Todd,
The good news is that you can start almost anywhere and get a decent steel "classic." Jack Taylor, Peugeot, Gitane, Raleigh, TREK, Motobecane, Carlton, and a host of others are available at decent prices--ask here on the CR list first--if you are willing to wait and/ or know what to look for. "Fixer-upper" bikes will be your best buys, assuming that the frame and components are in decent basic shape.
More important, though, is what bike will best suit you personally:
1) What kind of build do you have, what kind(s) of riding do you want to do, and what is your pedaling style? Your individual physique makes a huge difference in what will fit you best. It may help to get a professional bike fit done first, to get a set of "ideal" dimensions for your bike so you'll know what to look for (or avoid). Make sure that you tell the fitter the kind of bike you will be looking for so s/he can take that into account.
2) Which bike(s) deliver the kind of "feel" that you love? Do you need a bike that feels quick in the front end? Stable at speed on downhills? Predictable? Forgiving for long days on rough roads? "Limber?" "Twitchy?" "Stiff?" Long top tube or short? There are endless arguments/discussions between cyclists (here and elsewhere) about the merits of different designs, tubings, and eras among frame builders, custom- and mass-produced. But only you will know which bike(s) are best for you after trying out lots of them. Ask your friends and other local steel-riding shops or cyclists what you can try out, and ride lots of different bikes.
You have a great opportunity to "try out" a few at the NAHMBS, either by talking to frame builders or by trying out bikes that other attendees might bring along to the show.
If you find some builders you like at the show, they may have some loaner or tryout bikes that you can ride at their shops, or they may have customers near you who might be willing to let you try their bikes. Ask nicely, and treat the bikes with care.
Personally, I have ridden and loved Peugeots (PX-10LEs, 1971-75), TREKs (a steel 730 and a later, off-topic aluminum 2000), and my Eisentraut. I'm building up a Swiss Allegro to get a longer top tube and (I hope) return to a more 'continental" feel like my now-gone Peugeots. It's also a fitting experiment: with a 55 CM top tube, it will be the longest bike I've ever owned. (I ride a 51-53 CM c-top seat tube frame.)
Whatever you do, take the time to find the right ride. Once you've found it, you will know it.
Keep the rubber side down, whatever you ride :-)
Jon Spangler Alameda, CA USA
On Feb 24, 2009, at 5:24 PM, <classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org>
<classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org> wrote:
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:30:39 -0500
> From: Todd Grantham <wtgrantham@comcast.net>
> Subject: [CR] Reccomendation
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Message-ID: <0868EDA00D324DE0946D34CD9FBBAB61@workhorse>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Just wondering (in your opinion) what would be the vintage bike to buy
> that has the best balance of value, comfort, good looks and great all
> day rideability. I'm sure I will get alot of different opinions
> but all
> are valuable to me...so don't hold back!
> Thanks
> Todd Grantham
> Fort Wayne, Indiana USA