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12-19-11, 12:17 PM
Hi, I was gifted this vintage bike the other day ad I would like to possibly find out more iformation on it as i have seen fairly higher prices for these vintage bikes.
This one is a womans bike, by a Canadian company called GARDIN. From what I can grasp, it seems to me that Gardin bikes really focused on road bikes. I understand that they were all hand made. For some reason the company did close down in the 1990s.
Here is an article about the bikes and the opinon of a racer or two
http://www.canadiancyclist.com/dailynews.php?id=16040
Then more here:
The First Gardin
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_Canada/Gardin_Special_Mine/Gardin_Special_1_Introduction.htm
Rumour has it that not all Gardin bicycles, and I speak only of the Canadian made mounts not the French, were made equal. Some Gardin bicycles, such as those that two time Olympic cycling champion Curt Harnett rode in competition or as trainers, were of superb quality. This Gardin "Special" is one of the better made bicycles to come out of the Gardin factory.
In any event, this is not a road bike but I wouild like to possibly find out as much as i can about it. Its been used very little. The stainless steel still shines very nicely, no scratches on the frame, etc. (only a bit of rust near the crank which i can remove)
Unfortunately it only says GARDIN on it, nothing else, but the name of a bike store no longer in existence in Canada.
If anyone could guess its year and/or any other relevant info Id really appreciate it.
Thos tassles hanging down from the handlbar grips I plan to take off and get rid of as they are ugly!!!
TIA
http://flic.kr/p/aXR6fn
This one is a womans bike, by a Canadian company called GARDIN. From what I can grasp, it seems to me that Gardin bikes really focused on road bikes. I understand that they were all hand made. For some reason the company did close down in the 1990s.
Here is an article about the bikes and the opinon of a racer or two
http://www.canadiancyclist.com/dailynews.php?id=16040
Then more here:
The First Gardin
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_Canada/Gardin_Special_Mine/Gardin_Special_1_Introduction.htm
Rumour has it that not all Gardin bicycles, and I speak only of the Canadian made mounts not the French, were made equal. Some Gardin bicycles, such as those that two time Olympic cycling champion Curt Harnett rode in competition or as trainers, were of superb quality. This Gardin "Special" is one of the better made bicycles to come out of the Gardin factory.
In any event, this is not a road bike but I wouild like to possibly find out as much as i can about it. Its been used very little. The stainless steel still shines very nicely, no scratches on the frame, etc. (only a bit of rust near the crank which i can remove)
Unfortunately it only says GARDIN on it, nothing else, but the name of a bike store no longer in existence in Canada.
If anyone could guess its year and/or any other relevant info Id really appreciate it.
Thos tassles hanging down from the handlbar grips I plan to take off and get rid of as they are ugly!!!
TIA
http://flic.kr/p/aXR6fn