drewster4590

I've been watching my local CL for a while for an older, inexpensive road bike, but as this will be my first, I wanted to get some outside opinions. Also, what should I look/feel for when I go try them out?

The 3 bikes I am considering:
Schwinn Traveler - $150
Excellent condition. Everything works as it should. The bike has index shifters and goes directly into every gear properly.
12 Speed
Dia-Compe brakes
Shimano 105 brake levers
Shimiano de-raillers
Shimino SIS index shifters
Sakae Aluminum crank
Mallard aluminum rims
Weinmann 27" aluminum rims
Sakae Aluminum stem & handlebars
Good Tires
https://images.craigslist.org/3mc3pd3...36ca1f1193.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/3m13p33...c1ef1a1812.jpg

Schwinn Prelude - $230
12 Speed
Columbus tubing
New tires
https://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...e/Dsc_2106.jpg

Centurion LeMans - $200
12 Speed
Tange 2 frame
New tires, tubes
https://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...e/Dsc_2202.jpg

custermustache

I like the Traveler, but I think the other two will get most of the votes. That Centurion is a pretty bike.

banjo_mole 

The prelude is columbus, I like the le mans but they always felt too spongy, flexy, whatever. The prelude does look bigger than the others, though. I dunno about the traveler, it seems okay, but the picture isn't big enough to say. I gove Prelude, or LeMans, depending.

old and new

Two points to start off : the color, look of the bike weighs in, it'll determine in no small way how you feel about the bike ; any of those bikes could vanish if you wait too long.
The Traveler is a good bike, that one works & the price seems fair. With its 27" wheels and all that goes with the design indicates that it would provide a smooth ride. The "relaxed geometry , longish wh. base, on 'n' on.
The Prelude is argueably the most important bike from an historical perspective. It has Col. tubing. Not all Col. is the absolute greatest but the Prelude used a fairly good tubeset. A fairly good Col. tubeset Is quite good as far as tubing goes. The Prelude has 700c wheels, I won't go on about that other than to say that 700c wheeled bikes by virtue of all else encompassed in such bikes are "racier" and handle "quicker". Not so much that you'll notice it throughout all the test ride but you might at slow , tight turns during the test, for what that matters to you.
The Lemans, as a Centurion is a highly desireable bike, folks go ape over 'em. This particular model as 27" wheels. I would guess that it rides/ handles inbetween the other two. Tange Champion #2 was just that, Tange's second best which like the Col. in the Prelude, though not the very best, is very, very good indeed. BTW .. dismiss all notions up swappin' wheels 'n' such, I'll reserve further comment on that.
If all these bikes are and work as good as they look .. the prices ain't bad.

illwafer

traveler is a tank compared to the other bikes.

also, as this is your first bike, I would recommend one with 700c wheels vs 27".

edit: drewster, why don't you put your height and location into your request and have the forum "shop" for you? i think people here love to pick out bikes for others, and they can also lend their years of expertise on what is a good value.

bikingshearer 

Based on the limited info here, I'd say get the Prelude. If the poster above is correct about the wheel sizes, having the 700c wheels is a big bonus over having 27" wheels. Not for any performance reason, but because it is much easier to get 700c tires, as 27" stopped being standard quite a while ago.

The Columbus tubing is a plus. The Tange tubing is probably as good or at least close enough for any reasonable use, but Columbus carries more cache. That may or may not matter to you.

If you can test ride all three, by all means do so, and get the one that feels right to you. But if you have to make a decision without test rides, I'd go for the Prelude.

But then, I'm a hopeless snob.

molarface

Guess we're neighbors because I seen those ads. His bikes always look good but the connection to UNT (or any universty) would make me want to inspect them carefully. Students are rough on bikes. If you are going to use it this way, get the Traveler. Hard to beat cheap if it's going to sit in the rain all the time!
Other than that, I like the Prelude.

mkeller234

Prelude! The centurion is a close second. I agree with bikingshearer, the tange tubing is really nice too. In fact, I have a low end tange 5 frame that I really love.

Nothing against the traveler of course, it's a fine bike too.

drewster4590

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

Per illwafer's suggestion, here is my info: 5'6", 31" inseam. Dallas area. College student.

CardiacKid

I think you would be alright with any of them. I would go with the one that is the most comfortable. If they all ride about the same, look for the one that is in the best shape.
First look closely at the paint, looking for rust bubbles and hairline cracks. Lift the rear wheel off the ground and spin the pedals to make sure there is no grinding. Yank on the crank arms to make sure there is no movement. Do the same with the wheels. Whiile spinning the wheels, make sure they are true, no wobble. Loosen the seat post and make sure it is not frozen. Do the same with the stem. The most important part is the test ride. Make sure it steers well and shifts smoothly. Take your hands off the bars and make sure it keeps going straight.
I am sure I am forgetting something, but those things will catch most problems.

due ruote 

Another vote for the Prelude, if the cost is OK for you. I believe that's a Panasonic-built frame. I have a Super Sport from that era and it's a very nice frame. On the other hand, if you're looking for a general commuter to get around to classes etc. any of them would be quite serviceable.

wrk101

+100 The Prelude is by far the best of these three. The Centurion is next best. But get the one that fits you. None of them are a bad bike.

ggriffinslo

One thing that I haven't read is what is the OP's planned use for the bike. Commuting, sport riding, touring? These bikes will all work for sport riding, but if you're planning on using it as a commuter, you'll want clearance for fenders and the ability to put racks on it. Touring? These will be inadequate.

What will you be using the bike for?
George
SLO, CA

drewster4590

I'll be using the bike mainly for riding to, from, and on campus. I don't live to far off campus, just far enough I'd rather ride than walk. Fenders and racks are not required for me.

EDIT: Another bike has shown up in my search that interests me. What do you guys think?
Schwinn Varsity: https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/bik/1391225066.html

due ruote 

Well, that Varsity is an interesting choice. I've never seen one modified quite to that extent. It does have some decent parts, and will get you back and forth to school. The price is right. The frame is nowhere near the quality of the others, though, and it looks a bit smaller. Be careful with sizing. I think this comes down to what you see yourself doing with the bike. If it's strictly for getting back and forth to class and you can't see yourself doing a longer ride, then why spend more money? OTOH, if you get a nicer bike, you're more likely to get the bug and want to ride more, which is a good thing. Again, if you're seriously interested in those other bikes, I wouldn't wait too long. They're pretty nice specimens.

banjo_mole 

VARSITY!? D:

Edit: Wow, talk about modifications! Not sure what to say! "Big ol' can of turn polish?"

I'm with jbonamici, "if you get a nicer bike you're more likely to get the bug and want to ride more, which is a good thing."

Prelude is my conclusion, for sure now that I see the alternative.

cudak888 

I'll say one thing - if you have to get an $85 Varsity - that's the one to get.

It has every single modification one would wish to do to make it halfway agreeable as a decent bicycle, and the parts are pretty standardized. I don't like the crankset though.

-Kurt

miamijim

Bang for the buck is the Traveler.

I'd go with:

#1 Centurion.. Appears to have indexed shifting. Tange= Prelude's Columbus Tenax tubing
#2 Prelude. Does not appear to have indexed shifting.
#3 Traveler. Only buy this one if the $100 saved means food, clothing and shelter.

longbeachgary

I like the LeMans. My wife had one and it's a very nice bike. The one thing I think that we all can agree with is that when a nice bike at a good price comes on CL, you need to jump on it. There isn't a lot of time to get opinions.

yepyep

The Centurion got relisted today, still at $200. I bet you can wave $180 cash and it will be yours.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/bik/1391905475.html

I want it, but toooo many bikes already.

T-Mar

The Lemans RS is appears to be a 1985 model with a shift system upgrade to what appears to be New 600EX SIS.

The Prelude is slightly newer and appears to be a 1986 model. It has some bonus features like 700C wheels, braze-on lever bosses and a 2nd set of bottle bosses.

From a tubest perspective, the LeMans RS definitely has the edge with a seamless versus seamed tubeset and Mangalloy forks versus hi-tensile steel.

Component wise, the Prelude has an edge with the 700C wheelset versus 27" but the LeMans does appear to have indexed shifting. I'd say the other components are roughly equal.

Based on the specs, the LeMans RS actually has slightly steeper angles but a longer wheelbase. Take into account the 700C wheels and the Prelude likely has slightly quicker handling and acceleration, while the LeMans RS is probably slightly more stable and comfortable riding.

Both are good bicycles and it's a close call. It would all depend on your personal preferences. Personally, I would buy both, ride them for awhile, and keep the one I prefer. I doubt you would have any trouble reselling the other and recouping your investment. However, if I had to make a choice, I would probably opt for the Centurion. The Traveller, despite the better price, would not be in the running, unless it was the only one left of the three.

drewster4590

My schedule this weekend kept me from looking at any bikes, and I won't have time to again until next weekend. I found some other bikes on CL and wanted to get your opinions on them so I have some options in case the Centurion/LeMans are already gone.

How about these?
https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/bik/1396887752.html
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/1395077522.html

Thanks again.

junkfoodjunkie

The Falcon is the nicer of the 2

sunburst

You certainly get good prices out there. I think all these would fetch more in the SF bay area. I like the Centurion. I used to have one but unfortunately it got stolen. They all look good (except the Traveler's pix resolution - can't tell). The centurion's got a pretty short stem though, but getting the bike to fit and feel right usually takes some additional time, effort and money.

drewster4590

How do the Raleigh and Falcon compare to the Centurion and Prelude? Better or worse deals?

EDIT: The Falcon got relisted here: https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/bik/1396887752.html