Originally Posted by
roccobike
Yes, that's the same thought I was having. Whoever owns the name is not realizing the heritage associated with Centurion. I don't recall Centurion ever marketing any really low end, steel wheeled, bargain basement bikes. Their big push seemed to be the mid-level and upper mid-level bikes, targeting the serious cyclist. By comparison, Nishiki was all over the place even reaching out to department stores to sell bikes.
I have come across 2 Centurion bikes that were hiten steel and lower end components. Plenty nice for riding around, but also hardly anything to get excited about or call 'good' for any of the many reasons we all like older bikes.
One was a 70s LeMans and the other was a Cavaletta which was probably early 80s. The LeMans was all hiten. The Cavaletta was cromo main tubes and hiten stays and fork. Suicide levers on the Cavaletta too.
The LeMans got A LOT better thru the years and mid/late 80s had Tange Infinity(I think) tubing with nicer components, but earlier offerings from Centurion certainly were at times what most here would consider lower end(or uninspiring).
I wish the Schwinn name would have died 14 years ago. I love my Schwinns and hate seeing the association to the current stuff.
And if Miyata ever started selling in the US again, I would be first in line.
hakusen | Rakuten Global Market: MIYATA SPORT (sport Miyata) EIGER ? Eiger ? chromoly touring / Randonneur The Miyata Eiger is just fantastic. The largest it comes is way too small for me, but its a great looking bike. Classic splined triple butted and lugged frame, 650 wheels, hammered fenders, non-aero levers, and a timeless looking crankset.