racso

Hey guys,

I recently bought an Allegro from a friend of mine who got it at an auction a couple of weeks ago for $25 bucks and sold it to me for $60. I wanted to know if you could help me date it and probably figure out the model? I have not been able to find much information or catalogs on the internet. The bike came with a rather odd mix of Campagnolo nuovo record and Sakae Royale as you are going to be able to see in the pictures. The frame has Campagnolo dropouts as well.

I would like to know your opinions on the bike, I did 60 miles on it today and I must say it runs great, such a light and smooth ride, it climbs like a madman (I am going to change to a Regina 11 - 21 on the rear wheel during the week). I'm guessing it's made out of Reynolds? Unfortunately the frame came with no decals at all whatsoever, so the only things that I have are the front logo badge, serial numbers and the Campagnolo dropouts, any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance !!!

wrk101

$60 for a chrome bike, with wrap around stays, Campy dropouts, and several Campy parts? WOW!! Lug work, wrap around stays, fork crown, Campy dropouts = high end something.

On dating, start checking date codes, if any of the parts are original. I would start with the seat post and stem. Steering tube may be marked with tubing mfr and date, some are, some aren't.

You need a proper step ferrule on that RD cable housing. Cheap at the LBS.

Drop out spacing? Speeds?

dbakl

With the Nervex lugs I'd guess earlier 70s or before than later: at some point they went to simpler lugs. The later frames were sold by Bikeology in the 70s and the paint jobs were very simple. I imagine it was all chrome because they did multiple color fade paint jobs, with the base color many times fading off into the chrome.

As far as I know, in the Nervex days there were 2 models. The "Special" which yours appears top be and the "Super Luxe", a lesser, no chrome steel crank model. Typically Stronglight crank and Campagnolo gears and hubs on the Special.

Some info here:

https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Swi...nd/Allegro.htm

and:

https://web.archive.org/web/200109252...legrobikes.com

Cyclomondo has a couple of versions of Allegro decals on ebay.

ColonelJLloyd 

Very cool! Yes, the SR Royal bits date to the mid-late 70s.

Tuc

Sweet buy!

racso

Hey thanks a lot guys, I'm happy to hear your comments. The bike actually came all in pieces, the frame, headset and fork where installed, the rest of the components came in a plastic bag. Funny enough, the bag included two different groups, a "spare" Sakae Royale group and the Campagnolo group, however I didn't manage to get the Campagnolo crankset, pedals, seatpost, nor the headset that was installed when I went to pick the bike. My friend took the campy headset and installed it on his Peugeot as well as the pedals, seatpost and crankset, so he sold it to me with half Sakae and half campy group as you can see.... weird guy hahahaha. The bike was missing the brake levers as well, so I installed a set of Shimano Dura Ace for the moment so I can ride it, I will install some Weinmann's when I get the chance to do so, as I am aware that's the brake system that Allegro used.

WRK101:
Cool man thanks for the info, I'll start checking the codes and dropout spacing when I get back home in the evening. As far as the speeds, I installed a 7 speed Regina freewheel that has 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21.

DBAKL:
Hey thanks for the links and the info, I'll check on ebay for the decals as well.

ColonelJLloyd:
Thanks for the info on the SR!!!

unworthy1

I've never seen one all-chrome, and mine (which I believe to be about '75) has plain lugs and a sandcast Georg Fisher BB shell.
The acknowledged expert on Allegros is Craig Griffiths in SLO, CA.
He manages the swissbicycles.com website...you can contact him here:
info@swissbicycles.com

retyred

Looks like a 1960s Allegro, not sure if it's a Special or Luxe model. Is there a small rectangular plate brazed on the seat tube, non-drive side just below the seat lug? If it hasn't been removed you'll find the serial number engraved into it. Neat Allegro, only the second chrome one I've seen. I noticed the Ca. bike license, are you in California?

bikingshearer 

For $60, you scored big time. Allegros were decently made Swiss frames. I remember seeing them in shops in the Bay Area in the mid-70s - Missing Link, then on the UC Berkeley campus, sold them for several years at least. All the ones I recall were made of Reynolds 531, and it is likely yours is, too.

Interesting geometry on yours. With that longish wheelbase, it definitely was not built for the Cult of the Criterium that grew to dominate the America race frame market during the 70s and into the 80s. In 1960, that would have been considered pretty standard Euro (and American) road racing geometry; by 1980, it would have been considered too long and not responsive enough for most American racers. But I bet it will prove comfy on long rides and plenty fast and responsive for you.

racso

Unworthy1:
Thanks for the info, I will e-mail Craig Griffiths to see what he has to say, although all the information you guys have been giving me has been extremely helpful.

Retyred:
1960's? Even better !!! Right below the seatpost clamp it has the serial F77 and it still has the small rectangular plate brazed on the seat tube: Serial No.165188. Yes, it has a CA bike license. Yeah I'm in California, I'm from San Diego but I am currently living in Tijuana, México (The border with San Diego) finishing some of my studies.

Bikingshearer:
Glad to hear I scored big time
I rode the bike for the first time yesterday, did 60 miles on it. I must say that it's an extremely comfortable ride and it climbs very smooth, and yes, it's plenty fast and responsive as well.

I don't ride bicycles that where made after the 80's, so if this bike is from the 60's then it is the bike that I was missing so far, since I didn't have a ride from the 60's.

Does anyone know what kind of gears they used in the 60's? I installed a 7 speed regina freewheel 12 - 21, but I don't know if this would be correct for the era. Any recommendations?

unworthy1

if you can get a 7-speed rear in there without pulling the dropouts apart, then it's been spread (cold-set) to 126 spacing from what would have been the original 120.
I think any Campy gear would be perfectly suited on an Allegro, but maybe some Weinmann brakes to keep a little of the Swiss on it.
I have a few left-over decals from my re-spray, nothing like a complete set but they were printed from my own artwork so I can vouch that they were a very good match to mid-'70s originals...and I'll make you a deal

Here's a shot of my serial number (before re-spray)

bassogap

Whenever I think of Allegros, I think of the beautiful smoked finished ones a shop that I worked in the mid 70s sold....We were told the finish was made by passing a lit candle ofer the bike...simply beautiful...

bibliobob

Super score!

retyred

Serial no. 165188 places your Allegro around 1960. Very nice find.

dbakl

A 60s Allegro would have been Campagnolo Gran Sport changers and hubs, Stronglight 49 crank, Lyotard pedals, Pivo bar and stem, Weinmann sidepulls and a Brooks seat. Barend shifters were used quite alot. My stepfather had a late 50s one.

5-speed...