Era
The 1980s brought changes you can spot in a listing. Shimano released SIS index shifting with Dura-Ace 7400 in 1984, and click shifting spread down the range from there. Campagnolo redesigned Record as C-Record in 1986. Six- and seven-speed freewheels went with 126 mm rear spacing. Reynolds changed its decals in 1981, and Columbus decals started naming the tube set in the mid-1980s, with SLX at the top. Vitus' bonded aluminium 979 won classics under Sean Kelly. Over the decade Shimano took a big share of the market from European makers, so Japanese parts on a 1980s European bike can be original.
7 models we cover.
Peugeot
Other steel tubing$150–$150 typical ask
1 on eBay
Peugeot
Vitus tubingWhat to check before you buy →
Mercian
Reynolds 531$2,380–$4,900 typical ask
4 on eBay
Mercian
Reynolds 531$300–$1,280 typical ask
2 on eBay
De Rosa
Columbus SL$1,870–$3,150 typical ask
4 on eBay
Colnago
Other Columbus tubing$1,225–$2,175 typical ask
100 on eBay
Bianchi
Other steel tubing$490–$1,000 typical ask
2 on eBay