[CR]Centurion Cinelli

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

From: "Angel Garcia" <veronaman@comcast.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <OF15F1F93D.AC8B3812-ON85256F51.005869AB-85256F51.00590680@mail.gm.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 11:41:51 -0500
Subject: [CR]Centurion Cinelli

There was an interesting post on roadbikereview.com about the Centurion Cinelli bikes. As some of the information supposedly comes from a Western States Import (importer of these particular frames) regional manager I thought the info would be worth posting here. I've edited a bit.

"I've researched it with most of my information coming from a former Western States Import regional sales manager. Here's what he (and a few others in the know) told me: 1. These bikes were made for only one year (1983-84). They were known as the Cinelli\Centurion "Project Bikes." They were a joint venture aimed at promoting Cinelli frame and other components and to bring Cinelli prestige to WSI's Centurion road bike brand.

2. There were hundreds not thousands made. All were silver. The other colors are repaints (CycleArt has done many, adding their own Cinelli\Centurion decal set, which are not like the original purple "Centurion" decals on the down tube or like the purple Centurion head badge decal).

3. The bike: Columbus SL\SX tubing; Cinelli bars & stem, sloping crown (chrome with new "C" logo), BB shell, chrome lugset, saddle (suede over plastic); Campagnolo NR deraileurs\shifters, chrome dropouts; Ofmega "Mistral" cranks (Ofmega Sintesi platform pedals\clips), bb, headset (Mistral was top of the line); Regina CS\CX 6-speed freewheel & chain; Universal brakes; Fiamme Hard Silver rims; Miche hubs; Gipiemme fluted seatpost.

4. Markings: Cinelli markings on bars & stem, crown, seat stays, bb shell, brake bridge, saddle (stickers). Purple "Centurion" decals (two) on down tube; Purple Centurion head badge decal. Ofmega "Mistral" pantographing on cranks (very nice!). "Cinelli Equipe", "Columbus", "Made in Italy" decals. My bike has bottle cage bosses on both the seat and down tubes."

Angel Garcia
Long Valley, NJ


----- Original Message -----
From: marcus.e.helman@gm.com
To: ternst
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 11:12 AM
Subject: Re: [CR]Where are the high flange hubs?



>
> Ted,
>
> Your note implies that high flange hubs were sold to an unsuspecting public
> that didn't know any better, and that as everyone got smarter the market
> moved to low flange. Do you really mean that? Are low flange hubs better?
> In what way?
>
> You mention cost too. Were high flange hubs more expensive than low
> flange?
>
> You wrote (snipped):
>
> I asked several of the guys that had a racing background exactly the same
> questions, because there was a resurgence in cycling and there were many
> importers bringing racing bikes in who had no real "BICYCLE" background.
> Answer: COST! The commodity brokers in the bike game wanted Deluxe stuff
> to
> sell to any shop who wanted to buy. Ergo: If it cost more, it had to be
> better! SOOO-
> What cost more for the sucker Americans who didn't know any better but
> wanted the best "PRO" stuff?
> High flange hubs, Finger tip controls, Adjustable handlebar stems (TTT),
> and
> Sew-up-racing-tubular tires!
> That's what. Which is why so much of this equipment was around in the
> '60's.
> As the U.S. market for racing and good touring became more sophisticate
> these things changed. The real good shops did the best possible to educate
> the advanced cyclists and between the European
> publications and our minestrations, common sense was restored and chaos
> reigned as the gas shortage and the bike boom of the '70's prevailed.
>
>
> Marcus Helman
> Huntington Woods, MI