Hello,
I'm new to biking and I'm looking at two bikes online that I think would work great for me. I'm hoping to use the bike to get into cycling and hopefully get around to doing some beginner tri's. I will check both the bikes out in person and go for a test ride tomorrow afternoon. They both seem to be my size -- if the fit isn't good, then I won't go for either. If the fit is good and they are both in the great condition, which would be the better bike to go for?

This is all the information I know on the bikes:
(1) Fuji Sagres Mixte (I'm guessing late 70's bike):
12 speed unisex Fuji Sagres with a VALite butted tube frame. It has good components including Sugino Gt crank set & Suntour derailers.

(2) Centurion (maybe the prestige??)
14 speed Diamond Back designed by Centurion. It has a Tange Infinity CRMO frame, Exage 300EX crank set & derailers, Exage Motion brake components, Centurion handle bars, Araya rims & Nashbar Keratec Ceramic Technology 700x23c tires.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks so much.
Alice

The Sagres has some cool lugs and a nice lugged fork. Should be Suntour ARx friction and Sugino, and quite possibly center-pull brakes. I think it's more of a touring bike. By unisex, do you mean mixte? If so, it's a cooler bike, in my book, but with a narrower market if you don't ride it. Likely not newer than 1986 or so.

The Diamondback was the extension of Centurion, which ceased production in 1989. If it's still showing a Centurion decal, it's likely 1990 or 1991. The Exage group was indexed, but that's not saying it's better quality than the Suntour. Tange Infinity would rule out the heavy Interval, and should signify the Expert model, quite possibly a TIG-welded frame. Some early D'back road bikes had lugged frames, but without seeing it, I wouldn't know.

Not to get too far off topic, but the one that fits is the one to buy, if they are different sizes.
Fit is item #1.
Item #2 would be that you are female unless you are an Alice like Mr. Cooper. In that case, the unisex Fuji may be the ticket.
As far as frame, the Centurion is likely lighter. I prefer lugs over TIG-welded frames.
As far as components, in my opinion, the Suntour Arx is smoother and more reliable than the Exage stuff.
However, the Exage stuff is indexed, for no-brainer shifting, at least on the rear cogs.

Welcome to the forum. I'm biased towards Centurions, but if the Fuji is a nice mixte, boy, that could be the ticket.
It's likely older, and heavier, and it's coolness may be well more a topic of debate than fact.

Robbie

Hi Robbie! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! I am a female Alice and I think I'm leaning more towards the Centurion bike as well just because it is a lighter bike. But who knows -- it may be that the Centurion doesn't fit well. We'll see. I'll keep you posted after I see the bikes in person and try them out. If I get either one, I'll be sure to post pictures to share! The Fuji is a mixte.

I really appreciate it!
Thanks,
Alice

if it fits you the Centurion would be more suited to what you're looking to do.

I'm sure there's people out there who do Tri's on Mixte's but probably not too common.

Tange Infinity is a step up from Hi-Ten steel like VALite

That's what I was thinking too. Good to know that the Tange Infinity is a step up from the Hi-Ten steel. I'm getting super excited about checking these bikes out! Thank you for your response!

In regards to fit, being new to cycling, keep in mind that a lot can be adjusted on a bike. How tall are you? What's your inseam? You might want to take a tape measure.

Tange Infinity is several, several steps above.

A mixte is better suited to a recreational ride. And they sell at a premium over a similarly equipped road bike due to limited supply.

Mmmmm, VALite is the same as Hi Ten?

Scott

They are both steel....

VAlite is ... well.. lighter.