jmax

Hello,

I’ve had a 1983 Centurion Pro Tour 15 for about 15 years. Years back I used it as my sole transportation method. I’m planning to get back on a bike for daily use, largely for heath reasons, and I have visions of working my way toward longer tours. I love the way my Pro Tour rides but it’s much too big for me. I tolerated the discomfort before but now I need to care for my lower back (herniated disc last year) and get a bike that really fits me. I also wouldn’t mind some more modern components.
I’ve been reading up on touring bikes and the varied opinions of what is considered a touring bike today. Can you all provide the names of some models available today that might could be considered a close equivalent of the Centurion Pro Tour 15?

Regardless of whether it’s considered a ‘real’ touring bike or not, I never had an issue with how it has handled no matter how much I loaded it down. Maybe there is a more traditional touring bike out there that would suit me and very I’m happy to hear about those. It’s just that where I’m starting out is that I like what I have except that it doesn’t fit me.

njkayaker

Your bike might be more of a “sport touring” (light touring) bike. Not many people are going to be familiar with it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/35379273927...mis&media=COPY

mstateglfr 

If you are willing to ride a 40 year old touring bike, then similar options are in the dozens since anything in the last 40 years that's a tourong bike could work.

Schwinn made a couple models, Univega made a couple models, Fuji, Miyata, Specialized, Trek, etc etc had models.
A Trek 520 is a super common bike and was around in the 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s.
As for modern?...a black mountain cycles monstercross frame is one of many options.

Your best bet when looking will be to just search for 'touring bike' and then sort by size.

abdon 

Research vintage touring bikes. there are a few high end bikes that are expensive, Trek 720, Miyata 1000, Raleigh Portage, Fuji touring, etc. Those brands also made lesser (now cheaper) models like the Trek 520 and the Raleigh Alyeska.

How much weight are you planning on packing? Basically you can divide touring bikes into two categories, sports touring (don't like being overloaded, ride quality goes downhill) and those better suited for heavy loads (Trek 720 and the like). Smart packing can make sport tourers quite enjoyable to ride.

You could always hunt down another Centurion Pro Tour.

ironwood

Take a look at the Classic and Vintage forum. There are still alot of old steel bikes around and being ridden, and bought and sold.If your frame doesn't fit, there is a thread for people who want to trade. The Centurion Pro Tour is one of the better older bikes. I'd love to get a Semi-Pro . What type of touring are you planning to do. Camping with a full load? Or credit carding it? .

Vintage_Cyclist

Bianchi Volpe
Bob Jackson World Tour
Bridgestone RB-T
Bridgestone T700
Bridgestone T500
Centurion Pro Tour 15
Centurion Pro Tour
Centurion Elite GT
Co-Motion Americano
Fuji Touring Series V
Fuji America
Fuji Touring Series IV
Fuji Touring Series III
Fuji Touring
Fuji Saratoga
Fuji Gran Tourer SE
Fuji Gran Tourer
Holdsworth Mistral
Koga Miyata World Traveler
Koga Miyata Randonneur
Kuwahara Caravan
Lotus Odyssey
Lotus Eclair
Mercian King of Mercia
Miyata 1000LT
Miyata 1000
Miyata 600GT
Miyata 610
Miyata 615
Motobecane Grand Touring
Nishiki Cresta GT
Nishiki Riviera GT
Novara Randonee
Panasonic Pro Touring
Panasonic Touring Deluxe
Panasonic PT-5000
Panasonic PT-3500
Raleigh Portage
Raleigh Kodiak
Raleigh Alyeska
Raleigh Super Tourer
Raleigh Touring 18
Schwinn Paramount P15-9 Tourer
Schwinn Voyageur SP
Schwinn Voyageur
Schwinn Passage
Shogun Touring
Shogun 1500
Specialized Expedition
Specialized Sequoia
Surly LHT
Takara Overland
Trek 920
Trek 720
Trek 728
Trek 620
Trek 520
Univega Specialissima
Univega Gran Turismo

Germany_chris

Are you just listing old touring bikes?

jmax

If so, that’s actually kind of helpful to me. I’ve learned a lot in the last week about what I like and what I think I want and have some different ideas about how I might proceed. Thanks!

abdon 

The list is a bit all over the place (not that I'm knocking it). It has some of the holy Grail bikes that are expensive and hard to find as well as entry level bikes that should sell for under a $100 in good shape. But half of the fun is learning about them bikes.

O

djb

one thing that a lot of modern bikes have is the ability to take wider tires, which equals more riding comfort--which you seem to make a point of mentioning with your back issue. Riding on wider tires could be a real advantage for you and your back, so keep this in mind.
Riding on even 40mm tires with the proper pressures will make a real difference to your comfort, short and long term, plus throw in not having to bend down to use downtube shifters, and a properly sized bike that has a higher front end---all these will be game changers for your riding comfort.

good luck trying different bikes

abdon 

Most touring bikes have a fairly generous tire allowance. If that's not enough and he's going vintage, moving from 27" to 700c buys you more elbow room. If that's not enough a vintage hard tail mountain bike frame will have more space. If that's not enough going to 650B on said bike will add more space. After that I guess there are fat bikes.

But yeah, learning what options are out there and what he wants takes time. Honestly 32mm offers a great blend of suspension/comfort and performance. That's fatter than anything he ever had on his Centurion.

GamblerGORD53

$650 for a 40 yo CLUNKER?? LOL hahahahahaha

abdon 

If you want to see clunkers go check what $650 buys you at your local bike store nowadays. Then go on and try to sell it yourself used so you can see what it is really worth.

mstateglfr 

I ride 32mm tires on my main road bike. 28s on my secondary road bike.
0 interest in 32s on a touring bike.

35s? I guess.
37-38? For sure.

Fast rolling quality 38mm tires are straight up awesome for a bike that has me plus a lot of gear.
Everyone is different though.

mstateglfr 

Post your touring bike then list it's age, spec, and cost.

GamblerGORD53

Put that clunker in C+V and see if you get $300. LOL.

abdon 

For starters, which one is the clunker you are imagining is not worth $650? I hate to burst your bubble but I have sold two of them old 'clunker' frames (no parts, just the frames) for $1k+ each.

abdon 

It all depends on where you ride.

When I was living in Japan I did a lot of long distance riding and touring on 27mm tires. Even the roads out in the country side was a pleasure to ride on, those tires were perfect. Now that I find myself in Alaska (not doing as much riding if we are being honest) there is so much gravel everywhere that I'm bumping the tire size.

mstateglfr 

Post your touring bike then list it's age, spec, and cost.

GamblerGORD53

Let's see your cost estimate for paint job, full replacement of ALL components to get this FRAME up to snuff. LOL.
$1500?? Does it even have a 135 rear end??

mstateglfr 

Your posts here are event more bonkers than normal.

- Nobody said $650 for an older bike, but you mockingly post that some imaginary bike isnt worth $650. I am guessing you misread 650b(wheel size) with $650(an amount of money/value).
- The OP's Centurion is too big, per the OP. So that clearly isnt the bike anyone is talking about the OP buying. What bike are you claiming isnt worth a specific amount of money?
- You have since claimed a 'clunker' that hasnt even been discussed isnt even worth $350. What bike are you referring to here, and is it the same or different from the one you laugh about in other posts?
- What bike are you claiming will need $1500 in work to 'get up to snuff'?

GamblerGORD53

It was post #2 that led me astray. The e-bay ad that's since been sold and deleted.
The OP should post pics of what he has and go from there. Higher rise bars could have helped fix the fit.

polymorphself 

Vintage_Cyclist's list is near complete up there. But here are two threads to peruse. The Classic and Vintage section of the forum is where you want to be. Lots and lots of talk and photos of vintage touring and sport touring bikes over there. Here are two very long running threads to get you started:

Show us your vintage touring bikes

Show your classic sports touring bicycle

My advice if you want to grow into the bike and its utilitarianism: Aim for models with double eyelets in the front and rear (for fenders and racks mounted separately), rack braze ons on the seat-stays, and low rider mounts on the forks. Dounle or triple water bottle cages helps. Essentially any mid-high end touring bike from around 1984-1989.

The most talked about touring bikes of the 80s (in the American, mass produced market, at least) are:

Trek 720
Specialized Expedition
Miyata 1000 (particularly mid-late 80s)

Some would put the 1985 Schwinn Voyageur SP in there as well.

I'd start there and work my way down (or stay there).

abdon 

Well let's see... In my case I started with a Trek 720, modified the frame to my liking (brazing is not that hard), had it powder coated for $300, build my wheels with Velocity Dyads, SON dyno and Shimano XT rear (probably about $600, the most expensive part), and Shimano derailleurs. And yes, it is a 135mm rear. It was 126mm but it is not rocket surgery to spread a frame 9mm. The Nitto Campee racks cost me more than the frame but is not like anybody has those as a stock item.

But in all honesty the price is secondary. It rides like a dream and handles a heavy load like a Clydesdale horse.

abdon 

$hit; this is a near mint Univega Gran Turismo I picked up for $50. you know what it would take to make it a reliable tourer? a 700c wheelset with yes, 135mm spread. Because as stated it is not rocket surgery to get them to fit:

The original seat post was included. Well I would do fenders, bar end shifters, and better racks, but that's just the icing we all love to layer in our cakes.