Tour de Suisse bike question
09-14-10, 08:44 AM
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Tour de Suisse bike question
I recently traded with a friend for a lightweight bike . I know nothing about. The headtube says" Tour de Suisee" The downtube says "Tour de Suisse RS 555 "
. That is all the id on the bike. it is orange with chrome lugs. Frame and fork made out of Reynolds 853. Ist generation Sugino Mighty competion cranks. Crane derailuer. tan suede saddle. Wienmann dimpled rims. The bike appears to be early mid 70's. any help will be appreciated. I will post pictures tonight. Thanks, Ron
. That is all the id on the bike. it is orange with chrome lugs. Frame and fork made out of Reynolds 853. Ist generation Sugino Mighty competion cranks. Crane derailuer. tan suede saddle. Wienmann dimpled rims. The bike appears to be early mid 70's. any help will be appreciated. I will post pictures tonight. Thanks, Ron
09-14-10, 04:06 PM
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Thrifty Bill
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I am not aware of 853 going back into the 1970s, but hey, I learn something new every day. Perhaps a Reynolds expert will wade in. The rest of those parts certainly sound 1970s.
Easy enough to look up component codes, but if components are not original, then those dates are less meaningful.
Easy enough to look up component codes, but if components are not original, then those dates are less meaningful.
09-14-10, 04:43 PM
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Your bike was made by Mondia. Is there a serial number located on the left seat stay cap? It will help in dating your Tour de Suisse.
09-14-10, 05:57 PM
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but but where are the pics?
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09-14-10, 08:30 PM
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Thanks for the rsponces. The serial number is indeed on the left seat stay. It is 179603. I will post some quick pictures and will take better Wednesday. Thanks and all comments are appreciated. Ron
09-14-10, 10:39 PM
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Very nice find. I've never seen a Tour de Suisse model. Can you take more pics of the rear dropouts, seat cluster, brake bridge etc.? I'd like to compare the workmanship with the Mondias of that year. Oh, the serial no. puts your bike at a 1973-74 model.
09-15-10, 06:46 PM
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That is a nice bike. Reynolds 853 tubing debuted in 1995 per this page. That Reynolds sticker on the seat tube looks like a 531 style.
09-18-10, 07:48 AM
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Based on the cheesy decals, it really looks like a private label bike. Direct manufacturers usually used a much nicer head badge and down tube logos. Those look like after thoughts. Regardless, it is a really nice bike. Most private label bikes are low end junkers, but yours is a real nice one.
09-18-10, 06:33 PM
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Tough crowd. I just checked, it is as straight as a pencil. No problem whatsoever. Must just be the picture angle. If you want cyclodan I can post a side shot of the fork. Thanks for making me look again. Forks are usually the first thing I look at especially on a bike I know nothing about. Ron
