Classic & Vintage - velosport prestige

I just sealed a deal on a early-to-mid 80s velosport prestige. Sorry, no pics as of yet because I haven't picked up the bike. The bike has full shimano 600 arabesque and, from what I have read on other threads, was a very good mid-level bike in it's day.

Does anyone out there know what kind of tubing was used in these? Also, does anyone have access to old velosport cataloges from the early 80s? I am curious about the rest of their lineup in the early 80s and where this fell in it. Was it their 2nd tier road bike at the time?

Cheers!
Allan Pollock

Hi, the tubing was Tange #2. My recollection is that the Prestige was #2 in the line-up, the Super Prestige with Tange Prestige tubing being number one, but I may be mistaken. T-Mar would know better. In any case by all reports the Prestige is a great bike.

Velo Sport info seems hard to come by.
Here is a pic from the tube decal on my Velo Sport Everest touring.
Pics of yours would help.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/fj40/DSC01963.jpg

I have owned several Velo Sport Prestige bicycles and each was different. In addition to the sticker you have on your bike, each of these tubing stickers adorned a different Prestige. My guess is the bean counters, not the bike builders decided on what to build bicycles out of. Too bad because one of these bikes was pretty nice to view and ride.

Velo Sport was a cut above the department store bicycle offering for the most part. They did build some really nice bicycles, the good Prestige being one, but the rest were nothing to get all excited about.

In addition to the Perstige, I have owned a few lesser mounts like the Miche(mid level), the Routier(entry level), and the Alpine(touring with triple cranks and even a place for spare spokes).

The top dog was the full Campy Super Record Velo Sport "Super"(I believe that is what the model name was and I have seen two of these beautiful bicycles. They are pretty rare.

thanks very much. mine is tange champion #2 like the second pic. same arabesque group as well. it's an 82 I think. A nice ride. the brazing and filing isn't perfect but it's not bad. I'll try to post some pics another day,... it's bedtime now
Incidentally, Randy, you mention that one of the three was a very nice ride...which one?
Allan

Just picked up a prestige too. Full 600. heres the decal just like randyjawa's third
http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq342/LgReno/Velo%20Sport%20Prestige/5b.jpg

pretty sweet.

The bike with the Champion #2 tubing set was a real treat to ride. But it was too big for me to ride comfortably.

The OPs' bicycle does appear to be a 1982 and it was 2nd from the top of the line that year, though it did get progressively bumped down the line, courtesy of the tubeset changes.

T-Mar,

I have asked you this before but I can't find your answer so I will ask it again. I have an 82 or 83 Velo Sport that is built from Columbus SL with Campagnolo dropouts and nice lug cutouts and frame details. The fork was originally chromed and the bike was painted maroon or burgundy from the traces I could find. It kind of looks like a Bilatto built bike but I am not sure, do you have an idea of model?

vjp

Infinity = Tange 2

Prestige = Tange 1

Although my Tange 1 Lotus label shows it as Champion 1.

The really odd thing is that my Nishiki Prestige came with Tange 2 Infinity tubing.

T-Mar,

I have asked you this before but I can't find your answer so I will ask it again. I have an 82 or 83 Velo Sport that is built from Columbus SL with Campagnolo dropouts and nice lug cutouts and frame details. The fork was originally chromed and the bike was painted maroon or burgundy from the traces I could find. It kind of looks like a Bilatto built bike but I am not sure, do you have an idea of model?

vjp

Supra


Infinity = Tange 2

Prestige = Tange 1

Although my Tange 1 Lotus label shows it as Champion 1.

The really odd thing is that my Nishiki Prestige came with Tange 2 Infinity tubing.

Infinity was effectively a seamed version of the seamless, Tange 2 set but Prestige was thinner and lighter than Tange 1. It was a completely different tubeset, utilizing a higher strength steel.

Supra





Right, Thanks!!

I think that Randy Jawa is referring to "Supra" not "Super" for the top line Velo Sport.

vjp

Thanks TMar, I always wondered why my Tange 1 was not Prestige. So I guess Prestige is a step above 1.

I got a frame courier 12 mid 1980 entrey level, but it is the same rose than the supra. Maybe it is same rame hi tensile 512, the frame is light but the crank set weight 10 lbs.
Did some body know how to take uf a seat post jam in a tube. i try a lot but nothing works. Ad like to do a cruise bike with this frame.
thanks!