Thanks

[Hezza]

This is my first post in very unfamiliar territory. Just wanted to say thank you to so many members for all the information I was able to find on here. I can’t in any way claim a long or lasting interest in old mtb’s but can claim a recent interest in older Claud Butler mtb’s.

my story begins with wanting a tinkering project to work on with m twin boys. I found a CB Ventoux 400LX about to be skipped and thought why not. Got it home and went on uncle Google which brought me to this forum. The obvious enthusiasm of all on here was quite infectious and my boys and me spent many a happy hour stripping down and working on this project.

once again many thanks to all on here, especially those who are CB enthusiasts.

We are now onto our second project (another CB from around 1995/96 going by the shimano codes) and I am sure I will be picking some of your brains about it as it has some odd bits on it( early looking SRAM grip shift and Ritchey decal).
Regards to all

 

[Peachy!]

Excellent, any photos?

 

[Hezza]

Hi,
Of which one? The Ventoux or the one I have no idea about? Though to be fair I don’t know a great deal about bikes generally let alone these two.

 

[Peachy!]

Hi,
Of which one? The Ventoux or the one I have no idea about? Though to be fair I don’t know a great deal about bikes generally let alone these two.

The unidentified one

 

[Hezza]

Sure,
Here are some pics, it has Altus brakes (the plastic shrouds came apart when I stripped them!) Veluta? Air One rims. Parallax hubs. That is what I have read on them, not claiming any skill other than being able to read!

 

[retrobikeguy]

Hi and welcome as you will already know Peachy is your man, I guess he can tell what claud it is just from hitting the frame set with an ancient Oak branch...., Sadly all Altus brakes break, only a strong zip tie can save the plastics.... Tis true

 

[Peachy!]

Nice flame red,
So, either the Spirit in 1995 or the Oracle in 1996.
The Spirit had Parallax hubs but no “Claud Butler” signature
The Oracle had the signature but not advertised with the Parallax hubs....
Check the part lists in these adverts but I’m guessing it’s an Oracle perhaps either an early 96 using wheels that they had left over from ‘95 or late 96 and using new hubs bought in for the 1997 range as they switched back that year.

 

[Hezza]

Hi and welcome as you will already know Peachy is your man, I guess he can tell what claud it is just from hitting the frame set with an ancient Oak branch...., Sadly all Altus brakes break, only a strong zip tie can save the plastics.... Tis true

Hi,
Thanks and yes I have read many of his posts with interest so am aware of his sage like knowledge.

I do fear that it would take more than a few cable ties to resurrect these brake covers, unless they are made by Lazarus!

I am on the lookout for some replacement, period appropriate, brakes. Any advice on this would be appreciated.
Regards

 

[Peachy!]

PS if it’s got the “Star Trek” style head badge it’s a ‘96 Oracle
Just looked at this on my PC big screen. Definitely not a 95 Spirit

 

[Hezza]

Nice flame red,
So, either the Spirit in 1995 or the Oracle in 1996.
The Spirit had Parallax hubs but no “Claud Butler” signature
The Oracle had the signature but not advertised with the Parallax hubs....
Check the part lists in these adverts but I’m guessing it’s an Oracle perhaps either an early 96 using wheels that they had left over from ‘95 or late 96 and using new hubs bought in for the 1997 range as they switched back that year. View attachment 535229View attachment 535230

Thanks for this, there are some real similarities but as you pointed out some differences. The one I have is a metallic burnt orange and has 3x6 Altus gears. I am pleased about the quick shift gears though as I thought that these had been added and I was going to replace them! So glad I did not bin them or damage the handlebar grips removing them!
Do you think the Ritchey thing means anything?