1978 Batavus Professional

[Elev12k]

The 'Professional' was Batavus' answer on Gazelle's Champion Mondial. The Professional was built in a specialized frame build facility in Heerenveen.

Dura-Ace =>

3TTT =>

Frame: Columbus SP tubing, Bocama long point lugs, Campagnolo ends and drop outs
Colour: Pearl Ivory
Groupset: Dura-Ace
Post: SR Extra Super Light
Seat: Cinelli Unicator
Cockpit: 3TTT, Benotto tape

 

[Midlife]

Oh god it has first gen Dura Ace, gotta go and lie down

Absolutely glorious, needs the front mech lowering and a Crane rear mech to move into the sublime

Shaun

 

[cromoman]

That is lovely, every detail spot on.

What bar tape is that?

 

[Elev12k]

Thanks. It is black Benotto tape.

@ Midlife/Shaun
The Dura-Ace rear mech is original spec. The Professional was avaiable as frame only or as complete bike with Dura-Ace or Nuovo Record. The complete bike came with SR Extra Super Light stem with titanium hard ware, but I choose for 3TTT instead. The Professional could also be ordered with Reynolds 531 butted tubing.

 

[Ret spotter]

That is a fantastic bike. Just a quick question.... As you stated you ordered the bike, what would this have cost back in the day? Just interested to make a comparison with new top of the line bikes bought today. I personally would much rather pay top whack for something that looked like this nowadays then something that took a minute off a 40k ride (you get my point).

 

[Elev12k]

I am not the first owner. I aquired the bike about a decade ago. I disassembled it for a major overhaul and I put everything back together with a few modifications. When I got it had cork tape and aero levers for example (80s upgrades) and that is now corrected. My estimate is this was a circa 2500 guilders bike back in 1978. With the exchange rate of 2001 that would be circa 1150 euro. To todays standards an absolute steal

 

[Ret spotter]

Obviously a steel! (Pun intended). I ride carbon, ALU and steel but still feel more comfortable on my Joe Waugh 525 with shimano 105. All bikes a fitted to my spec but still the relatively cheap steel frame is my preferred everyday bike. So much enthasis on weight and not materials. Lovely bike and if it goes up for sale anytime soon I may invest!

 

[Midlife]

Ah! Just twigged it's 1978 and that's the proper rear mech . My mind was back in the early 70's when I was riding first gen Dura Ace and the rear mech for the group was the Crane.

Shaun

 

[Elev12k]

Five years ago I posted a two years younger Fongers Professional. The frame shows a lot resemblance. The full thread: Fongers Professional