Centurion Elite rebuild. Warning: Lot's of pictures
04-20-08 | 10:35 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Jet Jockey
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,941
Likes: 30
From: St. Paul, MN
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Nashbar X-frame bike, Bike Friday Haul-a-Day, Surly Pugsley.
Centurion Elite rebuild. Warning: Lot's of pictures
I've written about it here a few times, and I've asked you guys lots of questions. And now she's done...went for the first ride today.
What a fantastic bike. She weighs in at 23 lbs...lighter than the 30 lb aluminum cyclocross bike I commute on. The seven lbs plus the road geometry made the bike feel like I had an extra spring in my pedal stroke. And the 4130 Cro-Moly lugged steel frame rides oh so nice. I'm a believer now.
I didn't go "period correct" on the restoration. For starters, I stripped and powdercoated. I tried to color match, but the color I got is a little more blue than the original color...which leans more towards metallic. I cleaned up most of the original drivetrain pieces though, including the Suntour Symmetric shifters, and the Cyclone Mk II derailers.
The cockpit has been refitted with a Nitto Noodle, and a Nitto stem. All attached to a 105 headset.
The crank...well, that was a bit of a coup. The LBS where I ordered the parts couldn't find the Sugino crank that I requested to replace the boat anchor that the bike originally came with. So the shop owner instead supplied me with a 105 compact double with outboard bearings...at cost! I LOVE these new Shimano cranks, both looks and function...so I simply smiled at my good fortune and the amazing deal he gave me.
Well, I've rambled enough. Now for some before and after pictures.
Oh, and just because:
What a fantastic bike. She weighs in at 23 lbs...lighter than the 30 lb aluminum cyclocross bike I commute on. The seven lbs plus the road geometry made the bike feel like I had an extra spring in my pedal stroke. And the 4130 Cro-Moly lugged steel frame rides oh so nice. I'm a believer now.
I didn't go "period correct" on the restoration. For starters, I stripped and powdercoated. I tried to color match, but the color I got is a little more blue than the original color...which leans more towards metallic. I cleaned up most of the original drivetrain pieces though, including the Suntour Symmetric shifters, and the Cyclone Mk II derailers.
The cockpit has been refitted with a Nitto Noodle, and a Nitto stem. All attached to a 105 headset.
The crank...well, that was a bit of a coup. The LBS where I ordered the parts couldn't find the Sugino crank that I requested to replace the boat anchor that the bike originally came with. So the shop owner instead supplied me with a 105 compact double with outboard bearings...at cost! I LOVE these new Shimano cranks, both looks and function...so I simply smiled at my good fortune and the amazing deal he gave me.
Well, I've rambled enough. Now for some before and after pictures.
Oh, and just because:
__________________
Good night...and good luck
Good night...and good luck
04-21-08 | 07:44 AM
#3
Wear a helmet
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, UK
Bikes: 1975 Dawes Super Galaxy 531 tubes, 1998 Condor Squadra
Thats really nice, I guess the weight saving are probably mostly from the wheels and cranks plus the frame is quite light as well. What wheels are you using, Mavic something? And is that a cassette or freewheel/hub set up? Thanks for showing!
Sam
Sam
04-21-08 | 08:10 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 933
From: In transit
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Great project and thanks for all the pics. Nice look and I bet it rides like a dream. Congrats!
04-21-08 | 08:43 AM
#5
Texas Sec. 545.401
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: DFW, TEXAS
It looks good! Thanks for the photos.
It's nice to see a bicycle uncluttered from stickers. I don't understand why others fret so much on replacement stickers when the de-badged is much cleaner.
"Calvin Klein’s no friend of mine, don’t want nobody's name on my behind.”
It's nice to see a bicycle uncluttered from stickers. I don't understand why others fret so much on replacement stickers when the de-badged is much cleaner.
"Calvin Klein’s no friend of mine, don’t want nobody's name on my behind.”
04-21-08 | 09:07 AM
#6
Thread Starter
Jet Jockey
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,941
Likes: 30
From: St. Paul, MN
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Nashbar X-frame bike, Bike Friday Haul-a-Day, Surly Pugsley.
Mike,
The crank does stand out...but I LOVE the sleek look of the new Shimano HT II cranks...so even if it is a juxtaposition, I don't mind. Funny enough, an XD is what I tried to order...but when he couldn't find one in time for my trip to see him (I have to drive 170 miles) he did the next best thing: a 105 crank at cost. I couldn't be happier!
Ashley,
Not quite as fast...but that's the rider's fault, not the bike's.
. No regrets on the crank...as stated above, I love it, and the compact double (34/50) is a versatile gearing choice. The new external bearing designs are so simple and elegant...I wonder why no one thought of it ages ago. If I go to Japan, it will most certainly go with me!
Sam,
The crank and wheels trimmed a lot of weight. The hubs are old Mavic, and that's a six speed freewheel on there. The rims are Mavic CXP-22. I wanted to go with Open Pros...but I already had the CXP-22s in my garage from a previous project, and if I didn't use them my wife wouldn't have let me live to finish this project.
poprad,
She does ride like a dream. I went out on about a 5 mile initial ride yesterday afternoon, stopping by various friends' houses to show it off. It really does seem to ride faster than my cyclocross bike...quicker to accelerate, and I can pedal uphill in "deeper" gears than I ever do on my cyclocross bike. And it holds a steady line through a fast corner so much better.
Rammer,
I really like the simple look of no logos as well. My riding buddy who has an old Bridgestone 550 was VERY complimentary of the elegant simplicity, and advised me on the spot to keep it that way and not seek out any decals. (Not that I had planned to!)
This was a fun project, and I can't wait to ride it some more. You guys in the C&V forum were very helpful in completing it...this is my first classic bike, and I'm glad not only for the bike itself, but because it brought me into this very interesting forum; a place I had regretfully avoided before this frame landed in my lap.
Now I browse the forum sometimes to simply look at everyones pictures. I've definitely developed a love for vintage bikes now.
The crank does stand out...but I LOVE the sleek look of the new Shimano HT II cranks...so even if it is a juxtaposition, I don't mind. Funny enough, an XD is what I tried to order...but when he couldn't find one in time for my trip to see him (I have to drive 170 miles) he did the next best thing: a 105 crank at cost. I couldn't be happier!
Ashley,
Not quite as fast...but that's the rider's fault, not the bike's.
. No regrets on the crank...as stated above, I love it, and the compact double (34/50) is a versatile gearing choice. The new external bearing designs are so simple and elegant...I wonder why no one thought of it ages ago. If I go to Japan, it will most certainly go with me!Sam,
The crank and wheels trimmed a lot of weight. The hubs are old Mavic, and that's a six speed freewheel on there. The rims are Mavic CXP-22. I wanted to go with Open Pros...but I already had the CXP-22s in my garage from a previous project, and if I didn't use them my wife wouldn't have let me live to finish this project.
poprad,
She does ride like a dream. I went out on about a 5 mile initial ride yesterday afternoon, stopping by various friends' houses to show it off. It really does seem to ride faster than my cyclocross bike...quicker to accelerate, and I can pedal uphill in "deeper" gears than I ever do on my cyclocross bike. And it holds a steady line through a fast corner so much better.
Rammer,
I really like the simple look of no logos as well. My riding buddy who has an old Bridgestone 550 was VERY complimentary of the elegant simplicity, and advised me on the spot to keep it that way and not seek out any decals. (Not that I had planned to!)
This was a fun project, and I can't wait to ride it some more. You guys in the C&V forum were very helpful in completing it...this is my first classic bike, and I'm glad not only for the bike itself, but because it brought me into this very interesting forum; a place I had regretfully avoided before this frame landed in my lap.
Now I browse the forum sometimes to simply look at everyones pictures. I've definitely developed a love for vintage bikes now.
__________________
Good night...and good luck
Good night...and good luck
05-31-08 | 08:43 PM
#8
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,462
Hi Banzai,
.
Love that color too. What a transformation!
.
I know that's the original seatpost. I've got that same
fluted, graduated model on two of my Centurions. I
haven't a clue what real need one would have for the
graduations but one person suggested it would come in
handy when trout fishing to measure your catch to make
sure it is legal. In any case, they came with many
Centurion models of the mid-80s and I like the look of
them.
.
.
Love that color too. What a transformation!
.
I know that's the original seatpost. I've got that same
fluted, graduated model on two of my Centurions. I
haven't a clue what real need one would have for the
graduations but one person suggested it would come in
handy when trout fishing to measure your catch to make
sure it is legal. In any case, they came with many
Centurion models of the mid-80s and I like the look of
them.
.
Oh, that's right, you have girls....well, if you had teenage boys, this would be a given.
If I find my Ironman seats moved down one more time...I'm gonna make him ride a pink mixte.
08-23-10 | 09:12 AM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 2
From: Central NJ
Bikes: MGX MTB, Fuji Supreme, Miyata 90 and a Trek 700 in the works
Hello
Awesome rebuild. Did you touch up the paint in the rusty spots or was it completely painted. Wonder how rust spots are touched up. I am trying to rebuild a Fuji Supreme.
Thanks
Awesome rebuild. Did you touch up the paint in the rusty spots or was it completely painted. Wonder how rust spots are touched up. I am trying to rebuild a Fuji Supreme.
Thanks
