Mid-1970's seatpost in 27.2mm

[Gazelleer]

Can any of you recommend me an appropriate seat post for a 1974 Gazelle Champion Mondial with mainly French parts (Simplex Prestige derailleurs, Stronglight 93 crankset, Mafac Racer Brakes, Lyotard pedals). I know a Simplex would be nice but these seem rare in 27.2mm. I do have a French Laprade, but I suspect it wasn't introduced until the late '70s and a bit too modern for the built...

What would be a brand normally used for such a bike during this period? Sakae? San Marco?

 

[Midlife]

I always thought the Laprade was made by Sakae Ringyo (SR), early ones would have been around in 1974 ish.

Shaun

 

[Gazelleer]

Re:

The original Laprade brand was French. I still have one somewhere in its original box.
Sakae later adopted/bought the name to designate a single bolt seatpost AFAIK.

 

[Midlife]

Every day is a school day

Cheers, Shaun

 

[Gazelleer]

A SR Custom seatpost would certainly be an option. Those should have been around at the time and I might even have one in the right size. The more sophisticated Campagnolo Nuovo Record style SR Custom would be another option.

 

[Midlife]

The SR "Hot Forged" one with the picture of the Eagle on the front would look nice

Shaun

 

[NeilM]

Re:

It's a lot to do with availability and price.

I went through all this not long ago with my 1978 build, unless it's tatty or heavy, anything with Campag on it is overpriced, I found several early SR Laprade posts in good condition and in various sizes (we had a 27.0 / 26.8 issue for a while), which is what I went for in the end.

 

[Gazelleer]

Somehow I also think that Campa doesn't match the rest of the build that well. Moreover, I have another frame that will get early- to mid-seventies Gran Sport parts (flat bolt RD, Valentino FD, three-arm crankset, etc.) including the seatpost.

S.R. was commonly used for mid-tier bikes of the time so I think that, like you, I will go with that. As Shaun already mentioned, the eagle print is a nice 1970's touch.