Re: [CR]Second Tier Bicycles worth mentioning

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Campagnolo)

Date: Mon, 14 May 2007 15:18:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Second Tier Bicycles worth mentioning
To: Doug Smith <douguk2007@hotmail.co.uk>, "classicrendezvous@bikelist.org" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <BAY103-W223941ECC0B2A369C883F6903E0@phx.gbl>


Not sure if the question was about second tier marques or second tier models. And if second tier marques, which would those be? Some on the list seem to think anything except Masi is second tier. Others, anything except Herse and Singer.

But, assuming second tier models, I have a few of my own favorites:

Follis model 172 (circa 1972), 531 DB maintubes and forks, Stronglight DO's with Campy style adjusters. Nervar, Normandy, Lyotard and Simplex Criterium except, strangely, a SunTour Seven FD, which based on comparing notes with other mod 172 owners, appears, believe it or not, to be original. Weinmann 500 SP's. No snob appeal, but everything woks just the way I like.

Motobecane Grand Record. Everyone knows this model. Eclectic mix of components, but it works. Love the black/red/gold paint scheme.

Mid 80's Mercier Bordeaux-Paris (or is it Paris-Bordeaux?). Light blue rather than pink, Columbus Tretubi, cool engraved Mercier crown logo on the fork crown. Originally Campy Victory/Triomphe, but now tout Mavic.

Mercier 531 3 Tubes, this one pink. Bought as a used frameset, built up with mostly Huret/TA. Fork crown as above.

Early/mid 80's Torpado Italia, in the pink typical of this model, Columbus Tretubi. Original components farily low end. Now higher end Ofmega/Galli/Modolo/Gipiemme, nearly all Italian, but absolutely NO Campy. Just wanted to show it can be done.

This being macho Texas, my wife rides the two pink ones. One of the things I like about second tier models is some of the original components are neither that special nor that expensive, so I feel free to use the period correct stuff I like. The Grand Record is the exception though. And on the Follis, the only parts I really thought it desirable to change were the Lyotard pedals to TA and the Normandy Sport sewups to clinchers for touring/commuting.

Regards,

Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX

Doug Smith <douguk2007@hotmail.co.uk> wrote: Charles Neighbour wrote:- As we talk mostly about 1st tier bicycles, i.e. Hetchins, Masi, Colnago, Sachs I thought it would be interesting to hear about CR members personnel experience with second tier bicycles worth mentioning.

Am I the only one who has bothered to reply on the subject ? Why is so often we get a member like Charles and others who invite views on which could be another interesting subject find their effort disappear into the sunset!

I am personally getting a bit fed up with lots of the material of late especially with the subjects going on too long. Then tonight we have something which sounds promising its completely ignored for us all to enjoy. This attitude of by some of the membership choosing not to participate on something that does 'nt interest them spoils the whole idea of what the listing stands for!

To my views on the subject in hand and to say I 'm not quite sure what I would class as second tier here in the UK with the hundreds of marque's which have always been available over the years. The big and the small suppliers/manufacturers have always produced a very high class of machine so it makes it difficult to select a runner up.

I ,like many us , have our favourite bike the one we use most of the time and turn to another as second choice when need for a change. In my book I think I will stick to calling the little known , the obscure , the good and forgotten and rate them all as equals! They are all worth a mention I suppose!! Doug Smith North Dorset UK

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