Well, I broke down and spent the most money I've ever spent on a bike. Some of you may have been following this listing on eBay. I decided to go for it because 1) I really like the way it looks 2) I like that it's relatively rare in the US, 3) it's my size 4) I doubt I'd ever find one at a yard sale, and 5) my plan to paint my Trek 710 frame would have cost at least this much (it's availalbe if anyone wants it) - so why not get a frame in excellent condition with parts to boot?

At any rate, the seller (maybe a BF member?) says it's a Batavus Competition, but no date is given. Seller lists the following specs:

531 frameset
Campy G.S. crankset
Campy derailleurs and shifters
Campy low flange hubs
Mavic module E rims
Shimano levers
Weinmann 605 brake calipers
Laparde fluted seatpost
Gipiemme dropouts
Maillard pedals with christophe clips

I know I should wait until I have the bike to ask these questions, but I'm too excited!

Can anyone identify the year from the following photos (provided by seller)? I'll be sure to update once I receive the bike next week. Does anyone have access to catalogues or information than can confirm original specs? The Shimano levers and Weinmann brake calipers seem odd in that group. Also, I know nothing about Campy, so perhaps those components are later swap-outs?

I would eventually like to bring it back to original spec (if it isn't already there), but that will have to wait until I generate more bike income.

Any input is welcome, and you can rain on my parade if you like - always a good way to learn.

It's a beauty!!
I have a '72 Batavus Monte Carlo and love the old emerald green tourer.....
Did the seller mention anything about the Campy components being stamped "Patent_ _" ??
I'd like to take a wild guess and say '86

Dont have a catalog to share with you but, they are still going strong in the Netherlands so, perhaps they'd respond to a friendly voicemail...??

I should have asked the seller more questions, but the description on eBay left me with the impression that he didn't know much more about it that what he had listed. I'll admit, my inquiry techniques need improving.

In what little information I could find regarding Batavus bikes on the internet, I read one account that the current staff at Batavus has collective amnesia about their earlier bikes. Still, I will probably contact them with a SN to see if they can provide any info. I may need a Dutch translator, though.

Any pics of your Monte Carlo? Found a few mentions of that model in my internet searches, but no photos.

I have some Batavus brochures (Batavus sent me them!) without dates, so you're on your own there. I scanned a page ofn English language brochure, Batavus exported to the USA for a while.
The model 'Criterium' seems to come close to your Competition model. In a later brochure there is a Competition model, but with Columbus Tekna tubing. The Criterium is earlier than your (soon to be?) bike, the Tekna-tubed one is later. Both models were directly under the top-model, the Professional.

As the sticker on the downtube indicates, your bike is probably from 1985; maybe date codes on components can tell you more.

Not so! Many of the dutch are Tri-lingual... trust me, if you call the company, the odds of getting a friendly english speaking person are very good!

The MonteCarlo is WAY FAR below yours in the heirarchy but, it's a great bike w/ a crazy fork rake!

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...LhUSgDAQiM.jpg

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...mcX1hRlQ8H.jpg

https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...6lgUyHYEfU.jpg

I like the headlamp on your Monte Carlo, and the color is great!

I just may give Batavus a call once I get my hands on the bike and SN. My guess was 1985 or 1986 as well, due to the sticker near the DT shifters. I received word from the seller, and he believes the original owner purchased it direct from the factory in 1984 or 1985. Apparently, it was used for racing a couple of seasons, but hasn't been ridden since. The only component he is sure was swapped out are the brake levers, which seems obvious.

I'll be sure to post more pics and info when I get the bike.

Thanks, s70rguy. I've added that scan to my files. I'll be on the lookout for Batavus literature.

The rear derailleur is not a match with the other campy stuff either. The RD is a 980 (or....i think there was a 990 model too or something? anyone). I could be wrong but I though that the shifters with campagnolo imbedded instead of raised were super record (but it also might have just been a change in the mid-80s which I would have to check on)... Headset looks like it could be nuovo hubs are GS. I think the FD is GS too but I am not that learned in Gran Sport yet though I have logged quite some hours studying record.

Both mechs are Campagnolo 990, crankset is 5-arm Nuovo Gran Sport (also engraved G.S., you've probably noted).

-Kurt

Hi There,

I am a certified translator

feel free to pm me with any questions

Regards

Thanks to both cyclotoine and Kurt. I'm glad they are lower end Campy components so it will be less expensive to find matching/replacement parts! Hopefully my research will turn up some original specs on the bike so I know for sure what group it may have been equipped with.

Thanks, I'll let you know if I find anything I need help with.

I assume you own a Batavus or two?

Took delivery of the Batavus today. While not exactly ride ready, I was able to take it for a short ride - and I am pleased! It's lightweight, responsive, and it feels like it just wants to go! It's my first "high end" bike, if you consider this high end, and I can certainly feel a difference.

I'll be contacting Batavus to see if they have any information on the bike. For the record, the SN is 4-8-0724, stamped on the bottom bracket. Also, I found that the headset is a Tange Levin, not a Campagnolo. This really leaves me wondering about the original specs.

One concern I have is the positioning of the rear derailleur. The cage appears to run parallel to the wheel spokes rather than parallel to the rear cogs - dangerously close to the spokes (see pic below). Is this normal on this model (Kurt has identified it as a 990)? Or is there an adjustment to make? There was no performance loss - even with the chain and jockey wheels all gummed up, it was shifting very crisply. It doesn't appear the hanger is bent.

The seller did a horrible job of packaging the bike. The wheel axle ends tore large holes in each side of the box, so I am wondering if the derailleur was bent in some way. I'll give him credit for turn around time, as he shipped it merely hours after I had paid. But I thought the thing had been pre-packaged...

The derailer is bent. Note that the cage is not vertically parallel to the derailer hanger and top portion of the derailer itself.

I'd suggest replacing it. 990s are cheap (unless you find some idiot on eBay listing it as "Gran Nuovo Victory Record-C Sport," in which case you are SOL, thanks to bidders who know nothing and drive the price up believing it is something else), and easy enough to come by now and then.

Take care,

-Kurt

Thanks Kurt. When you first identified it as a 990, I found a FD/RD set on eBay for $35 BIN, so that's encouraging. I'm considering a wider range freewheel, however, and think I might go for a Rally instead. A couple on eBay now, but they'll probably go for more than I want to pay: "last-generation" and "second-to-last generation" according to seller. They appear to be near period for this frame.

If anyone has other suggestions for a long cage touring RD and wide range freewheel from mid 80s period, I'm all ears. Currently it's got a compact ATOM 77. Rear spacing on the dropouts is 126, but it looks like the hub is 120. This wheelset may not be original to the bike either.

Received an email response from Batavus today. Very friendly - and fast in their response! Here is the text of the message sent, along with a plug for their re-entry into the U.S. bicycle market:

Here are the scans they sent. If anyone wants larger versions, I can email them to you. They represent the Competition model from 1982/83, the Professional, Competition, Criterium, Course and Champion models from 1984, and the Competition and Criterium models from 1985.

I'm guessing there was no match of my bike to 1986 models, so it must be a 1985. However, my Reynolds sticker only indicates 531, not 531c, and the component group is wrong. Or could it be that some of the parts are from the Triomphe group? It appears mine is either a later model, or many of components have been changed. Unfortunately, not many specs are given for the 1985.

Very nice bike. I have the Batavus Type Champion, circa 1973. I love these bikes!

Thanks for posting the scans of the Competition. A friend of mine bought a bike that looks very similar at a garage sale a few months ago. Sadly, a prior owner had painted over all of the decals. His is around a size 57 and feels as if it weighs around 21 pounds with the sew-up tires it came with.

It is very difficult to find out much about the "high end" Batavus road bikes. Old bike magazines indicate the brand was widely available in the USA around 1972 to 1977, yet my friend's bike is the first "pro quality" Batavus I've ever seen on the street.

congratulations i have the ame bike reverse colours and I had to bring mine back from Holland.

Here's mine and I must say one of my absolute favorites in vintage steel. Fast, responsive, solid but forgiving in tight turns. This bike feels like its apart of you. Nice head turner too!. More shots to come of the Dutch champion bike.

Chuckster

You forgot to post your photo! I did see it posted in the Classic Rides thread, however. Nice ride! Is that Super Record equipped?

It also looks my size! My Competition, at 57cm, is just a bit too small.

Thanks, Yes, it is all Super Record. However the seat post was a Columbus and it was switched-out with a SR (it broke clean through with me on it)-Turns out it was pitted on the inside and almost looked like pot metal. I will post more shots this weekend of my Want-to-be shop and the Batavus.

Chuckster

Here's more shots of the Batavus Pro

Chuckster

I wonder if you can help. I was given a Batavus Champion. In poor shape but restorable. I am wondering about the year. It has Sachs Huret drivline and shifters. I have attached a picture. Can you help?
curtis
miramar beach,fl

I still have a bike w/ the same specs you call out. It's been hanging in my garage for the last 8 years. I used it extensively in triathlons all over the world from about 1986 - 2001. I didn't upgrade it at all from its original configuration except for adding tri bars. Now that I'm geting back into doing tri's. I'm looking at new bkies, but I'd really like to get my Batavus back into riding condition - just not sure it's worth the money to recondition an old bike. I'm not great on the bike, but me and my Batavus went a lot of places, and I never, ever saw anyone else ride one.

Manning