348:, the Pro Tour models featured a longer wheelbase with longer chainstays for smoother ride especially while loaded, full (all eight tubes) chromoly construction for ride compliance, cantilever brakes to allow room for fenders, internal wiring for a bottom bracket generator and numerous braze-ons: two mounts on the fork for the cantilever brakes, two eyelets in back for a rack and a fender, two eyelets on the fork for a rack and a fender, low rack mounting points on the fork, mounts for two bottle cages, mounts for downtube shifters/cable stops, and seat stay mounts for a rack.
1356:
1086:
24:
259:) brand. While the brand Centurion had become well known, under the new brand name the company's market for road and touring bicycles soon evaporated. Early Diamond Back models (ca. 1990) carried a top tube decal reading "Centurion Designed" and stickers near the bottom bracket reading "Designed in the USA" and "Exclusively built for WSI."
322:
components: Columbus SL tubing; chrome chain stay, Cinelli chromed sloped crown, head lugs, bottom bracket shell, handlebars and stem; new-style
Cinelli logos embossed on bar and stem, fork crown, seat and seat stays, rear brake bridge and under bottom bracket; Campagnolo dropouts, derraileurs and shifters; Universal 'AER' non-aero brakeset;
289:
Cozy
Yamakoshi, product and development manager, worked with Mike Bobrick (Executive President of WSI) and Sandy Finkelman (1947–2005)(Diamond Back team manager and product development) and left Diamond Back in 1986, to start Parkpre Mountain Bike in 1989. Parkpre USA was based in Moorpark, Southern
326:
Mistral headset, bottom bracket and crankset; Gipiemme seatpost; Regina chain and CX-S freewheel; Miche "Competition" hubs and Fiamme, Hard Silver tubular rims. Other markings include a "Cinelli Equipe" decal on down-tube just above shifters and on left chain stay; an "Italia: Made in Italy" decal
242:
Cozy
Yamakoshi served as the company's product development manager, designing the bike's frames, coordinating the manufacture of the bikes by Japanese manufacturers, and importing the bikes into the US. Subsequently, around 1986, Centurion introduced their first Taiwanese built model, the Signet.
363:
W = a letter, purpose uncertain, possibly indicates a manufacturer or
Centurion; X = a number, indicating the calendar year of manufacture; Y = a letter, indicating the fortnight of manufacture (A = wk 1 & 2, B = wk 3 & 4, etc.) ZZZZ = four digit number, probably indicating frame number
321:
for model year 1984/85, as a joint-venture, designed by Cino
Cinelli several years after he retired in 1979 and sold Cinelli to the Columbo family, manufacturers of Columbus tubing. The Cinelli Equipe's production was coordinated and supervised by his staff. The bike featured all Cinelli frame
367:
N4E0283, as an example, would indicate this is the 283rd frame made during the period of weeks 9–10 in 1984. Barring a major components upgrade at some point in a bike's history, one can confirm a bike's age by the dates found on the majority of components in its groupset.
213:
model. Raleigh
America ordered 2,000 bicycles from Tano and Company of Osaka but their parent company in England, TI-Raleigh, disapproved — concerned that the Tano-built bikes were too well made and would have outsold their own British bikes.
297:
in 1991. Renner had imported
Centurion to Germany since 1976, including made-extra models like the first German mountainbike "Country". Today, Centurion remains as a German brand with design and engineering in-house.
250:
Early bike sales were limited to the West Coast, with the brand receiving wider exposure by the late 1970s. WSI stopped using the
Centurion brand name in 1990, consolidating their road and touring bikes under the
327:
high on seat tube; Columbus tubing decals on fork ("Forcella
Originale") and frame ("Acciaio Speciali"); Centurion decals on down-tube (left and right), and a Centurion "C" decal badge on head tube.
306:
Centurion eventually marketed a full line of road and touring bikes, with steel construction ranging from full (all eight tubes) high-tensile 1020 steel at the lower end, to full (all eight tubes)
357:
Centurions (except the
Cinelli\Centurion) have serial numbers on the underside of the bottom bracket shell. One way to date a Centurion is to try to find date codes on the bike's components.
1415:
198:
1400:
1395:
340:
included the Centurion Pro Tour (ultimately manufactured from 1976 to 1984) on his list of "Best Bikes" in both the 1978 and 1982 updates of his book — along with the
599:
1390:
290:
California, USA., producing bikes from the early 1990s until 1998. Ken Yamakoshi, son of Cozy Yamakoshi, is in the process of re-launching Parkpre in the US.
1425:
1380:
1359:
294:
1420:
1410:
592:
86:(initially Wil-Go Imports) to design, specify, distribute and market the bicycles. The bikes themselves were manufactured initially in
1405:
323:
585:
231:
after merging with Rick Wilson's company, Wil-Go of Santa Clara, California. Because the bikes had all been intended as Raleigh
382:
132:
474:
436:
1385:
1240:
572:
568:
1190:
1125:
1271:
194:, offering a warranty without time limit. For a brief period the bikes carried a "Centurion Bicycle Works" headbadge.
201:, which still exists, imported Centurion bikes from Japan to Germany from 1976 on and bought the name-rights in 1990.
501:
985:
715:
1120:
1105:
930:
770:
209:
According to Frank J. Berto, Raleigh Industries of America had been looking at a Japanese source for their
670:
1045:
1020:
865:
219:
360:
Centurion models manufactured in Japan between 1980 and 1990 use a serial number format WXYZZZZ with:
168:
1331:
1160:
850:
111:
Centurion and WSI competed in the U.S. against domestic and European bicycle manufacturers including
1195:
1185:
1100:
1015:
965:
880:
283:
163:— itself a line of Japanese-manufactured bicycles that were specified, distributed and marketed by
46:
1145:
1110:
950:
920:
905:
845:
810:
765:
710:
344:
P-13, a bike that sold for two to three times the price of the Pro-Tour. Like other full-fledged
148:
116:
83:
171:
in the late 1980s made them less competitive, leading companies to source bicycles from Taiwan.
167:— a U.S. company similar to WSI. Japanese-manufactured bikes succeeded in the U.S. market until
1215:
1050:
885:
840:
760:
310:
bikes at their high end — with top quality componentry. Notable models included:good speedster
1200:
1140:
825:
620:
42:
286:. After Weiner died, the company continued its growth under the management of Mike Bobrick.
1250:
1235:
1225:
1170:
995:
800:
695:
640:
563:
267:
260:
104:
8:
1245:
1150:
940:
630:
78:
created in 1969 by Mitchell (Mitch) M. Weiner and Junya (Cozy) Yamakoshi, who co-founded
1230:
1060:
830:
790:
333:
279:
1210:
1030:
980:
870:
685:
635:
470:
466:
432:
428:
377:
341:
160:
1336:
1175:
855:
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275:
156:
136:
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144:
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1205:
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1055:
577:
345:
183:
140:
1301:
1180:
945:
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675:
497:
460:
407:
120:
1374:
1281:
1070:
1040:
1005:
910:
860:
820:
735:
720:
700:
645:
271:
23:
1311:
1155:
1035:
1000:
960:
935:
895:
835:
243:
The Cinelli Equipe Centurion of 1985 (only) was a joint-venture of WSI and
179:
99:
1306:
1291:
1266:
1135:
1065:
990:
925:
915:
890:
875:
815:
795:
740:
625:
263:
was eventually sold to Raleigh USA, and manufacture was moved to Taiwan.
227:
decals on the bikes and marketed them successfully, subsequently forming
1286:
1115:
745:
725:
650:
128:
235:
models, as Centurions, they carried the colors of the Raleigh America
102:. The Centurion brand was consolidated with WSI's mountain bike brand
955:
900:
805:
785:
755:
515:
462:
The Dancing Chain: History and Development of the Derailleur Bicycle
424:
The Dancing Chain: History and Development of the Derailleur Bicycle
1326:
1321:
1296:
1085:
970:
775:
730:
680:
307:
422:
1220:
1025:
655:
244:
152:
112:
75:
537:
1316:
1010:
124:
293:
The rights to the brand name Centurion were sold to Germany's
750:
690:
87:
71:
1416:
Defunct manufacturing companies based in Greater Los Angeles
1341:
1075:
705:
420:
95:
217:
Raleigh's sales agent, Mitchell Weiner, who was reading
543:
61:
Junya (Cozy) Yamakoshi, Co-founder, Product Development
1401:
Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 2000
452:
414:
421:
Berto, Frank J.; Ron Shepherd; et al. (2008) .
1396:
Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1969
469:, USA: Cycle Publishing/Van der Plas Publications.
431:, USA: Cycle Publishing/Van der Plas Publications.
607:
317:WSI/Centurion and Cinelli offered the co-branded
1372:
458:
223:at the time, took receipt of the bikes, placed
1391:Companies based in Ventura County, California
593:
402:
400:
398:
188:"Where Centurion leads, others must follow"
98:and later in Taiwan by companies including
600:
586:
1426:American companies disestablished in 2000
1381:Cycle manufacturers of the United States
395:
186:in the United States using the tag line
108:in 1990. WSI ceased operations in 2000.
531:
490:
270:, and eventually maintained offices in
1421:American companies established in 1969
1373:
540:Has the rights to the original company
508:
498:"Japanese Bicycles in the U.S. Market"
459:Berto, Frank J.; et al. (2016) .
383:List of Japanese bicycle manufacturers
581:
133:other nascent Japanese bicycle brands
1411:2000 disestablishments in California
13:
410:. Sheldonbrown.com, Ashley Wright.
14:
1437:
1406:1969 establishments in California
526:
364:during fortnight of manufacture.
352:
1355:
1354:
1084:
516:"A brief history of Parkpre USA"
282:— in addition a headquarters in
22:
80:Western States Import Co. (WSI)
608:American bicycle manufacturers
266:WSI later opened an office in
59:Mitchell M. Weiner, Co-founder
17:Western States Import Co. Inc.
1:
561:"Centurion Pro Tour Review",
388:
7:
1386:Mountain bike manufacturers
550:
371:
34:circa 1969 (ceased in 2000)
10:
1442:
204:
1350:
1259:
1093:
1082:
613:
315:Centurion Cinelli Equipe:
301:
53:
38:
30:
21:
338:"Richard's Bicycle Book"
319:Centurion Cinelli Equipe
284:Newbury Park, California
47:Newbury Park, California
766:Independent Fabrication
90:by companies including
84:Canoga Park, California
1141:Gormully & Jeffery
557:1984 Centurion Catalog
716:Ellsworth Handcrafted
229:Western State Imports
169:currency fluctuations
43:Camarillo, California
771:International Surrey
546:an unrelated company
532:Modern Manufacturers
500:. Sheldonbrown.com,
268:Van Nuys, California
261:Diamondback Bicycles
192:"A Lifetime Bicycle"
1246:Western Wheel Works
544:Centurion (Denmark)
331:Centurion Pro Tour:
197:The German company
18:
538:Centurion (German)
334:Richard Ballantine
280:Dayton, New Jersey
220:The New Centurions
16:
1368:
1367:
1021:Turner Suspension
567:, December 1976,
476:978-1-892495-77-8
467:San Francisco, CA
438:978-1-892495-59-4
429:San Francisco, CA
408:"Centurion Bikes"
378:Nishiki (bicycle)
342:Schwinn Paramount
174:WSI marketed the
165:West Coast Cycles
65:
64:
1433:
1358:
1357:
1088:
1051:Wilderness Trail
602:
595:
588:
579:
578:
520:
519:
512:
506:
505:
494:
488:
487:
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483:
465:(5th ed.).
456:
450:
449:
447:
445:
427:(3rd ed.).
418:
412:
411:
404:
276:Denver, Colorado
184:touring bicycles
92:H. Teams Company
49:(later location)
26:
19:
15:
1441:
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1434:
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966:Shinola Detroit
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295:Wolfgang Renner
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916:Ritchey Design
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527:External links
525:
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518:. Parkpre.com.
507:
489:
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413:
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354:
353:Serial Numbers
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63:
62:
57:
54:
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1121:E. C. Stearns
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911:Richard Sachs
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621:American Star
619:
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584:
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517:
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503:
502:Sheldon Brown
499:
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409:
403:
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394:
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369:
365:
361:
358:
347:
346:touring bikes
343:
339:
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329:
325:
320:
316:
313:
312:
311:
309:
299:
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291:
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273:
272:Dallas, Texas
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131:— as well as
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52:
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41:
37:
33:
29:
25:
20:
1312:L.H. Thomson
1001:Terrible One
886:Quintana Roo
660:
562:
510:
492:
480:. Retrieved
461:
454:
442:. Retrieved
423:
416:
366:
362:
359:
356:
337:
330:
318:
314:
305:
292:
288:
265:
256:
253:Diamond Back
252:
249:
241:
236:
232:
228:
224:
218:
216:
210:
208:
196:
191:
187:
175:
173:
164:
110:
103:
91:
79:
67:
66:
39:Headquarters
1136:Gary Fisher
986:Specialized
926:Rhoades Car
696:Diamondback
686:Cycle Force
626:Bike Friday
257:DiamondBack
145:Bridgestone
105:DiamondBack
1375:Categories
1260:Components
1151:Iron Horse
1116:Clark-Kent
1031:Van Dessel
996:TerraCycle
941:Santa Cruz
931:Roadmaster
651:Cannondale
389:References
247:of Italy.
237:Grand Prix
233:Grand Prix
211:Grand Prix
135:including
129:Motobecane
55:Key people
1332:Speedplay
1277:Bontrager
1061:Yamaguchi
1046:Waterford
921:Rivendell
826:Milwaukee
806:Litespeed
786:K2 Sports
756:Hutch BMX
701:Dynacraft
666:Co-Motion
661:Centurion
564:Bicycling
225:Centurion
199:Centurion
178:brand of
176:Centurion
149:Panasonic
68:Centurion
1360:Category
1327:SureStop
1322:RockShox
1297:Fyxation
1236:Sterling
1166:Kogswell
1131:Fat City
1101:American
1056:Worksman
971:Softride
871:Priority
831:Mongoose
776:Italvega
731:Fyxation
681:Cruzbike
671:Columbia
641:Brooklyn
636:Bohemian
551:Original
372:See also
308:chromoly
76:bicycles
1231:Stelber
1221:Serotta
1211:Rambler
1201:Overman
1191:Monarch
1146:Indiana
1111:Chicago
1094:Defunct
1026:Univega
1006:Tommaso
951:Schwinn
946:Santana
906:Redline
881:Quality
861:Pacific
851:Nishiki
796:Kestrel
736:Gendron
711:Electra
676:Cortina
656:Catrike
631:Bilenky
614:Current
482:May 30,
444:May 30,
255:(later
245:Cinelli
239:model.
205:History
161:Nishiki
153:Univega
121:Peugeot
117:Raleigh
113:Schwinn
31:Founded
1317:Lezyne
1282:Burley
1251:Wright
1241:Stover
1226:Shelby
1206:Pocket
1196:Murray
1186:Merlin
1171:LeMond
1041:Volagi
1011:Torker
856:Novara
646:Calfee
573:Page 2
569:Page 1
473:
435:
324:Ofmega
302:Models
137:Miyata
125:Gitane
100:Merida
70:was a
1307:Hayes
1287:Coker
1181:Melon
1176:Lotus
1161:Klein
1126:Eagle
1036:Villy
991:Surly
961:Seven
936:Salsa
901:Razor
846:Niner
836:Moots
816:Marin
811:Magna
781:Jamis
751:Huffy
691:Dahon
157:Lotus
88:Japan
72:brand
1342:Zipp
1337:SRAM
1302:Giro
1267:Bell
1216:Ross
1076:Zigo
1071:Yuba
1066:Yeti
1016:Trek
981:SOMA
976:Solé
896:Rans
876:Pure
866:Pope
841:Next
821:Masi
801:Kona
791:Kent
761:Ibis
746:Haro
726:Fuji
721:Felt
706:DYNO
484:2017
471:ISBN
446:2017
433:ISBN
278:and
190:and
182:and
180:road
159:and
141:Fuji
127:and
96:Kobe
45:and
1292:Fox
1272:BTI
1156:JMC
1106:AMF
891:R+E
336:'s
147:,
94:of
82:in
74:of
1377::
956:SE
741:GT
571:,
397:^
274:,
155:,
151:,
143:,
139:,
123:,
119:,
115:,
601:e
594:t
587:v
504:.
486:.
448:.
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