Road Cycling - Carbon components on an older Centurion?

I have an older Centurion Ironman, and really love this frame. It is an older 60cm Cro-mo frame with Tange forks.

I know the newer steel frames are a bit lighter, but how big is the differance? When I stripped down the bike, I was surpised at how light the older steel frame really was.
I am restoring the bike now with a few newer components, but was thinking someday I might strip it down again, and give a new paint job and rebuild it with some higher quality carbon components, like a carbon crank, maybe carbon forks, seat post, Mavic wheels, and all new high quality brakes etc.
The question is, is it worth doing this? as I really like the frame, or is it best to go out and get a new frame, or even a whole new bike?

If I bought a new bike, I would probably go with a newer steel frame anyway, with carbon forks.

Patriot

I have a similar dilemma

How old is the frame? If it's ancient, it's probably very heavy, and would, therefore, in my opinion, sort of defeat the purpose. However, if it's not a "brick", it's worth looking into.

It would take the mistery out of things if you could weigh the frame totally bare, but it sounds like you've started putting the new parts on already. You could always go to http://weightweenies.starbike.com/ , find the weights of your components, then do some simple subtraction to get an idea of the weight of the frame.

A VERY good, light, modern 58cm frame will weigh a bit under 1500g (no fork), and a reasonable quality old frame, such as a Reynolds 531c of the same size will weigh about 1870g -- so, to answer your question, the difference is gunna be about 300 or 400g. Some new steel frames are only 200g lighter than 531, and that's mostly because they don't have lugs. Check out the frame weights on "Weight Weenies".

So, with lighter components, such as a carbon fork, you can end up with a bike that you like, that's (obviously) only 300 or 400g heavier than a "super-duper" new bike.

BUT...... :) updating bit by bit, will normally end up costing more, although it can be kinda fun piecing something together.

Full carbon forks (blades and steerer) are a huge temptation because they are so light. Good, old steel forks usually weigh between 700 or 800g, but an all carbon fork will usually be around 400g or less!! Using a full carbon fork on an old steel bike should be researched -- I'm no expert, but I've heard that making the front end much lighter can alter the handling. You've also gotta figure out if you can have the handle bars as high as you like, etc.

I know some guys who have found their carbon cranks to be too flexy, and WAY TOO EXPENSIVE.

Well, it is an old Centurion Expert Ironman (Dave Scott), bought it new in 1990. It is oufitted with the old Suntour GPX components. I was thinking I could update to a full DA or Ultegra setup with an FSA carbon crank. Maybe even a good carbon fork (maybe).

I also found on Ebay, a nice set of wheels called Neuvation. They look really nice, and are in the right price range for me. The good Mavics etc, are just too expensive.

I think if I was to rebuild the bike with good components it would only weigh about a pound heavier than if I got a new frame. I think I could live with this, since the really good frames are $600 plus.

Wish I had a pic of it, but it is a good stiff steel frame, with good geometry. It fits me very well.

I think I am going to keep it, and just save a little here and there, and upgrade gradually. Then, one day, I will strip it down and give it my own personal paint job. The original paint job is really nice white with bluish gray airbrushing on the forks and stays.
But, it has got lots of chips over the years and I think repainting from bare metal would be in order if I was to fully upgrade the bike.

Patriot

2 quick things,
1. skip the carbon cranks, most of them(including the FSAs) are not as stiff as your standard Ultegra cranks. The Ultegras are not that much heavier either.
2. The Neuvations are a fairly good wheel. I've ridden them, they're as light as most and are pretty durable from what I've heard.
Also, there are a ton of Xero Lights which are a decent wheel(come on Felt F60), http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58099&item=3693881900&rd=1

Good Luck with whatever you decide.