Anyone heard of "Terranaut"?
08-18-13, 02:14 PM
#1
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Anyone heard of "Terranaut"?
Hi,
I'm looking for info on an '86 Terranaut Swift... it's got "Terranaut Triathlete Model" along the rear chainstay, if that jogs anyones memory.
Unfortunately I could find no mention of this model anywhere on the web, seriously google returned "0" results.
Any general info on "Terranaut" would be appreciated as well... So far I've found that they were a house brand of "The Touring Cyclist" in St Louis. They may possibly have outsourced frame building to panasonic during this period, but I'm not at all sure of that. I've seen quite a few references to their "Ariel" model, but little else.
Any idea on the type of tubing used? I was told it was 22.6 lbs, but turned out to be around 25.
Decently built with mostly suntour cyclone(shifters, derailleurs, crank, hubs, brakes)
I'm looking for info on an '86 Terranaut Swift... it's got "Terranaut Triathlete Model" along the rear chainstay, if that jogs anyones memory.
Unfortunately I could find no mention of this model anywhere on the web, seriously google returned "0" results.
Any general info on "Terranaut" would be appreciated as well... So far I've found that they were a house brand of "The Touring Cyclist" in St Louis. They may possibly have outsourced frame building to panasonic during this period, but I'm not at all sure of that. I've seen quite a few references to their "Ariel" model, but little else.
Any idea on the type of tubing used? I was told it was 22.6 lbs, but turned out to be around 25.
Decently built with mostly suntour cyclone(shifters, derailleurs, crank, hubs, brakes)
08-18-13, 03:21 PM
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Terranaut was a house brand for The Touring Cyclist in Bridgeton MO (still in operation by the same owner). I don't know the exact production span of the bikes, but most of them I see were 80's bikes, and generally represented excellent quality workmanship for the price point. The owner said that these bikes were built in the same factory that Fuji bikes were built in. As for personal experience, I had a Terranaut Wanderer that was Japanese built, and frame quality and component spec was equal to or better than its competition at the time, a Trek 830 (which I also have, so I could compare). I passed the bike to an acquaintance who would use it for local errands, and it's going strong.
Another Terranaut that you see a lot of is the Ariel. These bikes are usually very nicely priced on the used market because nobody knows where they come from. I recently saw a Terranaut frame displayed prominently in a Springfield MO bike shop, like one of the Italian classics. The mechanic was reputed to have "ridden the $#!+" out of it before moving to a different bike.
And for those who are visual learners:
Another Terranaut that you see a lot of is the Ariel. These bikes are usually very nicely priced on the used market because nobody knows where they come from. I recently saw a Terranaut frame displayed prominently in a Springfield MO bike shop, like one of the Italian classics. The mechanic was reputed to have "ridden the $#!+" out of it before moving to a different bike.
And for those who are visual learners:
08-18-13, 03:23 PM
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I forgot to mention, my Wanderer was constructed with Ishiwata Magny V tubing. I suggest you drop by the Touring Cyclist and quiz the owner.
08-18-13, 05:25 PM
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funny you should mention it, one for sale in kansas city for $140. Sadly, toooo big for me. https://kansascity.craigslist.org/bik/4010287957.html
08-18-13, 05:49 PM
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nice bike for $125.
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08-19-13, 07:06 AM
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If I recall correctly, most Terranauts were built by Bridgestone for Touring Cyclist.
I was given this beautiful mixte frame Terranaut Ariel from a local CL seller. I need to install a bottom bracket, cranks, pedals among a few other items to get it back on the road.
More pics can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stl914/...7622185532786/
I was given this beautiful mixte frame Terranaut Ariel from a local CL seller. I need to install a bottom bracket, cranks, pedals among a few other items to get it back on the road.
More pics can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stl914/...7622185532786/
Last edited by gbalke; 08-19-13 at 07:13 AM.
08-19-13, 08:18 AM
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funny you should mention it, one for sale in kansas city for $140. Sadly, toooo big for me. https://kansascity.craigslist.org/bik/4010287957.html
09-06-16, 08:15 PM
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I have a terranaut Swift that I bought at a u-city lbs in 1986. My bro, who was a mechanic there got me deal and custom tape to match the frame (blue n yellow). Still have the bike, unadulterated but for that hard swed saddle. I'll add a pic after I clean it up a bit. Great bike for St. Louis at the time but now I'm strictly mountain Biker in Marin, CA.
09-07-16, 06:37 AM
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I'll bet that's a 27.2mm seatpost, which would indicate a double-butted CrMo frame, probably from Ishiwata or Tange. That looks like a very decent bike, with a nice sports touring or distance racing geometry. Way too tall for me, however. 
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
09-07-16, 06:48 AM
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Zombie thread-but I'll put a plug in for "The Touring Cyclist." They are still open and have my rave review 
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