marshalllucky
Retro Guru
This is actually my bike. Thanks for the comments ( good and bad ) , I can only justify the price as it is totally unique and as close to a brand new 40 year old Pro level bike as you`ll find. Whatever peoples perceptions of Simplex / Spidel / Stronglight components today, I can only say these exact components are race proven ( just replace the frame and wheels and you have Robert Millar`s exact team spec bike of 84 /85 and you don`t become king of the Mountains on a crappy drivetrain ! ) , the SLJ5500 Drillium rear mech alone would find a home eventually at around £250 they are that rare ) . I personally still ride on tubs , I know technology has moved on but it`s what I`m used to and on this bike correct for the period . As for MBK being the rump, well today the brand may not be very desireable but again as well as La Redoute , MBK also sponsored and provided frames to the Fagor team ( 88? ) and were ridden by some of the best including Roche , Millar and Elliott.
I honestly paid over £1600 for this bike after shipping duties about 3 years back but vintage steel prices have been rock bottom for a couple of years now, ebay is awash with beautiful vintage stuff but values will bounce back , they always do.
I no longer have the space I had due to a house move and have been paying nearly £200/ month for a storage unit for this and my collection of Peugeots and boxes of a previous life.
This will eventually go to a traditionalist who will connect with it for whatever reason and appreciate that it exists in this condition and originality , so much vintage steel has been modded and messed with but as I always say `it`s only original once``. I could break it and get my money back but at the moment its too beautiful to tear down.
Dont know if Im breaking any rules but here is a link to a restoration of one of these bikes
https://www.velocompetition.com/1985-mbk-de-jean-louis-gauthier-equipe-la-redoute-mbk-art169.html
I honestly paid over £1600 for this bike after shipping duties about 3 years back but vintage steel prices have been rock bottom for a couple of years now, ebay is awash with beautiful vintage stuff but values will bounce back , they always do.
I no longer have the space I had due to a house move and have been paying nearly £200/ month for a storage unit for this and my collection of Peugeots and boxes of a previous life.
This will eventually go to a traditionalist who will connect with it for whatever reason and appreciate that it exists in this condition and originality , so much vintage steel has been modded and messed with but as I always say `it`s only original once``. I could break it and get my money back but at the moment its too beautiful to tear down.
Dont know if Im breaking any rules but here is a link to a restoration of one of these bikes
https://www.velocompetition.com/1985-mbk-de-jean-louis-gauthier-equipe-la-redoute-mbk-art169.html