joe v
09-28-06, 12:55 PM
Any thoughts about the model?
Classic & Vintage - Any other good Gazelles apart from the Champion Mondial?
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Cool Steel
09-29-06, 07:06 AM
Any other good Gazelles apart from the Champion Mondial?
No.
:)
No.
:)
Sammyboy
09-29-06, 07:49 AM
I have an 80's Trim Trophy, which is 531 main triangle, Shimano 105 group. It's great. I don't think that's one though.
s70rguy
09-29-06, 10:39 AM
[Any other good Gazelles apart from the Champion Mondial?]
No.
Note: With the exception of a Trim Trophy maybe. (Don't wanna hurt sammyboy's feelings!)
No.
Note: With the exception of a Trim Trophy maybe. (Don't wanna hurt sammyboy's feelings!)
cuda2k
09-29-06, 11:04 AM
That sure looks like a Champion Mondial to me, unless Gazelle was using virtually the exact same decal set on all their frames of simular vintage (which of course is completely possible the more I think about it).
Sure is an odd combination of parts, fork, etc.
(Loves his Gazelle Champion Mondial A-B frame)
Sure is an odd combination of parts, fork, etc.
(Loves his Gazelle Champion Mondial A-B frame)
Cool Steel
09-29-06, 02:56 PM
That sure looks like a Champion Mondial to me ...
Certainly it's not.
Look at the top tube: you'll never see those brake cable guides on a Champion Mondial.
The top model always has the smaller ones.
... unless Gazelle was using virtually the exact same decal set on all their frames of simular vintage ...
Exactly, the racing bikes of roughly that vintage that I've seen (Tour de France, Tour de l'Avenier, Vuelta, Trim Trophy, Formula, Ventoux come to my mind) all had virtually the same decals on down tube and seat tube [apart from color, naturally].
Certainly it's not.
Look at the top tube: you'll never see those brake cable guides on a Champion Mondial.
The top model always has the smaller ones.
... unless Gazelle was using virtually the exact same decal set on all their frames of simular vintage ...
Exactly, the racing bikes of roughly that vintage that I've seen (Tour de France, Tour de l'Avenier, Vuelta, Trim Trophy, Formula, Ventoux come to my mind) all had virtually the same decals on down tube and seat tube [apart from color, naturally].
cuda2k
09-29-06, 03:03 PM
Its hard to see the cable guides on this monitor, but I'll take your word for it. And upon further inpsection of my own pictures, you're quite right about the guides. I was confusing the double loop guides on my (lower end) Cuda:
http://www.thecuda.com/hd_PB201239.JPG
with these on the Gazelle:
http://www.thecuda.com/tn_P6241633.JPG
As far as the decals, I realized how completely stupid of an assumption that was as I was in the middle of typing it. Hence the (unless...) part of the statement. :o
http://www.thecuda.com/hd_PB201239.JPG
with these on the Gazelle:
http://www.thecuda.com/tn_P6241633.JPG
As far as the decals, I realized how completely stupid of an assumption that was as I was in the middle of typing it. Hence the (unless...) part of the statement. :o
s70rguy
09-30-06, 01:51 AM
As a guideline to define 'good', in the case of Gazelle: the factory had a 'special race department'. In this workshop the race frames were handbuilt by skilled craftsmen. At the height of their commercial success (around 1980-85) about 35 people were working here.
So i would argue that the frames built there were 'good'. All the others (like Tour de 'Avenir) were mass-produced in the factory.
The models that were made in the race workshop, in 1980: Champion Mondial (road, cyclo cross, track, stayer and youth), Champion Mondial Semi Race (a touring version, with a.o., brazed on dynamo bracket!).
In 1984 the line-up was expanded with a Champion Mondial tandem, a randonneurbike and an off-the-road bike; all full 531 DB. The Trophy series was introduced: Trim Trophy and Cross Trophy (main triangle in 531 plain gauge).
So i would argue that the frames built there were 'good'. All the others (like Tour de 'Avenir) were mass-produced in the factory.
The models that were made in the race workshop, in 1980: Champion Mondial (road, cyclo cross, track, stayer and youth), Champion Mondial Semi Race (a touring version, with a.o., brazed on dynamo bracket!).
In 1984 the line-up was expanded with a Champion Mondial tandem, a randonneurbike and an off-the-road bike; all full 531 DB. The Trophy series was introduced: Trim Trophy and Cross Trophy (main triangle in 531 plain gauge).