Classic & Vintage - Question for Centurion LeMans owners

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Anyone have an idea of how wide of tires can be run on a Centurion LeMans?
Thanks
roccobike
11-30-09, 05:59 AM
+1 to Al's post. I've got two LeMans bikes. In the short span of 3 years (probably less), the LeMans went from a rather wide, alloy 27" wheelset in '84 to a very nice, relatively thin 700C wheelset by 87. So we need to know specifically, which model and wheelset you are referring to. But we'll be glad to help once we know.
RobbieTunes
11-30-09, 09:55 AM
I can help. If it's a 27" bike, like the 1983 era, pretty wide, probably run 27x1.5's if you didn't want fenders.
roccobike is right. The post-85 Lemans had rather wide box section Araya's, and could probably run 28's, and had decent clearance.
In about 1988, they went to much narrower rims, and the bike had a little less clearance, in my opinion.
I'm building a tourer right now out of a 1987 Lemans RS. I can probably run 25's with fenders, and 28's may be tight.
As far as cyclocross 35's, I don't think so. The best way is to try mounting a wheel.
Hi guys, thanks for the replys. I have not looked at it yet other than a photo. (It's blue if that matters) The following is copied off the ad if it helps:
Centurion LeMans 12
"Tange 900 double butted cromoly frame, 63cm from the middle of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube. 130mm rear spacing. Dia Compe 500 brakes, Suntour ARX derailleurs (friction shifters on the downtube), sealed hubs, 27" alloy rims with decent tires. Sugino RT double (12 speed)."
The Sheldon Brown link is very helpful. Maybe it's an 84? By the way, I have my fingers crossed that it will take 1.5's.
My 1984 Lemans 12 Mixte could easily take 27 - 1 3/8 tires, no problems. I installed 700c wheels instead, and am running 700-25s on there right now (its what I had in hand). My bike might be a 1983, I haven't really tried to narrow it down to the exact year, as I got the bike as a frameset anyway. The only thing original on my Lemans is the frameset, brake calipers, and seat post. Almost everything else came from a 1983 Sanwa donor (Suntour AR components).
Mine has a Champion #5 frame.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/3740074369_a12425f84e_o.jpg
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