Where are the Belgian frames?
#1
vintage motor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Posts: 1,600
Bikes: 48 Automoto, 49 Stallard, 50 Rotrax, 62 Jack Taylor, 67 Atala, 68 Lejeune, 72-74-75 Motobecanes, 73 RIH, 71 Zieleman, 74 Raleigh, 78 Windsor, 83 Messina (Villata), 84 Brazzo (Losa), 85 Davidson, 90 Diamondback, 92 Kestrel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 166 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 102 Times
in
79 Posts
Where are the Belgian frames?
It's Classic's season in northern Europe, and that got me to wondering: why has such a cycling-mad nation such as Belgium produced so few high-end bicycle frames? I know it's a small country, but that hasn't stopped them from spawning a slew of top-notch racers. For frames there's Eddy Merckx, but only after about 1975. You see a Kessels on Ebay maybe once a year. That's about it. Can anyone chime in here with a little history lesson?
#2
Senior Member
I am sure there are more. Many small builders for example, just like in Holland. When visiting 'Stalen Ros Gent' I encountered multiple 'Groene Leeuw' bikes. It would be very interesting to learn more on them.
#3
Cisalpinist
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Holland
Posts: 5,557
Bikes: blue ones.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
12 Posts
Flandria is a nice brand as well. And Elev12k, i guess your assumption that there were many small artisans building frames (and more probably as a side business to a cycle store) is correct, i just mist out on a full reynolds 531 bike branded in the name of a store from belgium in "that seventies" light blue - a pity, really. But I think that the belgian market switched to Italian bikes quite early compared to other places, because all the pro's rode on GIOS'ses, Colnago's etc.
#4
presto, pronto, prego!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hua Hin Thailand
Posts: 547
Bikes: Dave Lloyd custom, Brands SLX, Visser Vainqueur, XACD ti custom, Hewitt Scandium, Presto 1972, and more ...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
5 Posts
Belgian bikes:
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...Belgian+bikes/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...etsen/Cornelo/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...orges+Pintens/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...inqueuer+1983/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...tsen/Splendor/
In the 70s, and early 80s, there were still a lot of pro teams sponsored by and supplied with Belgian bikes: Flandria, Superia, Norta, Ludo, Splendor, Plum, Carlos, Fangio, etc.
Splendor was a big bike manufacturer, but the Splendor race frames were made by Martens (now Martelly), they probably made a lot of frames for other teams too. Martens also made frames for shops, like the Pintens.
Carlos was basically a French make, close to the Belgian border. Boston were the bikes that had the first complete Mavic gruppo (Boston-Mavic), but what Boston was, and who made the frames, i don't know.
The Clemenso history is well described on the net.
Looked at this way, Merckx frames are newcomers ...
So, basically, i have tidbits of knowledge and wish i had found out more back in the day ...
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...Belgian+bikes/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...etsen/Cornelo/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...orges+Pintens/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...inqueuer+1983/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...tsen/Splendor/
In the 70s, and early 80s, there were still a lot of pro teams sponsored by and supplied with Belgian bikes: Flandria, Superia, Norta, Ludo, Splendor, Plum, Carlos, Fangio, etc.
Splendor was a big bike manufacturer, but the Splendor race frames were made by Martens (now Martelly), they probably made a lot of frames for other teams too. Martens also made frames for shops, like the Pintens.
Carlos was basically a French make, close to the Belgian border. Boston were the bikes that had the first complete Mavic gruppo (Boston-Mavic), but what Boston was, and who made the frames, i don't know.
The Clemenso history is well described on the net.
Looked at this way, Merckx frames are newcomers ...
So, basically, i have tidbits of knowledge and wish i had found out more back in the day ...
__________________
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
#5
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,366
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3914 Post(s)
Liked 4,876 Times
in
2,250 Posts
Good thread.
Worthy of some research.
I think Kroozer is secretly (or subconscientiously) looking for a new and obscure addition. Clever cover - the Spring Classics.
Worthy of some research.
I think Kroozer is secretly (or subconscientiously) looking for a new and obscure addition. Clever cover - the Spring Classics.
#7
presto, pronto, prego!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hua Hin Thailand
Posts: 547
Bikes: Dave Lloyd custom, Brands SLX, Visser Vainqueur, XACD ti custom, Hewitt Scandium, Presto 1972, and more ...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
5 Posts
Diamant, also build by Martens ...
__________________
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
#8
@$#!?&!!$
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Green Country, OK
Posts: 686
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#9
presto, pronto, prego!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hua Hin Thailand
Posts: 547
Bikes: Dave Lloyd custom, Brands SLX, Visser Vainqueur, XACD ti custom, Hewitt Scandium, Presto 1972, and more ...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
5 Posts
The more expensive Scaninis were build in Italy, and had ITA bb threads; the cheapeer ones were build by Martens and had English threading. Eddy Martens or Bart Verhagen (owner of the Scanini name) told me that they made the profiled tubing for the cheaper frames themselves, with a machine to press creases into the tubes. I had a Belgian made Scanini, and its certainly a different feeling frame! But I prefer the Italian ones, super quality.
__________________
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
Likes For Belg-Ital Steel:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ghent - Belgium
Posts: 178
Bikes: Eddy Merckx MX Leader "Vive le Roy", Flanders Pista, Poggio Shimano 600 10-speed
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Another Martelly, Columbus SLX, crimped tubing, very light. Mayor framebuilding skills!
all pictures
all pictures
Last edited by stevenc; 11-03-11 at 05:44 AM.
#12
Banned.
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 86
Bikes: carbon road bike,mtb bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
yep,i saw many Belgian are racer,i also wondering why so many people in their country are like to ride bike?
#13
Senior Member
I don't know. It is a cultural thing. Where I live people tend to like speedskating, in Canada they like ice hockey, in New Zealand they are grazy of rugby... etc. The Belgian's dominate cyclo cross and are also very well represented in road cycling. Maybe it has to do with riding is good and that there were quite some successfull riders?
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ghent - Belgium
Posts: 178
Bikes: Eddy Merckx MX Leader "Vive le Roy", Flanders Pista, Poggio Shimano 600 10-speed
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
True for commuting, but many people in Belgium ride only for sport/fun. That was already the case when cars & gasoline were cheap and parking was plenty. I think it's a cultural thing, as Elev12k said. It sure helps to have somebody like Gilbert dominating the Classics and winning Tour stages.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ghent - Belgium
Posts: 178
Bikes: Eddy Merckx MX Leader "Vive le Roy", Flanders Pista, Poggio Shimano 600 10-speed
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
U. Scanini had it's own factory in Beauvechain, I understand that's where the majority of the frames came from. If they needed something high-end (because they were sponsoring a rider) they turned to Italy or Martens.
Just like Diamant, who still has the factory in Bekkevoort, turned to Martens for "specials".
#19
presto, pronto, prego!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hua Hin Thailand
Posts: 547
Bikes: Dave Lloyd custom, Brands SLX, Visser Vainqueur, XACD ti custom, Hewitt Scandium, Presto 1972, and more ...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
5 Posts
I don't agree Martens built the cheaper frames.
U. Scanini had it's own factory in Beauvechain, I understand that's where the majority of the frames came from. If they needed something high-end (because they were sponsoring a rider) they turned to Italy or Martens.
Just like Diamant, who still has the factory in Bekkevoort, turned to Martens for "specials".
U. Scanini had it's own factory in Beauvechain, I understand that's where the majority of the frames came from. If they needed something high-end (because they were sponsoring a rider) they turned to Italy or Martens.
Just like Diamant, who still has the factory in Bekkevoort, turned to Martens for "specials".
About a year ago Martens offered (on kapaza I think) some very nice NOS Martelly frames, in a variety of exotic tubing. Ver well built, very nice paintjobs, but expensive. One in Columbus Neuron, one in Max. From the look of it, very classy workmanship.
__________________
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
Last edited by s70rguy; 11-07-11 at 07:39 AM.
Likes For s70rguy:
#20
presto, pronto, prego!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hua Hin Thailand
Posts: 547
Bikes: Dave Lloyd custom, Brands SLX, Visser Vainqueur, XACD ti custom, Hewitt Scandium, Presto 1972, and more ...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
5 Posts
This is, or better, was, my 2002 Diamant Blitz, in Thron OS tubing, and Campy Veloce 9 speed components, as it must have come out of the shop.
It was a heavy bike, but a very stable and comfortable long distance rider. i used it very much in Thailand, then sold it to a Thai collector.
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...08940.JPG.html
It was a heavy bike, but a very stable and comfortable long distance rider. i used it very much in Thailand, then sold it to a Thai collector.
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...08940.JPG.html
__________________
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 456
Bikes: C 93 Colnago Early 70's Colnago Sport Mid 80's I think East German National Team Bike "77" Gios Super Record Early "90's" Contini GOIDESIGN Early 90's Contini Reynolds 501 oval tube tourer 70's J van Staeyen Flemish Club bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
J Van Staeyen probably mid 70's. Van Staeyens are a 4 or 5 generation racing family. Run a bike shop in Schoten Flanders. Sorry about the poor picture.
Ed
Ed
#23
12345
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: south france
Posts: 1,240
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just drop google street view onto a random road in Holland and chances are its safe nd flat for bikes to ride on.
#24
presto, pronto, prego!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hua Hin Thailand
Posts: 547
Bikes: Dave Lloyd custom, Brands SLX, Visser Vainqueur, XACD ti custom, Hewitt Scandium, Presto 1972, and more ...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
5 Posts
If anyone can tell me more about Fangio bikes, i'd be grateful!
https://nl.kapaza.be/antwerpen/een-ko...s-60502267.htm
https://nl.kapaza.be/antwerpen/een-ko...s-60502267.htm
__________________
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
#25
presto, pronto, prego!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hua Hin Thailand
Posts: 547
Bikes: Dave Lloyd custom, Brands SLX, Visser Vainqueur, XACD ti custom, Hewitt Scandium, Presto 1972, and more ...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
5 Posts
Probably built by Martens, it shares some details with Diamant frames.
__________________
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/
https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Freeks-racefietsen/