Elite? What is this Thing?
05-22-24, 10:12 AM
#1
Elite? What is this Thing?
I picked up a few bikes from a local collection, including this. It came with mostly Zeus 2000 parts, Sachs mechs and Milremo gold parts. I can't find any info on this brand. It is nicely made and light, with Campy dropouts front and rear. Lug work is also quite nice, with that distinctive head tube. Could it be French or Spanish?
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05-22-24, 10:32 AM
#2
Senior Member
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portacatena provision limits date to narrow window in time
wrt possible France or Spain origin -
simple enough to check tube diameters and threading
IIRC forum has had prior examples of marque
wonder if it possible transfer set generic; appears a respray
lug pattern appears it may be BOCAMA Competition 83 with cutout R1
...or Haden Royal Sovereign
if Haden that would tend to rule out a non-anglophone origin for the frame as Haden bits seldom employed in non-anglophone lands
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portacatena provision limits date to narrow window in time
wrt possible France or Spain origin -
simple enough to check tube diameters and threading
IIRC forum has had prior examples of marque
wonder if it possible transfer set generic; appears a respray
lug pattern appears it may be BOCAMA Competition 83 with cutout R1
...or Haden Royal Sovereign
if Haden that would tend to rule out a non-anglophone origin for the frame as Haden bits seldom employed in non-anglophone lands
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Last edited by juvela; 05-22-24 at 12:56 PM. Reason: addition
05-22-24, 05:13 PM
#4
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05-23-24, 04:16 AM
#5
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Back in bike boom era of early 1970s (probably when I was 12 or so in 1972) I received from my folks a gas-pipe Belgian-built Simplex equipped road bike called an “Elite.” I believe they got it out of the Monkey-Wards catalog. As I was already following the exploits of Eddy Merckx at the time, I was thrilled to have a Belgian bike.
05-23-24, 05:55 AM
#6
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The lugs aren't going to narrow down the maker very much. I have the same on my 1977 Argos and 1977/8 Raleigh Team Professional. Clearly, this isn't made by either of them, but I have seen it used on several other nicer models by several different makers. Research bike models "Elite" from late 70s - early 80s.
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05-23-24, 07:40 AM
#7
Stop reading my posts!
could we see more close-ups of the seat cluster (appears to be a semi wrap-over) the brake bridge and fork crown?
The serial number 73 753 doesn't provide any clue for me, but with those DOs it can't be any 1973 frame
The serial number 73 753 doesn't provide any clue for me, but with those DOs it can't be any 1973 frame
05-23-24, 07:50 AM
#8
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Under-BB cable guides are telling.
Either way, it looks like a really nice frame. Build it up and enjoy it!
Either way, it looks like a really nice frame. Build it up and enjoy it!
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05-23-24, 08:11 AM
#9
I don't know.
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that's a sweet frame.
05-23-24, 08:17 AM
#10
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Back in bike boom era of early 1970s (probably when I was 12 or so in 1972) I received from my folks a gas-pipe Belgian-built Simplex equipped road bike called an “Elite.” I believe they got it out of the Monkey-Wards catalog. As I was already following the exploits of Eddy Merckx at the time, I was thrilled to have a Belgian bike.
as recalled these were produced by Superia, Eddy's first team
the same machines were also sold under the name Belgique - had one of those new, obtained in a closeout lot from an automobile dealer who had tried to get in on the bike boom
one distinctive feature of them you may recall is that the faces of the stamped dropouts have a stipled/pebble grain surface
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07-02-24, 02:50 AM
#12
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Nice bike and a fairly rare bird to boot.
That's a Mairag's top of the line '5 Star S' frame, made with Reynolds 753 tubing. Not sure how many of those were made, but I've only ever seen a few. The regular 5 Star model is a lot more common, and it had a lot more factory drillium. I guess they didn't dare mess with 753.
Not sure why or how the "Elite" decals made it onto the frame, but I think those are linked to a shop called Worralls in Auckland, New Zealand.
That's a Mairag's top of the line '5 Star S' frame, made with Reynolds 753 tubing. Not sure how many of those were made, but I've only ever seen a few. The regular 5 Star model is a lot more common, and it had a lot more factory drillium. I guess they didn't dare mess with 753.
Not sure why or how the "Elite" decals made it onto the frame, but I think those are linked to a shop called Worralls in Auckland, New Zealand.
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07-02-24, 07:06 AM
#13
Senior Member
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one CH marque few yanks know exists...
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one CH marque few yanks know exists...
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07-02-24, 05:28 PM
#16
The head decal has a very German look to it....
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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)
07-02-24, 10:30 PM
#17
Making up the numbers
They marketed an “Elite” branded bicycle in the mid-late 1980s, manufactured locally from Reynolds 501 tubing, and using the same decals as the frame above. Decals used were a generic set sourced from an overseas supplier, possibly in Australia. I think the decals were also widely available as generic replacements for repainted frames.
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Nothing quite says wall hanger like drillium toe straps
Nothing quite says wall hanger like drillium toe straps
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