Here are some pics of the (1984?) Apollo Triathlon I picked up yesterday.
I also had a Cambrio Rino thrown in. I have no idea what or who makes that!
Anyway, was this a fairly decent Apollo?
It has Suntour Cyclone derailluers, Sugino GLP crank, Araya 700c rims and Dia comp 400 side pulls.

Yes, it is definitely a nicer Apollo, and the condition is outstanding! The lugs are similar to my earlier Gran Sport, with the seatpost binder being an exception.
What do you mean you got a Cambio Rino thrown in??!?!?? That's friggin' awesome - they're great bikes. Rino was an Italian builder who I think had distribution here by Gardin. If it is all original, pretty much everything on the bike componentry-wise will be "Rino" and of Italian threading/design. The few examples I've seen are quite nice. I believe they are still in production somewhere in Italy. There is a website, albeit rudimentary:
www.cambiorino.it

Was that a NOS sale or what? Doesnt look like its ever been used! Im interested in seeing pictures of the Cambio Rino myself.

Triathlon models started appearing from the major manufacturers around 1983/1984. Apollo were made by Kuwahara who used an open format serial number, So if the first two numbers are 1984, then it was manufactured in 1984, though if it was manufactured late in the year it could be a 1985 model. I believe the 3rd and 4th digits should represent the month of manufacture.

Most triathlon models were mid-range models and this seem to fit the bill, with a 4130 frame and the component mix. I don't have any Apollo literature for the era but it was probably about 3rd from the top of the line and around $400 US. Nice bicycle and it appears to be in very good condition. Congratulations on your acquisition.

Cambio Rino was an Italian brand imported by Jim Gardin. They are notable in that they also manufactured their own components, which were featured on many of their models.

Thanks for the info. I am going to be keeping this one for myself.
I had an add in the local paper a while back as I am looking for bikes for a reunion ride this summer and this Apollo popped up.
I offered $40-$50 for the Apollo and he told me that he wanted both of them out of the garage I could take them both for $60. So I don't think I paid to much.
I will give the Cambio Rino a dust off in the future and show some pics. It is completely original but a tad smaller than the Apollo so I may get rid of it after the ride. I am still looking for a U08 but this will do as the Peugeot gave us grief on the original tour.
I took the Apollo for a ride and it works very well although I will be servicing all the bearings before our ride.

WOW!
That's an awesome bike. I'm jealous!

T-Mar, how long did Apollo make bikes?
I have seen Kuwahara BMX but never any road bikes.

Kuwahara made road bikes for Nishiki also, right?

Wow! The condition is superb congradulations. BTW weren't the Apollo made in Canada?

Yes Cambio Rino made all the components. I've seen stem, crank, derailleurs etc... Fun stuff... Show us some pics as well!

No, Kawamura did. Similar name...

Not sure. At least early 1970s to mid 1980s. There's still an Apollo brand brand in Australia, but I'm not sure if they are connected. However, I believe I read that they were both made by Kuwahara, so maybe they are the same.

The frames were manufactured in Japan by Kuwahara - at lest all the ones I've seen. Deeley, the Canadian importer may have done some of the assembly to get a more favorable tariff rate. This was common practice.

Being an Australian, and now living in Victoria, Canada, I can tell you that they are the same. Apollo Canada ceased to exist, while, like you said, Apollo Australia continues to this day. The early to mid '80s bikes, even though they didn't share the same model names always, the appearance (including downtube decals) and construction is identical...

Ricohman, your pictures of a new-looking Apollo Triathlon triggered memories of the purchase of mine, identical, new, in Edmonton in spring of 1986. It proved to be the best bike ever--nimble, durable, practical, fun, and so light! (I tried attaching a photo here but I haven't posted enough yet.) It had been through a lot and has had much meticulous maintenance & TLC over many years. It became my preferred combo utility/recreation bike.
I found this useful thread you started when I looked for information to prepare a Theft Report. Yes, to my great dismay and sadness, my cherished bike was stolen last week! I'm doing everything I can think of to recover it, and fingers are crossed.
I agree that the pair of Apollo and Cambrio Rio were an awesome find for you! It's not clear which was the one you were 'going to be keeping for yourself''. You took that reunion ride quite a long time ago. Your post threw fuel on my kindled idea that, in the worst case of this theft scenario, maybe--maybe!--I would be able to reconstitute the Apollo experience that's been part of my life and biking hobby for 35 years. Will I be able to find somewhere another Apollo Triathlon to fill this shocking, misfortunate vacancy?
Do you still own the Apollo? If so, would you consider selling it? ...to someone who knows this bike thoroughly, has encountered not a better one anywhere (though I'm sure vintage enthusiasts could point to many brands and models of distinguished reputation and performance from this era), and who would sublimate his theft-victim distress-energy into nurturing, preserving and enjoying a fine and ideal substitute for his beloved Apollo Triathlon?
Regardless, I can tell you from experience that you have a prize specimen there. At the very least, thanks for a great picture set for my files, and to all the thread responders for their useful and interesting details about the Apollo story.

Photo assist...

Beauty Apollo. Living on the west coast of Canada i see a lot of Apollos. I wish i could find a list of models because i see so many.

I continue to grieve the loss, by theft, of my much-used-&-loved '85 Apollo Triathlon. There's been no progress toward recovery. That system depends on tracing and identification by serial number. Through 35 years of ownership, I confess I have no memory of seeing the serial number on my bike--I've never had to--and there's now reason to have a doubt. One of the pictures Ricohman posted of his acquisition (in 2007) of a near-mint specimen partially shows a stamped number on the bottom left side of the seat tube. I'd been assuming the SN on my Apollo was under the bottom bracket, a common (but not only) place for such. Through all my maintenance work on the bike, I don't recall seeing a number--the serial number?--low on the seat tube.


Ricohman, besides my inquiring again whether you might consider selling your Apollo Triathlon (if you still have it), may I ask you--or anyone else in the know--where exactly the serial number on the Apollo's Kuwahara frame is. Is it indeed where your picture seems to depict? If so, that would seem to be an uncommon location, and if I were sure of this, I would add it to the description on the Bike Index file.


This most disheartening of setbacks happened on the first day of winter, and I have the next five months to decide how I will provide myself with the primary utility/recreation bike I'll need in the spring. I'm debating whether to be satisfied with one from even earlier--a BRC Roadace 404 (with replacement larger steel frame of unknown provenance) which is under restoration (and has greatly benefitted from Clubman's sale of his vintage rim set). I think I'd really miss the lightness and agility of the CrMo racing frame. Though there are a good number of light-framed vintage bike candidates out there, a plan to start from scratch with an Apollo Triathlon as good as yours, Ricohman, would be a no-brainer.