Hi all, i'm trying to decide between a few bikes i've found for sale. I'm looking at a 1976 Centurion Super LeMans for $175 and a 1989 Club Fuji for $150. I'm pretty new to bikes in general, so if you could give me a brief overview that'd be great. Serviceability and and ride quality are mostly what i'm interested in. And also if they're priced reasonably. Thanks!

Most important is the size of the bikes. If they are the wrong size for you, the relative cost doesn't matter. Check here for sizing guidance. However, if they both fit, unless there is something wrong with the Fuji, it's your better bet.

The big difference is that the Fuji will have indexed shifting while the Centurion will not. Indexing broke in around '86-'87 and as widespread by '89.

I'd choose the Fuji over the Centurion, if only because Centurion is a ridiculous name for a Japanese bike.

Without quality pics and your location, no idea if the prices are reasonable or not. Bike values are all about condition, it makes a huge difference. In general, good deals don't last long enough for an answer to: "Hey is this a good deal?" Getting educated up front allows you to pounce on the very best deals out there.

The only thing unique to either brand is the frame, they both used parts from the same suppliers that sold to everyone in the bike business. In the case of Centurion, they outsourced the entire manufacturing process (does not make their bikes better or worse than anyone else). So serviceability of all the Japanese brands is pretty interchangeable.

In general, bikes progressed quite a bit through the 1980s. So a 1989 bike is going to have some features you will not find on the 1976 bike.

+1 Fit is everything. Assume seller cannot accurately measure size, so that means going to see them and taking a test ride.

Centurion was an American company so perhaps not that ridiculous. I think the late 80s saw some of the finest bicycles produced in Japan, just before it all went aluminum. By 89, Shimano had conquered Sugino with SIS and Hyperglide, and even the components on low-rent entry levels were far superior to mid>uppers from the 70s. Good deals anyway. So, unless that Centurion is collectible, I'd go with the 89 Fuji, especially if its full cromo. That said, I'd take a Lemans RS from 87 over a comparable Fuji, because Cents have more character and less of that Fuji branding silliness. Here's an RS I just got rid of due to size issue.

Hush yore mouth 'dirtdrop', you know better than that.

Given the time frame of the Centurian and that its a Le Mans (low on the pecking order) I would go for the later model Fuji. If the Centurian was mid to late eighties I would go for it in a heartbeat. By the late 80's most all japanese bikes were indexed, and sporting some well made cro-moly tubing as well.

I would pick the Fuji too, depending on size, condition, and if it still available! :-) If all of these conditions are met, I would make an offer at $100. $100 to $150 is not that far away! Thanks!

Flash

Club Fuji's I've seen are all pretty nice, DB tubing and reasonably
Upper middle end (lower high end?) in the Fuji lineup.

Centurion Le Mans, not so much.

If it was 89 vs 89, I'd have to see them and compare condition and components.
However, a 70's Lemans vs. an 89 Club Fuji? No doubt, take the Fuji.

It's more than likely that every single part of the Fuji is superior to it's counterpart on the Centurion.

It just makes sense, 13 years and a whole lot of bike boom later...

Yes, folks, you heard it from me.

I'm a Centurion fan, but I'm not stupid.

much.

Oh Noooo! Robbie! Tell me it isn't you!




PS. +1 for the Fuji

Same here, Club Fuji. I loved mine but it was, alas, too small.



Damn that was a beautiful bike...few years older than the one you're looking at OP.

If it is your size, and in great condition, take the Club Fuji. Nice bike.

I have an '89 Club Fuji. It has SIS index shifting, aero brake levers, and narrow 700c wheels. It also has sportier geometry, since it was originally marketed as a triathilon/entry level race bike. Unless it is a rust bucket, I think the Fuji would be a better buy.

Fit and condition aside, I would go Fuji 100% - it was higher in the line-up, and its initial quality was better, not to mention it was made at a later time, after the bike boom years.

I picked this guy up a little while ago.. currently in the project queue. Might be closer to your size.

Fuji for all these reasons.

I don't think this bike could be set up any better. Beautiful indeed.

This is the first red bike I've ever seen that I like.

Thanks for all your advice. I ended up buying the Fuji. As for the condition it's in pretty good shape. Just needs some cleaning...

Does anyone have any idea where i could get new brake hoods for it? Or what type of brake hoods it has for that matter? Here's the spec sheet for the 1989 Club Fuji (last column) if it helps: https://classicfuji.com/1989_32_Specifications1_Page.htm

Thanks!

you must now post pictures of this bike. make sure to take a picture with the drivetrain side (the one with the derailleur and gears) showing

yeah 1970.. thing must be a boat compared to the fuji

This is one of the few times I'll ever give the thumbs up on a Fuji over a Centurion.

I have a used set of hoods for those levers. PM sent. Phil

bpdcao won't be able to answer your PM because he has fewer than 50 posts. Just sayin'.