[CR]1950's Urago (on eBay) 2 cent Redux

(Example: History:Ted Ernst)

From: "bikenut" <bikenut@gte.net>
To: "Classic Rendezvous" <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <307BB21BAB87A047AC0813C0FA3DDD9203EF3D09@prexchange.hbw.local>
Subject: [CR]1950's Urago (on eBay) 2 cent Redux
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2002 08:42:08 -0700

John, Urago was a premier French Bicycle Company that had perhaps eclipsed Automoto in the late 50's/early 60's as the most noted French producer of racing type bicycles. All of the custom builders of the day ( Herse, Singer, Routens ect.) we're hard at it but not churning out racers. I honestly don't know what races were won on Urago's... Ted Ernst, (a SoCal longtime bicycle shop owner, former Pro Racer and legend) whose father was an early Urago importer would likely be able to comment on a possible list of Palmares. Automoto, on the other hand was famous for a string of Tour de France wins in the middle 1920's by Pellissier and Bottecchia...by the late 1950 their star had largely waned.

I have a circa 1960 Urago...the frame looks nearly identical. My guess is that this Urago would have come with a Juy 60 rear derailleur, Beborex brakes and Maillard or Atom hubbed wheels....based on the Urago's I have seen/own. But who knows if frame sets were available.... then any parts mix was possible.

I have done business with this seller (was a CR list member??) in the past...very satisfactorily. I think he simply took the former owners word for it's history. As far as this auction goes I think the cranks, wheels and small frame size will lend a very favorable disposition at the end.....easily $1500 +

Matt Gorski
Belmont Shore, CA


----- Original Message -----
From: John Price
To: Classic Rendezvous
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2002 8:00 AM
Subject: RE: [CR]1950's Urago on eBay



> I feel so un-informed. Why is this such a special, collectible bike ? No,
> I'm not trying to stir things up, I really want to know. It looks like a
> nice enough bike but is there something special about Uragos that my
> untrained eye is missing ?
>
> John Price
> Denver, CO
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Maaslands [mailto:TheMaaslands@comcast.net]
> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 11:01 PM
> To: Classic Rendezvous
> Subject: R: [CR]1950's Urago on eBay
>
>
> I know some people do not agree with this note, but here goes. The
> description cannot be truthful. The brakes were first made in 1961, so
> either they have been switched or teh bike is newer than described. The same
> goes for the pedals whihc are either 60's or 70's. The same goes for the
> dust caps of the cranks. The bike is still very interesting and deserves a
> good home: it is collectible rather than being a high collectible.
>
> Steven Maasland
> Moorestown, NJ
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Joe Bender-Zanoni <joebz@optonline.net>
> To: <IKersey@aol.com>; <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 11:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [CR]1950's Urago on eBay
>
>
> > Seller says "I hate to sell this but find myself at unexpected financial
> > situation." Given time capsule condition and size the seller should see
> > some remedy to the ole financial situation. I have not seen this early a
> > bike, with cutting edge equipment for it's time, offered before. It rivals
> > Dale's Urago.
> >
> > Joe Bender-Zanoni, Great Notch NJ
> > "Worked late so somehow I have to dig out the stuff for T-town tomorrow
> > night"
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <IKersey@aol.com>
> > To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 9:05 PM
> > Subject: [CR]1950's Urago on eBay
> >
> >
> > > Spotted -- a very clean, emerald green, 1950s Urago on eBay at:
> > > http://ebay.com/<blah>
> > >
> > > Ian "unfortunately, am already pushing my spouse's velo-threshold"
> Kersey
> > > Williamsburg, VA
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> >
> > _______________________________________________
>
>
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