Zorge Bicycles: around 10 ever made
08-23-23, 05:44 PM
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Zorge Bicycles: around 10 ever made
Hi all! An acquaintance has a Zorge bike (for sale) I thought some of you might be interested in seeing. I snapped a quick pic but I can take more detailed photos later:
I'd never heard of these until now: the person who has this bike knew the builder; I guess he was a German who lived in Phoenix, Arizona in the 70s/80s, and built maybe 10 frames total. There are some nice details on the frameset (i like the duckfeet bases for the TT cable guides), and everything seems to be holding strong after what has clearly been an active life.
If anyone here knows more about Zorge bicycles, I'd be keen to hear from you!
I'd never heard of these until now: the person who has this bike knew the builder; I guess he was a German who lived in Phoenix, Arizona in the 70s/80s, and built maybe 10 frames total. There are some nice details on the frameset (i like the duckfeet bases for the TT cable guides), and everything seems to be holding strong after what has clearly been an active life.
If anyone here knows more about Zorge bicycles, I'd be keen to hear from you!
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08-23-23, 07:59 PM
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Hmmm...
- old bike
- nice color
- my size
- for sale!
- I even like the dt decal
This is all good stuff! I'm assuming the reason why you already haven't bought from him is that it is either too big or too small for you.
Where's this thing located? Is that a bike shop?
- old bike
- nice color
- my size
- for sale!
- I even like the dt decal
This is all good stuff! I'm assuming the reason why you already haven't bought from him is that it is either too big or too small for you.
Where's this thing located? Is that a bike shop?
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There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!
08-23-23, 11:48 PM
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The factory drillium Sugino chain rings say early 80s to me.
I do not need any more early 80s bikes and this is not my size, but I am in Phoenix regularly and could perhaps facilitate this going to a good home.
I do not need any more early 80s bikes and this is not my size, but I am in Phoenix regularly and could perhaps facilitate this going to a good home.
08-24-23, 12:20 AM
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Hmmm...
- old bike
- nice color
- my size
- for sale!
- I even like the dt decal
This is all good stuff! I'm assuming the reason why you already haven't bought from him is that it is either too big or too small for you.
Where's this thing located? Is that a bike shop?
- old bike
- nice color
- my size
- for sale!
- I even like the dt decal
This is all good stuff! I'm assuming the reason why you already haven't bought from him is that it is either too big or too small for you.
Where's this thing located? Is that a bike shop?
should I adjust my Aero-wind hunt accordingly?
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"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
08-24-23, 07:11 AM
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1980’s. The recessed brake mounting sets it 1977 onward.
the control tire with factor would be the chainstays.
08-24-23, 08:32 AM
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I am at my limit of bikes, alas, and this one looks a touch small for me anyway - but I DO like this bike. There is just something very right about it, to my eye, and were it mine it would get a good cleaning and waxing, every bearing repacked, maybe a few very judicious parts changes, a good saddle and fresh bar tape. Then ride it, soaking in all the miles it looks like it has already traveled. This one just has a good feel to me.
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08-24-23, 10:49 AM
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Very proper bike. The details down to the cable guide ornaments are subtle yet striking. And orange paint just makes things go… faster.
As far as history goes, I have never heard of Zorge. It sounds like the acquaintance selling the bicycle might be one of the few (if only) individuals left who knows anything about them.
As far as history goes, I have never heard of Zorge. It sounds like the acquaintance selling the bicycle might be one of the few (if only) individuals left who knows anything about them.
08-24-23, 11:35 AM
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Hmmm...
- old bike
- nice color
- my size
- for sale!
- I even like the dt decal
This is all good stuff! I'm assuming the reason why you already haven't bought from him is that it is either too big or too small for you.
Where's this thing located? Is that a bike shop?
- old bike
- nice color
- my size
- for sale!
- I even like the dt decal
This is all good stuff! I'm assuming the reason why you already haven't bought from him is that it is either too big or too small for you.
Where's this thing located? Is that a bike shop?
08-24-23, 11:37 AM
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Very proper bike. The details down to the cable guide ornaments are subtle yet striking. And orange paint just makes things go… faster.
As far as history goes, I have never heard of Zorge. It sounds like the acquaintance selling the bicycle might be one of the few (if only) individuals left who knows anything about them.
As far as history goes, I have never heard of Zorge. It sounds like the acquaintance selling the bicycle might be one of the few (if only) individuals left who knows anything about them.
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08-24-23, 11:16 PM
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08-26-23, 08:52 AM
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The reason I haven't bought it is really that I just can't justify another bike that fits within this particular geometry/ride quality genre. But, I agree the build looks to be of very high quality with some nice details. It's located in Flagstaff, Arizona and currently in the possession of a gent named Elson (the Sunlite Elson handlebar is named after him)--he's a fount of cycling history in Arizona and currently runs a funky bike junkyard/shop called Bici-Mundo.
My other Venn diagram is 'American makes' and 'complete waste-of-time garbage'
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