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Steve Bauer Bora

Old 02-26-16, 10:53 AM
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Flog00
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Steve Bauer Bora

One I have never seen before.

Steve Bauer Bora? My first thought was Borea but it looks like Bora.

Columbus SL frame and Columbus Matrix fork.

Gippieme dropouts.

Only one poor photo, I'm going to look at it early next week.

bora by flog00, on Flickr
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Old 02-26-16, 01:34 PM
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While I haven't heard of this particular model, the name is reasonable as the Steve Bauer road bicycles were typically named after winds. The colour scheme would place it circa 1988-1990. Personally, I'm a bit surprised to see an SL/Matrix combination. I thought it would have been higher grade given the presence of what appears to be a number peg. Also, by this point, I would have expected the newer Cromor label. It may be a Billato built frame, as they used that top tube, Italian tri-colour braze-on a lot.
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Old 03-01-16, 10:28 PM
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Bauer bikes were mostly middle of the road bikes but I have this vague recollection that the higher end frames were built by Gardin in Toronto. Hopefully you will find a more definitive answer.
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Old 09-09-19, 06:17 PM
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Hello,

I hate to resurrect an old thread but this is the only place on the entire internet with a mention of a Steve Bauer Bora. I believe I obtained this same bike the OP mentions as I remember seeing it listed on craigslist in Ohio while I lived there then owning it myself maybe a year after. The bike is a Matrix frame and fork and indeed has Gipiemme dropouts. It also strangely sports a number plate holder and has really tight clearance for the front tire and caliper. I've built the frame up three different times and would just love to know anymore information about it. Apparently I have to post 10 more times to post an image. Thanks so much!
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Old 09-10-19, 06:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Jake2112
Hello,

I hate to resurrect an old thread but this is the only place on the entire internet with a mention of a Steve Bauer Bora. I believe I obtained this same bike the OP mentions as I remember seeing it listed on craigslist in Ohio while I lived there then owning it myself maybe a year after. The bike is a Matrix frame and fork and indeed has Gipiemme dropouts. It also strangely sports a number plate holder and has really tight clearance for the front tire and caliper. I've built the frame up three different times and would just love to know anymore information about it. Apparently I have to post 10 more times to post an image. Thanks so much!
Welcome to the forums. based on the livery, your Bora is also from the 1988-1990 era. However, unlike the OP's, yours appears to be full a full Columbus Matrix frame. Matrix was actually the subject of a trademark lawasuit during 1987 and became Cromor for the 1988 model. However, many manufacturers didn't purge or rotate their Matrix decal supply, so it's not unusual to see Matrix on 1988 models and even later. Matrix was typically used on mid-range models and this is consistent with the lack of a front derailleur hanger, though it is rare to see a number peg at this level.

Regarding the origin, it would be normal to consider Gardin as a possible source, given that both brands are Canadian, were in opertaion during this period, and the companies were within a couple hours drive of each other. However, Gardin typically used a different style of stay end treatment than that found on your Bora and for this reason I would discount them as the frame manufacturer.
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Old 01-10-20, 08:33 AM
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Bora I just acquired, Cromo PG , made in Taiwan, Original stem and handle bar were pink. Shimano Exage 400 LX components,. 7 speed thumb shifter I think it's an '89. I also removed the original biopace triple crank....it was too nice to use for a winter bike. Strange they would make MTB and road bike with same name.

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Old 01-11-20, 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Marco99
Bora I just acquired, Cromo PG , made in Taiwan, Original stem and handle bar were pink. Shimano Exage 400 LX components,. 7 speed thumb shifter I think it's an '89. I also removed the original biopace triple crank....it was too nice to use for a winter bike. Strange they would make MTB and road bike with same name.
In the late 1980s the bicycle market started shifting from predominantly road bicycle to ATBs. Then circa 1990, hybrids started to become popular. As their road lineup shrank, some brands started to transfer model names to other lines, For instance, Raleigh's Record became a hybrid. So, while employing a model name on two different styles of bicycles would seem strange, it's not unknown.

Regardless, Shimano 400LX, if OEM, would place it no earlier than the 1990 model year and no later than the 1993 model year. I don't believe that I've seen any reference to Steve Bauer bicycles that post date 1991. Circa 1990-1991 was the time that a deal was struck to market the brand via the Canadian Tire store chain. The logo incorporating the maple leaf is consistent with the bicycles sold via Canadian Tire. Given its Taiwanese origin, there's a possibility that we may be able to identify the manufacturer and date from the serial number.
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Old 01-11-20, 10:36 AM
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Date code on crank arm is NL (Dec 89) and pretty sure it's OEM, the bike was barely used when I got it, that incredible paintjob is pristine! lol
The serial number is difficult to read due to a weak stamping D00219801 not really sure if first character is a D

Last edited by Marco99; 01-11-20 at 02:43 PM.
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Old 01-11-20, 10:46 AM
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A few Steve Bauer bikes have come my way, over the years. None have been particularly impressive, in my opinion. That said, they appear to be well made and offer both pleasing aesthetics and ride quality. Sadly, I have never had a chance to ride one of the top models...
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Old 01-11-20, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Marco99
Date code on crank arm is NL (Dec 89) and pretty sure it's OEM, the bike was barely used when I got it, that incredible paintjob is pristine! lol
The serial number is difficult to read due to a weak stamping D00219801 not really sure if first character is a D
It's a 1990 model. The serial number is a standard Taiwanese format and indicates February 1990. That's a good match for a December 1989 component date code. Most companies would have started building the 1990 bicycles around September 1989. Thxs for posting.
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Old 01-11-20, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Marco99
Date code on crank arm is NL (Dec 89) and pretty sure it's OEM, the bike was barely used when I got it, that incredible paintjob is pristine! lol
The serial number is difficult to read due to a weak stamping D00219801 not really sure if first character is a D
Hello Marco99,

I have seen another Bora model and its serial number. I would suggest that the serial number on your Bora starts with HD9002. The HD is a common prefix on Bauer models from Taiwan and the 9002 would be the year and month of frame manufacture: 1990 February.
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Old 01-12-20, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Hummer
Hello Marco99,

I have seen another Bora model and its serial number. I would suggest that the serial number on your Bora starts with HD9002. The HD is a common prefix on Bauer models from Taiwan and the 9002 would be the year and month of frame manufacture: 1990 February.
I took another look and peeled back a portion of a sticker at the beginning of the serial #. I don't see an H or 9 as you suggest.
Have a look at the photo

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Old 01-12-20, 11:05 AM
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Love that Bora paint job!
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Old 01-12-20, 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Marco99
I took another look and peeled back a portion of a sticker at the beginning of the serial #. I don't see an H or 9 as you suggest.
Have a look at the photo
Agreed, there is no lead "9".

Serial number appears to be D00219801

This matches a commonly used Taiwanese format Mymmxxxxx, where:
M = manufacturer's identity code. In this case, "D" is unknown.
y =year, where "0" is 1990
mm = month, where "02" is February
xxxxx= sequential frame number during month, where "19801" is 19,801st frame of the month.

Consequently, your frame would should be the 19,801st frame manufactured in February 1990, making the bicycle a 1990 model. As previously noted, this fits nicely with a November 1989 component date code on the crankset.
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Old 01-13-20, 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Marco99
I took another look and peeled back a portion of a sticker at the beginning of the serial #. I don't see an H or 9 as you suggest.
Have a look at the photo

I took a look it the Bora serial number that I have. I was wrong about your serial number having a "9" in it. The first 3 digits being 002 in your serial number matches the format in my serial number. Sorry, I should have looked more closely at the serial number that I have.
The Bora serial number is also unevenly stamped into the seat tube.



Edit: More information.

I found the reason for my confusion with the Bauer Bora serial number format.
Some Bauer road bikes from this period have the serial numbers stamped on the BB shell. These serial numbers begin with letters and have the first 2 digits for the year and the second two digits for the month.


Last edited by Hummer; 01-13-20 at 11:21 AM. Reason: More information
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