Crescent 10 speed
11-12-21 | 02:42 AM
#2
verktyg
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 1,273
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1980s DeRosa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA SBDU Team Pro
Swedish Crescent Bikes
During the US bike boom of the early 70's a wide variety of Crescent models were imported into the country. They ranged from the 40 lb. welded gas pipe Sport 305 Clunkers to the all Campy (except for the brakes) Pepita Special 320 with a Reynolds 531 frame. They also offered some models with the 3 main tubes made of straight gauge 304 stainless steel.
We sold some Crescents during those years but I rarely saw any bikes with frames over 23". Crescents offered a lot of bang for the buck, especially for the racing set but the workmanship was pretty crude. I don't think that many survived the 70's
US racer John Howard hammering on a Crescent in the early 70's.
verktyg
We sold some Crescents during those years but I rarely saw any bikes with frames over 23". Crescents offered a lot of bang for the buck, especially for the racing set but the workmanship was pretty crude. I don't think that many survived the 70's
US racer John Howard hammering on a Crescent in the early 70's.
verktyg
__________________
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
11-12-21 | 06:51 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 1,592
From: Near Pottstown, PA: 30 miles NW of Philadelphia
Bikes: 2 Trek Mtn, Cannondale R600 road, 6 vintage road bikes
I'm real pleased that my 319 survived. It's 60cm ctc but you'll need to do the math to inches. I keep seeing internet comments along the "workmanship was pretty crude" track. Pity I didn't get one. I've found only one quality issue and its cosmetic. Otherwise it's a well made bike and a joy to ride. Mine is built with Suntour FD, RDs, barcons and 6spd FW. Woohooooo. Mine is also blue vs orange. Quite happy.
11-12-21 | 01:55 PM
#5
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 245
Likes: 177
From: Vancouver, BC
Bikes: 48 Alleluia, 52 Blondin, 68 CNC, 55 Dujay, 46&67 Herse, 76 Singer, 48 LeGreves, 55 Metropole, 62 Holds Cyclone, 55 Condor, 65 Masi, 81 Sequoia, 76 Eisentraut, 72 Proteus, 60 Paramount, 77 Trek TX700, 81 Ross, 82 CBS, 70 Cinelli, 77 Merz, 83 Proctor
Crescents were fairly common here in Vancouver, as there was a Volvo dealer that imported them in the 1970s and sponsored a racing team. My first race bike was a 319, and I still own two 319/320s in the 24" size. They still come up fairly regularly on Craigslist, and I see there is one there now: https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van...401655258.html
11-12-21 | 02:23 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 4,393
From: Alta California
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the local MCB stockist in the San Francisco area offered Monark badged 319's and 320's in all three finishes: white, blue & orange
his explanation of the colours was that the factory sponsored both a professional and an amateur team. one rode the blue and one the orange. the white being for independents.
have no idea if this is correct; simply what i was told by the stockist who was in a position to know. he had married a svenska flicka so there was no language barrier with respect to communication with the factory.
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the local MCB stockist in the San Francisco area offered Monark badged 319's and 320's in all three finishes: white, blue & orange
his explanation of the colours was that the factory sponsored both a professional and an amateur team. one rode the blue and one the orange. the white being for independents.
have no idea if this is correct; simply what i was told by the stockist who was in a position to know. he had married a svenska flicka so there was no language barrier with respect to communication with the factory.
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11-12-21 | 05:31 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 4,049
Likes: 2,360
The one I got had some lumpy bits of brazing, and the lugs showed little if any detail work. Yes cosmetic, still a nice bike, but a bit agricultural...
