Centurion questions
 

So I've been looking for some older road bikes to turn into a single speed as a commuter bike.

I've been told that the Centurion Ironman Dave Scott is a great frame/bike, most that I find tend to be pretty pricey. But I have found some other Centurions for much cheaper that aren't the Ironman.

I was wondering how these compare to the Ironman. I'd like something nice, not too heavy...the lighter the better.

I'm open to suggestions of other makes of bikes.

Not a single speed fan, but my understanding is that when you strip all the junk off, just about any decent bike gets very light. Most of the late 80's and early 90's Centurions were better than just decent. Butted Tange tubing isn't junk.

It's going to be more of a commuter bike, simplicity tends to mean reliability, less things to go wrong. I've got a modern road bike, I just won't lock it up in fear of it being stolen. Don't worry it's not like I'm going fixie with no brakes. :P

But anyways, were all the Centurion models tange steel? There's a couple in the area that are going for pretty cheap.

This one doesn't really have much information, but I'll probably ask about it:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/bik/985637141.html

This one needs a little work:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/bik/984308885.html

Since you are going to be converting it anyway, I would go with the Lemans.

Looks like quite a difference in frame sizes. Go for the one that fits.

The second Centurion linked (blue one) is older (70's) & has a hi-ten frame so it will be heavier. I had one similar & the ride wasn't that bad, just a heavy bike. Don.

Single speed? Stay away from Centurion Turbos. They are really terrible bikes. Run, don't walk.

-GG-

Can you explain this a bit? I picked one up over the holidays, just finished cleaning it up and am waiting for new tires so I've not had a chance to ride it yet?

Pure joke. The Turbo model was quite good and my first "racing" bike. It really had a great feel. It is a catch. I have been looking for one in about a 24" size for a while.

Guy

Sometimes my subtlety is nonexistent, along with my discernment...:roflmao2:

Ahh so I see what's going on. The turbo is a terrible frame. Keep him away from turning it into a single speed! :p

I do kind of feel bad turning an old bike into a single speed, but I need something cheaper, and reliable. I'll spare a decent bike though. I think I found another bike that seems to be in good shape and is my size. Going to contact the seller about it today.

I exchanged a PM with Robbie earlier relating that I had the Turbo in my lbs to get the wheels trued and spokes retensioned and in chatting asked if they had ever heard of anyone who'd stripped the paint from one and hit a jackpot of sorts. Turns out one of the local bike nuts owned one and not only stripped the paint, but removed all the brazeons and the derailleur hanger--he works at a large and very well-equipped custom metal fab shop here in town--and converted it to--eek--a fixie. The only joy to come from this is he sold it to a very attractive young lady who works next door to my favorite downtown coffee shop and many times I've seen her pull up, dismount, shoulder her bike up several steps to the converted loading dock/store front and she's invariably wearing a skirt and cowboy boots. She loves her solid-chrome fixie--but has no idea it's an '84 Centurion Turbo--and the next time I chat with her I'll ask permission to take some photos and I'll post them along with some of my deep blue '84.

Forget pictures of the bike, just get the rider...

I was thinking the same thing...fixie or not, an attractive lady is an attractive lady.

That first one looks a lot like a Signet - lower-end model of the Centurion line and on the heavy side, being made of high-tensile steel, I believe. I have one that I used as a commuter bike for several months and enjoyed it very much, but it was a size too small for me. The one in the picture looks like a 58 cm frame or maybe a 60 cm, by my estimate. Assuming it doesn't have any major issues, you'd have a decent commuter bike for about $120 after tires and tubes.

And it'll go faster than the other one because it's red. Everyone knows red bikes are faster.

If I was building a commuter, a Dave Scott Ironman would not be my choice. I'd go for a late Raleigh Record, a Univega Supra Sport, a Schwinn Traveler, something lower leve with a chromoly frame. Something that won't attrack thieves. An Ironman would be a likely target for someone looking for a nicer frame that will sell easily on ebay or locally.

If it fits, get the red one. Stem shifters mean less clutter on the down tube. Plus, it's red.

Yeah, stay away from Turbos. Than again, one of our men is on a mission to recon a single-sped (speeded? Ashley, a little grammer help, NYT Style Manual?) Turbo that has been depainted, to see if it really is chromie all under.

+1

I used to ride a Centurion Sport DLX. Tange Infinity DB tubeset. It is still by far the smoothest riding bike I have yet to find.

You must have been searching Centurion.