John asked:
"is it the "holy grail" as the seller claims? Not that I could do anything about it.
Link:
http://ebay.com/
ebay item# 190072529524"
The bike is nothing special in my eyes. There is nothing wrong with it but there are numerous components that are not correct. 3TTT did noit even exist as a company when this bike was built, so it is likely that the bike was separated from the original bars (very common in the day, as they got replaced with upright bars for city use!). Further indication of such a switch are the brake levers which appear to be Balilla whereas the calipers are Universal. The paint also does not look too hot. The rear dropouts seem to point at the very end of the 40's or perhaps 1950-1. so the 1949 date seems to be viable. The skewers should therefore have the dogbones. The seatpost also appears to be a modern one. Lastly the rims seem to be somewhat newer and the tubulars shot. At the present price, it doesn't seem to be a deal for either the seller or the buyer. The seller also says that you could fit a Paris-Roubaix derailleur is not correct.
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ
USA