The Astra I bought was from an automotive/tire store in Auburn Maine in 1971 as a high school sophomore. I bought the metallic root-beer colored one with the white handlebar tape. My girlfriend had a blue-ish/teal one, so I figured I'd go for the more manly color. I recall the hard leather (probably Ideale) saddle that is long gone. Mine had 27" wheels (steel, unfortunately) with "rain rims" that had hundreds of tiny little indents that were supposed to dissipate water (they didn't work). They had large wing-nuts for quick-releases. Steel seat post and handlebars, Huret Alvit derailleurs, cottered steel cranks, and Weinmann brakes. I recall liking it because the brake levers didn't have those extra comfort levers on the top of the bar - just in the drops like the real racers - plus the shifters were on the downtubes and not on the stem like the Schwinn Varsities my friends rode. It had "Tour de France" written on the top tube. I gave it to my little brother when I went to college, but I took it back about 10 years ago. He had re-painted it, and tossed the saddle. I still have it, but have lightened it with a lighter wheelset, aluminum seat post, stem, bars, and crankset. It's a "svelte" 26 pounds now - I can't imagine how much it weighed before I upgraded it. The headtube has very simple lugs, but the seatube does not. I still enjoy the smooth springy steel ride. (but not nearly as much as the Grand Record!)
Dave Whitney Portland, Maine
-----Original Message----- From: HM & SS Sachs [mailto:sachs@erols.com] Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2003 8:33 PM To: Dwhitney@sheridancorp.com; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Astra, was[CR]Motobecane History - Chapter 2
David Whitney wrote a good piece, and I appreciate learning more about Astras. I didn't know they were a Motobecane private label product.
I believe that I saw Astras at a motorcycle shop "downtown" in Houston about 67, and predicted that they would never take hold because they used a weird wheel size (700c!). My next encounter was in Providence, RI, where I bought one from a want ad, about '69 or '70. Strictly a parts bike, and priced to match. Had been painted medium blue. Everywhere. Once in a while, while grubbing in one of the myriad of parts boxes, I still find something painted that shade, and just smile. If I recall correctly, it was lugless.
harvey sachs
mcLean va