[CR] Frejus Track Bike

(Example: Production Builders:Frejus)

Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:20:03 -0600
thread-topic: Frejus Track Bike
thread-index: AcpdizJ7XLHPbyQ/TrCk3q8+ubTn8w==
From: "Strickler, George M" <gstrickler@tulane.edu>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Frejus Track Bike


Several months ago a number of us shared memories of Thomas Avenia and of his shop in Spanish Harlem. I bought my first road bike from him in 1969. One of the things I learned during those exchanges was that Avenia had imported Frejus pursuit frames which he had the factory drill for a front brake. The bikes were intended for track racing and training on the road and apparently there were quite a few of them. I began casting about for one and a list member put me in touch with a guy who had one to sell. I finally got around to putting it together. It is in very good shape: patina but no rust. http://picasaweb.google.com/Choburger/FrejusTrackBikeII I've now put in a couple of hours riding it and it has a very different feel from the road/touring bikes I'm used to - very quick and jumpy on irregular pavement. I've seen many videos of track cyclists sitting up with no hands on the bars. I can't imagine doing that on this bike. I have to concentrate to maintain a straight line.
George Strickler
New Orleans