Take two: Is this something worth pursuing?
#1
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Take two: Is this something worth pursuing?
The Lejeune I was originally interested was apparently sold while I had dinner tonight. I should have known it would go quickly... the price was right, after all. I take some minimal comfort in knowing that its sale was probably pending by the time I discovered it.
Discovering that the advertisement had been removed, I began my search again, in despairing hope that it had simply been relisted. No luck there, unfortunately... However, the following two bicycles did catch my eye.
1
-few details provided in the ad, but it appears to be similarly equipped as the last bike I wrote about, although with a different decal scheme.
-I still have no clue about that tubing decal... did Reynolds once produce their own version of hi-ten and sell it with a yellow decal like that, or is it Columbus, as was suggested for the last bike?
-no size is listed for the frame, but it looks like something between 56cm and 58cm, right?
2
-this bike is apparently "all Reynolds", has Shimano Crane derailers, Dura-Ace brakes, and is 56 cm. Does that look correct?
So... the same question, take two: Should I make an effort to take either of these bikes home with me? Once again, I appreciate any and all feedback! I'm ever in awe of the depth of the knowledge-base here.
Discovering that the advertisement had been removed, I began my search again, in despairing hope that it had simply been relisted. No luck there, unfortunately... However, the following two bicycles did catch my eye.
1
-few details provided in the ad, but it appears to be similarly equipped as the last bike I wrote about, although with a different decal scheme.
-I still have no clue about that tubing decal... did Reynolds once produce their own version of hi-ten and sell it with a yellow decal like that, or is it Columbus, as was suggested for the last bike?
-no size is listed for the frame, but it looks like something between 56cm and 58cm, right?
2
-this bike is apparently "all Reynolds", has Shimano Crane derailers, Dura-Ace brakes, and is 56 cm. Does that look correct?
So... the same question, take two: Should I make an effort to take either of these bikes home with me? Once again, I appreciate any and all feedback! I'm ever in awe of the depth of the knowledge-base here.
#2
aka Tom Reingold
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They both look very nice.
They both appear to have tubular tires. Are you ready to deal with those? Or change the wheels?
They both appear to have tubular tires. Are you ready to deal with those? Or change the wheels?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#3
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Both. the Mercier looks nicer to me buy the big hubs on the leJune are too cool to pass up
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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#4
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No idea about the Mercier. The Lejeune is close to the first one you posted, though the hubs look like earlier Campy Nuovo Tipo to me. I don't know if NGS high flange hubs had round holes or not. The frame & fork stickers could be Reynolds ones, but I doubt very much if they are Columbus. It looks larger, though: more like a 58cm.
Rectangular Reynolds fork stickers: https://defietsenmaker.nl/index.php?i...id=485&lang=EN
Rectangular Reynolds fork stickers: https://defietsenmaker.nl/index.php?i...id=485&lang=EN
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#5
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Both appear nice, I would place the LeJeune above the other. Someone swapped out the original Record hubs.
The LeJeune does indeed appear larger, 58 center to top would be my guess.
LeJeunes have not been popping up on ebay very often lately. Must be all those happy owners.
The LeJeune does indeed appear larger, 58 center to top would be my guess.
LeJeunes have not been popping up on ebay very often lately. Must be all those happy owners.
#7
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next time, buy bike, eat dinner... THEN post...
At the moment, I prefer the Lejeune, mostly because I like to ride 58cm (plus, I love the look of the Lejeune). However, I'm not really interested in going to the trouble of shipping a bike that's not made out of some nice variety of tubing. I just sent a message to the owner of the Lejeune, in order to inquire about the tubing sticker. I'd like to know more certainly what the Lejeune is made of before I make any decisions. If I were back home, I'd simply go take a look at it... however, I have less confidence (in myself, mostly) here.
edit: another picture of the Lejeune:
edit#2: I'm willing to deal with tubular tires, if that's what comes with the bike.
#9
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My word, where are you finding these lovely Lejeunes? I have to start looking at more threads as I missed your first one and only opened this one by chance. I believe the Lejeune to be 531. I downloaded the photo, enlarged and made it negative and the tubing label looks to be later 531 with the larger bar across the bottom to me. The forks may not have tubing labels. I have seen Lejeunes without any and some with one. I cannot say I have ever seen that particular head badge for Lejeune, but they were prolific with the variations of those and the paint schemes. Often Lejeune also appeared on the forks. FD appears to have a CPSC lip and holes, so that dates it 78 and later, assuming the FD is original. Hard to tell what level Campag. Could well be NR. Tipo hubs as pointed out by repechage.
I also find the Mercier quite nice. Too bad it is not the famous pink. I don't think you could go wrong with either. It comes down to which fits you better.
I also find the Mercier quite nice. Too bad it is not the famous pink. I don't think you could go wrong with either. It comes down to which fits you better.
#10
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First rule of getting a deal, particularly in a red hot market like Portland: Grab now, study later. While you are waiting for feedback from fellow listers, a scooper is out there grabbing it (if it is a deal).
Educate yourself (the web is a great equalizer) and pounce. Best deals are captured at inconvenient times and usually have little/no information. Ads with pictures as good as the ones above will grab someone's attention. Then its just a matter of the price.
Educate yourself (the web is a great equalizer) and pounce. Best deals are captured at inconvenient times and usually have little/no information. Ads with pictures as good as the ones above will grab someone's attention. Then its just a matter of the price.
#11
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Yes - and there are snakes in the grass lurking here that will have no problem running this one to ground while you try to find out more about it.
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#12
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Indeed!
At the moment, I prefer the Lejeune, mostly because I like to ride 58cm (plus, I love the look of the Lejeune). However, I'm not really interested in going to the trouble of shipping a bike that's not made out of some nice variety of tubing. I just sent a message to the owner of the Lejeune, in order to inquire about the tubing sticker. I'd like to know more certainly what the Lejeune is made of before I make any decisions. If I were back home, I'd simply go take a look at it... however, I have less confidence (in myself, mostly) here.
edit: another picture of the Lejeune:
edit#2: I'm willing to deal with tubular tires, if that's what comes with the bike.
At the moment, I prefer the Lejeune, mostly because I like to ride 58cm (plus, I love the look of the Lejeune). However, I'm not really interested in going to the trouble of shipping a bike that's not made out of some nice variety of tubing. I just sent a message to the owner of the Lejeune, in order to inquire about the tubing sticker. I'd like to know more certainly what the Lejeune is made of before I make any decisions. If I were back home, I'd simply go take a look at it... however, I have less confidence (in myself, mostly) here.
edit: another picture of the Lejeune:
edit#2: I'm willing to deal with tubular tires, if that's what comes with the bike.
front valve stem looks Schrader to me...
Last edited by repechage; 06-20-11 at 07:26 PM. Reason: mo' info
#13
Thrifty Bill
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Great point, more than one person has lost out on a deal by revealing it here first: "Is this a deal?" Realize there are people surfing this forum looking for leads on bikes.
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Baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet.... was not that the jingle?
#17
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#18
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#19
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I downloaded the photo, enlarged and made it negative and the tubing label looks to be later 531 with the larger bar across the bottom to me. The forks may not have tubing labels.
Cevy half-ton fo sho. That's odd for France.
But if I'm not mistaken, these bikes are in France...right?
First rule of getting a deal, particularly in a red hot market like Portland: Grab now, study later.
I'm flying Icelandair later this summer to get back home, and their bicycle shipping policy is very reasonable, I think: if it fits within certain (to me, seemingly generous) dimensions, it only costs $40. I'm all but convinced, at this point - I'm going to call the number associated with the ad this afternoon. Hopefully, the bike is available.
In the event that I do wind up with the bicycle, does anyone know where I can find a bike shipping box in France? Can I expect the local bike shops to stock these, and does anyone know how much they'll charge me to pack the bicycle (I have no tools, nor any way to do it myself)?
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In the event that I do wind up with the bicycle, does anyone know where I can find a bike shipping box in France? Can I expect the local bike shops to stock these, and does anyone know how much they'll charge me to pack the bicycle (I have no tools, nor any way to do it myself)?
#21
Thrifty Bill
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In the event that I do wind up with the bicycle, does anyone know where I can find a bike shipping box in France? Can I expect the local bike shops to stock these, and does anyone know how much they'll charge me to pack the bicycle (I have no tools, nor any way to do it myself)?
#22
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In the event that I do wind up with the bicycle, does anyone know where I can find a bike shipping box in France? Can I expect the local bike shops to stock these, and does anyone know how much they'll charge me to pack the bicycle (I have no tools, nor any way to do it myself)?
I would pack the bike myself, buying an allen key set from a super market (3-4 euros) and a roll of brown tape (2 euros)
Wheels off, then the stem out the frame and the rear deralieur off
wrap everything up in old newspapers and brown tape, then put into bike box and add tape.
If you decide to post, recored to america is zone C on this chart
Last edited by prettyshady; 06-21-11 at 06:38 AM.
#23
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Damn, that lejeune is even nicer than the one you had before! And amen to being a broke college student and not being able to play ball with most flippers/collectors that have a steady job, a garage and a car.
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