Catnap 

SOLD
Size: 60cm seat tube (center-to-top) and 57cm top tube (center-to-center), with 126mm rear triangle spacing
Wheel Size & Tire Clearance: 700c. 38.5mm front fork clearance, 64.5mm rear brake bridge. Fits 28mm tires fine, could probably go up to 30 or 32mm.
Payment: Paypal F&F or other cash equivalent
Contact: PM or email skpearson at gmail dot com

Description: I bought this as a Toei two years ago, but after having some suspicions (and with help from another collector) identified it as an Echelon Spectra. Echelons were private labeled frames made by Hitoshi Konno of Cherubim Bicycles, for California wholesaler DIN Imports from 1978 to 1984. More info on the Echelon here, by BF member verktyg . It's identical to the Cherubim R-5, their standard road frame of the early 80s. The previous owner claimed it was painted as a Toei when he had it, and had no idea it wasn't genuine. As a result, I'm selling it at a considerable loss given the misleading paint, but while it's not a Toei, it does have an excellent pedigree. It's made of Ishiwata 019 tubing with custom filed Shimano EF dropouts, custom investment cast lugs and Cherubim's unique aero fork crown. It uses recessed brakes. The paint is quite lovely, a pale light green with dark green pinstriping and hand painted Toei logos. There's a few chips on the inside and underside of the NDS chain stay that have been messily touched up (not by me) but are hidden when the frame is built. I believe it's fully chromed under the paint. It's in great condition with no dents or damage.

Catnap 

Here's a photo of the Cherubim R-5 for comparison - identical except for the fork crown

BertoBerg 

PM’ed

Catnap 

BertoBerg answered, cheers!

Catnap 

Sold

verktyg 

Here's the Echelon Spectra referenced by Catnap in the first message:



https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...bim-konno.html

Echelon, Cherubim, Konno, 3Rensho, Toei... A rose by any other name....

verktyg

john903

I know the frame has sold. But that fork crown looks like a Sampson style used on some Max built forks. Do you know if that frame and or fork were built with Columbus Max tubing? just wondering, beautiful frame by the way regardless of what it was built with.

Catnap 

I agree there’s a resemblance but they are different crowns. The Max fork crown is chunkier, as the fork blades are wider than standard. Overall, the frame predates the introduction of Max tubing by a few years at least.