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Interesting Centurion I acquired....

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Old 03-13-09, 08:12 AM
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Interesting Centurion I acquired....

Check out this tiny Centurion LeMans I bought yesterday:

High end Araya 26" wheels. I didn't know there was such a thing. Really skinny tires. Good Shimano Exige components. Biopace cranks. Tange 2 frame. Mangomoly fork, or something like that. It's a cool little piece. I know one of my wife's smaller friends will love it.
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Old 03-13-09, 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Caferacernoc
Check out this tiny Centurion LeMans I bought yesterday:

High end Araya 26" wheels. I didn't know there was such a thing. Really skinny tires. Good Shimano Exige components. Biopace cranks. Tange 2 frame. Mangomoly fork, or something like that. It's a cool little piece. I know one of my wife's smaller friends will love it.
Oh wow!I didn't know they made anything like that in late '80's early '90's I always though that the proportional bike based on 650c wheels were a 2000's innovation.
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Old 03-13-09, 09:05 AM
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The OP's bicycle is a Lemans Proportional, circa 1988, $425 US retail. It was availble in 18" and 19" frames. Prior to 650C, Centurion and many others offered extra small frames using 27"/700C rear wheels coupled with a 24" front to allow a lower standover height for very short cyclists. While the latter offered overall smaller frames, it had the disadvantage of strange looks, due to the unequal wheel sizes, and required different sized spares to be carried. Going with double 24" wheels looked too much like a kid's bicycle, so Centurion opted for a compromise 650C solution for 1988.
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Old 03-13-09, 09:07 AM
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Paint job reminds of some of the ironman bikes I've seen...
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Old 03-13-09, 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
The OP's bicycle is a Lemans Proportional, circa 1988, $425 US retail. It was availble in 18" and 19" frames. Prior to 650C, Centurion and many others offered extra small frames using 27"/700C rear wheels coupled with a 24" front to allow a lower standover height for very short cyclists. While the latter offered overall smaller frames, it had the disadvantage of strange looks, due to the unequal wheel sizes, and required different sized spares to be carried. Going with double 24" wheels looked too much like a kid's bicycle, so Centurion opted for a compromise 650C solution for 1988.
Thanks for the info!
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Old 03-13-09, 10:07 AM
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What a beauty and in a rare size to boot! Well done!
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Old 03-13-09, 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Caferacernoc
I know one of my wife's smaller friends will love it.
If none of them do, my girlfriend here in Waukesha would definitely love it! PM me if you want to make a deal.
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Old 03-13-09, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by rotharpunc
If none of them do, my girlfriend here in Waukesha would definitely love it! PM me if you want to make a deal.
Will do.
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Old 03-13-09, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by A.Winthrop
Hi,
.
Nice bike and unusual. I haven't seen one like it
and I've been looking at Centurions for six years
now.
.
I hope you will consider adding it to T-Mar's
Centurion Serial Number Database thread, here on
BF's C&V Forum. Just run a search for the thread
and it should turn up quickly as its been active
recently. And please post some nice pics along with
information and specs. It will make a nice and I
think new addition to the database, which has morphed
over into much more than just a serial number dating
code thread.
.
And if you haven't already done so, have a look at
the Centurion Bicycles article at:
www.sheldonbrown.com/centurion
.
Tacked on to the end of the article are scans of
the '84 Centurion catalog which includes much general
information about Centurions (geometry, tubing,
finish, et al) as well as full specs for that year's
lineup.
.
You bet. I'll get some more pics and the serial # and add it to the Centurion thread.
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Old 03-13-09, 12:25 PM
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Great find! Looks like it was kept in a time capsule, the paint and decals are so immaculate.
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Old 03-13-09, 12:45 PM
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Tange 2, Shimano 'Exage'??

Yeah thats gonna make some smaller cyclist a nice ride.

Pretty cool bike.
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Old 03-13-09, 02:14 PM
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centurion

Sold one similar to that one on ebay, went for $295, but this one was all shimano 105 and was very clean.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=280311661390
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Old 03-13-09, 07:05 PM
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Man, that bike would get me a girlfriend for life!

Awesome find, and you were smart enough to get it.
Wheels look like no braking, ever.

Very good job.
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Old 03-13-09, 07:55 PM
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I sold two that looked just like yours but they had 27" wheels. Same paint 1987
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Old 03-13-09, 08:15 PM
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Ah, another East Hill sized bike!

Very sweet, and if it rides anything like my Centurion (which has the 24" front/700c rear wheels), whoever gets it will the bike.

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Old 03-14-09, 01:20 AM
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I swear, I hate you.
Not a week ago I bought this bike (it's the only pic I have)
and thought, "No one will ever have seen this before on the forums, i can't wait to show people!"

It cost me all of $25, it's also in good condition, but I lack a drive side pic as of today.

I am a little person, like East Hill.
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Old 03-14-09, 01:21 AM
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Although mine lacks the reflector, didn't come with a branded saddle, and has a triple crankset, not a double.
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Old 03-14-09, 06:10 AM
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$25?? Wow, great deal. IMHO any LBS sold bike that isn't bent or twisted is worth $25. That one is certainly worth much more. I'll bet your going to really enjoy riding that one.
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Old 03-14-09, 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by banjo_mole
.

I am a little person, like East Hill.
Nobody is that short.
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Old 03-14-09, 03:42 PM
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How short is East hill? I'm 5'3" with a 26 or 27 inch inseam...
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Old 03-14-09, 04:17 PM
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East Hill is 4'9" if I remember correctly. Could be 4' 11". I hope I'm not offending her, but I asked her once.
-Gene-
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Old 03-14-09, 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Amani576
East Hill is 4'9" if I remember correctly. Could be 4' 11". I hope I'm not offending her, but I asked her once.
-Gene-

I'm 60 inches tall .

No offense taken, as by now I could have shrunk a bit .
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Old 03-14-09, 05:39 PM
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You guys are killing me with the prices. I'm loopless, I guess.

East Hill has always been a towering pillar of kindness.
And if that fails, she shoots like Annie Oakley.
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Old 03-14-09, 05:48 PM
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Whenever I see a cool small bike I always think "East Hill sized"!
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Old 03-14-09, 06:08 PM
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Geesh, no kidding Robbie, the only used bikes in L.A. going for $25 have white 12" tires and purple flower stickers. You guys make my bargain finds look like rip offs.
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