Build dilemmas
 

Well as this is a build dilemma thread I'll move on, I'm eyeing my 84 and a half miyata ridge runner now... possible 27" fixed gear conversion, possible 26" gravel grinder/all arounder... I don't really have an active mtb atm as my GT is wearing 2 inch slicks and rides like a dream, but I need something for mud and gravel! I've also got a nice late 90's dual suspension frame but I never ride any real technical trails.

If I did build it up as an offroader here's a short list:

Ultegra Triple (6500) crankset, 5500 BB
STX hubs laced to kinlin rims (8 speed currently, but IIRC it's an easy swap to 9 speed?)
Deore XT RD (8 or 9 speed era, not entirely sure)
Modern Deore top or bottom pull triple FD
I've got both mini v's and full v's
What I don't have is 9 speed integrated braking levers (v-brakes)
Assorted stems/bars/saddles/seatposts to match up to a good fit

If I did the FG conversion another short list:

27" fixed gear wheelset
Early 90's campy cartridge BB
Super Maxy crankset (small ring removed)
Early 90's trek 700c fork to correct geometry (fork also has clearance for the 27" wheelset)
Campy Centaur front brake (modern), other brake options are available.
Assorted stems/bars/saddles/seatposts to match up to a good fit

So what would C&V do? (for clarification, a very nice tange mtb frameset is returning to me soon, so using a nice frameset like this for a 27" conversion wouldn't be the end of my mtb's)




OLD FIRST POST
So here's where it sits, since the death of my previous raleigh I've been planning to move it's 6500 ultegra group onto my 1984 Centurion Turbo, in a fit of madness I fitted the group onto my 1988 Schwinn Premis.. and despite consulting with the illustrious Robbie Tunes about the centurion build I have this nagging feeling I might not want to change up the Turbo at all... it rides soooooooo nice as it is. Not to mention the 6500 group looks gorgeous on the Premis right down to the wheel anodizing popping with the paint scheme. So here's my thoughts.. I can either transplant the drivetrain whole onto the Turbo, or leave it unmolested.. both are excellent riders so it comes down to a matter of aesthetics.

So what would you do? Here's a crappy pic to help your thoughts.
https://scontent-2.2914.fna.fbcdn.ne...c4&oe=5495C99D

Both bikes in the pic look great, I recommend leaving as is, but then I can never resist switching stuff around, tinkering with my latest greatest finds.

Which frame fits better? Which set of components do you like more?

Leave as-is is a fine option. Or put the components that suit you onto the frame that suits you.

Assume both bikes are excellent riders and have almost identical fitments. Go ahead and just judge by looks.

Tough to tell - my phone takes similar pictures. Scratched lens? (that's a neutral comment btw). The Schwinn does look very nice as-is. So does the Centurion. Very different from one another - which is a good thing. All else being equal, I'd say the looks are working in both cases and to leave 'em.

Those bikes appear to be quite different sizes - am I correct? If so, I am not the only one who is riding 21" to 23" frames (I used to ride 25" - 23" before age shrank me).

It has some exposure issues etc, it's an 8mp no lens scratch etc.. in just perfect conditions it does take gorgeous pics, but as I take pics on the fly they come out horrible.

You nailed my range, and a lot depends on geometry.. the centurion also looks bigger than it is, it's a 55(22) by old centurion measurements not 23.

You want the light coming from behind you, for better detail on the bike (or any subject) The way you have stuff backlit (subject between the camera and the source of light) is fine for artistic effect, but lousy for actually seeing the subject clearly.

Leave the Turbo be, but then:
Cinelli polished stem w/Cinelli bars
26.8 fluted seatpost with black flutes
Silver VeloCals

It will resemble a black revolver with a polished trigger, hammer, and sights. Real road weaponry.

...not that I've thought much about it....

I don't have much in the way of thoughts... how are you healing up?

Yeah, what he said :)

I can't say much about either bike as I don't have any experience with which to make an informed suggestion. I'm sure you'll figure it out in the end!

Hope you're doing better.

DD

You said it comes down to aesthetics...leave them as is...both are great looking!

I really really like that idea, just a few details though. Need to do the tange decals as well frame/fork, and IIRC the seatpost is 27.2 not 26.8 on the Turbo.
At about 99.99999999999999999999999% Ear cartilage is apparently a slow healer, but it's just an annoyance (side sleeper)
Thank you both for your thoughts.
Pretty much, but Robbie's suggestion for minor changes is quite drool worthy.

Is it just the angle the bike is leaning at, or does the Premis have a very shallow head tube angle?

Angle, looking at the pic I wish I'd actually propped it up. It's racing geometry from the late 80's steep steep steep.

.
...the path of least resistance holds much appeal for me.

Wise advice sifu.

Two quick thoughts:

1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. (Which means if you like the Centurion and you can't easily "make it better", then ride it as-is.)
2. You don't have enough bikes. (Which means you can ride both of them. Not at the same time though.)

Well as this is a build dilemma thread I'll move on, I'm eyeing my 84 and a half miyata ridge runner now... possible 27" fixed gear conversion, possible 26" gravel grinder/all arounder... I don't really have an active mtb atm as my GT is wearing 2 inch slicks and rides like a dream, but I need something for mud and gravel! I've also got a nice late 90's dual suspension frame but I never ride any real technical trails.

If I did build it up as an offroader here's a short list:

Ultegra Triple (6500) crankset, 5500 BB
STX hubs laced to kinlin rims (8 speed currently, but IIRC it's an easy swap to 9 speed?)
Deore XT RD (8 or 9 speed era, not entirely sure)
Modern Deore top or bottom pull triple FD
I've got both mini v's and full v's
What I don't have is 9 speed integrated braking levers (v-brakes)
Assorted stems/bars/saddles/seatposts to match up to a good fit

If I did the FG conversion another short list:

27" fixed gear wheelset
Early 90's campy cartridge BB
Super Maxy crankset (small ring removed)
Early 90's trek 700c fork to correct geometry (fork also has clearance for the 27" wheelset)
Campy Centaur front brake (modern), other brake options are available.
Assorted stems/bars/saddles/seatposts to match up to a good fit

So what would C&V do? (for clarification, a very nice tange mtb frameset is returning to me soon, so using a nice frameset like this for a 27" conversion wouldn't be the end of my mtb's)

Just going by looks, the black bike is much bigger than the other one. So, which one fits you better?

The smaller one has a very compact cockpit on a short headtube - 51 cm c-c? I can't see how it would be a good fit for the same guy who rides the black one, which I guess is 57 cm c-c. At least not without a sky-high seatpost on the short one and a very French-looking fit on the larger one. Assuming one needs the same saddle to pedal height and saddle to hood reach on both bikes.

53 and 1/2 CC IIRC, the shot has a terrible angle the stem is longer than it appears and the flats are definitely not butted up to the center of the stem. I'm fairly flexible and have odd fit proportions, in theory if I could have the top tube of the black bike, the seat tube of the silver one combined with the same angles.. I'd have a dreamy bike. My leader actually is almost those exact measurements, so between my odd sizing and the odd picture I think you were just fooled, great looking out though thanks.

How can the two bikes in the pic have identical fit? They both seem to have brifters already so I fail to see what good a component swap will be.

Those two bikes were resolved, and the premis has a much longer stem. The difference was tri-color 600, and 6500 ultegra.

On the aesthetics front, I have slowly migrated to a handful of groups: DA 7400 STI, 600 6400 STI, and late 1980s Superbe Pro. On the MTB front, I really like the late 1980s/early 1990s Deore XT.

The stuff that does not fall into these groups tends to get sold off. So its not so much a matter of what parts I currently have. Parts in hand can be converted into the group of my choice pretty easily.

I am not a fan of the 6500 group.

That makes one look bigger than the other? I had no idea.