canyoneagle

I am in the process of looking for a 1950s or 1960s frame or complete bike that I can enjoy on sunny days and for the odd L’Eroica type event. I’ve found some candidates and would love some input from the BF experts.

First up is a restored 50’s Bianchi Campione Del Mondo (1954). It is gorgeous, and a perfect candidate for a Coppi tribute build. I have posted a thread in the “what’s it worth” forum to see what is a reasonable value for the frameset.








next is a Frejus with correct Gran Sport derailleurs and pantographed GS crank. This is at a similar price as the Bianchi frameset. I figure the components alone are worth $350 or more. Frameset shows a lot of patina, which I would preserve to the extent possible.








The next candidate is a Dutch gazelle from 1967. Frameset only, but in good overall condition.








There are other candidates but these the ones I’m considering. I would appreciate any thoughts.


The Bianchi and Frejus are in the $1,000 ish range and the Gazelle is in the $700 range.

Rage

I’ve been waiting to build up an early 60s Dawes galaxy frame for some time now. Just can’t seem to put together an appropriate group set.
Will be watching for inspiration.

canyoneagle

Early 60's seems to be a perfect candidate for early Campy Record. I look forward to seeing your build.

Until recently, I was enamored with my own nostalgic feelings for the late 70's early 80's ( high school years), but am really learning to appreciate the generations prior to my adolescence.

krakhaus 

I have a 1958 Atala. Campagnolo dropouts. Not sure what the tubeset is. Italian threaded. Rattle can pearl white paint job, but looks pretty good. No braze-the on's aside from derailleur hanger. Also have the original cottered cranks, and a handful of parts, bottom bracket, cable guides, Campagnolo front derailleur, headset, probably a few other things.

John E

Tough decision. I am partial to the Bianchi, because I had a low-end 1962 model and, as a teenager, lusted after the Specialissimas. I also like the Frejus because it is equipped like a Capo Sieger or Modell Campagnolo, with GS derailleurs and aluminum crainrings on cottered steel cranks with integral spiders.

I am a bit overwhelmed with four bikes of that vintage, three of which are currently bare-frame projects, but it was a delightful era, with lots of beautifully made frames with generous tire clearances.

Classtime 

For your future Eroica rides, I'd lean towards '57 and earlier which I think is where you get to ride with a tubular over you shoulders and make it work. And I think a Record rear mech would be correct which I thought shifted well. Fun project which I had started and then my hobby took a turn.

obrentharris 

I applaud your decision to go old. I've become quite fond of late fifties, early sixties bikes recently.
My two cents on the frames. All are worthwhile candidates. I have no real understanding of Bianchi values except to know that that brand has a cachet which results in a premium price.

If I were looking for another project I would be tempted by the Frejus, but not $1,000 tempted. My experience is that, with patience, you can find something of similar quantity for several hundred dollars less. But is the patience and the daily ebay searching worth the few hundred dollars? Only you know the answer to that.

I have little direct Gazelle knowledge: Perhaps that is a particularly desirable model, but my hunch is that it also is overpriced by several hundred dollars.
Brent

gugie 

That Gazelle is pretty damn cool. Bianchi is obviously a repaint. The Frejus has great patina.

I'd go with Patina, all three desire toobs.

cudak888 

The Bianchi will demand minty parts to suit the resto. Figure that into the cost. I'd also make absolutely sure the decals are spot on correct and as one would expect of that model - one wrong decal or decal placement ruins it.

I'd lean towards the Frejus, though confirm that the RD hanger is straight.

The Gazelle is nice. But not at the same caliber or era. Furthermore, at that price, I want to see wheels and a drivetrain on it.

-Kurt

canyoneagle

Thanks so much for the input.
The patina and partial grouppo on the Frejus keep pulling me, as well. I think I am going to go for the Frejus.
I have to say, it represents a grail of sorts for me, so Frejus it is.

I build my own wheels, so will source some Gran Sport hubs and appropriate rims (tubular, of course). Nisi, Fiamme? I’ve got some research to do 😎

canyoneagle

Interesting you mention that, as I noticed that the “Campione Del Mondo” script is on the top (to the right of “Bianchi”) of the downtube, where any examples I’ve seen show the script to the left.

Regardless, I’ve pulled the trigger on the Frejus. Build thread to follow.

merziac

@canyoneagle

Nice, GS RD with cable adjuster, that's a score right there.

canyoneagle

for sure!!

VintageRide

Have you perhaps given any thought to a French bike? Early Uragos, Follis , Rene Herse, Alex Singer and Heylett to name but a few can they be very nice riding. I ended up with a P.Peschi ( from Nice ) which appears to be early '60's, though with absolutely no information out there other than build details I went with around 1964, using appropriate period components. The tubular wheels came with the frame and I sourced what I could either locally or via the internet.

Always enjoy riding it on occasional nice days and intend on trying some Challenge 30mm tubular tires at some point, currently using 25mm. It shifts well with the early Huret levers and Campagnolo ' Record " rear derailleur with a Gran Sport front. There are indications that the frame was built by Urago, who themselves were originally from Italy due to the wrap over seat stays at top tube and the fish mouth ends at dropouts. I also like the little extra such as painting on the seat tube bands.


I guess in your case does one go with original or refinished? Having a frame from that period that was not repainted is always preferred I would think, and the patina adds to the charm. The Peschi was quite scrapped on the stays and forks and I went with touching it up as it just looked too beat on. Never a perfect match due to the metallic finish but presentable.

canyoneagle

Beautiful bike! I try to keep my eyes peeled for a Singer or Herse - definitely hard to find but I’d love to own one.

I’m going to get the Frejus for now and see how it goes.

gugie 

Technically, that derailleur hanger is forged, integral with the dropout, not brazed-on.

krakhaus 

Well, if you want to get technical, the dropout is brazed on.

gugie 

So true!

But then we need to start counting...

bikemig 

I like old bikes but the gearing gets interesting if you want to be period correct and climb some serious hills (say grades north of 15%). I will rebuild a 1968 Schwinn Paramount this summer. It came with a stronglight competition 55 crank and 50/45 rings. Perfect for half step. I am considering replacing that with a Nervar 631 crank that I have on hand with 50/34 rings as that dates from the 60s as well. The alternative would be tracking down a cottered crank that uses 50.4 bcd rings.

repechage

Frejus is the ticket here.