Classic & Vintage - Mid-80s Centurion, new stem help please?

Hi all,

Just acquired an old Centurion ($50 AUD!!), and am chasing a new stem to raise the bars a bit.

Got it in pretty good nick, but just dusty from sitting in a blokes shed for the last two years after he bought a $7000 new bike, this was his commuter for years.

New cables, didn't even need a new chain (had to spend a fair while cleaning the old oil off though) and replacement of the arse-assaulting original 80's seat, and it's great to ride, apart from the previous owner being shorter than I, so I'm leaning too far forward and hurting my back riding it.

Here's a couple of photos, just wondering if anyone knows where to find a stem that would fit this, and have a 90 degree angle. I think that would raise the bars enough, it's fairly comfortable to ride with hands on top of the brakes, but down on the drops I'm a little hunched over.

http://s1178.beta.photobucket.com/user/cloud_2901/library/Road%20bike

plenty of stems will fit it, but first, may try sliding the seat back a touch on the rails. From the angle of the bars, for ME, I would rotate them up a bit too...Nice find, GREAT vintage bike! Welcome to the Nuthouse!

plenty of stems will fit it, but first, may try sliding the seat back a touch on the rails. From the angle of the bars, for ME, I would rotate them up a bit too...Nice find, GREAT vintage bike! Welcome to the Nuthouse!

Well the bike shops around here must be lazy as hell then, all I've spoken to have told me "you'll only find that old stuff on eBay.." and I couldn't (probably because I don't know what to search for mainly)

I'll try moving the bars, but the seat can't go further forward, unless the manufacturers marks on where to clamp it are made to be ignored.

Plenty of Quill Stems available New here in the States, should be 1" (25.4mm) do a quick Google search for your neck of the woods, don't want to deal with International shipping
I think the seat should go BACK a bit if you are feeling Hunched up, that should stretch you out a bit. Best not to move the seat past the marks on the rails, as it can stress them and break them... NOT good

I DO know what you are talking about with shops though, a LOT of them only want to sell new...I know 3 or 4 within biking distance of me that deal with older bikes as well, and actually HAVE PARTS! Rather Shocking!!!

Sorry, seat is right on the marks on both sides. Can't move either way.

And yeah, I'm from Tasmania. Bike shops here are bad, almost as bad as the motorbike shops I deal with more often. Everything overpriced, and surly "service" from a flat-brimmed cap wearing teenager, you get lucky when they look away from the youtube videos he's watching while "working" and actually address you without you interrupting them.

plenty of stems will fit it, but first, may try sliding the seat back a touch on the rails. From the angle of the bars, for ME, I would rotate them up a bit too...Nice find, GREAT vintage bike! Welcome to the Nuthouse!

Yes. I especially agree with rotating the bars. For a first try rotate them so that the ends are aimed towards the center of the rear hub. This will lift the front of the bars, lift the brake lever hoods, and move the hoods closer to the seat. You can fine tune the bar angle from there. This won't make riding in the drops any more comfortable but it may make riding on the hoods more comfortable.

I'm not sure what you mean about the seat being on the marks. It's common for seat rails to have marks that allow you to gauge how far you have moved the seat forward or back, but the object of those long straight sections of seat rail is to allow you to move the seat forward and backwards to your preference. Give it a try.
Brent

I bought an eighties bike and swapped the stem it was not comfortable for me. I got a quill stem adaptor and a modern threadless stem

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-1-8-INCH-THREADLESS-TO-QUILL-STEM-ADAPTER-NEW-/400379572396?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d387b70ac

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ritchey-WCS-4Axis-Stem-1-1-8-x-110mm-6deg-31-8mm-threadless-white-/380547552836?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item589a66d644


I am much more comfortable on the bike

Yes. I especially agree with rotating the bars. For a first try rotate them so that the ends are aimed towards the center of the rear hub. This will lift the front of the bars, lift the brake lever hoods, and move the hoods closer to the seat. You can fine tune the bar angle from there. This won't make riding in the drops any more comfortable but it may make riding on the hoods more comfortable.

I'm not sure what you mean about the seat being on the marks. It's common for seat rails to have marks that allow you to gauge how far you have moved the seat forward or back, but the object of those long straight sections of seat rail is to allow you to move the seat forward and backwards to your preference. Give it a try.
Brent

I have a feeling newer seat clamps are smaller? This seat, when attached, is on the marks on BOTH SIDES. Can't move either way, at least not enough to make a difference, less than 1mm to marks. Sorry I wasn't clearer.


I bought an eighties bike and swapped the stem it was not comfortable for me. I got a quill stem adaptor and a modern threadless stem

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-1-8-INCH-T...item5d387b70ac (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-1-8-INCH-THREADLESS-TO-QUILL-STEM-ADAPTER-NEW-/400379572396?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d387b70ac)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ritchey-WCS-...item589a66d644 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ritchey-WCS-4Axis-Stem-1-1-8-x-110mm-6deg-31-8mm-threadless-white-/380547552836?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item589a66d644)


I am much more comfortable on the bike

Thanks a heap, that's exactly what I need.

292376Here's mine with the adapter and modern threadless...and the bars turned way up.
Works great for testing different stem lengths and bar styles.
Jan