Calling All Steel Frame Experts!
10-19-08, 10:12 AM
#1
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Calling All Steel Frame Experts!
OK Guys here is a Superior from the Netherlands. The Solo Superior Team was Eddie Merckx's first pro team but does anyone have information on this Superior. The frame Reynolds 531, has a mix of the world's best frame parts. Campagnolo fork ends (Italy), Nervex bottom bracket housing (france), Zeus rear drop outs (Spain), Cinelli (maybe?) seat lug/stays (Italy). Pics are attached and THANKS for any help IDing this unusual frame.
10-19-08, 10:31 AM
#2
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Looks like the world's most bizarre jumble of frame parts. Do you have a closeup of the head lugs? I don't see why a framebuilder willing to put extremely plain lugs on his machine would go through the trouble of putting one of those painful Nervex BB shells in.
-Kurt
-Kurt
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10-19-08, 10:48 AM
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FYI, Merckx rode for "Solo Superia," not "Solo Superior."
10-19-08, 11:09 AM
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Looks interesting... I'm intrigued by the Nervex bb shell, Zeus dropouts and Cinelli style seatstay attachment. Maybe they were just using up a buncha stuff lying around?
10-19-08, 11:46 AM
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10-19-08, 02:29 PM
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Superia not Superior
I'm so used to calling this frame/bike a Superior not Superia, as the previous owner called it.
Of course Eddy Merchx did ride for Solo Superia.
Does anyone have anything on the Superia brand? Could this be a tribute bike to europe?
THANKS
Of course Eddy Merchx did ride for Solo Superia.
Does anyone have anything on the Superia brand? Could this be a tribute bike to europe?
THANKS
10-19-08, 02:36 PM
#7
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I like the white head tube. 
Seriously, I do concur with Kurt that it's pretty strange to mate plain head lugs with an ornate BB shell. Otto Cap did precisely the opposite, with intricate head lugs and a much plainer BB shell.
Seriously, I do concur with Kurt that it's pretty strange to mate plain head lugs with an ornate BB shell. Otto Cap did precisely the opposite, with intricate head lugs and a much plainer BB shell.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
10-19-08, 03:50 PM
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-Kurt
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10-20-08, 06:37 AM
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+1, Superia is from Belgium, Zedelgem to be speciifc. The threads are probably French.
Superia was family business. Bicycles were first manufactured in the late 1800s by Louis Claeys as diversification of the family blacksmith business. His 7 sons founded Claeys Brothers Ltd in 1926, with Remi Claeys creating Superia in 1956. In the mid-1970s, the business was passed on to his sons, Bertrand and Roland.
The brand sponsed many pro teams from the mid-1960s through the mid 1980s. Besides, Merckx, other famous cyclists who rode Superia include Rik Van Steenbergen, Rik Van Looy and Patrick Sercu.
In addition to bicycles, Superia produced motorcycles, mopeds and baby carriages. To ensure year round manufacturing, they expanded into home heating products, which they still produce.
Superia was family business. Bicycles were first manufactured in the late 1800s by Louis Claeys as diversification of the family blacksmith business. His 7 sons founded Claeys Brothers Ltd in 1926, with Remi Claeys creating Superia in 1956. In the mid-1970s, the business was passed on to his sons, Bertrand and Roland.
The brand sponsed many pro teams from the mid-1960s through the mid 1980s. Besides, Merckx, other famous cyclists who rode Superia include Rik Van Steenbergen, Rik Van Looy and Patrick Sercu.
In addition to bicycles, Superia produced motorcycles, mopeds and baby carriages. To ensure year round manufacturing, they expanded into home heating products, which they still produce.
10-20-08, 09:49 AM
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The combination of Zeus rear dropouts and Campy front dropouts is really strange. The rest of it doesn't strike me as remarkable.
Any halfway competent frame builder would have no problem brazing the Nervex bottom bracket. The second frame I built had a Nervex bottom bracket, because that's what I had on hand. I didn't really like the looks of them. It's kinda growing on me though.
Any halfway competent frame builder would have no problem brazing the Nervex bottom bracket. The second frame I built had a Nervex bottom bracket, because that's what I had on hand. I didn't really like the looks of them. It's kinda growing on me though.
