Classic & Vintage - Unique Vintage Steel #2 - Gazelle Champion Mondiale - The build thread.

Well, I've really gotten myself in over my head on this one. But oh well, you only live once right?
As you all remember from my 'Christmas Morning' thread... now half way built

Pictured:
Early 80's Gazelle Champion Mondiale frame & fork. Full 531c steel, white with blue panels.
Zeus headset, 3ttt stem, Modolo 6-bend bars
NOS Shimano 105 7/8 speed group mix drivetrain, 52/39 crank, friction shifting
Shimano 600EX brakes

To be added:
Ultregra/Open Pro (silver) w/ 12-26 8speed SRAM cassette
Vittoria Zaffiro Pro tires (blue)
Forte Pro SLX Saddle
Tektro (Campy knock off) R200A Aero brake levers

Going for a solid mix of vintage with just enough modern to make it a reliable daily rider. The only changes that may happen is a swap of stem/handlbars with my other bike if I deem this stem too short. Searching the forums I've only seen the Gazelle Champion mentioned by one or two other members. And a google search for this frame requires the ability to read Dutch. :) I am looking forward to having my own 531 steel frame on the road. While the custom painted 'Cuda is still going to get many miles, I want to keep its paintjob looking good so the Gazelle will be seeing the majority of the road time. :)

To be updated in 10-12 days when everything else arrives and the final build is completed.

Update 1/18: Wheels and tires arrived. Photos on 2nd page. I haven't put them side by side, but think that the blue of the wheels and blue of the paint are going to go fairly well together. :)

Update 1/19: My LBS made quick work of getting the BB threads chased and was able to get the UN73 bottom braket installed and the rest of the bike assembled today. Only thing left to do is do the handlebar wrap once I decided on exactly where I want the brake levers and get them leveled up nice and even.

http://thecuda.com/hd_P1191356.JPG

http://thecuda.com/hd_P1191358.JPG

Nice looking bike!

i like that bike, looks cool and great color combo - plus i really like vintage rides. i cant believe how the steel rides. good luck on the build

I really love the head badge on the Gazelle. Very vintage looking, doubt they've changed it since the 30's or before (anyone know how long they've been building bikes?) I'll have to try to find a pic of the head badge to link. I've seen a gallery of a Gazelle Champion in the same paint with its original Campy group and know that page had one.

looks cool & sounds like it well look cooler later on... curious on the ballpark budget for a project like that. have you decided on the handlebar tape colour yet? like to match the seat or the blue, maybe? or you planning major blue everywhere? sweet, good luck & have fun

Looks like another great project underway cuda. Keep us updated as the build continues (with pics of course!).

Way nice and inspirational...who knows, today I'm doing a Schwinn in a few years could be something special like your Gazelle :)

I debated on the blue wrap, but in the end I bought the black. The saddle is going to be black and the bike is going to get enough use that I don't want to be replacing the tape every 2 months like I tend to do with my white tape.

KDB - I started out this past May with a Schwinn Traveler, sold that due to it being too big, bought the bike that became the Barracuda Mk.I and built it up. That frame is still a hair on the big side though still very ridable for me. I had purchased this 7/8speed 105 group off ebay and had most of it on the Schwinn for a time, it was planned to move it to the Barracuda but that changed when sydney sold me the Shimano Golden Arrow group that is now on it. So I had a full drive train, brakes, handlebars, even a couple stems sitting around. So (ignoring the obvious fact that the parts I didn't have were the most expensive to purchase) I figured I had most of what I needed to build another bike. So off I went searching. Lotek put me in contact with s70rguy who had this frame and shipped it to me from the Neitherlands (see the 'Waiting for Christmas Morning thread from late December).

Budget - oh geez - I don't want to admit how much I have in this incase my fiancee happens upon this thread. But just admitting that will probably have her pestering me so oh well... here it is:

Shimano group: ~50
Stem, brakes, levers, bars: ~50
Frame (shipped): ~170
Wheels, tires, cassette, saddle: ~300

It hurts a bit to look at, but I sold off a bunch of old text books for $170, got $30 off on the performance bike order, attempting to sell my aquarium (any takers in Dallas?) for about $120, have some other bike stuff up for sale at the moment, and told myself I could spend $300 of my back pay that I recieved from a recent raise at work. Esp since my Xmas bonus from work covered the rest of the $$ I needed to save for my honeymoon in May.

beauty!

58cm? would be interested to hear what the other specs are, especially front-center.
Even though Gazelle is one of the larger marks in Holland, they put together one fine ridin machine.
I was lucky to be able to 'borrow' one for some days while I was working with our Dutch distributor, back in the 90's. It was a quick ridin machine, lively, and quite sprint friendly. A very upright head helped the one I borrowed.
You'll surely love this one, and putting it aside will be tough.
make sure we see more pics when you get wheelz on it... :)

BTW, love that paint job
I think I''d have to do blue tape and a white turbo saddle :)

That's a beautiful bike!

Az

I may try blue tape in the future, but didn't want to over power with blue since the tires are blue and not quite the same tone blue as the paint. Of all the Champions I"ve seen - I like this paint the best. I actually saw the gallery of the one I mentioned above that had the same paint job before s70rguy sent me photos of this frame. The white has a slight pearl look to it and the blue is a very nice ocean blue color. As far as saddles go - I really like the cut out design saddles though if I could get my hands on a white Turbo to try for a few months I'd be willing to give it a shot. But probably on the 'Cuda since it would go better with the white tape and blue paint. :)

Gazelles are all hand made - at least till the last couple of years if I remember my research properly. Never imported to the US as far as I know of - only a few have made their way state side. Should be fun riding this along side Marty's dutch frame(s)this spring.

... all you are making me want to take my black tape back by RBM and exchange it for blue. ;)

I'm gonna regret this in a few days when I decide to buy one and there all sold out but Nashbar has white Turbos on sale for around $30 shipped.

I'm gonna regret this in a few days when I decide to buy one and there all sold out but Nashbar has white Turbos on sale for around $30 shipped.

nothing to regret... about the post timing... I actually finally did order earlier today, after hemming and hawing for a few days about whether I should order a White or Yellow, or both. My decision was made for me this afternoon - yellow was the only color showing open to order :(
I do love that saddle, really the only Selle Italia I've ever found that works for me. I've gone thru 4 of them and have only one black left that is borderline decent condition.
I've tried alot of their other saddles and only the turbomatic approximated the turbo 'feel'; and thats also discontinued.
Shame they don't see fit to continue what many riders would consider a 'benchmark'
...hope i get the yellow I ordered... anyway there's still a few San Marcos that fit the old boney backside. :eek:

Gazelle were imported to the USA in the mid-1980s. They stood out in my mind mostly because of their strange model designations. Top of the line was the Gazelle AA with Reynolds 531C and Campgnolo Super Record. The Gazelle AB used the same frame but with Campgnolo Victory.

T-Mar - thanks for the correction on the import part. I guess the numbers were pretty small and whom ever bought them hung on to them as I think I've seen a mention of like 3 others on this board (number6 being one, someone in the FG/SS, and maybe one other.) In any case I won't hold my breath to see another around DFW any time soon. ;)

Mine is the AB frame, and I almost feel bad hanging a Shimano group on it, but perhaps one day I'll get the chance to put a full new (professional) paint job and a S.R. group on it. Right now - its just going to be ridden - a lot. :)

Hey -- I'll e-mail you the Champion page from that old Gazelle catalog I got.

And stick with black bar tape; you get too many mismatched shades of blue and the whole thing will look like ass.

Good point mswantak - I'm already worried about the blue tires but they were on sale and couldn't spend much more on tires than I already did. Look forward to seeing the Gazelle catalog. You still have my email right?

In other news - the brake levers just arrived via UPS. Thumbs up to lickton bicycle supply (lickbike.com) for another promptly shipped and trouble free order. My wheels, tires, chain, cassette shipped out yesterday and should be here in about a week's time.

[QUOTE=T-Mar]Gazelle were imported to the USA in the mid-1980s. [QUOTE]

Yes. I got mine in '89, Champion Mondial cross frame. 531c with 531 fork blades. Pearl white with black and grey decals. No cool head badge, but it has little gazelles engraved on the fork crown. My most ridden bike these past 5 years. I'd love to have a matching road frame

Finally found that page again that I mentione above. And actually the paint is a reverse of mine - blue with white. Here's the link to the headbadge photo close up: http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/GAZELLE/Gazelles22
and the rest of the photos: http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/GAZELLE?page=1

djurgensen - mine seems to have the same pearl white color on it. Quite interesting and I'll have to make sure I find somewhere that can reproduce it if I ever decided to have the frame repainted in the future.

Cuda,

check out this one 1953 Gazelle
http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/1953-Gazelle-Competition

One of my friends at U Miami bought a new Gazelle back in 1971 so they
were around then. If its anything like every other Dutch Bike I've ridden
it's gonna be a killer ride.

Marty

A Dutch forummer reporting in :)

Gazelle is (with Sparta and Batavus) the biggest dutch manufacturer. Gazelle Champion Mondials are very common here and nothing special about that :)

The blue one seen on the 'Marcello's bike' page is wonderfull!

If you need any translation of dutch sites, just gimme a message.
I have a 1988 Gazelle MTB and when i emailed them they send me a copy of the 1988 prospect :)

In Holland we use Marktplaats.nl (marketplace) a lot more than Ebay. I selected all Mondials for you here: http://kopen.marktplaats.nl/fietsen_en_accessoires/racefietsen/c464.html?tab_adcount=1974&ds=kw%3A%3Bto%3A1%3Bl1%3A445%3Bl2%3A464%3Blt%3Azip%3Blx%3A233394%3Bly%3A583902%3Bosi%3A2&u=464&g=&f=&t=1&p=1&show_thumbnails=1&show_summary=1&tb=all&q=mondial&g=&u=464&postcode=9716&distance=&search=Zoek&ts=1&srt=dd&show_thumbnail=1&show_summaries=1&s=30

They came in a lot of color schemes it seems.

Hope you can make something special of it!

leunkstar - I'm sure Gazelle's are very common in your neck of the woods. Much like Trek is around here. Everyone has them, you rarely see one worth really noticing (certain exceptions exist of course). This go around I'm building it to be a very functional bike with Shimano stuff I already have, but it will be special in its own right that I plan to log many many miles on it in the coming years. :) Thanks for the offer of the transation if needed, I'll keep it in mind.

luenkstar

Shhh don't tell anyone bout marktplaats it'll get popular and turn
into ebay with inflated prices and all sorts of scams.
Say you haven't seen any 54cm Zielemans lately have you?
It is my holy grail of bikes. I keep getting them and they all
slip out of my hands.

Marty

*waits to see if lotek makes this thread quietly disappear* ;)

Hi Cuda,

The bike looks great, especially that headbadge—it's one of the best I've seen, though I wish the G were a little more defined. You know, I was thinking about the bar tape when I began reading the thread and couldn't think which color would look right. I'm glad you picked black. It'd be great if you could implement that blue/red/yellow/green stripe design to the handlebars, like beside each sleeve. Sort of like the finishing tape. Have you thought about cable housing? I'm thinkin' white? :)

Seb.

AGuinness - I'm going with black cable housing as well as bar tape. Two reasons - first I've already got enough black housing to do the job. Second the white on the frame is a pearl white color that wouldn't go very well with the bright white color of the cable housing.

That's gonna look nice! I changed the housing from white to black on my Centurion Ironman, and was happy w/ the results. Can't wait to see the pictures! :D

S.

Wheels, tires, and chain arrived tonight from performance. I've decided that tomorrow I'm going to pull the BB and take the frame to the LBS to have them chase the BB threads. When I installed the BB the last 2 or 3 threads were really tight and there's still a bit of thread showing and decided it best to have the BB worked over so I can get it installed properly.

Anyways - first shot of the wheelset and tires. :)

Should look nice with those wheels, are you going to STI or staying with the top-tube shifters? I ask because you mention a blend of modern and vintage parts....

jet - for now I'm using downtube shifters (in friction mode!). If a pair of 8 or 9 speed STI's come my way at the right price I may consider it. But ideally down the road this bike is going to become Campy equipped. I'm used to the downtubes so life is good. :)

cuda,

I suggest Campy 8 speed. It's close to age appropriate for the bike,
the components can be had pretty cheaply (I bought my gruppo for $250).
some of the NOS items get spendy though.
The other think I like about 8 speed is the rear wheel doesn't have the extreme
dishing issues that a 9 or 10 speed wheel has.
And get this, campy 8 speed is upgradable to 9 or 10 speed should you ever
decide!

Marty

Campagnolo 8 upgradeable? Not that easily, I have a steel freewheel body hub, no go, with the Al body hub yes, then one still has to tear into the shift lever assy, and buy a new cassette, chain and rear mech. Or am I missing a short cut.

By the way 'Cuda I think black will work, I got lost somewhere along the way, black tape, cables and seat? or is the seat white?

Seat, tape and housing is all black. Tires are blue. :)

My .02: at some point, you should think about a Brooks saddle. For a bike like this, probably a narrower model with the oversized copper or brass rivets would be appropriate. I know they're pricey, but it's money well spent. I use a B17 for road riding, and I absolutely love it. I don't even wear padded shorts anymore (don't need to with the Brooks!). And this is coming from a guy who spent years riding mountain bikes with super-lightweight Flite style saddles.........And I think a Brooks adds a serious touch of class to any older bike. Again, just my .02 :)

And here are my 2 (euro) cents. I guess in this day and age wheels, or rather hubs, dictate your choice of shifters. So if your new wheels are Campy 9/10, go Campy. I'm using my old wheels with 7 speed, screw-on, freewheels, with Campy 8 speed Ergo brifters, works flawlessly (5 mm cog spacing). I don't like the shape of the hoods too much though, prefer the newer style Ergo's.

Regarding the touch-ups you might perform, have a look at nail varnish (yes, nail varnish). They come in so many shades, something will match that pearl-white colour of your Gazelle. Only problem I always have with touch-ups, it remains a nasty blob on the paint. Oh, well. Maybe you'll do better.

Number6,

what you said, but with the upgrade you don't have to buy new Brifters
just have the shop change the index gear out to a new one.
I wasn't thinking 8 speed freewheel in my original post.
There really aren't any "short cuts"

Marty

Nice looking bike! I see the slippery slope from Traveler to Gazelle developing at my house. My oldest son is now helping me with the traveler and discussions about what other frames we can find have begun. I bought a home bike tool kit (Cyclepro--all made in Taiwan) from Dick's Sporting Goods--a very good deal and I keep thinking about a stand...I am watching more items on ebay than I'd ever imaged...Ah well, it least it keeps me off the streets out of the pool halls :)

I went by the AutoZone and looked through their selection of touch up paints and found a slightly off-white color that matched the pearl white - kinda. It's good enough for the next couple of years till I get up the $$ to have the bike professionally repainted down the road.

As far as the Brooks saddle - I'm thinking of maybe putting one on my 'Cuda down the road if it becomes more of a touring ride for me. I've got a pair of 7speed barcons on the way so that bike may eventually get them.

Photos added to the original post of the bike assembled sans-bartape. Took it around the block and the thing is SILENT. Compared to the slightly chattery drive train of the 'Cuda (especially the freewheel when coasting!) this one is a whisper. The weight difference between the two bikes is very noticable as well. I currently have the brake housings set a bit on the long side in case I look into getting a slightly longer stem in the next couple of months.

KDB - yes, a slippery slope indeed my friend. I really wan't "planning" on the Gazelle just yet but I had the drive train, the handlebars, a couple stems, etc etc and s70rguy made me a deal on the frame I couldn't refuse. And just listen to these guys chatting about going campy equipped! Ahhhhhhhhh!!!! ;)

Kan ik me bij de club aansluiten? :p

I just bought a mid-'80s Gazelle Tour de France Race (the next model down from cuda's Champion Mondial) for $35. Gotta go pick it up in Mountain View in the morning.

Kan ik me bij de club aansluiten? :p

I just bought a mid-'80s Gazelle Tour de France Race (the next model down from cuda's Champion Mondial) for $35. Gotta go pick it up in Mountain View in the morning.

Wow. Now that's a heck of a deal!

I took my Gazelle out for some more short rides today to check out the fit and the build. So far I'm impressed with the ride. Comparing the fit of the gazelle compared to the 'Cuda it's easy to see the differences in size and setup. The Gazelle puts me in a more aero position and easier to get into the drops and still have easy access to the brake levers where my 'Cuda has its levers rotated up more for more comfort in the hoods. My Ultegra/OpenPro wheels have been great thus far and fit with the frame wonderfully.

Kan ik me bij de club aansluiten? :p

I just bought a mid-'80s Gazelle Tour de France Race (the next model down from cuda's Champion Mondial) for $35. Gotta go pick it up in Mountain View in the morning.

Yeah, join the club; my wife is a member too, her everyday bike is a Gazelle Tour de France! (kinda heavy bike though :D )

Fyi - there appears to be a Gazelle 3speed of some sort in the vintage section of ebay - road bikes and parts. Starting bid is perhaps a bit high, and condition looks like it would be a major restoration job.

edit: found link: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Raliegh-Gazelle-Road-Bike_W0QQitemZ7214017433QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

1 hour till I get to take the Gazelle out for its first real ride. Waiting for the temps here to climb just a little bit more before I head out. :)

Yesterday pm I saw the most drop dead gorgeous unusual Gazelle I've
ever seen (not that I've seen too many).
I am loath give more details, but suffice it to say I hope to soon
be seeing a few pictures here.
Cuda, today seems like a really nice day for a shakeout ride.

marty

Marty - I called you Saturday when I was up in Frisco to see if you wanted to check out the Gazelle all finished up but guess you were away from the phone. Hopefully if today's ride goes well perhaps we'll have to plan a ride for the weekend.

Another Gazelle in DFW! ahhhhhhh! lol. ;) Ok, time to gear up and get out for that ride. It's great not having class till 5:30 on Tuesday and Thrusday. :)

That is amazing!

Jon, sorry I missed the call, I would have enjoyed
seeing the bike. yah, maybe we can get together and do a ride.

This gazelle isn't in Dallas metroplex, but geez louise this thing was
gorgeous. . .
btw a Gazelle is in my plans for a Dutch bike collection to go with
the RIH, de Reus, vanishing Zieleman. . .


Marty

Fyi - there appears to be a Gazelle 3speed of some sort in the vintage section of ebay - road bikes and parts. Starting bid is perhaps a bit high, and condition looks like it would be a major restoration job.

edit: found link: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Raliegh-Gazelle-Road-Bike_W0QQitemZ7214017433QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

1 hour till I get to take the Gazelle out for its first real ride. Waiting for the temps here to climb just a little bit more before I head out. :)

That headbadge is unlike every Gazelle headbadge I've seen before! I'm trying to get some info from one of the most knowledgable (spelling?) Dutch collectors on this one.

Jon, it's over 12 degrees centigrade over where you live; what's keeping you? Now here, that's a different story! Brought the car in for service this morning, rode back on the flat-bar Rossin, in minus 4 degrees! (yes, I'm a hero!) Only 3 miles fortunately.

Fyi - there appears to be a Gazelle 3speed of some sort in the vintage section of ebay - road bikes and parts. Starting bid is perhaps a bit high, and condition looks like it would be a major restoration job.

edit: found link: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Raliegh-Gazelle-Road-Bike_W0QQitemZ7214017433QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

1 hour till I get to take the Gazelle out for its first real ride. Waiting for the temps here to climb just a little bit more before I head out. :)

So here's the answer to this 'riddle':
'In October 1938, Sir Harold of Raleigh explained on the annual convention that the company was introducing a complete new range of very low-priced bicycles under the brand name 'Gazelle' and that the agency for the new brand was being offered exclusively to Raleigh and Humber agents. The Gazelle range was unquestionably a good one and was well received but unfortunately never really had a chance to establish itself because, in less than a year after it first went into production, England was at war and all but 5 % of the total bicycle production of Raleigh was dropped in favour of munitions. ... In 1943 Raleigh ceased to use the name Gazelle. Its reason for doing so was that the name and the trade-mark could not be used in certain parts of the world where it would have caused confusion with the Dutch company of the same name. The whole Gazelle range, therefore, changed its name to Robin Hood. This name had been known in the trade in the early years of this century. The company that had made bicycles under that name then had long since disappeared by 1943. (Bowden, "The story of the Raleigh Cycle", p. 71, 72, and 76)'

This is from an English book, the quote was mailed to me by Herbert Kuner, THE Dutch expert on classic bikes (he runs the www.rijwiel.net site).

So I say, anyone, go for it!

Interesting info s70rguy.

Things I learned today:

1) The Gazelle w/o bag weighs in at 21.5lbs

2) 56-66 degrees is the perfect temp to ride in. Rode out with leg warmers, back without. Light long sleeve base layer under my short sleeve jersey

3) I really really like steel frames (then again, I knew that)

4) The Forte SLX Saddle is quite nice for 30-40mi rides

and most important -

5) ALWAYS CARRY A SPARE TUBE! Had a patch kit and pump, but no spare tube on me. Had a blow out 3 miles from home, front none the less. Good news is I was only doing maybe 15mph and already braking as I saw something was wrong w/ the tire. :( Cell phone was about out of battery, but did get a call out to get a ride home. Will pick up new tube tomorrow (should have bought one day - hell I RODE to the LBS!).

Here's the latest on my addition to the herd of Gazelles: I wasn't expecting much for $30 when I went to see it, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's a 1986 Tour de France Race model; 60cm, silver, that fades to anthracite at the headstock and fork crown, SunTour Volante RD, Altenburger Synchron brakes. The fenders and dyno lights vanished at some point over 20 years, and original front wheel had been replaced by an old Milremo 27" on a Shimano hub. Everything else was in good order and basically only grimy.

Blew up the tires, got it bathed and went for a ride. I am liking this thing! The frame fits like a glove, and she's got some legs; it's a pound or two heavier than my Motobecane, but the Gazelle leaves the Moto like it was tied to a stump. And the handling is rock-steady. I was planning on cleaning and flipping it, but I think I've found a new daily rider.

A couple days before all this, I bought an '84 Peugeot mixte for $30 (it's $30 week) that's looking more and more like a donor for its Rigidas with stainless spokes, and Stronglight alloy crankset. Nashbar's got Zefal fenders on sale that are dead-ringers for the originals, too. Now if I can just find a Union dyno that's hinged for fork-mounting (I've got five, but they're all for rear mount).

My new motto: If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much. :p