Classic & Vintage - Official Bike of the 1976 Olympics

Does anybody know anything about these? I've passed by one locked up in downtown Portland several times now; last night I finally stopped and took a look to see what it is. I can't add pics, because of file size limits, but here's a link to one on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Official-Bicycle-of-the-1976-Olympic-Games_W0QQitemZ290015817967QQcmdZViewItem).

It's an Iverson and pretty much a boat anchor. Ashtabula crank with a big pie plate of a chainwheel guard with the logo and text on it. Gas pipe tubing, etc. Real low end. Typical Olympic "Official" sponsorship commercial deal. Here is a craigslist one in blue ...

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/192379174.html

A buddy had me list a really nice example for him on eBay a couple of years ago and I think it brought $25. Sellers try to pass these off as Team bikes ...

Bob

What a joke! That looks like a really cheap department store "10-speed" with stem shifters and safety levers. The front dropouts are just flattened and notched tubing and the rear ones sheet metal spot welded in place. In 1976 a bike like that would have probably sold for well under $100. The manufacturer must have paid a royalty to use the Montral Olympics logo. As I recall, there were lots of products sold with that logo. When I first saw this post I thought Marinoni. I think they were the bikes used by the Canadian team, which is how they became well-known.

If it's an Iverson, DO NOT TOUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They were the worst, the absolute worst of the department store bike boom cheapies. Most sold in Erie back then were white frames with black trim, and I remember a few coming into the shop with the headtube sheared off. Cracked clean through, and the bounce wasn't even hard enough to flat spot the cheap steel rims. I think they sold for something like $69.95 back then, and the local catalog store sold a few container loads of them.

The only good thing I could ever say about them is that they saved a lot of Schwinn Varsity's and Raleigh Record's from abuse at the hands of spoiled 14 year olds. Which only goes to show that there is something good coming out of everything, no matter how bad.

Syke
Deranged Few M/C

The only good thing I could ever say about them is that they saved a lot of Schwinn Varsity's and Raleigh Record's from abuse at the hands of spoiled 14 year olds.Err, my dad bought bikes for the family in 1970. My parents and my sister got Gitane Grand Sport de Luxes. I got a Raleigh Record. I was 15.... :p

Yeh I have an Iverson Decathlon official bycle of the 1976 Olympic Games sticker on front still say's Montgomery Wards my dad just gave it to me, i have a beach cruiser so that will sit. I will get Pic's for this fourm would be nice, i'm going to keep it in a safe place for the next 4 yrs! lol TIll the next Olympic Games!!

I remember this bike well, and it sure is a horrible piece of crap, even when it was brand new. I think paying $25 for one is too much.

It sold for $300.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1976-Iverson-Decathlon-Bicycle-Olympic-Games-Orginal_W0QQitemZ130247789075QQihZ003QQcategoryZ156524QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I have to admit, it is a nice looking bike...but I wouldn't touch it.

It sold for $300.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1976-Iverson-Decathlon-Bicycle-Olympic-Games-Orginal_W0QQitemZ130247789075QQihZ003QQcategoryZ156524QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sad.

I am absolutely shocked that someone would pay $300 for this horrible piece of steel. However, one mans garbage is another mans treasure.

Heh heh... I bought my minty-fresh 1987 Miyata 912 for $270 on Fleabay... coulda had an Iverson!!!

I would hate to think anyone would believe a bike like that was raced anywhere let alone the Olympics. It is what we used to call a sixty-nine dollar wonder. You pay your sixty-nine dollars and wonder how you could ride it.

i just restored one. its heavy as hell but it runs great

You're 4 years late, but welcome to the party.