Hello all,

I am currently facing the old conundrum of which bike to keep and which to sell. And yes, I could ostensibly keep both, but I could use the cash (you know, especially if I want to buy that Carradice bag and maybe get a few new accessories, and save up for whatever other new bike may catch my eye....) and the space in my apartment. Both were acquired over the winter due to N+1 itis and not enough time and weather to ride, and now that I've got the clear skies of summer I'm trying to make a call over which to cut loose.

Bike 1:
Shogun 600 - mid 80's in minty condition (I gather their paint jobs hold up well but this one also never saw a winter and clearly spent most of its life sadly unridden. Looks brand new.) Full Shimano 600 (derailleurs, shifters, brakes, etc..even the toe clip pedals) double butted Tange 900. Eyelets front and back for fenders and rack. Comes with rear rack, fenders and 700c x 28 tires on Araya rims. The seat post is well greased and glides beautifully, brakes feel good, and everything spins smooth and true so I haven't repacked it but given its been sitting about maybe I ought to get around to that. Paid $300 (I know, I know)

Bike 2:
Centurion Pro Tour 15 - mid 80's, Tange #2 double butted, paint is in OK shape (not terrible but a few scuffs and you can see the chrome underneath along bits of the top tube. Head badge decal is partially removed and is a bit grungy). Was ostensibly overhauled in 2010 when the freewheel was also replaced but not touched since. Nicely mobile seat tube, brand new white wall 27"x 1 1/4 tires and just finished adjusting and installing new Kool Stop pads on the front Gran Compe cantilevers. Stops sharply and shifts smoothly. Got some NOS gum hoods to replace the deteriorating ones but haven't decided if I want to replace the like-new black foam on the bars with faux leather wrap or leave as is. Missing the original rear rack but has a different one in place. Paid $180 (after hoods/brake pads/rack, about $220)

I'm used to tooling around on my grocery getter/daily commuter - an old rigid frame mountain bike running wide slicks. I'm still a bit shaky on drops and feel more comfortable having the option of putting a toe on the ground while still sitting on the seat at a red light. The Shogun is smaller and feels 'safer' that way. It's a bit zippier and I'm really charmed by its aesthetics. So pretty. In some ways too pretty as I'm worried about scuffing it when locking up in ways I'm not with the Centurion.

However, the Centurion is obviously the more valuable bike (few know what Shoguns are and if they do, are more acquainted with the bottom end stuff). The Centurion is cruiseier and should be able to carry more if I ever put it to that task, but it's a bit bigger as well so I'm more stretched out and I have to keep the seat a bit lower in order to get that toe-reach I like from the saddle to feel confident. Were I to put the seat higher I'd get better leg extension whereas on the Shogun I'm more readily finding my knee near my body when it's at the top of the pedal stroke. Obviously this is a personal choice and I aim to shake them both down a bit more and try and get used to the drops before making the final call, but I can either try and recoup my $300 on the Shogun (which might be hard to do) and look at possibly converting the Centurion to 650b down the road for tire choices and a smidge lower bb, or see if I can get $500ish for the Centurion and use that difference to buy some flashy accessories for the Shogun.