verktyg 

I just got this rare early 80's Echelon Spectra bike from a friend.

Echelons were made in Japan by Cherubim, part of the Konno family that also made 3Rensho frames. Echelons were private labeled frames made for California wholesaler DIN Imports (Do It Now) between 1978 and 1984.

They made two models: the Spectra was the road racing model with Ishiwata 019 tubing while the more common Odyssey touring model was made with Ishiwata 022 tubing.

019 = .8mm x .5mm x .8mm main tubes, 022 = .9mm x .6mm x .9mm main tubes.

58cm C-C seat tube, 55cm C-C top tube. 126mm rear triangle.

It has custom filed Shimano dropouts - Campy 1010B knockoffs. They used custom investment cast lugs and their own design aero fork crown.

Paint and chrome are in very good condition for a team bike. I'm waiting for the provenance which includes a signed team jersey and photos.

Campy SR components except for Campy Aero seat post, Phil BB, Specialized headset, Gran Compe 400 brakes, SPD pedals, Cinelli bars and stem with a Unicanitor saddle. The bike originally had TT bars.

My friend rode it a few times but it became a wall hanger and then it was in storage.









Value estimates???

verktyg

bargainguy

Wow, I've never seen an early Cherubim before. All I've seen are their one-off frames at NAHBS, which are really creative, out-of-the-ordinary designs.

Your bike is a wonderful example, the craftsmanship and attention to detail are superb, and the 019 chrome fork is killer.

To a Japanese collector, $$$$. Others might not recognize the incredible legacy behind that name that continues today.

seypat

Beautiful! You might edit your post to include what type of dropouts the builder chose. I can't tell from the pics. Does the fork crown slope from back to front? It appears to also have a slight v shape as well. (V pointing forward) I can see why it was a wall hanger. It's so pretty to look at.

verktyg 

I edited the post with the info that you suggested.

The dropouts are custom filed Shimano - Campy 1010B knockoffs.

The custom investment cast crown is a hallmark of Cherubim. The "shoulder" sits parallel to the ground when the bike is upright. The leading edges are lower and rear is upswept for an aero look.



Cherubim had the thin investment cast lugs made special for them too.

verktyg

seypat

Thank you. The more you look at it, the more you see. I can't get away from the fork.

johnnyace 

Beautiful bike. Have you ridden it? The lightest Ishiwata I've ridden is 022, so I wonder how the 019 rides.

Seems to me, judging by the Cherubim/3Rensho prices on eBay, that $1,500-2,000 isn't unreasonable. The market is a bit soft these days, but the high-end stuff sells easier, in my experience.

rccardr 

Wow, that's just really lovely. Superb lug work....

verktyg 

I haven't tried to ride it yet, my legs keep shrinking!

It's a 58cm with a 32 3/4" standover height. I have a 28 1/2" inseam in my street pants.

I've been getting rid of my 58cm bikes and frames, even 57cm is pushing it. I've found lately that my 54cm and 55cm bikes are feeling good.

022 Ishiwata tubing has about the same wall thickness as Columbus SL - .9mm x .6mm main tubes. It should ride similar to an SL frame in the same size and geometry.
Seat stays - .8mm,
Chain stays - .8mm
Fork blades - 1mm (never understood why Ishiwata used heavy wall thickness fork blades on their light weight tube sets)

Columbus SL Seat stays - .7mm
Columbus SL Chain stays - .7mm (.8mm after ~1980. They were having cracking problems with the .7mm tubing chain stays)
Columbus SL Fork blades - .9mm

019 Ishiwata tubing - .8mm x .5mm main tubes . Similar to Reynolds 531C or Super Vitus 980
Seat stays - .6mm,
Chain stays - .8mm
Fork blades - 1mm

All things being equal (size and geometry) the wall thickness of the seat tube, down tube, fork blades and chain stays have the most effect on the ride as far as tubing differences go


Thanks for the $$$ input.

Unless I got a good offer as is, I was thinking that I'd throw some Campy SR brakes on it if I were to sell it.

Being an optimist I'd like to think that I could get top $$$ for it.

You don't want to know what my buddy paid for it, let's just say it was grand theft bike!

He has a 944 Porsche that someone gave him that he's going to sell and last year he sold a Carrera 911S for $35k+ that he got for $3k. It wasn't running but only need a $5 part to make it go.

verktyg