Re: [Classicrendezvous] Anybody heard of a "Hosteler"

> 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
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Roberts, Micah HS-SNS" <micah.roberts@hs.utc.com>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2000 7:10 AM
> Subject: [Classicrendezvous] Anybody heard of a "Hosteler"
>
>
> > 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