[CR] Frejus Track Bike

(Example: Production Builders)

From: "jim abt" <jamesabt@charter.net>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 21:10:32 -0600
Subject: [CR] Frejus Track Bike


I am not sure if everytime I use this thing that the email marshal is going to jack me for not doing it right and I really do not have a lot of time to read all the fine print...working night and day in order to keep up with the cost of being a bike enthusiast is making it dificult to type. Especially when you lack any skill in that area to begin with.

I do know one thing those bikes that you have, George and Pete, are absolutely freakin awesome!! You deserve all of the credit in the world for doing such a fine job. Perfect specimens. I was not so lucky with the revamp of my '68 Frejus (I think....that is what I was told by the previous owners...but I was told a few things). I went in as a rookie and painted it and detailed it the way that I thought that would look cool rather than by era....broke the cardinal and now I need to keep it because I could not sell it. Oh gee wiz....I guess....but oh well, I would rather ride them then sell or just look at them anyway, wouldn't you? Plus I had to put on the clip ons to be able to crawl up this huge upgrade I have going to my house even though I ahve the original campy pedals. You can see mine if you want on Ebay Item #140351155767. I have much better pictures and more if you would like to see them...as though we don't grow weary of looking at bike pics at the end of the day right? Anyway, I hope to talk to you soon and I also hope that you get this.

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

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Jim Abt
Wausau, Wi. USA