Choosing between a Centurion and Univega
 

Hey all,
I need help choosing my next bike because I am really unfamiliar with Univega. I hear they are good quality miyata built bikes with very beautiful glossy paint jobs.
I was wondering, should I buy a centurion elite rs I think year 84 (not the two toned white and turquoise one, just a silvery frame that says centurion in bubble letters) equipped with shimano 600 components and brakes and tange 2 or 3 (most likely 3) tubing? Or a Univega gran sprint equipped with signature SR crank, some dia compe brakes gx brakes, and suntour sprint derailleurs, with triple butted chromoly tubing? Both seem to be in great condition, no scratches or rust, just normal wear. Both also have araya 700c wheels. Thanks for any input. Asking price is around 250$ each...yes very expensive, but I guess it's because I'm in LA and these are good condition bikes.

I have a Univega Gran Turismo and love the ride. The Sprint Components are good stuff, but it boils down to which one feels better when you ride it. I would try both out and go with the one that's most comfortable.

Thanks capecodder, btw I love your club fuji.

You can't go wrong with either. I prefer the Univega because I like Suntour but if both the bikes are indexed for shifting then the Centurion would probably be better since the 600 group is solid and more reliable. It also has a better name cache than Univega though both were quality manufacturers. $250 is decent for very good condition mid-level bikes.

Thanks for the comment.... The Fuji is my Fair Weather bike WAY too nice for bad or rainy days, I have a beatter for that. I think you would like the Univega, as I really like mine. Here are a couple pics.....


http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...1/IMG_2698.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...1/IMG_2612.jpg

I just had a Univega gran sprint frame and passed it along. It was nice, real nice. Really quality looking lugwork, diamond cutouts, nice filing, and it was light. I would go for the Univega because.. a. I've had a few of them and was even impressed by the low end junk, and b. Suntour > Shimano.
I hear those Centurions are pretty nice though.
What it comes down to is which one you prefer riding, there's no obvious winner here, at least that we can see. You should definitely go look at both of them.

I would choose the Suntour Sprint over the Shimano 600 bits. I think they are both good bikes and either will give years of dependable service. do you have any pics of either bike?

The Elite RS should be 600EX, which I'm not sure I'd take over Suntour Sprint, if the sprint is indexed, and a Tange 2 frame. It was a step below the Ironman in those years, equipped with roughly the same group, but with a Tange 2 or Infinity frame. The 600EX R shifter had some problems, not sure if they were remedied by the time the Elite you refer to was made.

Univega's of the same era are really nice bikes. If the Suntour Sprint is indexed, I'd probably look real hard at that bike.
Sprint was a nice group. The paint quality on the Univega's I've seen is excellent. I've pulled them from junk heaps and they cleaned up. I'm not familiar with the Univega levels, as I've seen some low-end ones and some fine bikes.

On the groups, both of which I've had, I'd compare this way:
Hubs-600
Levers-Sprint
Calipers-Sprint
FD-600
Crankset-Even
RD-Even
Shifters-Sprint

buy them both ;)

Sigh...I wish I bought one of them. They are now both gone. I really liked the univega because it was a nice metallic lavender. It sold on ebay a few hours ago for 255$ before I made an offer. I should have just bought it now oh well. My search for a 50-53cm bike continues.

This happens all the time. What I suggest you do is finish your basic research before shopping. That way, once you find something you like, you can jump on it.

Hang in there...that's not a difficult size to find. I'll keep my eyes open for you in Philly. PM me your preferences, spend limits...etc. We get a fair bit of mid-range Japanese stuff pop up...and if you were willing to buy on ebay, the prices here won't scare you.

Where are you located? Here in Socal, there's a guy that is selling Univegas and Centurions (elite RS) in your size. He has a website. I'm thinking of getting a 50cm Ironman but its missing the downtube "Centurion" decal. But he has 2 nice Elite RS and some Univegas. Perhaps he can ship to you. I haven't bought anything from him (yet).

50cm is hard to find, but here, they stay for sale a while.

I don't see where you could go wrong, Centuron, UNIVEGA, FUJI they truly are more alike than dissimilar and very fine rides...

I especially apreciate the extra strength in accommodating the extra pounds of the rider on the CroMo frames...

Thanks guys. Hey triplebutted. I know exactly who you are talking about =) and he's not so far away. His centurion elite for 250$ is actually what I was looking at but when I gave him a call he said he no longer had it. Although he has an immaculate le mans rs in 53cm but a bit pricey at 350$. Thanks KonAaron Snake. That is so very kind of you. I will send you a pm.

Website? Do tell...

What he said...

website is hbbikeshop.com. Hey Realestvin7 can you pm me pics of the nishiki international? And did you have a 52cm ironman? Thanks.

Everyone's probably seen the International already, so I'll throw a few pics in here. Don't let the pictures deceive you. It is definitely a legit frame. As for an Ironman, I have access to a 54 or 52cm and a 52 or 50cm. I can't remember.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...s/Bikes168.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...s/Bikes171.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...s/Bikes170.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...s/Bikes173.jpg

Not to intrude but if you're in SoCal you can check this out. I have one similar (Competition) and they're beautiful:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...216746517.html
Vintage Road bike Raleigh Super Course RacingUSA Chrome fork&Stays - $260 (Westwood)

Date: 2011-02-15, 5:17PM PST
Reply to: sale-edw6e-2216746517@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

For sale is a really beautiful 50cm (good for people of about 5 foot 3 inches to 5 foot 7 inches) 1984 raleigh racing USA super course road bike. Road bike is in great condition and everything is original except the seat and handle bar grip tape. The bike has shimano 600 golden arrow front and rear derailleurs and shifters. Alloy 700c wheelset. Raleigh 555sl Tubing which is apparently Reynolds. Sugino omega crank that has Raleigh embedded into it. Brakeset is aero gran compe ac300g. Asking for 260$. Bike rides smooth, shifts smoothly, and is fast. Ready to ride. Email or text only (408) 461-5748. If posting is still up, bike is still available.
http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/...ighoutside.jpg

I was going to get that Elite RS as well for $250. He said he might be able to sell it to me without the wheels. I wanted to get it so I can put really slick Honjo fenders on it and ride in bad weather (like we get that down here in SoCal). Sometimes we do...like today!!!!

hbbikeshop.com
Click on the right hand side for bikes. And he has them sorted out from sizes and batches from 250 above and 250 below. He has pretty good pictures of bikes but only on the crank side profile. But big enough pictures to see everything. He's not a shop, I think you need to call him up so he can show you what he has.

I'd ride that bad boy the way it is!!! That's got a lot of character to it.

I would consider that, too, if it were a 56. I wanted to keep it around for the GF, but she's indifferent about it.