Centurion vs. Lotus vs. Bridgestone
 

I'm 6'4", ~260 lbs and looking for a commuting bike to replace my broken Bianchi Campione D'Italia 63cm (if you're tempted to suggest that I can reuse those beloved Bianchi components to build up a new bike, alas, I sold them off for too little - lesson learned!).

Locally, there are three options available in my size and I'd like to make an informed choice between them:

• Centurion - boston.craigslist.org/nos/bik/d/stoneham-centurion-elite-rs-shimano-600/6958464666.html
• Lotus - boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/d/cambridge-lotus-10-speed-road-bike/6958486822.html
• Bridgestone - boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/d/cambridge-road-bike-12-speed/6958198099.html

I've been reading for hours on these forums, looking up each bike, but it is harder when I have to compare. I'm also not always sure whether there is something uniquely great or weak about a specific bike.

I welcome your wisdom and a hat tip to @ryansu for guiding me to post on this thread.

https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/bi...958464666.html

https://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_...6_1200x900.jpg

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bi...958486822.html

https://images.craigslist.org/01010_...p_1200x900.jpg


This isn't in the same quality class as the other two.
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bi...958198099.html

I like the Lotus but it needs new brake levers, like maybe these Tektro ones. Tektro RL520 Aero Brake Levers

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/21...g?v=1554921786

Thanks for the tips, @Bianchigirll! I just tried the Bridgestone and the Lotus, and you were right about the quality difference. It was nonetheless interesting to experience the exotic shifting of the Bridgestone.

I have yet to find a bike that has the reach of my beloved first Fuji road bike. Even the 63cm Bianchi only fit properly after an extended Nitto stem was added.

Thanks for your help!

Final decision: option d - none of the above.

I ended up trying all three aforementioned bikes. The Centurion had an impressive reach and was a comfortable bike, it simply wasn't tuned well enough to be worth $325.

In the end, I bought a new 64cm Fuji Touring bike. I'm hoping that it will have similar geometry to my beloved 1980s Fuji.

Thanks for all the help!