Columbia - Reynolds 753 frame
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Columbia - Reynolds 753 frame
The bike is for sale on local market.
I already found a older post about some better quality Columbia bikes.
Is this one real or fake?
The seller said that the bike is rebuild and has different components: Shimano Deore shifters, Ultegra crank set, Campagnolo Chorus brakes.
When was the bike made and how much it worth, interested mostly in the value of frame/fork.
Thanks
Sorry for the pictures, are screenshots.



I already found a older post about some better quality Columbia bikes.
Is this one real or fake?
The seller said that the bike is rebuild and has different components: Shimano Deore shifters, Ultegra crank set, Campagnolo Chorus brakes.
When was the bike made and how much it worth, interested mostly in the value of frame/fork.
Thanks
Sorry for the pictures, are screenshots.




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1992 Torelli Nitro Express; 1972 Claud Butler.
1992 Torelli Nitro Express; 1972 Claud Butler.
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Interesting,
I always associated the Columbia brand name with really old bikes like maybe Penny Farthings....
I always associated the Columbia brand name with really old bikes like maybe Penny Farthings....
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72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
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That bike is a head scratcher. Whatever it is, that looks like a quality frame. Nice lugs and tight wheelbase. Install a proper cockpit and we’re ready for crit day!
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Based on the tubing and the and the 1 inch carbon fork the bike is from the late 90's other than that can't give much help. I would say $300-400 value the frame is really nice but the parts and setup with strait bars is a bit of a mess.
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Yes, the fork is carbon. And the parts newer, but I doubt it is from the 90's
if you go to the classic lightweights usa page on classic rendesvous the builders name is Peter Ouellette. There are some examples of his work including a columbia.
if you go to the classic lightweights usa page on classic rendesvous the builders name is Peter Ouellette. There are some examples of his work including a columbia.
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A Really Old Columbia

BF member Frog, and his 1917 Columbia Super Light (resto-mod). Original frame, seat post, bars, grips, rear axel adjusters. A very cool bike…and owner
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#8
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I believe Columbia bikes were built in the UK by several former Carlton employees after the Worksop plant closed . The operation lasted only a few years. It may well be one of those.
Associated replacement decal sheet below.
Associated replacement decal sheet below.

Last edited by bertinjim; 11-15-22 at 09:28 PM.
#9
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I cannot comment on the frame at all, but if you get it, don't immediately toss out that light. I think it is a recent generation Outbound Lighting model. I believe I have the same one and it works pretty darn well for a battery light. I think it was discontinued in the last year or so.
https://www.outboundlighting.com/products/road-edition
Edit: See if they can find the battery pack though. Roughly speaking, it is about the same size as the light itself and is black.
https://www.outboundlighting.com/products/road-edition
Edit: See if they can find the battery pack though. Roughly speaking, it is about the same size as the light itself and is black.
Last edited by beech333; 11-16-22 at 06:10 AM.
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As others have stated, it appears to be a nice frame, nice lugwork, etc. If I remember, Reynolds only sold 753 to makers who they prequalified. This is a snippet from an internet article "The inspectors would look for close mitering tolerances, good brazing penetration, and any signs of overheating in the joint and tubing. Only when certified could a builder be supplied with 753 tubing."
Regarding the build, it is clear to me that it has been built up to ride. In other words, the rider built it up to be comfortable, not necessarily pretty. As I get older I find myself becoming very empathetic concerning making modifications to accomodate comfort. Higher bars, straight bars, etc. And there is something to say about the comparative cost and reliability of the shifters, for example.
Anything that makes a person want to ride the bike more is a good thing. Even when some of us have to grin and bear the looks of it.
Regarding the build, it is clear to me that it has been built up to ride. In other words, the rider built it up to be comfortable, not necessarily pretty. As I get older I find myself becoming very empathetic concerning making modifications to accomodate comfort. Higher bars, straight bars, etc. And there is something to say about the comparative cost and reliability of the shifters, for example.
Anything that makes a person want to ride the bike more is a good thing. Even when some of us have to grin and bear the looks of it.
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I saw a Columbia cyclocross bike at my last race. The builder is making them in the old Westfield factory.
Columbia Cycles. Made in the USAHome
Columbia Cycles. Made in the USAHome
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That bike has some oddities, far as I know the 753 tube set came with fork blades, which may indicate that it was rebuilt due to fork damage. I would take great care on a test ride as 753 is famous for not being able to be cold set, you can find Reynolds literature stating that. It is not true for mild cases as our local framebuilder straighten the unrideable 753 frame and fork below for me on his Marchetti frame table and Lange folk table and it now rides beautifully. So I would certainly take a good ride before buying. I could see the one fork blade was tweaked forward on my cast iron table and could straighten it out only to have it pop back where it was as soon as I got on the pedals just as the Reynolds engineers said it would.

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None off us really knows, but I suspect the fork was traded out in order to allow for more bar height. Look at how many spacers there are. It was likely a means to an end. And carbon because it is comfortable as steel if not more so.
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That bike has some oddities, far as I know the 753 tube set came with fork blades, which may indicate that it was rebuilt due to fork damage. I would take great care on a test ride as 753 is famous for not being able to be cold set, you can find Reynolds literature stating that. It is not true for mild cases as our local framebuilder straighten the unrideable 753 frame and fork below for me on his Marchetti frame table and Lange folk table and it now rides beautifully. So I would certainly take a good ride before buying. I could see the one fork blade was tweaked forward on my cast iron table and could straighten it out only to have it pop back where it was as soon as I got on the pedals just as the Reynolds engineers said it would.


