Need Quick Information on Centurion Ironman Expert
 

I'm looking at a Centurion Ironman Expert tonight. Unfortunately, I've seen only one hazy picture of the bike. The seller wants $200 for it. He claims it's an 87 or 88 model. The color is red with white trim and white seat tube. It looks like it's all there and probably original components. Assuming it's in good to very good condition, is that price too high? My original thought was yes its too high, but I've see some really weird prices lately for entry level bikes, so I'm not so sure that $200 isn't a good price. Also, I'm assuming this is an upper level bike, is that correct?
I've got four hours from now to decide. (3:20 EST).
Sorry for the short notice and lack of details, but I'm not that familiar with the brand and need to make a quick decision. I'm sharing all I know at this time. (Certainly the material decal on the seat tube will influence my decision.) Due to other commitments, I'll be able to check back one time before I view it tonight.
Thanks for any input.
EDIT: See Posts Below, I purchased the bike.

It could be a fine deal. Make sure the wheels are straight and true. It should be a very good entry level or better road bike. One member posted some photos of a fully upgraded Centurion with a fresh powder coat. The bike looked great and didn't weigh too much.

You should try for 175-150...If it is in immaculate condition 200$ is not a bad deal.

The only flaw I see in the Centurion line of bikes is that the paint jobs are often butt ugly.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/centurion/index.html

Follow the Sheldon link and you will learn what you need. May the kind words of Sheldon live on!

They were 105/Suntour GPX level equipped. Often ridden hard by Triathlon wannabe's.

Take your allen wrenches with you and make sure before you buy that the stem and seat post are free.

Is this for you, or to flip? To flip the price would need to be less than 100. For personal use, as it was said--look at the condition.

200 is good if it already has all new consumables--tires, tubes, bar tape, cables, casing and brake pads. You know how those things add up--its the same in the Triangle as down here in Atlanta. Heck, didn't Performance Bike start in Chapel Hill?

Mine is 105 equipped, and it's fantastic. On the other hand, I only paid $50 for it. I think I got a great deal. There was a previous centurian thread a while back, and I believe the general rule was that the 105 equipped bikes were the best.

With shipping that is about what I paid for my 1989 GPX, but it was in excellent shape. I don't believe it is an '88. That paint sounds more like an '87. The serial number should start N7, if I remember T-Mar's system correctly. It could say N6 with the next letter near the end of the alphabet, indicating it was made late in the year 1986.

I realize this is probably too late, but it does sound like a 1987, in which case it should be Shimano 105 equipped , Tange #1 tubeset and had an original price of $530. They do seem to sell for slightly higher prices than other 105 bicycles, probably because of the #1 tubing and Dave Scott name. It could be a fair price depending the bicycle's condition and the local market. Sorry I didn't get to this earlier, but I can't stay camped on the site all day.

Thanks to everyone who posted a response, the comments were very sound and helped me negotiate the price. The seller was a little surprized when I told him the going price for the bike and what my offer was.
Well, I bought it!
Its a Dave Scott Ironman, not an Ironman Expert. The serial number is N6H5222. Overall condition is good, very little rust, but not great. The tubing is Tange 1, double butted, seamless. It has all Shimano 600 components with 12 speed index shifters. I need to replace the saddle and the bar tape, but that's to be expected. It's in running condition as the previous owner had it mounted in a trainer and was using it right up until I purchased it. Tires are only fair condition.
I paid $160 but that price included a fully operational Manoura, MagTrainer. I'm estimating the trainer could be flipped for $30 or $40. But I plan on keeping the trainer. So I guess you could say I paid around $125.
Sorry about the pics, but I won't be able to take sunshine pics until Saturday.
Thanks agian for all the support.

I think that you got a very good deal on the bike plus the trainer. I used to sell these bikes and they were very well made and sold well. If the frame, fork , and wheels are all straight, you made out very well.

Sounds like a fine deal. This model was the father of the Ironman Master, which came with the 600 components and was a step up from the Expert. If you need any replacement parts, I know I have a nice 600 crank, bb and brakes laying around. Maybe other stuff as well.

I miss my '89 Expert GPX.

55/Rad

Definitely a good deal and that paint scheme is pretty classy by late 80's standards. Up until 1987, there was only one model Ironman. In 1987 the came out with the Expert as a lower cost version, with the 105 group.
Rad, I will being willing to trade you my 1989 GPX for your Fuso, whenever you want. I'll even throw in my trainer:).

Dinah Shore See The USA In Your Chevrolet Red and White--a dynamite paint scheme.

Great value--not to mention I envy you the simple pleasure of rehabbing the hubs, bottom bracket and cables. A good buy.

Glad to hear you got it, and at a good price to boot. It's definitely a 1986 Dave Scott Ironman. While the the components are upgraded over the Expert of only one year later, you might be suprised to hear that it actually cost less, at $499 US. Also while the tubing decal states Tange #1, it is actually a "custom mix" of #1 and #2 tubing. FYI, saddle, bar tape, pedals and cogs are replacements. It also looks like the lever hoods may have been replaced. By the way, Dia-Compe levers are original, despite the brakes being Shimano New 600EX.

It's always nice to go into negotiation fully armed. Some of the sellers I've dealt with have almost wet themselves by over how accurately I can determine the history of their bicycle based on it's condition and details, and how thoroughly I go over them.

Thanks everyone for the additional responses. I got on the bike for the first time yesterday. It feels great. I know this is going to be a special bike.
55/Rad, thanks for the kind offer, so far I'm good, if I need any of those parts I'll let you know.
T-Mar, Many thanks for the additional information and all your support, especially the comment about the tubing, that's good to know. I didn't realize the levers were dia-compe, I just thought the Shimano 600 logo wore off, but no problem cause I'm evaluating whether or not to go brifters with this bike. The previous owner did provide the original pedals and an additional chain ring, I just didn't include them in the pics.
A.Winthrop, thanks for the information about the shifters. These are working fine right now. I want to ride this bike a few times to make sure I'm comfortable with it. If I decide this is going to be a main rider, and that is my hope, I will convert it to brifters.
Again, thanks to everyone for your comments and support.