I bought this Duell frame sometime in July from a very generous friend. At the time I did not have a lot of resources so I built it up with parts I had on hand, and a few trades. It was a mix of almost every imaginable 9 speed Shimano group with Tektro brakes to top it off. It looked great and rode jsut as well. Over the summer it ended up being my go to bike and I fell in love with it.

About a month ago I came across a great deal on a full Campagnolo Centaur 10 speed group. I had just recently finished building up my Puch Mistral with a mix of Campy 10 speed. I quickly became a big fan after I started putting the miles on the Puch. I still have some Shimano stuff and it will most likely stay that way, but the Modern Campy stuff is a whole lot of fun.

I am sure nobody read that, so on to the pics.

Before (not very dramatic, the looks have not changed a lot):


After:












-Jake

Very, very nice. Now - if you could only find a nice set of wheels with Campy hubs......

It's nice not having all that cable-clutter in front of you while you're riding, isn't it?

If I could only find some wheels from a reputable seller

My anniversary is Friday, maybe I should give my wife a hint for a good gift.

The ergos do clean up the build a lot. I have to admit, that is one of the things that draws me to Campy. I am superficial, what else can I say?

-Jake

Jake: beautiful machine!

Can never get enough Yellow.

I have an exact match for that blue in an Elite cage. And you know it's going out any day.

That hurts. After all we've shared, after all we've been through.... I thought I meant more to you than that.

I guess what it boils down to is I do not want to buy anything from someone who has owned a pink bike. I have a "magenta" bike which is completely different... so I can say that.
That may be painful to hear, but the truth can hurt. Sorry.

-Jake

Looks great Jake...needs the blue cages for sure.

It's not vain to like the Campy Ergos...the Shimano brifters look like ass!

Picked up a Campy Nucleon front for $75 tonight...the wheels are out there...patience is the key grasshopper...

It's fuchsia, dammit! Fuchsia!!!

^^^ It's "fuschia" with friggin' sparklies all over it, fer cryinoutloud.

Nice bike Jake.

Another in a long line of winners!

Looks like both of us are sliding into Campyville.

Very nice thoroughbred Jake. Am I correct on that your frame was built with Zona?

I like the idea of getting hands on some old reviews, catalogues or other content on Duell. I will go after that.

I believe the tubing is Columbus Brain Mel. When I got the frames there was one Columbus Brain decal in tact on the non driveside of the fork, but nothing on the frame.

The bare frame weighs 4lbs 0oz on my digital hanging scale. The fork is not super light, but the whole frameset comes in at less than 6lbs. That is quite a bit lighter than my SLX frame and SL frame.
I think this would put it in the Columbus Brain weight range. It has a standard size top tube and seat tube and an oversized down tube. The seat stays are tapered.

As you know, but others may not, this is a really well made frame, with lots of great details. The paint is really great also, it has a gradual fade from a Golden Yellow on the sides of the tubes to a pale yellow on the tops and bottoms. And the painted decals fade from a royal blue to more of a navy.

The details match up exactly with the red Bologna that you have for sale. Same fork crown, brake bridge, bb, cable routing, seat cluster, it is all identical. My does not have chrome stays, but I do have the chrome fork.

Like I posted at the top, I believe this has become my favorite bike to ride. It fits my riding style perfectly, and the ride is fantastic. It lacks nothing that I need from a bike, it wants to go faster than I can make it. It is super smooth on the roughest of roads, but I do not feel like I loose a thing while climbing or accelerating. It has crossed my mind on more than one occasion to try and pick up another Duell from you, I just can not justify it. If anyone is on the fence about buying one of yours, I hope they read this. I don't think they would be disappointed.

If you do find any more info on the older Duell bikes I would love to hear it.

-Jake

By far the most desirable frame currently offered.. but not my size.

But Jake, it couldn't be a more obvious and compelling change than going from Shimano to Campagnolo! Bravo!!

It looks like they did the same as with my red/blue Pursuit, but with two tones yellow >> view it on VeloBase. Nowadays Brady van Dalen, Jan's brother, does the painting. He is professional bike painter. I do not know how it was back in the day.

I found out I could order old issues of FIETS magazine with Duell reviews in them and I will probably select a couple, but the reviews will be in Dutch and of newer era frames. On the same site I discovered a couple interesting pics >>>


The builder and one of his frame in 2008, when Duell celebrated its 30th anniversary. Under the link you can also view the finished result of the full bike.

I already mentioned Brady, Jan's brother and the painter. This is his bike >>



By clicking on this link you can get a closer look of the paint. FIETS mentions it is a 17.000 euro bike.

Thanks. The new owner will appreciate this kind of comments, as a confimation he did a great deal. I sold it earlier today. I am afraid I haven't one in your size available Jan.

Yes the paint is like the pursuit, that is another beautiful frame you have there! Do you still have it?

I am sure whoever got the Bolnago will be very happy. I am glad it sold so that I am not looking around my house thinking what I could get rid of so I could buy it.

It is nice to see high quality modern steel frames being built by Duell. Makes me even more proud of what I own.

Nice to hear from you Jan, I must be missing your post. I have not seen much of you lately, hope you are doing well!

-Jake

Yes Jake, I do still have the Pursuit. It is my size and it will sure build into a great rider ...once I found the time to do that. The only Duell full bike I have is this mid 80s example >>


Shows bike pretty much as how I got it. Some changes in the pipeline.

531P tubing & JvD signature >>