Purchased A Centurion Ironman This Weekend!
 

It's not ready for pictures yet, but I purchased a Centurion Ironman in excellent condition with all Shimano 105 for $150 locally from a guy who answered a Want Add I placed in Sacramento CL.

The saddle needs replacing so I ordered a Brooks B-17 narrow from wallbike.com today that way I have 6 months to decide if I like it and I figure I'd almost have to spend that much on any other decent saddle so I might as well go with what sounds like the best from what I've read here.

1. I'd like to know if all I need to convert it to 9 Speed Ultegra is the following: 9 speed shifters (Think I'm going to go with Barcons), front & rear derailleurs, cable and cable stops, cassette, chain, and freehub?

I know that I will have to widen the rear to 130.

2. Can I use just any Ultegra 9 speed derailleurs or is there a specific kind I need?

3. Will I need to buy a knew rear wheel or wheel set if I find a good deal on a set?

4. Is their anything I'm missing.

5. What should I expect to pay if I piece it together off Ebay.

I really like the Ironman a lot, but I realize some of you may not think it worth making such a big investment in, but if I can raise the funds necessary which I'm trying to do by selling some non-cycle related things of mine on Ebay and so far it is looking like I should end up doing pretty well.

Ironmans of that vintage are good serviceable frames. I can't see anyone having a problem hopping one up. Granted, I probably wouldn't go for brand spanking new componentry (Unless I secured a killer deal on NOS or as a labor of love/work of mechanical art) but to build up the bike using old but serviceable parts I would do.

Such as? Shimano 600? Used Ultegra? Or...?

Yeah.. Used Ultegra. :D Or even newer 105. If it's Six speed take it up to 7 or 8 speed or even triple on the front.

Since you mentioned barcons, set them up in friction mode to avoid compatibility headaches and to widen your component mix-and-match options considerably. Barcons are a superb alternative to brifters.

The 105 that came on those bikes wasn't bad at all. It isn't 9-speed, but perfectly adequate.

You'll just need a rear wheel, unless you want to build the frame up with matching wheels or you'd like to upgrade the 105 hub up front. I have an Ironman Dave Scott, and the Wolber rims laced to 105 hubs roll along just fine, although they aren't the lightest things in the world.

Thanks for all the replies. However I'm not asking whether I should do it. I'm asking for answers to the specific questions above.

WoW I can't hardly beleive that my questions have stumped everyone!

They haven't stumped anyone, just no one has answered yet. The minimum you will need will be a set of shifters (9 speed barcons or brifters), 9 speed chain, 9 speed cassette and a new rear wheel for the 9 speed cassette. Everything else you have should work with the 9 speed stuff. The shifters themselves decide how many gears the rear or front derailleur will shift. You MIGHT be able to use the current 105 rear for the 9 speed upgrade. I haven't done a jump that big, but have a 7 speed 105 rear derailleur working perfectly well with 8 speed Brifters. I was going to do this to my Eddy Merckx, but ended up finding an almost complete 9 speed Ultegra group for a reasonable price so I jumped on it and went full 9 speed Ultegra. Although the Ultegra front derailleur is bent or something so I am using a super Record f/d on mine now.

One more thing if your current rear wheel uses a cassette you can buy a new 9 speed freehub body to replace the older one (7 speed?), and then respace/redish the wheel for 130mm spacing for the 9 speed conversion.

1. don't need all of that
2. your derailleurs will work either friction or indexed with 9s
3. yes, as your rear wheel is probably a freewheel hub and you'll need a freehub. [alternative-you could lace a new hub into your existing rim] front's a change only if you want them to match. If by some chance you have a 6/7s freehub you can just swap out the body for an 8/9s one.
4. I'm not sure how your chainrings will work with the new narrower 9s chain. I would plan on replacing those.
5. how long are you willing to bid and lose? Patience is key on eBay. I just picked up a good Campy Record 10s front derailleur for $8 incl shipping, but I bid on quite a few before I bought one that cheap.

Thank you all! Of course I knew I didn't stump anyone just a little sarcasm that I figured would get a response!

I finally got back onto BF, out here in the Midwest with the gritty, determined folks and the wave after wave of mosquitos. The people are so solid. The 18-hour days are justified when you realize how few of them are whining about anything.

Ashley, I'll get back in touch as soon as I get "feet dry" in NC, thanks for the plug.

Tom, I've done what you intend to do, thrice, and on an even older pre-Ironman model, the Comp TA. I'd do it more if I could get some decent prices on Ironman bikes, but they've about doubled in market value in the last 6-8 months. I may have to start stealing them for real, just to support my habit... Also, the ones I restore without upgrading are just as fun; I only ride the top 3 or 4 gears, anyway.

1. going to 130mm. You should be able to get that upgraded wheel in there without too much trouble. I haven't "widened" any of mine, just a little oomph.

2. your RD will likely work just fine. It will do what your shifters tell it to. Just make sure it has the range to go the extra 4mm. You will need a new chain, a narrower model so you don't bungle in the jungle of all those extra speeds.

3. Yep, you'll need a rear wheel that can accommodate the thicker set of cogs. Go used, can't lose. LBS may have some "take-offs" from folks updating to 10-sp. Get a set, they look cooler.

4. Missing anything? Well, if you ride an Ironman, you don't have to shave your legs....and keep some extra money around for all the swooning bike girls.

5. You got a good deal on that bike, so eBay is a good place to shop for what you need. However, if you've got trade bait, BF is the place to swap for what you need. Maybe offer cash instead. I'd say you can spend $300 max and get your Centurion up to 9 with wheels and all, max. I have about $300 in one, $400 in another, and $600 in my Black Dog, mainly due to $240 Vuelta hand-built wheels. My current build project will come in under $300 with 9 speeds, but with Dura Ace downtube shifters...an '89 Master grey marbled fade.

Good luck, see you on the road.

[QUOTE=Bob Barker;6948113]
3. yes, as your rear wheel is probably a freewheel hub and you'll need a freehub. [alternative-you could lace a new hub into your existing rim]

Maybe not; up to '87 or so the Ironman Expert had a freewheel hub (or mine does, anyway).
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I'm running an 8 speed set up on my 88 Expert with a triple and Sora Brifters. I've thought about a 9 set up, but why mess with sucess. Everything fits well with no problems as is. I am not running original wheels though. They are generic replacements.

It will be taken down starting this weekend to give it a face lift. I also came up with a 105 triple to replace the TruVativ triple on there right now. I would like to get my hands on a 105 FD and RD to get right with the Centurion Gods at re-assembly time, but we'll see.

I'm glad to see you back, Robbie! After Ashley's remarks about the skeeters I was afraid you might have been taken back to a skeeter nest and lost to us forever.

Tom, whether you shave your legs or no, there WILL be swooning girls.

East Hill

And the freeWHEELS screwed on to threaded freewheel hubs.
Where was I unclear on this?
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[QUOTE=A.Winthrop;6949343]Are you sure about that? I am 99% certain my 1989 GPX has a 7 speed freewheel. It has been about a year since I have worked on it and it is presently visiting a friend, so I can't check it right now. But I think I would have remembered if it was a freehub. Maybe this was something unique to the Suntour version.

I can't believe I went through this entire thread and there are no pics.

I figured my appearance in the thread would be enough to prompt photos, but it does not seem to have worked.

I must be losing my touch :( .

East Hill

The paint on my Ironman is too garish to contemplate outside of the historical context of the mid-late eighties, so why inflict it upon the unsuspecting?
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Heres a picture for you!

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...ancing-Men.gif

Ones of the bike will have to wait though!

You may be right, maybe only the cult can handle it. :D

I think the second most common comment when I ride an Ironman is "what's with the paint scheme?"
Sometimes, I can't resist, and just say.."dude," and ride off. :thumb:

Just picked a Master Ironman last night. It should be an '87 by the serial number, so it has the "Miami Vice" color scheme. It is not too bad - white head tube and seat tube, the rest is aqua. I don't mind the colors. Ok, here is a picture, before cleanup and polish.

I'm faced with a moral dilemma with the "Rustoleumized" Expert.

1. Do I go with something understated like a nice white and add plenty of black accents.

2. Perhaps an Arrest Me Red with white accents.

3. Recreate the 1988 "Miami Vice" dual color scheme that seems so prevalent.

4. Let my off centered artist friend have his way with an airbrush in an unventilated room and come what may......