Centurion Ironman vs. ‘93 Specialize Allez
03-27-21, 10:19 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Centurion Ironman vs. ‘93 Specialized Allez
Hi. I’m a total newb to C/V bikes.
Are these bikes similar enough on how they ride, frame material, etc. to dissuade one from owning both?
After reading a bit about frames, I’m still not entirely sure if Tange = CrMo.
I currently have the Allez but have been pining for an Ironman.
And there’s just something about red bikes...
Are these bikes similar enough on how they ride, frame material, etc. to dissuade one from owning both?
After reading a bit about frames, I’m still not entirely sure if Tange = CrMo.
I currently have the Allez but have been pining for an Ironman.
And there’s just something about red bikes...
Last edited by Loyd; 03-27-21 at 11:17 AM. Reason: Spelling correction
03-27-21, 12:21 PM
#2
Crash Test Dummy
I guess you could just buy an ironman and see for yourself. If you get one at a reasonable price you probably won't loose money on it if it doesn't work for you and you decide to sell it.
__________________
I.C.
I.C.
03-27-21, 02:17 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 9,866
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 195 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3064 Post(s)
Liked 2,665 Times
in
1,728 Posts
Originally Posted by Loyd
Hi. I’m a total newb to C/V bikes.
Are these bikes similar enough on how they ride, frame material, etc. to dissuade one from owning both?
After reading a bit about frames, I’m still not entirely sure if Tange = CrMo.
I currently have the Allez but have been pining for an Ironman.
And there’s just something about red bikes...
Are these bikes similar enough on how they ride, frame material, etc. to dissuade one from owning both?
After reading a bit about frames, I’m still not entirely sure if Tange = CrMo.
I currently have the Allez but have been pining for an Ironman.
And there’s just something about red bikes...
03-27-21, 03:20 PM
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by merziac
Plenty here in both camps and I vote Specialized, the Ironmen will be along shortly I suspect. I agree with IC about getting one but unlike him I just vote for both.
Likes For Loyd:
03-27-21, 03:24 PM
#5
Senior Member
If you are looking for someone to talk you out of buying a vintage bike, this probably isn’t the best place to post.
Likes For due ruote:
03-27-21, 03:45 PM
#6
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,311
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR gravel Viscount Aerospace Pro Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2725 Post(s)
Liked 4,265 Times
in
2,558 Posts
Is the stem on your Specialized extended past the Safe line?
__________________
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
Fenders protect you from tire splatter. Mudguards protect you from tyre splatter.
03-27-21, 03:51 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 9,866
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 195 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3064 Post(s)
Liked 2,665 Times
in
1,728 Posts
Originally Posted by Loyd
I’m trying to gather some ammo for the wife and looks like I have two so far.
Several of the best framebuilders in the business worked for them and knew exactly what they wanted so were able to dictate that based on 100's of 1000's of frames being built.
They have some of the most well engineered and produced frames for numbers they were produced in.
03-27-21, 03:55 PM
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by cb400bill
Is the stem on your Specialized extended past the Safe line?
03-27-21, 03:56 PM
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by due ruote
If you are looking for someone to talk you out of buying a vintage bike, this probably isn’t the best place to post.
03-27-21, 04:02 PM
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by merziac
Also, Big S specced their tubing themselves, a deep dive will reveal some info but they used many suppliers, likely the ones they could strongarm into the cheapest price.
Several of the best framebuilders in the business worked for them and knew exactly what they wanted so were able to dictate that based on 100's of 1000's of frames being built.
They have some of the most well engineered and produced frames for numbers they were produced in.
Several of the best framebuilders in the business worked for them and knew exactly what they wanted so were able to dictate that based on 100's of 1000's of frames being built.
They have some of the most well engineered and produced frames for numbers they were produced in.
That explains the buttery goodness I felt when I first rode it.
03-27-21, 04:15 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 9,866
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 195 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3064 Post(s)
Liked 2,665 Times
in
1,728 Posts
Originally Posted by Loyd
That’s great info, thanks!
That explains the buttery goodness I felt when I first rode it.
That explains the buttery goodness I felt when I first rode it.
Absolutely, Jim Merz, Mark DiNucci, Tim Neenan, Brian Bayless, David Tesch and many other guru's had a hand in all of it and it shows, especially in the ride as you found out and as it should.
I think this gave Big S a big advantage, they got it very right and like I said, knowing Sinyard the strongarm, they got great tubing/frames for likely way less than many others so win, win for them and us, fortunately.
03-27-21, 10:08 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,117
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 654 Post(s)
Liked 502 Times
in
306 Posts
Originally Posted by Loyd
I currently have the Allez but have been pining for an Ironman.
03-28-21, 03:14 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Bush, Louisiana
Posts: 588
Bikes: 1984 Centurion Elite GT 15, 1985 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott, 1983 Diamond Back Ridge Runner, 1985 Mongoose ATB, 1987 Ross Centaur, 1986 Raleigh Marathon
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 188 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
35 Posts
Nothing wrong with having both! That said, my '85 Ironman is my second favorite bike in my stable, and my number 1 favorite is also a Centurion lol.
03-28-21, 08:16 AM
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by icemilkcoffee
Get both! Get some hooks on your garage rafters.... cuz once you start down this C/V collecting path there’s no looking back!
Originally Posted by AustinFitz
Nothing wrong with having both! That said, my '85 Ironman is my second favorite bike in my stable, and my number 1 favorite is also a Centurion lol.
There’s one my size for sale for just the frame and fork for $150. And another that’s 4cm too big for $200 - complete bike and looks pretty clean. Debating whether to get both and swap the parts.
Love the red pedals on that sweet ride, by the way.
03-28-21, 08:52 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 3,283
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 737 Times
in
467 Posts
My Allez was an ‘86 SE (blue) and I believe that the Allez was faster than any of my IM. I had an 86 IM (red) at the same time and before that I had an 87 and my sons 89.
edit: I went back to see your Allez set up. You may like the IM more for that style of riding. I recommend that you wait for an 86 because it has better tire clearance for 28mm GP4000s.
edit: I went back to see your Allez set up. You may like the IM more for that style of riding. I recommend that you wait for an 86 because it has better tire clearance for 28mm GP4000s.
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
Last edited by Classtime; 03-28-21 at 08:55 AM.
03-28-21, 08:58 PM
#16
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Classtime
My Allez was an ‘86 SE (blue) and I believe that the Allez was faster than any of my IM. I had an 86 IM (red) at the same time and before that I had an 87 and my sons 89.
edit: I went back to see your Allez set up. You may like the IM more for that style of riding. I recommend that you wait for an 86 because it has better tire clearance for 28mm GP4000s.
edit: I went back to see your Allez set up. You may like the IM more for that style of riding. I recommend that you wait for an 86 because it has better tire clearance for 28mm GP4000s.
BTW, those tires are actually 25s. I have 28s on my regular ride since I was told that wider is faster/less rolling resistance. The rims on the Allez can only take up to 25mm, but I’ll put anything on that can take me to the finish line quicker.
03-29-21, 09:21 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,053
Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 636 Post(s)
Liked 379 Times
in
157 Posts
I believe you can pick up an Ironman quite a bit cheaper and easier to find than an Ellez .My
89 Ironman has 28mm tires on it.
89 Ironman has 28mm tires on it.
03-29-21, 10:57 AM
#18
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by robertj298
I believe you can pick up an Ironman quite a bit cheaper and easier to find than an Ellez .My
89 Ironman has 28mm tires on it.
89 Ironman has 28mm tires on it.
