Hey I'm totally new to bikes n cycling so I'm always gonna be on here for info haha. Like that annoying kid asking to many questions.alright I'm wondering what the price of a complete centurion bike would be compares to an trek frame. Both of em are 80's I believe 84 n the centurion is a lemans12 while not to sure the model of the trek. I'm just asking for general prices. Complete set vs. Just the frame. I know I have no photos but like I said just would like some general knowledge n info. Thanks for any help.

Not to snub your post request (welcome to the forums, hope you stick around) but how about doing searches on values of both bikes complete. That's the best starting point. Prices will vary according to region and bike condition, of course. You will also find specs that you can compare, that helps with your decision to a degree. When it comes to pricing bare frames, you will discover the challenge of finding what you want in the size you want. The pricing on frames for 80's bikes can be quite affordable for a starting point of a build if you go that route, but finding the nice Columbus or Reynolds 531, Vitus, Tange etc will be more difficult and priced accordingly.

Hope that helps some.

I'll take a flyer on this - now I'm assuming good, not trashed, not NOS either, but just good riders. A complete Lemans 12 should sell for a higher price than a comparable 6xx or lower Trek frame. Now you'll still find [in most cases] that assembling a group and installing it will cost you more than buying a complete bike.

All being equal or close a Trek 6XX series would be a much better bike than a Lemans 12, and a Trek 5XX series would be on at least par. Also in my part of the woods either Trek would move faster and sell for more.

plus all older treks are handmade,centurions are not.The most important thing of all is make sure whatever you get FITS YOU.

Trek imported bikes from Japan even in the early years, and in the late 1980s, imported bikes from Taiwan.

Quote from another thread, from J Thompson: "During the time I was with Trek (1980-1986), only the lower-end 400 series frames were made in Japan. These were shipped unpainted to Waterloo, where they were painted and assembled. The 500 and 600 series frames were made in Waterloo, but the forks and rear triangle assemblies were made in Japan and shipped to Waterloo to be mated with frames, painted &etc. The 700 series (Reylonds 531), 900 series (Columbus), and 170 series (Reynolds 753) frames were built fully in Waterloo."


And from the vintage Trek site:

"FOREIGN-BUILT FRAMES AND BIKES AFTER 1982

1. Three different serial number forms have been submitted for 1983 Trek Model 400 frames. One, marked "made in Japan", begin with JS followed by six numerals. The SN was located on the bottom of the bottom bracket. A second serial number is 81765. According to the Trek-provided SN list, this corresponds to a 22" (22.5") Model 400 frame made in 1983. This SN form is for frames/bikes made in the US The number was marked on the bottom of the bottom bracket. The third number is 403300950, which indicates foreign built, but the nation of origin sticker was missing. This number was marked at the bottom of the down tube. It is likely this 400 was made by the same manufacturer as the 1984 bikes described in the paragraph below. For the 1983 Model 400, it appears Trek used three sources for their frames or complete bikes.
   
   
2. Several 1984 Trek 460s, 420s and 400s have been reported with 9 digit numeric serial numbers stamped on the lower seat tube instead of on the bottom of the bottom bracket. These frames, or complete bikes, apparently were made in Japan by an outside contractor. The numbers submitted are in the range of 401000000 to 440000000.
   
3. An 8 or 9 character alphanumeric code was used for mid- and low-level frames subcontracted in Taiwan. Most of these bikes were labeled "Made in Taiwan". This form of serial number appears to have been used during the period 1987 to 91. The number leads with a T (for Trek?) then a numeral, a letter, then five numerals. Sean Hickey suggested the first numeral is the year of manufacture, and the letter is the month of the year (A - L). This is confirmed by serial numbers that were submitted by other Trek owners."

Y'all don't get ahead of yourselves. He's trying to compare prices on a Trek FRAME to a Centurion complete bike.

That's what I thought.....IIRC, the LeMans was kind of a lower model bike compared with a 600 series Trek. I'd go with the Trek if both bikes are in similar condition.
I'd still go with the Trek if it's just a frame as it has much more potential when built up.

Chombi

There's not enough information to give comparisons or estimates. Trek is a brand, not a model. Centurion was also a brand. Brands (companies) make models ranging from low-priced to high-priced. The question is like asking the difference in value between a Ford and a Toyota, not knowing what model Ford or Toyota. Both brands make cheap and expensive stuff.

Its actually even worse than that, one is a complete bike, the other is just a frame. As I mentioned in your other thread on this dilemma, unless you have the tools/time/aptitude/stash of parts, buying a frameset makes no sense financially (unless its just to resell it at a profit, then if you buy right, it certainly can make sense).

Great info on the older Treks, Thrifty Bill! I learn something new every time I come to this site. Thanks!
I, too, thought that the earlier Treks were hand built, but sounds like just parts of them were, just like a lot of the other bike manufacturers of that era did.

Until about 1980, all Trek frames were hand-built in Waterloo, WI. Starting around 1980, we were unable to keep up with demand, and unpainted frames were imported for the lower-end, high volume models. Forks and rear triangle sub-assemblies for the mid-range models were also imported from Japan. The high-end models were fully built in Waterloo WI.

Owning two '80s Treks and having owned a Centurion LeMans, I'd say they're equal in different ways. My 560 is a fun and fast ride, my 616 is a great all-rounder, and the Centurion is a fun, fast great all-rounder. If I could only have one of the three. I'd have a heck of a time choosing. Honestly, I think a Super LeMans might just get the nod.

Mr Thompson, I didn't know you were involved with Trek in the early days! Please, tell us more!

Agreed! Would love to read more about your experiences with the early treks, Mr. Thompson

If youre totally new to bikes..... I would NOT start out with a frame, aiming to build it up. Get a complete bike first, and mess with that for a while.
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An '84 Lemans can be a lot of different levels. The RS was beautiful, black and silver, with Suntour components, piggy-back ratching shifters, Suzue hubs laced to Araya rims, very nice DC calipers/levers, Road Champion bars on an SR custom stem. Frame was Tange Infinity, I think. That doesn't sound like what you're seeing.

A Super 12, I'm guessing, would be earlier, and I have no idea what the component level would be.

Comparing it to an unknown Trek frame would be simply wasted time. I'd say the Infinity Lemans frame would be similar to a 510 or thereabouts, but not a 531-tubed 560 or higher.

If you're new to it, I agree with the others, get a bike complete. Learn on that, move up if you have to, minor investment for a lot of learning, fitness, and fun.