Andys80s Centurion Carbon
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Andys80s Centurion Carbon
Well, I had a very fine post to accompany a half dozen or more photos, only to be told that I can not post photos until I hit ten posts. So here is post one!
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I have just purchased a Centurion Carbon with decals I do not find anywhere on the net. Would love some information. The serial is 88J0047. Wondering if this could be a pre-ironman carbon?
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I am new to this forum, but not new to cycling. I bought my first Centurion at 16 (1986) and they are the only bikes I have ever ridden. I currently have 7 Centurions including the Elite RS I bought in 86 and rode in high school.
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#5
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In '88, Centurion came out with two versions of the Carbon for the U.S. market. Both versions used identical frames. They were only set apart by their components and decals. The Ironman had Shimano tricolor group while the Carbon R had Shimano Dura Ace.
Looks like yours was restickered with velocals.
There was a bf member who had a carbon frame and used carbon r stickers but used the tricolor group. That's what I think happened to yours. So you could replace stickers with Ironman specific ones and have an Ironman or replace components with 7 speed Dura Ace add an R to the end of Carbon and have a Caron R. Or leave it and just have a Cool Bike.
Looks like yours was restickered with velocals.
There was a bf member who had a carbon frame and used carbon r stickers but used the tricolor group. That's what I think happened to yours. So you could replace stickers with Ironman specific ones and have an Ironman or replace components with 7 speed Dura Ace add an R to the end of Carbon and have a Caron R. Or leave it and just have a Cool Bike.
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All the Ironman Carbon that I've seen to date are 1988 and Dura-Ace was original OEM spec. Slightly after the release, things changed to 600 Ultegra. The Carbon R that I've seen have been 600 Ultegra equipped. I've seen Carbon-R with 1990+ serial numbers, after they stopped marketing the brand in the USA, indicating these Carbon-R were foreign market. The OP's bicycle has a October 1988 serial number, indicating that is most likely a 1989 model.
Last edited by T-Mar; 03-26-21 at 05:24 AM.
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Thanks for the info. I have read a lot here on this forum. If you look at the "Carbon" decal on the top tube, it isn't like the "R" decal. I am sure the decals on this bike are original. There is no reproduction of the "Carbon" decal that I can find. I am aware of the velocals decals. The blue and pink squares on mine are the same as an 88 Accordo. It's why I am thinking the must have done a small run of 89 carbons before they decided to go the Ironman route. Would love for someone who might know to elaborate.
Last edited by Andys80s; 03-28-21 at 05:16 PM.
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I have 3 or 4 more posts to make before I can post photos. Machinist42 was kind enough above to post a few. There is a link to click to see them.
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Found a gentleman selling a Carbon by me with the same decal mine has, and his serial number is also 88 OCT but 36. My theory is that before they decided to go the Ironman route, they did the small initial 89 run of Carbons with the top tube 89 "logo" if you will. The 2 color square blue and pink boxes. Does anyone else here have this decal on their top tube?
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Can someone please add the photo I just uploaded?
#11
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Here's an advertisement that shows the Ironman was spece'd with tricolor group.
My Ironman was stock and had the tricolor group But now it has Dura Ace.
My Ironman was stock and had the tricolor group But now it has Dura Ace.
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I picked up an 88 Master Ironman today. Still waiting until I can post photos.....
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That doesn't make sense. The Ironman Carbon existed for the 1988 model year. There are Ironman Carbon pre-dating your frame and I've collected ones as far back as February 1988. What is the serial number on your recently acquired Ironman Carbon?