89 Centurion LeMans
 

Anyone willing to estimate the market value of an 89 LeMans in a Craigs List sale? The seller says its a 91, but to my knowledge there was no 91 or 90 for that matter. As he claims to have bought it new I'm assuming it is an 89. He's asking $100.

If it is an 89, what tubing should it be made of and what components should I expect to find on it? Also, anyone have any experience with this bike? Nice rider? Much against my grain, I'm considering putting 105 STI brakes and shifters on it, though if the original components are nice, I (once again...) will probably not be able to bring myself to do it.

Unless it's in terrible shape I'm sure it's worth $100. If it needs new tires, you might try to talk him down but don't lose the bike over it.

+1, If it's in good shape, $100 is a very good price at this time of the year and the current high priced market. I have an 87. It's a Tange 2 frame. I'm guessing the 89 is at least a double butted chromoly frame (assuming it's not aluminum). If you are going to go STI (and I recommend you do), you need to look at the space between the rear drop-outs. I'm betting it's 126mm. If you are going STI with 8 speeds or more you will need to think about manually spreading the stays each time you mount the rear wheel or cold setting the frame to 130mm. You will be able to put 7 speeds in there with no change to the frame. Robbie Tunes has been able to get 8 speed SORA shifters to work with 7 speeds. I've not tried that combo........yet.

Thanks guys. It turned out to be in really nice shape. Double butted Tange 2 frame. Full Shimano Exage gruppo (if the term applies to Japanese components). Indexed shifters dialed in just right, the orginal bronze colored Araya rims true, clean, and not too much wear on the braking surface. Pads a little worn - I'll replace those. Shimano 600 pedals. A couple scratches on the white part of the frame (none I could find on the magenta (!) side) which I can easily touch up. Plus two Continental Contact tires put on late last fall and with no more than 100-150 miles on them. He took my offer of $90.

I suspect you are right Roccobike - probably 126mm rear spacing. I guess I should cold set the frame. Good news is I have spare 8sp wheelset that will work nicely on it. Bad news is I'll feell sad to sideline those bronze wheels. Perhaps I'll just spread it manually initially so that I have the option of returning to the original wheelset.

... And so one more trustworthy steel bike finds a new home, not because there was anything wrong with it, but because the seller felt the need to have a new carbon bike...