Cherubim Sportif fillet-brazed
 

Another Cherubim has found its way into my hands. I've been loving my recently-completed 1980ish Cherubim Super Tourer so I found a "V" model also around 1980ish. While the Super Tourer was the 650B randonneur model, the "V" was a 700C sportif. It could be specced with sidepulls or centerpulls - this particular frame has braze-ons for mounting centerpulls directly, and clearance for about 700x33mm tires. It's fillet-brazed. I believe the dropouts were made in-house by Cherubim. This frame was advertised as new old stock, which it looks to be.

After chasing the BB threads and sanding the paint off the centerpull bosses, I'll start assembly with some MAFAC Competition brakes and a Maxicar/Mavic wheelset from around 1980. The rest of the build is up in the air.

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:eek: H**Y CRAP, that's awesome! :thumb:

Pardon my ignorance, but I have never heard of the marque. That looks like a superb touring bike.

Now that's something you don't see so often.

You've caught my attention, that's for sure.

Pretty frameset.

That finish work is so good, it is out of this world.

Plus, that thin paint just adds to the "OMG" factor when you realize how absolutely perfect everything underneath has to be for no flaws to show up at the edges.

Also in awe of the multi-tabbed dropout. Downright brilliant.

-Kurt

Much like Jack Taylor Cycles, the marque was started by 3 brothers (Konno) who were competitive cyclists in Japan in the 50s. The business was started in 1964, named by their mother who was a devout Christian. They had an early success when they were chosen to supply frames for the Japanese Olympic team in 1968. The Konno brothers later split into Cherubim, 3Rensho, and Miyuki. Cherubim specialized in racing and French-style cyclotouring bikes through the decades and is still around, run by the son of one of the founding Konno brothers. Now they mostly build road racers and Keirin bikes but still periodically make touring bikes.

Beautiful!

Great looking frame

Thanks for the information

That is a seriously cool bike - love the concept of wide tire sports tourer with direct mount center pulls.

Another stunner TenGrainBread :thumb: can't wait to see it all build up!

Finished the build tonight. Some night time hallway pictures:

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Build list:

Wheels: 700C Mavic MA2 rims laced to Maxicar hubs
Freewheel: Maillard 700 Course 6 speed
Chain: Izumi 6 speed
Tires: Soma Supple Vitesse 33mm
Headset: Tange Levin Royal
Stem: SR Royal
Handlebars: Atax Philippe Professional
Brake levers: Suntour Superbe
Brakes: MAFAC Competition braze-on centerpulls
Shifters: Suntour Cyclone 1st gen
Rear derailleur: Suntour Cyclone 1st gen short cage
Front derailleur: Suntour Superbe Pro
Crankset: TA Pro 3 pin with Stronglight BIS rings (48-38)
Seatpost: American Classic titanium
Saddle: Brooks Pro titanium

Beautiful bike! Love those drilled rings on the TA 3-pin crankset.

Very pretty! But it needs silver fenders, doesn't it? Or is that just me....

I purchased a pair of the Soma tires too- I have yet to install them- look good.

do the brazed on mounts present the brakes farther forward?
windering about the cable to the outside routing at the yoke.

Gorgeous - and I second Neal's comment about the 3-pin TA with the Stronglight rings. A really nice touch.

Funny, rhm - I found some hammered 700C fenders at the LBS today; instantly thought of them when I saw this build. They're super narrow though.

-Kurt

That is freakin' gorgeous. And it pushes me just that little bit closer towards a fillet-brazed frame someday. Nice.

Well, that’s beautiful...

I've used these Soma SV tires in wider widths before and they're great.
I don't think the brakes are much farther forward than the standard mount with the stirrup/adapter plate.
Regarding the straddle yoke- I reversed the hardware so the cable could be clamped on the opposite side of the straddle. Just makes installation and adjustment slightly easier because the straddle and brake cable aren't competing for space behind the yoke. Saw this trick somewhere, don't remember.

Have some Honjos on hand. Hope the clearance is ok with the 33s- the bike was probably designed for 28s and fenders. We shall see.

I like the wire behind as if keeps the yoke in alignment and keeps the straddle wire in place as the end of the brake cable is providing "keeper" duty.
This is with Mafac's where the straddle wire is also essentially the quick release to open the caliper for wheel removal.
The downside of Mafac is the cable pinch bolt can rotate, and must be secured when tightening the bolt... Weinmann and Dia-Compe had cable bolts that have don't twist, the job is a bit easier.

That is such a nice bike all around. I could look at it all day.

What's that bar tape? It looks thick, but wider than Newbaum's, or maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me.

Thanks! It's Velo Orange thick cotton tape, so yes, wider and slightly thicker.

It looks great. Thanks for letting me know.

Changed the saddle and put some placeholder pedals on for the first real test ride. Feels good. Probably downsize the tires to 28s, fenders, and tilt the saddle up a bit.

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