Columbia - Reynolds 753 frame
10-14-22, 06:44 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 2,111
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 243 Post(s)
Liked 172 Times
in
110 Posts
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.
__________________
1992 Torelli Nitro Express; 1972 Claud Butler.
1992 Torelli Nitro Express; 1972 Claud Butler.
10-14-22, 08:04 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,471
Mentioned: 102 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1635 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 823 Times
in
532 Posts
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....
__________________
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)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
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)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
10-15-22, 04:10 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Western MI
Posts: 2,767
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 654 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
300 Posts
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!
Likes For plonz:
10-15-22, 09:08 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fairplay Co
Posts: 9,512
Bikes: Current 79 Nishiki Custum Sport, Jeunet 620, notable previous bikes P.K. Ripper loop tail, Kawahara Laser Lite, Paramount Track full chrome, Raliegh Internatioanl, Motobecan Super Mirage. 59 Crown royak 3 speed
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 789 Post(s)
Liked 1,739 Times
in
630 Posts
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.
Likes For zukahn1:
10-17-22, 04:04 PM
#5
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 269
Bikes: '92 MX Leader, 84 Colnago Mexico, 85 Recherche, 86 Panasonic ATB Pro, 88 Roberts, 80 moser... ect
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Liked 134 Times
in
67 Posts
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.
Likes For uncleivan:
11-09-22, 07:09 PM
#6
Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 58
Bikes: '99 Pinarello Stelvio; ‘85 Cannondale ST500; '75 Austro-Daimler AD-SL; '84 Peugeot PH11; '83 Peugeot PH18; '91 Bridgestone MB3; ‘95 Bridgestone NB26
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 74 Times
in
25 Posts
11-09-22, 07:24 PM
#7
Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 58
Bikes: '99 Pinarello Stelvio; ‘85 Cannondale ST500; '75 Austro-Daimler AD-SL; '84 Peugeot PH11; '83 Peugeot PH18; '91 Bridgestone MB3; ‘95 Bridgestone NB26
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 74 Times
in
25 Posts
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
Likes For ADguy:
11-15-22, 09:24 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Niagara Region, Canada
Posts: 1,451
Bikes: 1970s Alex Singer, 1960s Peugeot PX 10, 1960s Bertin C37, 1973 Carre Bertin C 37, 1972 Carlton Kermesse, 1981 Peugeot PX 14 Super Competition
Mentioned: 65 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 344 Post(s)
Liked 266 Times
in
157 Posts
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.
11-16-22, 06:05 AM
#9
Fuji Fan
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.
11-16-22, 07:36 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,504
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 586 Post(s)
Liked 612 Times
in
447 Posts
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.
11-16-22, 07:47 AM
#11
I don't know.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 2,006
Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night, '89 Marinoni
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 314 Post(s)
Liked 850 Times
in
444 Posts
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
11-16-22, 07:49 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,674
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 567 Post(s)
Liked 562 Times
in
405 Posts
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.
Likes For easyupbug:
11-16-22, 07:54 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,504
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 586 Post(s)
Liked 612 Times
in
447 Posts
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.
11-20-22, 07:08 AM
#14
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 1,937
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam(to be built),1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 666 Post(s)
Liked 963 Times
in
637 Posts
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.
