Looking to buy a Thebis
 

I know someone might still have one! This ad was on Craigslist:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/1425132233.html
Not my ad; reply to ad- not me!

That's very interesting. The pictured Thebis looks nothing like mine.:eek:

I wonder which one is newer? From what I understand, Thebis's were made from 1990 to about 1993.
Mine is a 201 model, which has a large diameter aluminum main tube and ovalized aluminum "fork" legs.

Guess I'll have to ask the guy with the CL ad.

Mine was a '92-similar to yours Dr. D.- gold anodized 20" back rims, magnesium large tube frame, air seats, 24" front rim. I saw a photo of the 1990 Thebis many years ago and it looked like a toy. That photo may be a '93. I do not think Thebis got big enough for several models at one time. I think I will look for a Thebis tandem....... :roflmao2:

Here is one on e-bay right now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/rare-THEBIS-201-...item2c515969ac

Interesting... that one has the same front derailleur problem as mine....

It doesn't fit! :p

The mounting post is incorrectly placed for the derailleur to work properly.
Hence, it's a 7 speed. Or manually shifted for 21 speeds.

Of course it doesn't NEED too many speeds, as speed is not it's forte. (rear wheel steering is tricky!)

(I have to hide the auction from the Mrs., as I got mine as a gift and seeing the auction at $860 with a day left, she might try to persuade me to part with mine):eek:

"another" reason they disappeared...that's a biggie! To get it "right" takes a lot of R&D. I'm finding this out myself.

DH

I called the CL guy and it turns out I've known him for years. :p

We're playing phone tag, so I still don't have any more info about the picture he posted with the CL ad.

And the eBay Thebis went for almost $1,100 :eek:including shipping!!!!!!!

Despite the Mrs. hints, I'm keeping mine! I may be opening a bike shop soon and it makes a great conversation piece. (even if it is a piece o. s. from a "practical" standpoint)

I even rode it yesterday.
I think I'd rather walk a tightrope across the Grand Canyon than ride that thing in traffic.:rolleyes:
But it IS an exquisite piece of machining. There are 16 separate pieces just to attach the rear derailleur to the frame. :lol:
It's so over-thought that to adjust the seat takes an engineering degree.:(

And for you car affectionados, it has POSI-traction! :roflmao2:

Interesting conveyance, but I'd rather ride my Greenspeed.;)

They sure hold their value... it has been about 10 years since I sold my Thebis. I bought an S & B Venice Beach trike which was under $1000. new, and I sold the Thebis for $1000.- so I thought it was a great deal. But the S & B would not tow a trailer and the value went down...down...down. Now- years later- I know it was a dumb deal!

My Thebis broke a U-joint so it had about 10 miles on it- no derailleur problems, nothing worn. Cost $100. to fix. Only problem I had was the nut behind the wheel.

Interesting, I'd like to know what broke on the ujoint if you recall, like was it the yoke or the center pins, don't recall if the Thebis had ujoints with small needle bearings.

I think it was a pin between the 'U's. The machinist tried to repair the joint but it would not hold; so it was just replaced with spare parts on hand. The repair was identical to the non-broken joint on the other end of the axle, so I am not sure what "magic" was used! :D