Gazelle A-frame - 1975
Gazelle Champion Mondial A-frame - 1975
Ivory, Reynolds 531, Campagnolo pre-CPSC Nuovo Record
I modified the 'Retro Ronde' bike a bit. I used another, slightly better preserved 1975 frame. At 59cm c-t instead of the original 58cm it also fits me a bit better.
The groupset is still largely pre-CPSC Campagnolo Nuovo Record with straight-lever skewers, flat-lever brake calipers and the early long-reach, pointy-tip brake levers.
The lightest possible gearing with a Nuovo Record derailleur and Campagnolo 144 BCD crankset is 41-23, maybe 24t. Although manageable, this is really a bit too much for some of the Flemish hills in the Ronde. I therefore replaced the rear derailleur with a Campagnolo Rally long cage to use a 26t rear cog. The cage tells me it will even manage 36t if necessary!
I have been using Michelin Pro tyres on my modern bikes for years. I have always been so pleased with them that I had to try the Dynamic Classics too. Unfortunately the tread is not all that classic-looking but they have nice tan coloured sidewalls. For a little more damping on the cobbles I got the wider 28mm version. I haven't covered any substantial amount of kilometers on them to comment on their durability but they roll nicely.
Last but not least I switched to a suede Cinelli Unicanitor saddle and red handlebar tape like Hennie Kuiper's Frisol team Gazelle on the 1976 poster/brochure. The Velox rubber bar plugs are colour-matched with the tape.
Gazelle Champion Mondial A-frame - 1975
Ivory, Reynolds 531, Campagnolo pre-CPSC Nuovo Record
I modified the 'Retro Ronde' bike a bit. I used another, slightly better preserved 1975 frame. At 59cm c-t instead of the original 58cm it also fits me a bit better.
The groupset is still largely pre-CPSC Campagnolo Nuovo Record with straight-lever skewers, flat-lever brake calipers and the early long-reach, pointy-tip brake levers.
The lightest possible gearing with a Nuovo Record derailleur and Campagnolo 144 BCD crankset is 41-23, maybe 24t. Although manageable, this is really a bit too much for some of the Flemish hills in the Ronde. I therefore replaced the rear derailleur with a Campagnolo Rally long cage to use a 26t rear cog. The cage tells me it will even manage 36t if necessary!
I have been using Michelin Pro tyres on my modern bikes for years. I have always been so pleased with them that I had to try the Dynamic Classics too. Unfortunately the tread is not all that classic-looking but they have nice tan coloured sidewalls. For a little more damping on the cobbles I got the wider 28mm version. I haven't covered any substantial amount of kilometers on them to comment on their durability but they roll nicely.
Last but not least I switched to a suede Cinelli Unicanitor saddle and red handlebar tape like Hennie Kuiper's Frisol team Gazelle on the 1976 poster/brochure. The Velox rubber bar plugs are colour-matched with the tape.