Going to look at a Centurion
 

I have been looking for a classic steel road bike that I can ride around the university without being too attractive to thieves. A few weeks ago I found an older Centurion Accordo RS on Craigslist for what I thought was a good price. I went and rode it, everything seemed decent enough. It had some problems and it showed that it hadn't been maintained in quite a while. I knew it was going to need some work but that was fine. I didn't mind fixing it up as long as there was something there to fix.

Well, as it turned out the bike was full of problems that I really should have checked for. The bb spindle was pitted as were the cones of the rear axle. It was clear from the condition of the grease that the bike had been neglected. The worst part and the most frustrating one was that the frame has a small kink in it on the bottom front of the top tube.

To make a long story short I've learned a lot about older bikes and things to watch out for but I'd like some advice. I'm going to look at a Centurion "Super Record" that I found on Craigslist tonight. Are there any specific things that I should look for that will tip me off to whether the bike/frame is good or not. Also what is a fair price for a bike of this vintage. It's listed at $75 right now. The link is http://seattle.craigslist.org/bik/111207104.html

Sorry about the long post, it's my first. Thank you for your help.

Hi Jonsam, I'd just check the wheels and bottom bracket over. See that the headset is okay, look over any moving parts.This Centurion with exposed brake cables & centerpull brakes about '76 to '84 abouts.I've got a Centurion '82 Elite RS, there are deals out there. Chris

Check the tubes for anything larger than "dings". If it is in rideable condition, take it for a short ride. Also make sure it's the right size for you. That seems like such common sense, but there are some people who will get a bike that's the wrong size, just because it is the right price.

Get the seller to agree to meet you at a good bike shop and have the tech look the bike over and give you the price of putting into safe riding condition. Then, factor the tech's cost estimate into the price of the bike.

I have bought a couple of old Centurions that just needed minor tune-ups to be in "like new" running condition. But, I also bought a 1988ish Schwinn that ended up needing the wheel spokes replaced, the wheel bearings repacked, all its cables replaced, new bar tape, new grease in the headset....by the time I was done, I had spent far, far more than the bike was worth..."too soon old...too late smart" and all that...

Thanks for the replies. The Centurion ended up being too small for me. The seller also had a larger bike but it was too big. Oh well, the search continues.

While this is good advice and an excellent idea, I doubt many sellers will bother for a $75 bike, especially in a strong seller's market. I sell "low dollar" bikes all the time, and at under $100 expect the buyers to come to me. Based on all too frequent experience ,the flakes far outnumber the earnest buyers on CL. I would quickly burn up gas in excess of any profit realized were I to run all over town to meet people that never show or promise to buy and then vaporize. If someone wants a good deal on a bike I'm offering, they can make the commitment to come to me.

Every time I get a contact from Berkeley or The City (SF), I groan. Citizens of these two areas are both my best and worse customers. For every 10 contacts, 8 are flakes. But the remaining 2 usually come with the cash........ :)

John D.

"Based on all too frequent experience ,the flakes far outnumber the earnest buyers on CL."

Indeed. Pretty much on the edge of givng up on the local craigslist; 95% of the contacts are just time wasters and not serious about buying. Too bad, because I'm offering better stuff than the local bike co-op at a far better price... and for less than what I'd get on e-buy. I usually overhaul the bikes completely, as well, so they're road worthy. And I don't hide any defects.

E-buy's got the hassle of packing, but at least at the end, the ride is gone.

I agree I sell stuff way too cheap on CL and there are so many flakes... Once a guy told me that 15 bucks was too rich for his blood on a running specialized hard rock hopper or something. I mean I spent way more than 15 buck (time wise) on lubing and greasing and truing and making sure it was ok to ride. I sell stuff I don't need for cheap because I don't want to land fill the old stuff especially old roads. But I am tempted to just chuck the stuff I don't want becasue of the hassle of dealing with idiots who don't want to part with a fiver or whatever.

Yes, I should have had a hint when I gave away several old bike frames, just to get 'em out of the basement, and fully 3/4 of the folks who contacted me just wasted my time, making me hang about for pick-ups that never materialized. Of course, I was doing something else at the time, so it wasn't a complete waste, I wasn't sitting around starring into the empty sky or anything... but decent old steel lugged and DB frames for free? Gah.

I don't put myself out for them any more. They come to me at my convenience, or I meet them somewhere convenient for me if I'm going to be out and about anyway.

And I never, never, ever hold a bike for someone, never. Used to, but no more - first come. first served, and cash only. If I had a buck for every squirrel that guaranteed they'd buy the bike only to disappear, I'd be rich.

John D.

sick ride probably should be $100

If you're giving 'em away, I'll pay for 'em - I need something so I can try my first fixed build :D