To Micah Roberts:
I sold new Hostelers here in Brookings, SD in the1970's. We bought them from a distributor in Minneapolis, Minnesota called Northwest Bicycle Supply. They also distributed Gitane when they could get them. Some of the hostelers we sold were built with Reynolds 93 and equipped as you stated. They were comparable in quality to Peugots and Gitanes that we saw at that time, which means inconsistent quality.
However, the bikes rode fine. I don't know if Northwest had an exclusive, but I doubt it. I also think that they would have been distributed out of Chicago and Milwaukee areas. That is all I can tell you, as I did not do the buying for my own store until 1977. Before that I worked for somebody else who did the buying.
Robb Rasmussen
Sioux River Cyclery since 1977
501 Main ave
Brookings, SD 57006 http://www.501main.com
> I posted this a few months ago in the iBOB list before I knew of this
list.
> I thought some on this list may have some more info for me. Sorry if this
> is redundant.
>
> I found a bike at the local used bike shop for only $40
>
> Frame: Foil type decals saying "Hosteler" with rainbow stripes on
> downtube and "made in France" and Olympic rings on seat tube
> decal, "Huret derailleur" on chain stay
> no head tube badge, just another hosteler decal
> Reynolds 531 butted tubing decal in French
> medium point lugs, not real delicate
> chrome rear stays and fork tips, poor condition
> wrap-around seat stay looks to be brazed on, stays somewhat
> beefy at top.
> roughly 60x60cm with parallel 73° angles (long top tube)
>
> no braze-ons, campy fork tips, long horizontal rear forged
> dropouts with adjusters
> tight rear end with little clearance for tire removal,
>
> Components: Stronglight 93 crank
> Maillard 700 high flange hubs
> Atom 700 pedals
> stronglight competition headset
> Mafac Racer brakeset
> Belliri stem and bars, nice long stem and wide bars!
> Huret Jubilee rear der. and shifters
> Maillard course 5sp freewheel
> rims, front der. and seat post are all cheap replacements
>
> I have never heard of the brand Hosteler. does anybody have some
> information about the brand? Is it worth worrying about the decals if I
want
> to clean up the frame? It fits me well and I want to take care of the bit
of
> rust that is there.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Micah Roberts