What Frame On My Centurion Elite?
 

Or if someone has a link for me :)

Just wondering if this 1980 has other than "Hi-Ten"? Love the feel of the bike. Perhaps Tange in the lower forms? If pics or serial is needed I'll gladly post when I get home. The bike is lighter at 58cm it is much lighter than my Hi-Ten framed Super Mirage of short stature and similar equippe.

Thanx!

Elite tubing...
 

My circa '79 catalog has a Super Elite listing, number 3 in
the lineup after the Semi_Pro and Pro_Tour models. Its
frame and fork are all Tange Champion CrMo but it doesn't
specify Number 1 or Number 2. But the total weight of the
bike is listed as 22.5lbs, about the same as my '84 Comp
TA, which is Tange Champion Number 2 CrMo (all 8 tubes).
.
So I would guess that your later Elite is Tange Champion 2
CrMo too if it is around 22lbs give or take a little for
size variations. Catalog weights seem to be for 54cm frames.
.
If your frame were all Hi-Ten, I would guess your bike's total
weight would be 24lbs or more. Yours could be mix of CrMo/HiTen.
.
You can find full specs and weight for the '84 Elite at:
www.sheldonbrown.com/centurion
.
At the end of my article, you will find scans of the catalog
and a page of complete specs for all '84 models. The Elite
seemed to get better year on year as most models did and
was a nice bike for sure.
.
Read through the rest of the catalog as there is a lot of good
general information on Centurion models like frame materials,
its great paintwork, differing geometry, et al.
.
Good luck!
.
PS - The Super Elite of '79 was discontinued at some point.
The Elite RS and Elite GT seemed to carry on in the '80s for
awhile. The Super Elite's specs could be better than the
later Elite RS but usually models got better year on year.
.

Most helpful, thanx. After weighing (crude, but I'm not a pro) in my shope with the bath scales it looks to be 24lbs. For a "general" model it seems to have a racing feel to it in spite of the heavy tires.

The 1979 Centurion Elite was a Tange #5 main triangle with hi-tensile stays and forks. It was advertised at 25 lbs. Given the one year difference in production and only slight difference in weight, the OP's frame probably uses the same frame materials.

All dated components are showing '79 so most likely what it is. Interesting frame, though. With a 23" frame, the top tube is only 20" measuring between stem and post. That is more of an entry level race geometry and very tight for a 23"er.

The 25lbs I had posted as the bike's weight includes the big 27x1.25 wheels with schraeder valves. When changing to a 700c wheel and lighter tires one could easily drop 2lbs overall. Also, the barcon shifters may have added some weight with the steel outer cables (definately not for weight weenies).

I have an extra set of 700's with lightweight 23's that are going on this bike. Though it is at the upper reach of my frame size, I love the feel.

Just here to confirm a 1980 model Centurion Elite has Tange #5 tubing.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post14068928

1980's models serial # started with an N.

Ok, that would confirm this one as a 1980. Thanx!