Post your Centurion Ironman.. For the love of 80s paint jobs!
05-29-22, 09:45 AM
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I’ve been looking at that Turbo for a while. What do you think the top tube measures CTC? Same seller has/had a SemiPro too—also tall.
BTW, I put some 28mm GP4000s on my 85 for commuting duty and they make the broken cement sections a non issue. I fantasize about robbing my son’s 89 Expert of his 6500 dual pivots and breaking out my NOS non aero SLR levers to have the very finest friction shifting 6 speed long distance road bike ever.
BTW, I put some 28mm GP4000s on my 85 for commuting duty and they make the broken cement sections a non issue. I fantasize about robbing my son’s 89 Expert of his 6500 dual pivots and breaking out my NOS non aero SLR levers to have the very finest friction shifting 6 speed long distance road bike ever.
I've got those 2 Turbos, an 85/6 red/white IM and an 87 Asian market Expert. The Asian IM has a lugged fork and appears to be more similar in construction to my 85 Prestige. Also have an 84 Lotus Legend Compe with Columbus SL. All are 56cm except for the Prestige.(54) Also have an 83 54 SR Semi Pro Tange 2, 90/91 Team Miyata and a 72 Crescent 531. 82 Trek with Ishiwata 022. Never ridden a Cinelli Equipe. Next post.
05-29-22, 10:07 AM
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Bear in mind that I'm 5'8" 200ish depending on the time/day. If we have a line in the middle, the bikes in the post above kind of fall into two groups slightly on each side of the line. One side trends towards feeling beefy and stiff. The other towards light and springy. The two groups are:
Light and springy
85 Prestige, 87 IM, 84 Lotus Legend , 72 Crescent and the Trek.
Beefy and stiff
the 2 Turbos, the SR Semi Pro and the Team Miyata.
The 85/6 red/white IM comes closest to straddling the line.
Light and springy
85 Prestige, 87 IM, 84 Lotus Legend , 72 Crescent and the Trek.
Beefy and stiff
the 2 Turbos, the SR Semi Pro and the Team Miyata.
The 85/6 red/white IM comes closest to straddling the line.
05-29-22, 10:26 AM
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I've ridden all of those bikes with the exception of the Prestige, Team Miyata and Trek on the Storming Of Thunder Ridge ride. If you look at the ride, it's a great all around test of a bike. The only thing I noticed is that the Lotus requires more attention when climbing. It wants to dive one way or the other. 2 IMs, Crescent and the SR are are a little more "no hands on the bars while pedaling" stable. The pure racers are slightly more racey. The real surprise was the Tange 2 SR SemiPro. It's close to the Turbos, but with DO eyelets. It makes me think the real sleepers are the Centurion Elite and Lemans.
05-29-22, 01:34 PM
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The Turbos were sized in inches. My 24” 84 had a 57cm CTC top tube which is perfect for me on many bikes and I put many miles on it including Eroica CA but I convinced myself that I had a surplus of racing bikes and let it go as being a bit too tall. Top tubes can vary on the early Nice Centurions. My First 86 was a 62 that had a 57cm TT. My second 86 was a 58 with a 56.5 TT. My current 85 is a 60 with a 57cm TT. That blue Turbo above is too tall for me as a racer but I was wondering…
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05-29-22, 05:09 PM
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05-29-22, 05:22 PM
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I'm a lucky feller. The black one was given to me by a former forum member. An outstanding person that did more for the cycling community than any other person I know of. A real ambassador for the sport. Maybe one of these days, he'll rise like a Phoenix and return. The forum would certainly be better for it. Stranger things have happened.
Last edited by seypat; 05-29-22 at 05:34 PM.
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05-29-22, 05:29 PM
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I haven't really had the acquisition itch lately, but if I did I'd be looking for a Cinelli Equipe. One of the prototypes with the red or blue paint would be nice. Or a standard one, I'm not picky. 
05-29-22, 05:46 PM
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One version of the IM that I never see is the solid red one. When my son was in Scouts, another parent had one. He was a tall guy, so it was a big frame. That's might be the only one I've seen. Any particular reason why?
05-29-22, 08:29 PM
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There goes another one.
And another.
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05-30-22, 07:52 AM
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Here are a couple that got powdercoated, re-decaled and refurbished a few years ago (bottom one with DA 7400!):
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05-31-22, 06:52 AM
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05-31-22, 07:00 AM
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So, we’re the red ones 1988 or 1989?
1988 would have the squiggles, did 1989?
Was the lettering black or white?
Is there a magic combination of colors and scheme that says “Ironman” more emphatically?
Or does it all combine to reflect the 80’s?
Does the Ironman bridge the competitive quality across the board of the mid-80’s steel with the funky colorization of the later 80’s, only to be disrupted by the brute of the MTB movement ?
05-31-22, 08:01 AM
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Beauty
So, we’re the red ones 1988 or 1989?
1988 would have the squiggles, did 1989?
Was the lettering black or white?
Is there a magic combination of colors and scheme that says “Ironman” more emphatically?
Or does it all combine to reflect the 80’s?
Does the Ironman bridge the competitive quality across the board of the mid-80’s steel with the funky colorization of the later 80’s, only to be disrupted by the brute of the MTB movement ?
So, we’re the red ones 1988 or 1989?
1988 would have the squiggles, did 1989?
Was the lettering black or white?
Is there a magic combination of colors and scheme that says “Ironman” more emphatically?
Or does it all combine to reflect the 80’s?
Does the Ironman bridge the competitive quality across the board of the mid-80’s steel with the funky colorization of the later 80’s, only to be disrupted by the brute of the MTB movement ?
Last edited by seypat; 05-31-22 at 08:06 AM.
05-31-22, 08:05 AM
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Here's one. Post 1068 of the Centurion Serial Database thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...html?styleid=6
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...html?styleid=6
05-31-22, 08:41 AM
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Beauty
So, we’re the red ones 1988 or 1989? '89
1988 would have the squiggles, did 1989? No
Was the lettering black or white? On which one?
Is there a magic combination of colors and scheme that says “Ironman” more ? Maybe.
Or does it all combine to reflect the 80’s? Probably.
Does the Ironman bridge the competitive quality across the board of the mid-80’s steel with the funky colorization of the later 80’s, only to be disrupted by the brute of the MTB movement ? Succinctly stated! Opinions vary, but...Yes.
So, we’re the red ones 1988 or 1989? '89
1988 would have the squiggles, did 1989? No
Was the lettering black or white? On which one?
Is there a magic combination of colors and scheme that says “Ironman” more ? Maybe.
Or does it all combine to reflect the 80’s? Probably.
Does the Ironman bridge the competitive quality across the board of the mid-80’s steel with the funky colorization of the later 80’s, only to be disrupted by the brute of the MTB movement ? Succinctly stated! Opinions vary, but...Yes.
I think it's safe to say the Miami Vice is the most recognized but is it the best representative?
BBB, Me thinks you got what it takes.
Last edited by texaspandj; 05-31-22 at 08:44 AM.
05-31-22, 10:06 AM
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So, white lettering. I would have guessed black.
And 1989, single pivot tricolor.
I would have guessed dual pivot tricolor, but I think that came out with the STI tricolor group.
Near the post #1068, I saw this. Reportedly, 47cm. Full 700 front/rear. Same colors as the Terry spec Ironman, but no upgrade issues with 24" wheels.
I could see a 5800 11-speed upgrade on that. Especially since I just found a set of DA9000 hubs in 32h.
And 1989, single pivot tricolor.
I would have guessed dual pivot tricolor, but I think that came out with the STI tricolor group.
Near the post #1068, I saw this. Reportedly, 47cm. Full 700 front/rear. Same colors as the Terry spec Ironman, but no upgrade issues with 24" wheels.
I could see a 5800 11-speed upgrade on that. Especially since I just found a set of DA9000 hubs in 32h.
05-31-22, 07:38 PM
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So, white lettering. I would have guessed black.
And 1989, single pivot tricolor.
I would have guessed dual pivot tricolor, but I think that came out with the STI tricolor group.
Near the post #1068, I saw this. Reportedly, 47cm. Full 700 front/rear. Same colors as the Terry spec Ironman, but no upgrade issues with 24" wheels.
I could see a 5800 11-speed upgrade on that. Especially since I just found a set of DA9000 hubs in 32h.
And 1989, single pivot tricolor.
I would have guessed dual pivot tricolor, but I think that came out with the STI tricolor group.
Near the post #1068, I saw this. Reportedly, 47cm. Full 700 front/rear. Same colors as the Terry spec Ironman, but no upgrade issues with 24" wheels.
I could see a 5800 11-speed upgrade on that. Especially since I just found a set of DA9000 hubs in 32h.
05-31-22, 07:40 PM
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05-31-22, 07:50 PM
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Tough question. We're talking the everyman, weekend warrior, the privateer. The candy apple red is probably the prettiest, so not that one. The loud paint came once the train was rolling. The red 89 is really nice, but too rare. The black also came late. That leaves the gray/silver 85 that has a shiny group and some color in the decals. All business with some flair. That would be my pick. If that one has the same colors as the 85 Prestige, one of the colors(the fork) is like a pewter.
Last edited by seypat; 05-31-22 at 07:59 PM.
05-31-22, 08:03 PM
Peugeot PSV10 or somethin
I like the build, except... no offense intended but I'd like to find you a nicer derailleur
First time out of the neighborhood. I am honestly impressed at the ride quality. Not even kind of twitchy with my stubby stem. Enjoying the 1x7 setup so far 42/11-28. I think the DRIFT MANIAC freewheels on Amazon are worth a look if you want more range. 28t was necessary climbing out of the valley and 11t was necessary blazing on down but happy with the range. This lowland East coaster native will continue to dodge front derailleur changes for now even now in the rolling hills of bourbon country. Ride er till she bucks ya I suppose.
05-31-22, 08:04 PM
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06-01-22, 06:32 AM
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Tough question. We're talking the everyman, weekend warrior, the privateer. The candy apple red is probably the prettiest, so not that one. The loud paint came once the train was rolling. The red 89 is really nice, but too rare. The black also came late. That leaves the gray/silver 85 that has a shiny group and some color in the decals. All business with some flair. That would be my pick. If that one has the same colors as the 85 Prestige, one of the colors(the fork) is like a pewter.
It will be back.
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06-01-22, 06:38 AM
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06-01-22, 10:39 AM
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06-01-22, 11:15 AM
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1985 for sale
I have posted my 85 Ironman on the sales sub forum in case anyone is interested.