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Good price for Centurion LeMans?

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Good price for Centurion LeMans?

Old 06-05-08, 02:41 PM
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Good price for Centurion LeMans?

Okay, here is my story...
I am currently the owner of a Trek 7.3FX which I like very much. But I want a road bike! I hear good things about older steel beasts so that is what I am looking for right now.
So, to finally get around to the topic...
Here is a Centurion LeMans have found that is actually local to me. I like the looks and the size but the question is the price. The bid is up near $200. Too much for this?
Any more seasoned C&V folks want to enlighten me?
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Old 06-05-08, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by DTSCDS
Okay, here is my story...
I am currently the owner of a Trek 7.3FX which I like very much. But I want a road bike! I hear good things about older steel beasts so that is what I am looking for right now.
So, to finally get around to the topic...
Here is a Centurion LeMans have found that is actually local to me. I like the looks and the size but the question is the price. The bid is up near $200. Too much for this?
Any more seasoned C&V folks want to enlighten me?
Very nice bike! It's a bit lower down the scale than an Ironman, but still nice. $200 would be the absolute top price I would pay, though. You have an advantage because you don't have to pay shipping, but still...

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Old 06-06-08, 09:43 AM
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I agree with both East Hill and A.Winthrop that the LeMans on ebay is overpriced. Even though it's a way better bike than you could buy new for the same money, if you keep an eye out on Ebay and CL, a much better deal will eventually come your way.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...61#post2135661

In T-Mar's Centurion Serial Number Database, post #17, I have pictures of the three Centurions that I bought on Ebay.

The '89 LeMans was $53 and came with clip on aero bars, an Avocet computer and Shimano PD-1056 pedals. I took those items off and sold them on Ebay for more than I paid for the bike.

The '87 Ironman Master I paid $82 for and '88 was $162 and has almost 0 miles on it.

All three of these were Ebay auctions with local sellers, so I avoided the dreadful shipping charges. YMMV, but as A.Winthrop said, patience is the key.
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Old 06-07-08, 03:43 AM
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I appreciate the help on this. I ended up losing out on this one--the winning bid came in over $300!!!
I was pretty disappointed since I thought I had a pretty good bid in. Something about the idea of an old steel beast just appeals to me.
I posted on CL here in the Dallas area asking if anyone had a road bike that would fit me (60-62cm) in the $250 range and got a nibble. It's not an "old steel beast"--its a 2005 Trek 1200--but I think it will get me into a road bike and give me the time I need to patiently troll CL, ebay, pawnshops and garage sales looking for my first "project".
Still, that LeMans looked pretty sweet.....
Again, thanks for all the help and advice. You saved me from myself!
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Old 06-07-08, 04:16 AM
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Hey DISDCS,

Collin County here. I know, need to change the location thingy in the profile, but no one except locals knows where Wylie is, lol.

The CL listing for C&V bikes in our area is a bit inflated in my opinion. It seems most people are jumping to the conclusion that any bike they have that 's over 15 years old is automatically worth $200 to someone. That doesn't mean they won't come down, but that seems to be the starting point that I see most often.

Keep an eye on eBay. There is a seller with the store name of Dallas Cycles who is in Little Elm (up by Frisco), that has a couple of bikes a week. They have a lot of 80's era Schwinns, but I've seen a Centurion and a Nishiki in the last couple of weeks from them as well. A big plus is no shipping.

Since you seem willing to entertain the $200-$300 range, there very well may be more choices. Your frame size really helps alot as well. One thing I've noticed is that a lot of C&V bikes that come up seem to be for sale by former NBA players..........where do all these huge step over bikers come from, lol.
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