any info on this seemingly early 70's Stella something or other would be appreciated.



Browsing through older BF threads and the interwebs has thus far given me little info. I am guessing that the chromed forks and chain/seat stays are a good sign? Have I found this bike?:

Budget Bicycle Center - Vintage Stella Road Bicycle 58cm
Lug work, chrome and crankset seem to be the same. Even if this is the bike, the website still doesn't offer a lot of info, i.e. date, model, tubing etc.

You need the seat tube OD (probably 28.0mm for a French bike) and the seat post OD (26.4mm in a 28.0mm tube would indicate butted tubing, probably 531). The brand of dropouts (Simplex?) would help, as well.

Based on the integral derailleur hanger and chromed stays, I am guessing this is a PX-10 equivalent. If I am right, this is a keeper, if it is your size (way to tall for me).

John,

You were one of the BF members that chimmed in on earlier threads relating to 'Stella', so I thank you for you input. Unfourtunately I don't own the bike so I can't take a closer look than that photo.

this is from Sheldon Brown on French Frames:
"The better models, those with Reynolds 531 or other high quality tubing, commonly featured Simplex forged fork ends, with built in Simplex-type derailer hangers".

So, seems like you're right on que. Did you see the bike in the link I posted though? There's a Columbus sticker on the downtube. I have also seen similiar example with "Durifort" tubes and Huret drop-outs with the afore-mentioned Nervar Crankset:
Vintage French Stella Road Bike 61 Durifort Huret Mavic Mafac Simplex No Peugeot | eBay

I suppose if I look long enough I can answer my own questions. Seller calls the frame a 1971 Stella arctic, which initial, on the surface provides no results. But I think this is it.. and this has Campy Drops:

Bike TLC and Ministrations: Dan's 1970's Arctic by Stella


I would like to check it out, but is 2 hours away so may not be able to until Labor Day weekend. Hopefully one of you won't beat me to it

Hello dpicare26, iirc, arctic cat tried their hand at selling bikes during the bike boom. they had stella produce them. most of the bikes were lower end, but, they did make some better ones. the bike in your OP photo looks like one of the better models.

Thanks for the input gbi, what you're saying goes along with what the owner of the above pictured "arctic" said on the website:
"We did a little research on the Arctic by Stella and found that they were made for Actic Cat in the late 60-70's by Stella, a French bicycle company. The venture into bicycles was not successful for Actic Cat, so they sold them off at a great price. They were comparable to a Peugot UO8, BUT there were a few out there that had some built at a much higher level of quality."

Wow. $850 for that BBC Stella! I hope you didn't pay that much for yours!

No, John, I don't own the bike, was just gathering some info.