Road Test/Bike Review (1989) CENTURION Ironman Expert (road; marketed as "tri")
12-10-23, 10:36 AM
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Road Test/Bike Review (1989) CENTURION Ironman Expert (road; marketed as "tri")
Bicycle Guide Aug 1989 ushers in the era of time-trial and aerodynamic innovations integrated with triathlon-centric frame design.
The conventional road frame CENTURION Ironman Expert "Dave Scott" covered in this post was the fifth of the five bikes reviewed in this Bicycle Guide issue.
HOLLAND Desert Princess and QUINTANA ROO Superform were presented here: Road Test/Bike Review (1989) HOLLAND Desert Princess / QUINTANA ROO Superform (tri)
HAMILTON Sattui here: Road Test/Bike Review (1989) HAMILTON Sattui (tri)
TRIMBLE Monocoque here: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...coque-tri.html
The conventional road frame CENTURION Ironman Expert "Dave Scott" covered in this post was the fifth of the five bikes reviewed in this Bicycle Guide issue.
HOLLAND Desert Princess and QUINTANA ROO Superform were presented here: Road Test/Bike Review (1989) HOLLAND Desert Princess / QUINTANA ROO Superform (tri)
HAMILTON Sattui here: Road Test/Bike Review (1989) HAMILTON Sattui (tri)
TRIMBLE Monocoque here: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...coque-tri.html
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12-10-23, 01:20 PM
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I loves me a smoke fade Centurion! One of the defining paint jobs of the late 80s.
And the thing about the Tange vs Suntour bottom brackets and headsets is classic... since Tange made the BBs and headsets for both Suntour and Shimano.
--Shannon
And the thing about the Tange vs Suntour bottom brackets and headsets is classic... since Tange made the BBs and headsets for both Suntour and Shimano.
--Shannon
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12-10-23, 01:46 PM
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I had an all black 89 Ironman Expert for a while. It was too big for me but rode great.
12-10-23, 01:53 PM
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A friend of mine got his from his dad and upgraded it to DA7700 with Mavic Cosmic Carbone Wheels and Fsa carbon crank, he used it in triathlon during many years , he later changed the fork by a time carbon fork and made his bike even lighter. He still races it but in criteriums.
12-10-23, 04:15 PM
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12-10-23, 04:18 PM
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18mm tires .... holy smokes ! I had forgotten that tires cam that narrow and @135psi. I bet they ride like a Flinstone-mobile, no, maybe the Flinstone-mobile rides smoother !
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12-10-23, 04:43 PM
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Yeah, those smoke paint jobs were pretty unique back in the day.
12-10-23, 06:06 PM
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Ode to RobbieTunes!
I had one of these also, another smaller than I liked frame that I still enjoyed for awhile. Did mine right by building it with a much more modern Campagnolo 10 speed Chorus groupset and some Fulcrum Quattro Wheels. The paint on this was close to perfect and I really dug the smoke effect. I'd be tempted by another one of these in my size for sure.
20 lbs 12 ozs with the more modern parts once I also added on some bottle cages.
I also had it's older sibling for awhile.
I had one of these also, another smaller than I liked frame that I still enjoyed for awhile. Did mine right by building it with a much more modern Campagnolo 10 speed Chorus groupset and some Fulcrum Quattro Wheels. The paint on this was close to perfect and I really dug the smoke effect. I'd be tempted by another one of these in my size for sure.
20 lbs 12 ozs with the more modern parts once I also added on some bottle cages.
I also had it's older sibling for awhile.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
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12-10-23, 09:41 PM
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Hey all. I just posted an inquiry about these bikes over at the Road forum and was advised to come on over to this forum. I'm thinking about picking up a good condition Centurion frame (54 cm). I don't know what model it was for or the year, if it matters. One concern is the rear wheel clearance. We're these frames 130 or 126 at the rear? If 126, will this pose some challenges to me in equiping the frame with modern components? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. My buddy had an Ironman back in the 80's and he was in love with it. He made us all a little envious! I had a Schwinn Free Spirit.......
12-11-23, 05:54 AM
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Death fork? Naaaah!!
I had this very bike:
If it had been a size smaller I'd still have it.
Top
If it had been a size smaller I'd still have it.
Top
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
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12-11-23, 07:33 AM
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gorgeous!
12-11-23, 08:11 AM
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Hey all. I just posted an inquiry about these bikes over at the Road forum and was advised to come on over to this forum. I'm thinking about picking up a good condition Centurion frame (54 cm). I don't know what model it was for or the year, if it matters. One concern is the rear wheel clearance. We're these frames 130 or 126 at the rear? If 126, will this pose some challenges to me in equiping the frame with modern components? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. My buddy had an Ironman back in the 80's and he was in love with it. He made us all a little envious! I had a Schwinn Free Spirit.......
Or you can do an Advanced Search for your specific questions. C&V has tons of IM afficionados spreading the love.
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WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
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WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
12-11-23, 08:28 AM
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I found it curious that the tester mentions that this is a preproduction bike and the frame specs don’t match what the production models would have, so handling characteristics on the test bike would be meaningless. Probably wanted to be first to get to press, but only half of a review for purchasers of the era.
12-11-23, 11:36 AM
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I found it curious that the tester mentions that this is a preproduction bike and the frame specs don’t match what the production models would have, so handling characteristics on the test bike would be meaningless. Probably wanted to be first to get to press, but only half of a review for purchasers of the era.
12-11-23, 11:57 AM
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Hey all. I just posted an inquiry about these bikes over at the Road forum and was advised to come on over to this forum. I'm thinking about picking up a good condition Centurion frame (54 cm). I don't know what model it was for or the year, if it matters. One concern is the rear wheel clearance. We're these frames 130 or 126 at the rear? If 126, will this pose some challenges to me in equiping the frame with modern components? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. My buddy had an Ironman back in the 80's and he was in love with it. He made us all a little envious! I had a Schwinn Free Spirit.......
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12-11-23, 02:00 PM
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I believe the ad writer went on to a career with the then-fledgeling The Onion.
Oh now I have to resist the temptation to crop/refine the logo from that ad, print a few copies on label stock, and stick them on the flag arm of some of my large SR/Sakae chainrings from the period......
Oh now I have to resist the temptation to crop/refine the logo from that ad, print a few copies on label stock, and stick them on the flag arm of some of my large SR/Sakae chainrings from the period......
Last edited by madpogue; 12-11-23 at 02:21 PM.
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12-11-23, 02:40 PM
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12-11-23, 02:53 PM
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Thanks. I was thinking about a 10 or 11 cassette. But my research shows that I'd have to "cold set" the rear triangles and then reposition the drop outs. Sound like too big a pain. What I'm thinking is to just pick up a Centurion frame and fit it with period correct gearing. I don't use any more than 4 rear gears, so it really wouldn't be an issue to me if all I had was a 6 gear cassette. I'd just want to equip it with modern shifters. I don't know if I can do that or if it would be too troublesome.
12-12-23, 06:46 AM
#21
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Hey all. I just posted an inquiry about these bikes over at the Road forum and was advised to come on over to this forum. I'm thinking about picking up a good condition Centurion frame (54 cm). I don't know what model it was for or the year, if it matters. One concern is the rear wheel clearance. We're these frames 130 or 126 at the rear? If 126, will this pose some challenges to me in equiping the frame with modern components? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. My buddy had an Ironman back in the 80's and he was in love with it. He made us all a little envious! I had a Schwinn Free Spirit.......
Top
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
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12-12-23, 11:04 AM
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The 89 Expert is a Fine riding bike. The frame set my son now rides with 10 speed 105, I got as a frame to replace his hopelessly crashed Trek 560 frame. I could never figure out how or why I felt so comfortable on it when by my measures, it should have been too big.
An ‘87 Expert that my Wife now rides equipped with Dura Ace 7700, came with a bonus pair of new in the boxes Technova 18mm tires that I put on my stock ‘87 Expert at 120 psi and rode 100 miles for kicks. Love the Ironman.
An ‘87 Expert that my Wife now rides equipped with Dura Ace 7700, came with a bonus pair of new in the boxes Technova 18mm tires that I put on my stock ‘87 Expert at 120 psi and rode 100 miles for kicks. Love the Ironman.
Last edited by Classtime; 12-12-23 at 12:16 PM.
