Centurion Pro Tour
02-29-16, 12:52 PM
#1
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Centurion Pro Tour
There have been various threads posted here regarding this particular Centurion model, which appears to be highly regarded. Some have converted theirs to 650b as well - I have always considered the Centurion Pro Tour a rather unique production bike, perhaps a bit misleading in regard to the low numbers and hand made aspect of the frames. I just purchased a late '70's ( or so ) version from forum member gugie, who was kind enough to prep the frame and make sure everything was perfectly aligned, should be delivered soon and from there it will be built up with 700C wheels, hammered fenders etc.
It would be great to see other Pro Tours as well, although I cannot imagine there are too many, especially the first generation with the center pull brake posts. I was going to measure the axle once I remove the crank set from a Nishiki Cresta that most of the parts are coming from, but does anyone know the proper width for using an older Sugino triple crank set with a cartridge bottom bracket? I would think around 117mm or so. Need to order one soon.
I will post images once it arrives and is being built up, in the meantime, anyone have their own Pro Tour they would like to share? I suppose because there are bound to be only a few the Semi Pro models are welcome as well.
It would be great to see other Pro Tours as well, although I cannot imagine there are too many, especially the first generation with the center pull brake posts. I was going to measure the axle once I remove the crank set from a Nishiki Cresta that most of the parts are coming from, but does anyone know the proper width for using an older Sugino triple crank set with a cartridge bottom bracket? I would think around 117mm or so. Need to order one soon.
I will post images once it arrives and is being built up, in the meantime, anyone have their own Pro Tour they would like to share? I suppose because there are bound to be only a few the Semi Pro models are welcome as well.
02-29-16, 01:00 PM
#2
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I thought long and hard about buying that frame. It's a beauty. What center pulls are you going with? It's my understanding that MAFACs will fit on the studs just dandy, but for Dia-Compes (more appropriate to the frame) you need the conversion hardware that Compass sells. If cost were no object, I'd go with Paul Racers.
Forum member @bicyclebradley had a great build thread on his a while back, but it was the canti version.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...st-tourer.html
Forum member @bicyclebradley had a great build thread on his a while back, but it was the canti version.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...st-tourer.html
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02-29-16, 01:07 PM
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My only experience with Centurion. Was my first bike as an adult. 1984 model purchased in Spring 1985 for $299.
edit: now gone to other owners. I moved away from touring frames, but it was my only roadie for a dozen years and served faithfully as the 'wet' bike for many more.
edit: now gone to other owners. I moved away from touring frames, but it was my only roadie for a dozen years and served faithfully as the 'wet' bike for many more.
Last edited by Wildwood; 02-29-16 at 09:31 PM.
02-29-16, 02:03 PM
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1983 model for sale on auction with a few days left-- looks pretty much original.
02-29-16, 02:07 PM
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I thought about buying that bike as well. What a really great bike.
02-29-16, 09:24 PM
#6
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My favorite bike for the last couple of years 
IMG_20150926_171031497 by Chris Wilson, on Flickr
76' Centurion ProTour.
55 ish "French Fit"
Phil hubs, Sun CR18 hoops, Pasela 32mm tires.
Brooks Saddle and bar tape.
Dia-Comp brakes.
Nitto Bars and stem
T.A. Chainset
Suntour Cyclone Mechs, shifters and freewheel.
Cheers,
Chris
IMG_20150926_171031497 by Chris Wilson, on Flickr76' Centurion ProTour.
55 ish "French Fit"
Phil hubs, Sun CR18 hoops, Pasela 32mm tires.
Brooks Saddle and bar tape.
Dia-Comp brakes.
Nitto Bars and stem
T.A. Chainset
Suntour Cyclone Mechs, shifters and freewheel.
Cheers,
Chris
03-01-16, 12:04 AM
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Teaser:
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
03-01-16, 12:27 AM
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One of my earliest C&V purchases, a '78 Pro Tour. Entirely too big for me, but every inch of it screamed quality.
...Shame I didn't yet know the first thing about photographing a bicycle.
...Shame I didn't yet know the first thing about photographing a bicycle.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
03-01-16, 12:39 AM
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3 of 4 pictured, complete bikes are wearing fenders.
03-01-16, 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by J.Oxley
One of my earliest C&V purchases, a '78 Pro Tour. Entirely too big for me, but every inch of it screamed quality.
...Shame I didn't yet know the first thing about photographing a bicycle.
...Shame I didn't yet know the first thing about photographing a bicycle.
And I need to work on my photography skills as well!
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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03-01-16, 01:01 AM
#11
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Those with burgundy ( closet color I can think of ) paint certainly do a great job of contrasting with the chrome accents, and it is a favorite but I will take what I can get! And thanks gugie for posting a picture of the frame - it just arrived in Blaine today so i will be driving down there on Wednesday to pick it up.
03-01-16, 01:07 AM
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Originally Posted by VintageRide
Those with burgundy ( closet color I can think of ) paint certainly do a great job of contrasting with the chrome accents, and it is a favorite but I will take what I can get! And thanks gugie for posting a picture of the frame - it just arrived in Blaine today so i will be driving down there on Wednesday to pick it up.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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03-01-16, 08:08 AM
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@gugie -- For a minute I thought we had pics of the same bike, but that would've meant you added a front reflector and nobody does that. There are officially at least two in 60cm rolling around PDX I guess.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
03-01-16, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by J.Oxley
@gugie -- For a minute I thought we had pics of the same bike, but that would've meant you added a front reflector and nobody does that. There are officially at least two in 60cm rolling around PDX I guess.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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03-01-16, 01:41 PM
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I would love to get my hands on one of these. It's near the top of my list of sensible, not too flashy looking touring bikes for year long commuting.
03-01-16, 01:56 PM
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I had the cheaper version Elite GT, easily the biggest regret of all the bikes I have sold.
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03-01-16, 02:01 PM
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We had some good times together in 2015. Still have to get 'round to adjusting the front canti yoke but haven't done any serious loaded rides with it so braking has been fine. Looking forward to taking it on some longer rides this year!
Last edited by musicdiver; 03-01-16 at 02:11 PM.
03-01-16, 06:22 PM
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River ride 1-17-16 by djk762, on Flickr
Near the Silver Fork of the American River El Dorado National Forest by djk762, on Flickr
Dia Compe Model G brakes/ Centurion Pro Tour by djk762, on Flickr
03-01-16, 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by gugie
Yep, I ran out to the shop to see if mine was missing when I saw your post! Did you sell it to someone in Portlandia?
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
03-01-16, 10:07 PM
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Those bikes are serious Class A bikes, all the way around.
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03-02-16, 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Kobe
I had the cheaper version Elite GT, easily the biggest regret of all the bikes I have sold.
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03-03-16, 12:24 PM
#22
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Here's my 1977 silver-gray version without the completely-chromed frame. Hopefully the weather breaks for the better soon here in Sweden, because she hasn't been out since around October.
So far she has lived with me in three US states and now three towns in southern Sweden, and has also seen some roads in Denmark. Once I work out the issue of choosing a front derailleur, she'll get 2x8 brifters that have been sitting in a box for a couple months now...
I'm trying to find a link to my original 6-year old thread, but I can't find it.
Edit: Found the original thread here.
Now she wears 135 mm spaced rear hybrid cassette hub, 8-speed cassette, Sanyo dynamo front hub with B&M dynamo lighting, 700c rims, Shimano Acera modern MTB rear derailleur. A really fantastic bike.
Edit again: Found some more recent pictures.
So far she has lived with me in three US states and now three towns in southern Sweden, and has also seen some roads in Denmark. Once I work out the issue of choosing a front derailleur, she'll get 2x8 brifters that have been sitting in a box for a couple months now...
I'm trying to find a link to my original 6-year old thread, but I can't find it.
Edit: Found the original thread here.
Now she wears 135 mm spaced rear hybrid cassette hub, 8-speed cassette, Sanyo dynamo front hub with B&M dynamo lighting, 700c rims, Shimano Acera modern MTB rear derailleur. A really fantastic bike.
Edit again: Found some more recent pictures.
Last edited by DiegoFrogs; 03-03-16 at 12:39 PM. Reason: found the link
03-03-16, 01:24 PM
#23
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Oh, for what it's worth:
Paul's brakes will not fit on the posts on the Centurion bikes. They use V-brake standard posts and mounting plates.
The Dia Compes are among the most competent brakes I've ever used. I also have a set of Paul's CPs mounted on the brake bolt of a different bike that are excellent, but I'm not sure they're any better, really.
Paul's brakes will not fit on the posts on the Centurion bikes. They use V-brake standard posts and mounting plates.
The Dia Compes are among the most competent brakes I've ever used. I also have a set of Paul's CPs mounted on the brake bolt of a different bike that are excellent, but I'm not sure they're any better, really.
03-03-16, 02:08 PM
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Damn, that's she looks like nekkid?
Wow! Mine's wearing a pretty burgundy dress, but you've got me thinking...
Wow! Mine's wearing a pretty burgundy dress, but you've got me thinking...
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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03-03-16, 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
Those bikes are serious Class A bikes, all the way around.
Shop had a Pro Tour and a Semi Pro sitting in the window, and was selling the Lemans 12 and Super Lemans like nobody's business.
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