Bought a Libertas on accident
#1
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From: Elwood Indiana
Bikes: they change so much I'm tired of updating this
Bought a Libertas on accident
This was on EBay from a local seller, price was $20 up until a few minutes it climbed to $30. I was only going to $40.99, but I waited to long and quickly put my bid in and accidentally put $409.99. Luckily it only cost me $51.00, I about had a heart attack.
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#3
Overdoing projects

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From: Rotterdam, former republic of the Netherlands
Bikes: Batavus Randonneur GL, Gazelle Orange Excellent, Gazelle Super Licht, Gazelle Grand Tourist, Gazelle Lausanne, Gazelle Tandem, Koga-Miyata SilverAce, Koga-Miyata WorldTraveller
Could be worse and certainly not a bad price. If it would have gone as high as you accidentally typed there is a clause in eBay that really unrealistic accidental bids can be withdrawn.
How much is shipping though?
How much is shipping though?
#4
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Thanks for sharing this new arrival.
Looks to be quite a fine one.
Something is wonky at the brake bridge -
either mounting hole not perpendicular to stay or mounting seating pad washers mis-set.
we need to read the observations of [MENTION=173992]non-fixie[/MENTION] & [MENTION=304507]Munny[/MENTION] regarding this machine...
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Thanks for sharing this new arrival.
Looks to be quite a fine one.
Something is wonky at the brake bridge -
either mounting hole not perpendicular to stay or mounting seating pad washers mis-set.
we need to read the observations of [MENTION=173992]non-fixie[/MENTION] & [MENTION=304507]Munny[/MENTION] regarding this machine...

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#5
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From: Elwood Indiana
Bikes: they change so much I'm tired of updating this
#6
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Frame looks like it may be eleven tube Reynolds constructed with BOCAMA Professional lug set and Huret forged ends.
Libertas has house brand transfers which somewhat resemble Reynolds. There is not eno' res in image to tell for sure which the transfers are...


Kitting mostly frankish -
NERVAR Star chainset
Huret Svelto & Luxe 700 gear ensemble
Atom 440 pedals
Stronglight P3 headset
Normandy Sport hubs with M.M. Atom skewers
3TTT Record first generation stem
Universal 61 arrestors
Nitor saddle
AFA pump holder
REG brake cable clips
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Looks to be in very good nick.
Thinking 1971-73 time.
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Frame looks like it may be eleven tube Reynolds constructed with BOCAMA Professional lug set and Huret forged ends.
Libertas has house brand transfers which somewhat resemble Reynolds. There is not eno' res in image to tell for sure which the transfers are...


Kitting mostly frankish -
NERVAR Star chainset
Huret Svelto & Luxe 700 gear ensemble
Atom 440 pedals
Stronglight P3 headset
Normandy Sport hubs with M.M. Atom skewers
3TTT Record first generation stem
Universal 61 arrestors
Nitor saddle
AFA pump holder
REG brake cable clips
---
Looks to be in very good nick.
Thinking 1971-73 time.
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Last edited by juvela; 09-04-19 at 12:09 PM. Reason: addition
#7
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From: South Holland, NL
Bikes: Yes, please.
Ow! Nice! I'd have bought that. I don't see anything that I don't like, except maybe the jaunty angle of the rear brake caliper.
Judging by the second picture, this seems to be at least partially the result of a missing concave washer at the rear. I hope it's just that, and placing one will restore order.
Looking forward to more pics!
Judging by the second picture, this seems to be at least partially the result of a missing concave washer at the rear. I hope it's just that, and placing one will restore order.
Looking forward to more pics!
#8
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From: Elwood Indiana
Bikes: they change so much I'm tired of updating this
Thanks for the info, looking forward to getting it on the road. I'm thinking Pasela tires, new cables and cloth bar wrap.
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#10
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From: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
This is the Libertas I picked up earlier this year. I still haven't gotten around to getting it on the road. Mine has 531 stickers; does yours have 531 or "libertas" stickers? This is how it came to me in the "wild."
#12
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From: Middle Earth (aka IA)
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It's hard to find much information about these online. The best source of info is our posters from the low countries. Your bike looks to be pretty much original (or at least period correct) running gear which is cool. Mine had an assortment of parts (campy and suntour derailleurs, suntour hubs, zeus crank, universal brakes, stronglight headset).
One cool thing about this bike is that it has british threading.
I haven't decided on the build yet but it will be mainly French like yours I think. That seems more or less "right" for this bike.
One cool thing about this bike is that it has british threading.
I haven't decided on the build yet but it will be mainly French like yours I think. That seems more or less "right" for this bike.
#13
Cyclotouriste


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From: South Holland, NL
Bikes: Yes, please.
When you get the bike, turn it over. Birth year should be on the BB shell, along with a serial number.
#14
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From: Seattle WA
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
[MENTION=139746]sloar[/MENTION] Looks like a nice score for $50, is that a leather saddle?
#15
Cyclotouriste


Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,792
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From: South Holland, NL
Bikes: Yes, please.
It's hard to find much information about these online. The best source of info is our posters from the low countries. Your bike looks to be pretty much original (or at least period correct) running gear which is cool. Mine had an assortment of parts (campy and suntour derailleurs, suntour hubs, zeus crank, universal brakes, stronglight headset).
One cool thing about this bike is that it has british threading.
I haven't decided on the build yet but it will be mainly French like yours I think. That seems more or less "right" for this bike.
One cool thing about this bike is that it has british threading.
I haven't decided on the build yet but it will be mainly French like yours I think. That seems more or less "right" for this bike.
Many Belgian and Dutch bikes from that era came with an eclectic and international mix of parts. Swiss, French and Japanese parts would be happily mounted together on the same bike in the factory, with function, availability and price point being the main considerations. The Belgians (Flandria) were also the first Europeans to pick up on Shimano's potential, closely followed by the Dutch (Koga-Miyata).
Gazelle spec'ed one of their Champion Mondial versions in the seventies with parts from Reynolds (frame tubes), MKS (pedals), Gian Robert (hubs), Arius (saddle), SunTour (derailleurs), Weinmann (brakes), Sakae (seatpost), T.T.T (bars), Sugino (crankset) and Super Champion (rims).
I wouldn't worry too much about what's "right".
#16
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From: Middle Earth (aka IA)
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One aspect of the low countries is that they aren't nearly as chauvinistic as, for example, the French and the Italians. (Not an opinion, merely an observation.) Also, and maybe as a result, they didn't have much of a local bike parts industry, even though they are true cycling countries.
Many Belgian and Dutch bikes from that era came with an eclectic and international mix of parts. Swiss, French and Japanese parts would be happily mounted together on the same bike in the factory, with function, availability and price point being the main considerations. The Belgians (Flandria) were also the first Europeans to pick up on Shimano's potential, closely followed by the Dutch (Koga-Miyata).
Gazelle spec'ed one of their Champion Mondial versions in the seventies with parts from Reynolds (frame tubes), MKS (pedals), Gian Robert (hubs), Arius (saddle), SunTour (derailleurs), Weinmann (brakes), Sakae (seatpost), T.T.T (bars), Sugino (crankset) and Super Champion (rims).
I wouldn't worry too much about what's "right".
Many Belgian and Dutch bikes from that era came with an eclectic and international mix of parts. Swiss, French and Japanese parts would be happily mounted together on the same bike in the factory, with function, availability and price point being the main considerations. The Belgians (Flandria) were also the first Europeans to pick up on Shimano's potential, closely followed by the Dutch (Koga-Miyata).
Gazelle spec'ed one of their Champion Mondial versions in the seventies with parts from Reynolds (frame tubes), MKS (pedals), Gian Robert (hubs), Arius (saddle), SunTour (derailleurs), Weinmann (brakes), Sakae (seatpost), T.T.T (bars), Sugino (crankset) and Super Champion (rims).
I wouldn't worry too much about what's "right".

#18
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ebay errors....
Once placed a $100. bid that was accepted as $1000. - cancelled that one right off, too bad as once you do, no mas bidding on that item.
Other time, $4200. bid, and was willing to go that high, I prevailed at $2,400. Baylis spilled the beans only after thank goodness. Otherwise? who knows.
For $51. you made out well, probably much to the seller's remorse.
Once placed a $100. bid that was accepted as $1000. - cancelled that one right off, too bad as once you do, no mas bidding on that item.
Other time, $4200. bid, and was willing to go that high, I prevailed at $2,400. Baylis spilled the beans only after thank goodness. Otherwise? who knows.
For $51. you made out well, probably much to the seller's remorse.
#19
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From: Elwood Indiana
Bikes: they change so much I'm tired of updating this
I follow a local seller on EBay that sells donated bikes for
charity. He has 5-10 bikes a week, starting bid 19.99 with $100 shipping. Sells bikes as is with no description, some nice and some are just ok. But decent prices.
charity. He has 5-10 bikes a week, starting bid 19.99 with $100 shipping. Sells bikes as is with no description, some nice and some are just ok. But decent prices.
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#20
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From: Greenville, SC / Asheville, NC
Bikes: '74 Raleigh Professional, '73 Raleigh Grand Prix, '84 Nishiki Medalist, '85 Gazelle Champion Mondial AB, '81 Peugeot Course, '79 Univega Gran Rally, '85 Torpado Super Strada
Nice score! Looking forward to an update, with brake levers not pointed to the sky.
#21
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Looks like one in the win column for you [MENTION=139746]sloar[/MENTION], nice going. Entering the bid incorrectly and a few zeros too high, to the left of the decimal point, is one of my nightmares. Glad this one worked out for you.
Bill
Bill










