Onafetsual

Hello!

I'm just getting into bicycling and my budget for a road bike isn't that high. I came across a Centurion Ironman Master (Basically this one) and a Giant Defy 5 2012. The Giant is $400 and the Centurion is $200. I'm prepared to throw an extra $100-200 in for new rims and tires for the Ironman. Which one would you choose? I really don't have a preference for modern of vintage bikes- I was planning on putting modern parts on the Ironman anyway. Both bikes are my size. Which one should I get?

Thank you for reading!

Edit:

10speedBill

A modern bike will be a better introduction to cycling. The components are better, the ergonomics are better. You will be able to spend your time riding instead of wrenching on an old bike.

Nermal

Agree, but something from 2012 would be more like 'used' than 'vintage'.

crispbike

How close to the Centurion your looking at compare to the "basically" one in the link? The one linked looks like the only thing original is the frame, if the one you are looking at is more original it will probably still have down-tube sifters which can take some time getting used too. I have an 87 Centurion Ironman Master that has original components and Its a blast to ride. Depending on how good the condition the one you are looking at I would keep drive train original as it will have the shimano600 group which is good, though the front rings are geared high so steep hills suck.

But to answer your question the Giant may be a "better" first bike as it is an entry level bike and will probably feel more comfortable and be easier to ride if you are not used to riding a road bike. Though me being slightly biased the Centurion is the better bike.

What are your plans for the bike? As that will better dictate what might be best for you.

Onafetsual

Hey, thanks for the reply! I didn't realize the one I posted was changed, it just had the same paint and frame. I believe the one I am looking at has all original parts except the pedals. I don't plan on using it as a daily commute, but rather just something to have fun on and ride around.

70sSanO

I ride older 80's/90's bikes and while they are a lot of fun, you should buy a newer bike. Even if it is in very good condition, quality replacement parts for older bikes are just too tough to find.

John

vatdim

The older bike could be a lot of fun to work on. Refreshing it and bringing modern components to it could be a great project for a DIY type of person. If you're that kind of person, this is your bike.

But if you are looking into doing more riding and less worrying about sourcing parts, mechanics procedures, etc., you'll probably be better off getting the modern bike. I'd inspect the frame for any cracks just in case (since warranty will probably cover only the original owner), but other than that it'll probably need a tune-up and you'll be good to go.

obed7

since you are asking this question, and did not know the bike in the picture had been modified, I say go with the Giant.

downtube42

I'd say go with the Giant. Older bikes have older bike issues that you may not want to deal with at this point; they are an acquired taste.

Having said that, there are other considerations far more important than vintage - fit being at the top of the list. How much you enjoy riding the bike is also important; that's hard to predict, so the best bet is to actually ride the bikes and see which one makes you grin.

vatdim

The bike may have been modified more than once, if we look at all pictures. There are some in which it still has down tube shifters, the stem and crankset have been replaced, etc. And you're right, since the OP didn't recognize this difference, they'll probably enjoy riding more than wrenching.

spdracr39

Newer bikes have technology that makes the learning curve very shallow. An older bike requires wrenching knowledge and constant tinkering which some of people enjoy. You don't want to learn to ride and learn to wrench at the same time though.

RISKDR1

If your decision is in any way influenced by your willingness to throw in 100-200 for rims AND tires I would not count on doing it that cheaply unless you are going to be happy with junk rims and tires. I think the modern bike is a better choice. That is not to say that vintage bikes are not fun. I ride a mid 80's Medici with mid 80's components and love it but I have been riding 35 years.

Retro Grouch 

I'm a retro grouch. I like the old stuff. I like frankenbikes that have a mixed bag of components. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out a mechanical woe.


Even given that, there's a lot to be said for the experience of feeling how bikes are supposed to work first. A new bike will have every single part brand new. Every single part will have been designed to work with every other part. A new bike will also come with a new bike warranty. For your first bike, if you can't afford brand new, at least go modern.

Onafetsual

Thank you for your replies everyone! I'm probably going to pick up a modern bike but I really do like 'diying' and fixing things up, so I might just buy the ironman too.

BobbyG

Good choice. I bought a new semi-touring/bike 6 months ago, and I have a 31 year old road bike. I have had no problems, issues or second thoughts with the new bike. The older bike takes some futzing more often than not and even when working smoothly, it makes odd, worrisome noises that seem to change in their nature and location. However, do not miss the opportunity to ride a light-weight steel roadbike with slightly wider tires filled only to the minimum pressure...much more comfortable than aluminum.

CliffordK

I would probably go "modern"... just to get some of the advancements. Although many people choose to buy their first bike on a budget, in which case there are quite a few classic deals.

Like in cars, it never hurts to learn to drive a manual transmission before jumping to an automatic.

Not necessarily true. Many Craigslist specials need a full tune-up. But, once configured, they can last a good long time.

I'm surprised when I read threads like how long cable housings should last, and I'm thinking 20 years, maybe more. And, apparently some people with "modern" bikes change them every 6 months. Once one gets the derailleur stops set on a derailleur, it doesn't hurt to check them every once in a while, but they may not need adjusting for years. Indexed shifting may need a bit of touching up periodically, whereas friction shifting just needs the stops set.

New or old brakes are probably about the same.

Better Labyrinth seals on the new bikes, but they aren't forever seals, and bearings still need adjusted, cleaned, and packed.

BTW:
The Ironman in the link is more "modern" than the 2012 Giant.
It would be a sweet ride.

FRANK CANNON

That Giant has a bottom of the barrel wheelset, it was $700 new. It has bottom of the barrel everything.

I would go with the Centurion.

GamblerGORD53

+1 ... The Defy is a cheap POS. Quality parts on a $700 beginner bike ???? LOL

I would get the old bike and put on a Phil Cartridge BB and an IGH.

MZilliox

At the same price point a vintage bike will be heads and tails better than a modern bike so long as the vintage bike is not a lemon. The bike in question seems to have had a very loving owner, i would easily take the ironman, it will drop that giant all day long. plus you save 200 buck that you can use for a pair of cycling shorts a spare tube and pump, if that doesn;t already come with that fully equipped ironman.
Frank and Gambler said it right, there is nothing nice about that Giant bike except its modern-ness, while the Ironman was a midrange offering modernized with much better parts. ride the 2, I think your experience riding them will answer the question.

I question anyone who would spend twice the money on that Giant, there would have to be a biased against steel. oh yeah, that steel ironman bike will be around long after the giant is gone and dead.

MZilliox

plus the ironman is about 100 times more stylish than the Giant plastic contraption.

vatdim

I agree, but we already determined that the Ironman offered to the OP is (unfortunately) not the one in the supplied link. He may have a lot of tinkering to do in order to replace all the older and possibly worn components. For a person who is new to cycling, as well as to bike maintenance, the Giant can serve as a jump start because he will be able to use it to its full potential for the next 5 or so years before deciding whether a better and more expensive bike in terms of money and/or time investment, is a good thing.

FRANK CANNON

The bike in question is less expensive though. If it needs help all the better, a grown man should certainly be able to tear down and rebuild his own bike. No excuses with all the information available just on this site.

MZilliox

Maybe, but a bike that you love to ride will get you out cycling a lot more than a bike you just feel ok about. My first foray into cycling was on a modern city type bike. boring, slow, uninspiring, stopped riding it. took almost a decade to get into proper cycling with a 1990s steel frame lemond. since then i will never settle for less. My wife rides my old bikes because they have panache and character that her modern bike doesn't have. they are also faster and one feels more awesome on them. I'm not talking about 3k race machines here, i am talking about a 250 CL find vs a 500-750 new store trek, giant, special, whatever plastic bike with low end shimano clunkyness.\

take a person with you who knows bikes. we all know that guy, and that guy really really want to go look at more bikes. I have looked at 3 bikes this week alone with folks who needed to know if their vintage option was going to ride for them.

lastly, these are bikes, not rockets, and they are quite easy to work on. OP says he is a tinkerer, so lets tell him/her to tinker. worst case he uses the extra 200 in savings to overhaul the bike, then its still a better $400 spent, and OP can resell the bike for same. the giant will decrease in value a lot, and in fact i would never pay 400 for a bike that costs 700 new. being used knocks off 50% straight away.

bikemig 

I can think of lots of reasons to go with a new bike over an older one. This is not one of them.

MZilliox

i appreciate your directness and agree. and old bikes are even easier than new ones to work on.