Classic & Vintage - Stella w/stronglight and sew-ups

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karlrogne
08-31-04, 05:51 PM
I am new to this process, but I am curious about this bike and the uses of forums, so I will kill two birds with one stone.
I just purchased a Stella road bike with some nice parts on it. Stronglight al. cranks, simplex deraillers, Normandy hubs with Mavic rims and double butted spokes. The sticker just below the top tube on the seat tube say "DURIFORTE" I don't find a serial # in any of the standard locations. The frame is orange with matching fork, chrome two tone. the stem and handlebars are aluminum and the brakes are weinman center pull
Please let me know any history, aprox value, ride characteristics etc.
Thanks

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Poguemahone
08-31-04, 06:43 PM
Nice bike, good find. Stella is a lesser known french marquee. Yours sounds, from the components, like a higher end model. You will have some small issues:

1) The headset and bottom bracket are likely threaded french. This can make replacement of these parts interesting, though not impossible. Keep them maintained and you'll likely be fine, though-- this is usually more a problem in concept than in practice.

2) The stronglight crank may need a 23.35 mm crank remover. These are still made, but are pricey. If you can post a picture, one of us may have had experience with the particular crank. Do not use another remover-- these can damage the crank.

Post some pictures; I'd love to see it.
John E
08-31-04, 08:30 PM
With 10 (I presume) speeds, alloy cranks, and Weinmann centerpulls, it is probably a mid 1960s to mid 1970s bike. Earlier French bikes often had 52-45 or 53-45 chainrings, whereas later ones generally had the popular 52-42 gearing. I like Stellas, Bertins, and the other lesser-known French bikes, perhaps because everyone "knows Peugeot," to paraphrase the old Peugeot automotive advertising jingle.

karlrogne
11-05-04, 08:35 PM
thanks for the responses, a friend and fellow bike mechanic at my shop offered me $45 dollars and lunch for the bike. Since the frame was far too small for me to ever ride, and his girlfriend brings some pretty amazing lunches, I agreed. I will direct him to this forum, I think he will enjoy it and maybe he can post a photo.
thanks again