I am getting back to bike commuting and I am looking to pick up a vintage steel frame as a project. I currently have a Klein Pinnacle that I don't ride (I used to be a lot heavier but as I have become more fit and older I find the Aluminum frame beats the daylights out of me). I also don't ride offroad mich anymore.

I am looking at an older Centurion Commuter 5 and a few older steel MTB frames (Giant Sedona ATX, Iguana and a Bridgestone MB6 that are all about $50). Any suggestions? I'm probably going to cannibalize the parts off the Klein frame if I go with an old MTB frame. I am figuring the Centurion Commuter 5 will need a road gruppo and probably no triple chain ring...correct?

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

What size frame?

...the Centurion is 49cm and the MTB frames I've been looking at are mostly 19"

Univega Gran Turismo, currently $26, up from .01 yesterday. Still a bargain (it's not mine.).

oooo....pretty gold color.

Not only that, but double-butted cromoly with all the braze-ons you could ever need, and going very cheaply (at the moment.).

Personally, for commuting I would go for the Centurion or another old steel road bike. The increase in speed was what made me switch from MTB to road bikes for commuting. I had locked out the suspension of my MTB so switching to a steel road frame wasn't too jarring of a change.

If you're in a fairly flat area, yes. Here in Florida I use two rear gears almost exclusively while commuting- Both are on the 42 tooth chainring.

Ahhhh...Florida (I was born in Miami) and for a bike it was cool in that it was indeed VERY flat...alas no I live in Washington State. Mind you I love my new home but flat it is not. Somedays it seems like everything is uphill no matter where you go.

I guess I should be clear...when I said I don't ride offroad much anymore. I still like to ride offroad (we have some wonderful singletrack right at the edge of town) but I primarily want to commute to school. Also, I will probably be moving north to Vancouver BC in the coming months so it need to be a decent urban assault bike. Also. I would be lying if I said the trails at Northshore won't get the occasional visit. I guess I could always have two project bikes.

I have been really considering a decent road frame. Are there any older frames that would be similar to cyclocross frames (basically burly road frames)?

Yes. The "touring" bikes from earlier days are burly road bikes. They resemble cyclocross bikes in having ample tire clearance and (usually) cantilever brakes, and are most often ridden with road-type drop handlebars and triple chainrings. They tend to have longer wheelbases, slightly lower bottom brackets and a few more pounds than more recent cyclocross bikes. But they make great commuters. My own commuter is a Diamondback Crestview touring bike.. Trek's 520 is one of the best known, but they tend to be pricey if you can find them. For others, and lots of pictures, check the sticky on the touring forum.

Or check out that Univega touring frame I posted above.

I am tempted by that Univega although I generally prefer to buy bikes in person. I'll keep it in mind.
I will also go look at touring bikes...thanks for the info.

Hi dixeyk, I'm late into the conversation here, but where are you located in Washington? I wish you had said that that Centurion was a cm smaller, I'd be visiting you to take a look at it .

For what it's worth, I live on the Kent East Hill, and all my older bikes have just two front cogs. Once you get used to going up them, it's not that bad.

Welcome to BF!

That Univega IS a great deal at the present price and would make a nice project if you're into building one up...but might cease to be a bargain after shipping and if all the other bits to complete it are costly for you. My two cents: I wonder about what size fits you cause the Mtn. bike equivalent of a 49cm road frame will be smaller than a 19 incher...more like a 17". Cyclocross (CX) bikes can be nice commuters, but they usually have HIGH BBs where a Tourer will have a LOWER-than-Road-bike BB, and though they are lighter they also usually have gearing that's not best suited for a commuter (easily changed for some $) and no provisions for racks/fenders, though plenty of ROOM for them. I got a super deal on an older CX frame, but otherwise I'd have probably looked for a vintage steel Mtn. bike for a burly urban commuter platform...they can be had cheap around here.

The Centurion is in CL for Seattle...I am going to Seattle tomorrow to check it out. They want $100

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/299828571.html

The Univega is a good deal but I am leary of buying something like a bike frame without being able to inspect it. I have ridden a 17.5" MTB (Giant Sedona) and a 19" Marin and Klein. The 19"s fit me pretty well but the the Klein (for all the things I like about it) is just beating the crap out of me when I ride.
I came really close to getting a Bianchi road frame (that I just thought was great) a while back and I wish I could remember what size it was and just recently I owned a Softride bike (I worked for them) but I really didn't care for the whole suspension beam experience.

Good point about the cost of a rebuild...I HAVE all the parts from the Klein that I can move to another MTB frame. About the only thng I'll need to do is change out out some of the chain rings that have broken teeth.

FWIW, I am planning to see the Centurion (I find the idea pretty compelling), but I am leaning toward a Giant Sedona for about $50 that I am also seeing.

That's an oddball. I found very few references to a Centurion Commuter 5, and it has odd size tyres for a Centurion.

At any rate, it would appear to be a decent bike, and it may well be worth the $100. They don't into much detail on the componentry, though.

East Hill

I couldn't find much on it either. I agree it looks like a decent bike. According to the ad its a Japanese made frame so I'l take a look if its available when I get down to Seattle tomorrow. I'll report back. My initial reaction is that it is a bit too pricey but I have been wrong before.

At the present price of $79 plus $50 shipping, I think the Univega is getting to be a bit too pricey for my purposes given other local options (of fully built bikes). Still, a nice bike though.

From what I've read a Giant Sedona would make a great urban assault bike. And as you said, you already have the parts for a build, so it makes even more sense.

I have a nice Giant Iguana probable needs new cables nice smooth fatty tires some were around the yard.

Another thing you can do is get the Sedona, build it as an urban commuter, and get a spare set of wheels for trails. Two wheelsets, two different uses, one bike.

Good idea...I can pick up a second set of hubs and wheels to build up for an offroad set although my continental police tires are remarkably stabe in pretty rough terrain.

BTW the Centurion turned out to be a bust. The owner would ONLY show it between noon and 1:00 tomorrow and since I live 2 hours north by car and wasn't going to be there before 5:00 so I passed. I have 2 other frames to see tomorrow...I am looking at a 90's Sedona ATX bike (lthough I only want the frame) and a slightly newer Giant 780 ATX (as I recall it is essentially the same frame).