I wanted to get a steel bike with Down Tube Shifters a few months ago and I posted on C&V Forum asking about the New Bianchi Campione https://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/steel/campione/ or a New Masi Strada https://www.masibikes.com/bikes/steel/strada-2012

With the suggestion of the members here in particular TheNomad to get a Vintage bike instead and with some upgrades I could build something better, and lighter than the above, I set out to find a suitable bike for my project.

I determined that in order to get an affordable bike for my project i had to go with a TANGE tubing instead of Reynolds or Columbus.

In the end I got a Centurion Lemans that i picked up on CL.

Here is a picture of the seller



When I got the bike, I determined that i wanted to replace most of the components. The RD and FD I decided to sell, as I wanted this new bike to have 10 speeds as opposed to the original 7 it came with.

Here is a picture after i got the bike. It was a White frame with Purple fade.



Here is the frame after I took the parts out



It has Tange 2 tubes, i weighed it, and it weighs 2225 grams (56cm Frame)



The whole bike was about 25 lbs. Much heavier than i anticipated for a Tange 2 Frame bike.

The saddle, seatpost were heavy, so those had to go.

Wheelset was Campagnolo, but hubs were only 126mm, so i got a new set so i can mount a 11-28 10 speed cassette.

Crank, was Biopace, so i also got a compact to better match it up with the rear cogs.

Handlebar is only 39cm, as most vintage bikes are, but I am used to 42cm, so I sourced a new one from Dimension.

Brake levers did not have the hoods, so i got a new set.

Brake calipers are actually only 285 grams a pair, quite light weight, but i needed them to have that little switch to open them up, so the wheels are easy to take out. I actually will be doing a lot of that as i switched my wheels from my main ride to this one, as the set I bought will not arrive until my brother brings them from Taiwan, Nov. 8

Here are a few pictures after i got the frame powder coated to Satin Black, I got the stickers from Velo Cals and I only wanted DT stickers and a Tange 2 decal, didn't want to put too many graphics on this bike.





Thank You to RobbieTunes for the wealth of information he has provided me in my project and also for the color suggestion.

Very nice bike choice. Ask a moderator to fix your title.

Bill

Thanks, if any Mod is reading this, please change Title to "Steel" instead of Steek, thanks.

Done.

Ace bike. Can't wait to see it rolling.

Nice bike and nice job.

BTW, if you want to get rid of the original wheels, I might be interested in them for a commuter.

I have parted out the bike and sold almost everything, I still have the handlebar 39cm, 1 brake lever (left side), the other one was missing the plastic on the top corner. Bottom Bracket and threaded headset, I replaced, so i have the originals.

I still have the pedals and i was able to get some clips and straps for it.

Nice job, I've got a steel bike with a little heavier frame and it's a great ride. Enjoy it - looks good.

Thanks Robbie.

I need to have a bike shop put in the BB cartridge for me, as I don't have the tools for that, after that then mount the crank, chain, FD and RD, Handlebar and Maybe test it this weekend. Don't know if I'll be able to finish it this week.

How is your project on the white bike going?

Here is an update of what the frame looks like. Just installed the Dura Ace 7900 10 speed DT shifters.

Waiting on the coater. Parts, decals are all sitting here.
Sometimes, when I walk by the parts box, I can hear them grumbling.

I'm picking up some DA7900 wheels tomorrow.
I know, they cost more than the bike will ever be worth.
It's a long story.

If I don't like them, I don't have to use them.

But back to your bike. Like Supertramp says "it's coming along..."
Nicely, and with good forethought.

It may be the best looking, best riding Leman RS, ever.
Not to set the bar high, but, you know, just sayin...

That's hot! What wheelset and drivetrain are you installing?

just installed the drop bars, they are 42cm and is not a traditional bend so i really had a hard time slipping them thru the stem. Not really feeling the look right now, but maybe it will grow on me? at least they are exactly the same shape and size as my main ride. I might put the original 39cm bars back, they have a traditional bend and probably will look better with the slim frame tubes. But just thinking about taking them out of the Stem, PITA.

Thanks, that silver decal against the satin black frame is what keeps me looking back at it all the time. I love how CENTURION is in that font.

Drivetrain is 10 speed SRAM 11-28 cassette, FD-5700 and RD-5700 is 105 Black color. As for Wheelset, initially will have to share the Mavic Ksyrium Equipe with my main ride. Crankset will be FSA Vero Compact in Black. But in November it will get its own wheels.

I'll keep on the lookout for some bars. A 3TTT Podium comes to mind.

Ok, finally got the wheelset in and continued my project again.

Here she is almost ready , just needs bar tape, chain, and i need to put the rear wheel in, somehow the wheel could not slide all the way into the frame.

Here she is after a friend of mine who is a bike mechanic helped me put the rear wheels in place, the chain and he even showed me how to put bar tape on. In this picture, i haven't adjusted the seat yet, because i have not ridden the bike yet, just found out my brake set (Tektro 539) is long pull and i need standard reach brake calipers. So i have sourced SRAM Apex calipers, hopefully they will come in this week, so i can test ride her Saturday.

Also, since this bike did not come with a frame pump, i put a Topeak Race Rocket HPX in the same location instead of the original.

Weight of the bike with pedals and without the pump, about 21 lbs. or a few hairs under it.

I may be in the minority here but.... I think for all the time effort and upgrade money that went into this you could have purchased a better bike to start with.

You shaved 4lbs off a 25lbs and I am sure you could have found something closer to your ideal for the same price. The finished bike looks nice but.....

I looked for a steel bike with DT shifters and 20 speeds but I didn't really see any in the $900 price range. so I built my own. my total cost after selling off parts was under $860 for the whole bike.

Let's get a drive side picture! I've always found the ergo bars to look a bit off, until they are wrapped. Then I think that they look great!
Anyways, you should also post a ride report. (when finished, of course)

If I'm not mistaken, the LeMans was midrange, correct?

bike looks sick

i think i remember seeing that on cl. whereabouts did you get the powder coating done? was it in riverside?

One of the best parts of the experience! Plus if you ever find another steel frame you like, you can always transfer parts
not that there is anything wrong with your frame though.

Thank You, yes, Powder coating was in Riverside.

I have to say my reaction after reading your initial post was the same as BG's - why look for the "perfect" bike, buy it, and immediately change everything out? Unless you've ridden enough (and perhaps you have) to appreciate the difference between, say 7-speed freewheel and a 10-speed freehub, then why go through the trouble and expense?

Nice job on the upgrades though.

Yes, it was Midrange, here are the pictures of the drive side and drive train.