im new to commuting[and cycling, really] - 30kms really wakes your ass up in the morning - and i ride a 19 year old bike.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...ommuterguy.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...IMG_8735-1.jpg

thinking about modifying the bike a little for comfort... suggestions?

Well, what's your problem?

For me, raising the handlebars and swapping the seat really helped me with my ride...but then again, all of my bikes use quill stems, so it's a bit easier to get the stems rather high.

Loved my racing cannondale with the cantilever rear end, sharp handling and I never found the ride too harsh. I did put a brooks professional on it though. I don't remember how tight the tire clearance was, might want to see if a 700x28 tire would fit, that would help your comfort. Also looking at your picture with your foot extended like that your saddle looks like it's too high.

THIS is a 19 year old bike!:eek::eek: Good lord man are you living right or what?:eek:

This bike is BEAUTIFUL!!!!:thumb::thumb:

haha


thanks. yea i scored on craigslist. all original never ridden. michelin select skinwalls had the nubbies on them still.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...e/IMG_8329.jpg

and from the 1990 catalogue:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...00_Page_28.jpg

i really love this bike - admittedly tho it does ride a bit brutal.

Whatchoo laughin' at!?

http://www.thenewinternationalsatan..../trek820_1.JPG

'89 Trek Antelope 820 (Made In Taiwan) if I'm reading the serial right. Gettin' tuned up for the commute right now, I just recently moved from an hour long drive to less than a mile away from work. Seems a good time to switch to biking, I'm pretty tired of driving anymore.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i.../Misfit012.jpg
Just got the '79 Trek 930 that used to be my dad's up and running in geared mode. It's not my primary commuter by any means, as there's no room for fenders or tires wider than 25s, but I took an extended ride to work on it this morning and it was good.

^^^Nice 30 year old clunker you have there!

My 1982 Fuji Supreme, which I bought this winter and dolled up a little. Have about 500 commuting miles on it so far.

http://bikes.javazoid.com/images/bik...n_IMG_0445.JPG
http://bikes.javazoid.com/images/bik...n_IMG_0446.JPG
http://bikes.javazoid.com/images/bik...n_IMG_0447.JPG
http://bikes.javazoid.com/images/bik...n_IMG_0448.JPG
http://bikes.javazoid.com/images/bik...n_IMG_0449.JPG

My new SS commuter. It's an '81 Schwinn Le Tour. Lots of fun to ride!

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/5154/letourss.jpg

http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q...dmovies014.jpg

Daily commuter:
1969 Schwinn Collegiate (a 3-speed, these days).
Born in Chicago the year I was born with steel from a mile from my house!

I plan on putting a rack, upright handlebars, and a generator light in this baby, then it'll be ready for commuting duty.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...y/100_0073.jpg

Now THAT is a connection to your bike :thumb:

Those fenders are dreamy.

Yes, where did you get them?

even armed robbers do it:

http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/835064.html

Here she is... a 1978 Raleigh Record Ace.

It's got 27" steel wheels that are in great shape, so I'll keep 'em for now. It had an OEM set of (steel!) riser-bars that I hated, and I think there was a different brake pad from a different manufacturer from a different decade at all four points.

What I've done to it so far:

- Brooks B33 - Man, that's a pretty saddle. Not broken in yet, but my rear has enough "natural" padding where I just want something broad enough to distribute my weight, and take some of the sting out of the bumps. Way more comfortable than the OEM vinyl Brooks saddle the bike came with. I wrap it in a big "Wal-mart" bag at the station, to protect it from the elements and envious eyes. (They're gonna need a 13mm air wrench or a blowtorch to get it off if they want it, tho. Yay, Loc-Tite red!)
- 27" Conti Gatorskins, new tubes, and replacement wheel tape. (Yes, they make Gators in 27-1-1/4 size, and yes, the LBS had 'em!)
- Velo Orange knock-off North Road bars with cork grips, and a "Delta" quill stem the LBS had for $30. Beautiful upright ride, just kick back and spin along...
- Tektro levers, Shimano pads and generic brake cables. (Need to re-do one now that the bars are up higher.)
- Dimension rack - Be careful with these. They come with nice aluminum screws, but they're 4.5mm rather than 5mm - just small enough so they =sort of= screw in, but they make you think the eyelet is stripped. Some less swank replacements from Home Despot in 5mm bolted right in, and tight. Mounted a blinky-LED tail light to it.

To Do:

- Swap out the shifter cables, and move the stem shifter to the top of the new quill.
- New freewheel and chain (I'm keeping the steel pie-plate, tho! Fred 4-eva!)
- Triple crank, and convert the BB to a sealed cartridge while I'm about it.
- 700c conversion (Next winter)
- Strip the frame and rust-proof it with matte-black engine block spraypaint (Next winter)

very nice! like the color,,

well i have not commuted to work for 6 months because i have been out of a job for 6 months!!!,i start a new one monday ,right next door to my old job,crazy huh?,,so it is 3 miles thru the neighborhood or 5 on the bike trail...i even sold my bike a few months ago,so i built up this 86 Centurion in a few days,alot smoother than the 2007 Diamondback that i sold!!!,,"ol,schooler commuters rule':D

Congrats on the job and I'm diggin' the bike. I've been half-heartedly keeping an eye out for a centurion like that...I'm a big fan of the color scheme.

THANKS!!!..I'am soooo ready to get back to work and start riding again this summer....the old CENTURIONS are very smooth rollers for sure,,,i did change the bars to chop and flops,i felt to bunched-up on the others...thanks again

Yep, You can thank that steel frame for that smoothness. :thumb:

Me, I don't need no stinking Aluminum frames. :notamused:

Aluminum rides just fine.

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/q...0/Commuter.jpg