicycles have changed a lot over the years, and there is a REASON for that.
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What did comparable road bikes cost back then? I believe you aren't taking into account inflation. A $1000 bike didn't cost a thousand back in 1982, but then it wasn't equal to what a $1000 is today. Heck, a decent pair of running shoes easily cost $100 today and they don't last more than 500 miles.
shareMy road bike, a 1982 Maruishi CroMo with a Dura-Ace AX group came to about $800. Folding clinchers were around, but not considered to perform up to sew ups. I spent as much time patching flats: find the location of the leak, cut the threads, patch, resew, and spread the rubber cement, as I did riding.
I never road a carbon fiber bike. When they came out they were highly praised. Aluminum alloy bikes were light and comfortable, but flexed too much in the bottom bracket.
The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.
In 1972 I bought a new Le Jeune "Champ du Monde", a high-end model that had been used by pros in the Tour de France. It cost $400.00. In 1984 I bought a new Trek 660, their high-end Reynolds 531 double-butted steel, all-Campagnolo equipped model, for a little over $800.00.
shareI agree...and I especially like the term "jewel-like"! I had a Motobecane Super Touring bike--a beautiful metallic teal color. Its frame was flexible so it made riding on rough roads tolerable, unlike the fast but stiff Grand Jubilee. Yet with 18 gears you could still push it. Actually, I still have it and given my age, would rather ride that than anything. I'm not looking to win any races!
For photos of the color and racing bike:
http://www.bikecult.com/works/archive/07bicycles/motobecaneJS.html
I followed all the rules...and you followed none of them. And they all loved you more.