This 86 Centurion Elite RS is in wonderful condition. I believe it to be all original except for the nice Matrix Iso 700c wheelset. Shimano 600 drivetrain & Dia Compe Royal S brakeset. I thought I knew my market well enough to peg a fair selling price for this bike. Keep in mind that Bay Area pricing is 25-50 more than most other markets, so I originally put it on craigs for $285 expecting to get some offers for a little less. Nothing. I then dropped the price to $265. Nothing. I have some experience with writing a good thorough ad and taking good hi-res images, yet I have had zero interest in over 2 months. Other than the color perhaps not being that popular, I'm stumped.

it probably has something to do with the brand.

all the kiddies seem to prefer the french and some japanese brands like fuji and nishiki etc where im from.

if you want a quick sell, put it up for $200 and im sure itll go quick. if you dont mind the waite stay where your at.

i dont know much about centurion other than it was an american importer of japanese made frames, but the parts on it suggests you are at a fair asking price

About mid-season last year, the market here completely dried up.
- Even the brands that are historically most popular here were virtually unsaleable.

This past week, we had a nice warm day, so I posted a really nice bike on CL. No bites at all.

I hope that this is not a harbinger of what's to come, but speaking to my LBS guy the other day, he said sales to joe blow are pretty grim - but the $4-5k bikes are selling well.

Hey! - There's an idea! - maybe we should jack up all the prices to $5000 ?

The above is correct. Unfortunately, looks to be a larger frame. Bikes in the 54-58 cm range are the most popular. I have a theory that a lot of folks buy based on looks. Tall frames look strange, even if it's what you need.

Nice bike. If it was a 58 I'd be happy with it at $265.00

The ST actually measures 59cm ctc. But, my feeling has been that the TT measurement is more important for proper fit and this one measures 57cm ctc which is perfect for my 6' frame. I tend to agree that larger bikes look less attractive, but there are plenty of taller riders out there that need a bike. I've sold several bikes over the past few years and this one is mechanically and finish-wise one of the nicer ones I've tried to sell which is why I'm so puzzled that I haven't gotten one response to date.

Nice bike. The only thing I would add is the bar tape and bottle cage color does nothing for the bike and I would lower the stem a little. Just minor appearance things.

It's funny how one can get lost in the details of the small bits and loose site of the big picture when rebuilding a bike. I think you might be right about the bar tape, but I was getting sick of white, which would have been the obvious choice. None-the-less, that is brand new Cinelli cork. As far as the stem height, the frame geometry of this bike is designed as a more relaxed sport bike, rather than a pure tight race bike like its' cousin the Ironman. So I felt like raising the stem would fit the design. I'm going to put some cheap but new tires on it and lower the stem a bit then repost with new pics.

Black saddle and tires would do it for me.

I've actually tried to sell it in different configurations. This was my first craigs post pic with black saddle. Because those are practically new Michelin Pro 3 tires, I had to jack up the price. In my experience, you will not get your money out of putting expensive parts, like a nice leather saddle or high quality tires, on anything but a top-tier bike.
I will put the black saddle back on it. This will be the 4th time it will be posted.

Well, I put the black saddle back on it and some new Michelin Erilium 2 tires. I'm going to take some new photos and repost it for 260. If it doesn't sell, I'm keeping the damn thing. The bike actually has a very nice ride and fits me, the only reasons I'm selling it is because I don't care for black bikes, and I was hoping to use the money to fund another project. Do you think the red trim on the tires makes any difference?

Rothenfeld1 - If you can't get $260 out of this, KEEP IT!

PS - Actually black bikes are nice: I have one and wish I had more !

I have the same bike, but about 4 years older. Good condition, Vx/Cyclone throughout, and I almost can't give it away.245-225-195...and it is still here. I don't get it either.

It's a good bike at a fair price, and just my size. I would stay the course. Some 6-2 guy will open up CL for the first time and go, "I NEED that bike!" and you'll get close to your ask. Larger frame sizes are that way.

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm going to stay the course. It's just frustrating when you feel like you've done all the right things; made the bike mechanically sound, made a full disclosure description of the bike with detailed photos, and offered it for a very fair price without even a crank low-****** response for 2 months. At least from the comments I've received here, I feel a bit relieved that it isn't something that I've done wrong. (It will not break my heart to keep it. Posting this thread has concentrated my mind on the bike and started me wondering if I 'really' want to part with it.)

I'll give you $50 for it..





feel better? looks like a very nice bike.. if I had the $ I would come pick it up.. but i think everyone is just really broke right now. I know I am.

Thanks, I actually think I do feel better seeing that you are in SJ. My impression was that the economy was getting better. Oh well, I think this thread has run it's course. Great Forum to bike-vent tho. Ahhhhhhhh!

I know the sudden spike in gas prices has got me concerned about the economy again.. though that could be GOOD for bike sales. Another thing right now is the weather has not been good for bike riding.

if you really want it gone, remove all the components, swap in a fixed ss hub and spray paint it bright pink.. then jack up the price! lol

ah yes, that looks much better with the black saddle and red tyres.

it wasnt so good before

........

Red bar tape and housings really pop on a black bike. There is just enough touch of red in the decals (the tubing stickers) to pull it off.

Large size makes sale more difficult. Price is high too, but you are in a better market.

I would repop it a couple of more times, and if that does not work, I would lower price to $235.



Ultimately, the market decides the value. Some of us are seeing prices soften this year.

Lower the stem, raise the seat post, three nice photos against a white wall with similar angles as the ones I have here and you should get $250. For a race bike, you want to make it look fast, forget about fit.

As others have said, Centurion is a brand that we all know here on BF as excellent but you will have to get that across to the buyer so maybe selling the components is a good idea too. "The Shimano 600 components are second only to Shimano's legendary Dura Ace line and were typically used on bikes intended for amateur racers" or something like that, I can't write anything worthwhile until at least my second coffee

Hey, where'd that Vetta suede saddle go? Not in the trash I hope. I love those saddles.

I thought this thread was dead, but since you’ve given me an opening, here’s the vetta on a Lotus that sold for $260 within a week. The Centurion is a much better bike, although the Lotus did have a beautiful blue color.

Well, I relisted it with this photo and a couple close-ups. We’ll see what happens.

That's alot of bike for the money you are asking.

I think it would sell quickly in the Twin Cities, even with our slow CL market.