guygadois 

Hi, I am looking at a man and woman's Gazelle bikes. I really can't tell the vintage from the ad and the gentleman is of no help. I do know they have a drum brake and I am pretty sure that isn't a positive feature but then again I have never had to maintain one, only heard bad things. Anyone have any info on these models or Gazelles of this vintage?

Cheers,

GG

mkeller234

They are probably much newer than you would expect. I think they still make them very similar to this. I look at drum brakes as a positive. Low maintenance and no worrys about rain.

fender1

Good for getting around flat areas and running short errands. Relatively modern. Cool utility bikes. Drum brakes are easy to take care of, set & forget.

guygadois 

Thanks for the replies so far. The seller says he was told they are from the 70s. They look newer to me.

The quality looks nice too.

Anyone else care to chime in?

Cheers

Guy

mkeller234

The hubs might have dates on them to help with that. The dynamo on the ladies model looks pretty modern to me, along with the little ornament on the front fenders. They are good bikes, at least as nice as any Raleigh, and better equipped in my opinion. The chain cases might be a nylon type material stretched over a metal frame, I have seen some like that before. Lot's of nice details on them. I'd grab them if the price is right.

Zieleman

I used to ride one like the grey&white Gazelle when I was a kid. It was brandnew and it was about '91/'92. Good quality ride, but unfortunately my infant but used to play stupid games on that bike, causing the fork to bent. Bike was insured though. The drum brakes were pretty hi-tech back then, and they did well. Only maintainence i recall is turning a little screw. Judging from the sticker on the mudguard it's imported from the Netherlands, and the phonenumber on it has 10 digits, which was introduced in the 90s I believe... Those bikes did a good job moving from Harderwijk to sunny California!

20grit

That fade paint is a later than 70's thing for Gazelle. I'd put them up closer to late 80's at least if I were just wildly guessing.

guygadois 

Thanks, I hope to see them tonight. I haven't been able to find any price comps so I am kind of flying blind on this one.

Guy