All top models (Crescent and Monark 320, 319 and 318) had Nervex/Dubois lugs. All through the 70´s they were built with Reynolds 351. In US these models were called Pepita Special or Super Continental. The Pepita name came from the checkerboard decal BUT, these decals were used on many different Crescents, from older low-end roadbikes to hard-wear townbikes. The Pepita decal were introduced early sixties. It seems every bike with Nervex lugs were called Pepita for some strange reason...
An easy tell them apart manual for the seventies; The 320 had Campagnolo gruppo, 319 had campag or simplex, in late 70´s Shimano Dura Ace and the 318 had various french components (Simplex, stronglight, Huret). The same standards as for the blue Monark bikes.
The Crescent top models were orange ´til ´80-81 when they also came as light blue. From 80-81 the tubing were Tange Mangeloy, Tange 3 and late 80´s Tange Cro-Mo. The BB had french thread from the 60´s til the 80´s; they were rightmade 35x1 mm. From -81 english thread 1370x24 tpi.
Besides the top models there were 317 (youth) and 316 (priceworthy trainer). And theres more models but I wont make this an essay
. Anyhow, for some reason swedish bikes have a sad reputation in the US and are treated with less respect (when it comes to workmanship) than italian or even french bikes. Being a european I have a more relaxed relation towards other bike brands, ´cause its obvoius they built some crappy or crummy bikes in Italy and France too. I would say, if you have found a clean and unmolested Crescent or Monark of any model, you´re in for some good riding and trustworthy companionship.
