Classic & Vintage - Batavus Professional: help me spend my $$

Hey, all. Just wanted to show off my "new" Batavus Professional. I was in my LBS the other day and asked if they had any vintage steel bikes come in recently. The owner said, "As a matter of fact . . ." He had this in the back and sold it to me for $200. Not nearly as sweet as some of the yard sale buys I've seen in this forum, but not bad, I think.

So, I wanted to get some input about what I should upgrade. Obviously, the stem has to go. Suggestions for that? I'd like to stay vintage. I am thinking all Super Record components, eventually.

I have already bought some SR quill pedals and have my eye on some SR toe clips. (I don't care much for the Look pedals that are on it now, or for clipless pedals in general.) I have also ordered a Batavus head badge, which it currently is missing. The only change I've made to is so far is adding my B-17 saddle. I'm thinking maybe of getting Brooks leather bar wrap to match my saddle.

Also, what year would you guess it to be? Given the "Dutch National Champion 1983-1984" decal near the shifters, I'm it's a 1985, at least.

Here is the current set up:

Frame: Batavus Professional (1985 or so?), Columbus tubing
Fork: original (I think) Columbus
Rims: Mavic GP4
Tires: old tubulars
Hubs: Campy Record
Headset: Campy
Shifters: Suntour
Front der.: Suntour
Back der.: Suntour ARX
Stem: ugly
Brake levers: Dia-Compe
Seat post: La Parade
Seat: Brooks B-17
Handlebars: Sakae
Cranks & chainrings: Sugino RT
BB: ?

I think you got a great deal. Nice looking bike!

Nice find! The frame alone is worth $200 in my opinion. It most likely is an '85. I had an '85 Competition (one level down from the Professional) with the same decal style. Batavus was sold in '86, and changed things up.

Judging by the headset, it probably came with Nuovo Record, though it may have had a Super Record short group on it. But NR is less expensive! I agree, however, that Super Record would look nice. Keep in mind, however, that many European manufacturers sold bikes with very eclectic builds, so it wouldn't necessarily be incorrect to mix and match. Those brake calipers are nice...are they Dia-Compe? Or does that say Superbe on the QR lever?

Thanks! The brakes are Superbe. They seem to be in excellent condition. I'm guessing they are a little newer than most of the components.

Very nice. New stem and new tires and you're good-to-go.

Very nice. New stem and new tires and you're good-to-go.

My thoughts exactly. If you're dead set against tubulars, you could easily trade that wheelset out for a nice set of clincher wheels.

Wow very nice for $200. How does it ride?

I know that bike. If it were my size you would never know what you missed.

I hope you quickly take care of the few but pretty serious rust issues, especially on the top tube. After you tidy it up, it'll be a cool bike. :thumb:

J

It's a pretty smooth, comfortable ride. This is my first quality steel bike, though, so it's hard to compare. I have a Bridgestone 300 that I salvaged and made into a fixed gear, but its top tube is a bit short for me, making it a bit cramped. Also, it has straight gauge, heavier tubing.

Compared to that, the Batavus feels light and nimble and with perhaps a bit more springy-ness and flex. It's a pleasure to ride.

Yes---I'm glad you pointed out the rust issue. It is worst on the cable guides. Any advice on how to address this?

PM sent.

J


It's a pretty smooth, comfortable ride. This is my first quality steel bike, though, so it's hard to compare. I have a Bridgestone 300 that I salvaged and made into a fixed gear, but its top tube is a bit short for me, making it a bit cramped. Also, it has straight gauge, heavier tubing.

Compared to that, the Batavus feels light and nimble and with perhaps a bit more springy-ness and flex. It's a pleasure to ride.

Yes---I'm glad you pointed out the rust issue. It is worst on the cable guides. Any advice on how to address this?

Very nice. I do have the same style frame in blue with yellow, but with a more conventional looking crown forks with the two cyclists in it. I would say mine is a couple yrs older. 1982 or so.

In my 1980´s catalouge the Professional has got full Shimano 600EX gruppo or Dura Ace EX-gruppo.

Hi Javal,

Would it be a problem to put the catalogue on the scanner?

I acquired a Professional yesterday. It is blue and looks a lot like this one (http://www.classical-bicycles.com/images/photogallerypics/batavusframe.jpg), but with brazed cableguides on tt, two cyclists engraved on top forkcrown and unpainted-chrome rear drop outs. It has a Dura Ace EX sticker on the seattube, but actually specs are a DA and 600AX mix. I think one must be '80 or very near. The graphics are defo earlier style than my '82.

The week before I got a white one. Like the blue, but with clamped guides and the cyclists lack. Tubing is Columbus instead of 531 for the blue. Full 1st gen DA. This one must be slightly older, I would think 1978-79. Oldest I have is one like pictured in the mid 70's catalogue on the Equus site (http://equusbicycle.com/bike/batavus/largejpg/batavus03.jpg), but in orange.

Elev12k; Scanner way too technical for me, but a simple photo of the enclosed catalouge bike. However, I can tell you how they present it; Reynolds 531 or Columbus SP tubing. Sizes between 52-63 cm. Handbuilt. Components as mentioned before. Coulors; arublue, pearl white, bright red, pearl gold, brown-light brown and silver metal. I would say your lugs are the same as the Prof in my catalouge.

The same year the Course model had Huret/Rival derailleurs and Weinmann 506 sidepulls. The model Criterium in double-butted chromoly and hi-tensile with Shimano 600 derailleurs and sidepulls.

Here are the catalog scans Batavus sent me in response to my inquiry about a Competition model. The company changed hands in '86, so they don't have very many records, but it appears they've archived some catalogs. It may have been luck that I contacted such a friendly rep, but it may be worth it to contact them for more scans.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/Batavus%20Competition/1984_brochure.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/Batavus%20Competition/19823_brochure.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/Batavus%20Competition/1985_brochure.jpg

Elev12k; Scanner way too technical for me, but a simple photo of the enclosed catalouge bike. However, I can tell you how they present it; Reynolds 531 or Columbus SP tubing. Sizes between 52-63 cm. Handbuilt. Components as mentioned before. Coulors; arublue, pearl white, bright red, pearl gold, brown-light brown and silver metal. I would say your lugs are the same as the Prof in my catalouge.

The same year the Course model had Huret/Rival derailleurs and Weinmann 506 sidepulls. The model Criterium in double-butted chromoly and hi-tensile with Shimano 600 derailleurs and sidepulls.

Very interesting

I now think my Aruba blue/yellow Professional is from 1984 or very near. I checked the catalogue on the Bulgier site and that should be from 1984 according to Bulgier. The blue/yellow is exactly according to those specs. This is a picture of the blue/yellow >>>

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3954825641_af7c0387bc_b.jpg

Javal, I would think your catalogue is from 1983 or so than? The white frame looks quite a lot like the one pictured above in the foreground, but it isn't the 1984 catalogue as that is already on Bulgier's site and it is another catalogue. It is likely dpayne's Professional is from 1985 or 86. It uses another more aerodynamic fork than the 1984 bike (and it mentions 83 and 84 titles on a decal, like dpayne already said), while it could very well be that the red/wide fade frame in above pic is already from 1987.

Does the catalogue give you any clue on year?

Here are the catalog scans Batavus sent me in response to my inquiry about a Competition model. The company changed hands in '86, so they don't have very many records, but it appears they've archived some catalogs. It may have been luck that I contacted such a friendly rep, but it may be worth it to contact them for more scans.



Also interesting. Thank you

I would think the post-its telling year are not correct. I would guess the 1st is maybe 1981, the 2nd 1982 (or possible 83) and the 3rd 1983 or 1985. Maybe the later catalogue is the same catalogue as Javal has?


It looks like I have a decent representation of Professionals through the years now. I have also enough material for comparison from the other large Dutch make: Gazelle. I am aiming at the Champion Mondial than. I would say, after being able to take close looks at both, the Champion Mondials overall/in general show nicer graphics, more interesting detailling and nicer finishing. The Professionals are rarer.

The 3rd largest brand Union had their thoroughbreds made with Gianni Motta. I never had the oppertunity to view one up close.

Material for comparison of the Japanese Miyata factory is also available. That is a totally different bike. Exponent of another culture and another understanding I think. A package of Japenese dedication to detail and of the mill precision vs Dutch pragmatism.

To be absolutely honest I confused the catalogue with some other 80´s ad for Batavus!!! In that ad I could see Batavus engaging in the Olympic endorsements prior to Moscau.:o Therefor, my guess is by far less accurate than already stated. This was the line-up for that years sport- and roadbikes; Sprint GT and Sprint GT Race, Champion Special, Champion Race, Corsa (juniors), Course, Criterium and Professional. The people in the pics look...early 80´s:) Its not the same catalogues; diff pics and mine is made for the Swedish market by the head retailer.

That frame looks identical to my 1984 Professional, except my frame did not have the Dutch Champion sticker. The frame and fork are Columbus tubing. Batavus used SL tubing in the smaller frame sizes, and SP in the larger sizes, like my 62 cm.

I bought my frame mail order in early '84 from an outfit in New Jersey, called Crazy Dave's or something like that. I bought it as a frame + fork, and built up the rest from a mix of components. The Nuovo Record rear derailleur, Dura Ace front derailleur and Superbe brakes (but not the levers) are still original. I was having similar rust issues along the top tube, including the cable guides. Early this year, I had the bike refinished by Franklin in Ohio. Cost me $600, including duplicating the decals and detailing around the lugwork, and was worth every penny. I's like having a brand new bike. I took her out for a 65 mile ride this morning. She rides as well as she did when brand new. This is more than I can say for myself...

Sweet buy! You got a bargain - I really like the deep drop on those bars.

I recently picked up a Batavus Competition circa 1978, with all original parts. Other than the years of dirt and grime it appears to have been lightly used.
Early Shimano Arabesque Group. Banded Shifters.
Shimano 600 Brakes and Levers.
Shimano hubs and skewers.
Mavic Model E Rims.
Working Zefal Frame Pump.
3ttt Stem and interesting 3ttt Seatpost.
Sakae World Custom-SL handlebar with sort of drillium look.
Tange Levin Headset.
Full Ishiwata .022 frame and fork (suprisingly light).
Painted Aruba Blue, except for the fork tips which are Chrome. Paint is in excellent condition.
Decals are old style Batavus black on downtube with Intercycle decal on the seat tube and Competition on the top tube.
Brass riveted head badge.
Kyokuto Pedals.
5-speed rear cogs.

I'd post pics, but have disassembled most of it for cleaning and repacking. Will try to get some up after the project ends. It always amazes me when I find a bike that is 30+ years old and barely ridden. Somehow it just seems wrong.

Cheers.

personally I would change the stem to something similar just better looking. I like to sit more up right when I ride. other than that I think it just needs a good cleaning and should be left alone. maybe a set of retrofriction shifters and suntour slant parrralell derailluer to shift a bit better. but it is a great looking classic as it is.

Where are these mythical LBSs with their back rooms of vintage gifting!?

Thanks for the ideas, guys.

jebensch: this particular mythical LBS is called "Suck Creek Cycle" (rather unfortunate name) and is located in Chattanooga, TN. I'm still pretty amazed at my luck. I think the owner has a pretty high appreciation for older steel bikes and usually has a few (maybe trade-ins?) out on the floor. I was happy this one never made it out of the back room, though. It's as if it were destined to be mine. :love:

FYI, I replaced the LOOK pedals with some SR quill pedals and alloy toe clips (which feel feather-light). Sadly, both of the older tubulars flatted---probably as I was trying to wrestle off the left-side pedal, forgetting that it is reverse-threaded and really cranking the pedal on tight until I had my "DOH!" moment and had to work the pedal off (applying copious amounts of WD-40). Can't believe I forgot about the reverse threading; I've changed pedals before, although it's been a while.

Anyway, the tires were pretty worn as it was and already had bulges and tears in the tire casing, so it was just as well. I got the 3 for $50 deal from YellowJersey. So, next, I'll be learning the fine art of gluing on tubulars. Hopefully that will go better than the pedal changing fiasco. :p

Also, I'll be addressing the rusted cable guides on the top tube.

I don't think I'll be doing any major changes to the frame (repaint, etc.) It seems to be in really nice shape as it is, and I don't really think I want to spend the money to have it "restored" by cyclart, etc.