Huret Svelto
02-09-02 | 12:11 AM
#1
Thread Starter
I am a lonely visitor
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Where even Richard Nixon has got soul
Bikes: Michelle Pfieffer, the Carbon Fiber Wonder Bike: A Kestrel 200 SCI Repainted in glorious mango; Old Paintless, A Litespeed Obed; The Bike With No Name: A Bianchi Eros; RegularBike: A Parkpre Comp Ltd rebuilt as a singlespeed.
Huret Svelto
Hi. I'm new to the forum.
My local bike club has weekly winter trainer "rides." This week a guy showed up riding an old 10 speed (5x2...not Campy 10 spd) that he bought for $15 at a Salvation Army store. The frame waas Italian lugged steel. The front derailleur was Campy but the rear was like nothing I'd ever seen. A flimsy little thing, it was protected by a cage bolted to the chainstay. It was basically a spring, two screws, a short pulley cage, and a flat sheet of metal stamped "Svelto." I've been able to determine that it was made by Huret in the early 60s. Inefficient by modern standards, there was an elegance to its simplicity.
Has anyone here ever come across one? Or ridden with one? Do you know anything about them? Pertinent information and amusing anecdotes will be greatly appreciated.
My local bike club has weekly winter trainer "rides." This week a guy showed up riding an old 10 speed (5x2...not Campy 10 spd) that he bought for $15 at a Salvation Army store. The frame waas Italian lugged steel. The front derailleur was Campy but the rear was like nothing I'd ever seen. A flimsy little thing, it was protected by a cage bolted to the chainstay. It was basically a spring, two screws, a short pulley cage, and a flat sheet of metal stamped "Svelto." I've been able to determine that it was made by Huret in the early 60s. Inefficient by modern standards, there was an elegance to its simplicity.
Has anyone here ever come across one? Or ridden with one? Do you know anything about them? Pertinent information and amusing anecdotes will be greatly appreciated.
02-09-02 | 09:22 AM
#2
human
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: living in the moment
Bikes: 2005 Litespeed Teramo, 2000 Marinoni Leggero, 2001 Kona Major Jake (with Campy Centaur), 1997 Specialized S-Works M2, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper
The Svelto was one of Huret's low-mid to low-range groups in the 1970s. It wasn't a pro group, but it wasn't a bad sports/enthusiast group. The Svelto was an incredibly simply, lightweight and elegant mechanism that could be easily dismantled and serviced by the owner.
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when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
02-09-02 | 04:54 PM
#5
Thread Starter
I am a lonely visitor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 2
From: Where even Richard Nixon has got soul
Bikes: Michelle Pfieffer, the Carbon Fiber Wonder Bike: A Kestrel 200 SCI Repainted in glorious mango; Old Paintless, A Litespeed Obed; The Bike With No Name: A Bianchi Eros; RegularBike: A Parkpre Comp Ltd rebuilt as a singlespeed.
He did great. It's a trainer ride. We were all on rollers or trainers. No one got dropped.
02-09-02 | 10:29 PM
#6
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Originally posted by mike
I'd like to know how the guy on the old 10-speed fared on the ride. Could he keep up? Did he finish the ride?
I'd like to know how the guy on the old 10-speed fared on the ride. Could he keep up? Did he finish the ride?
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"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
"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
