Hi Jerry ,
Well , it's not N.I.B. ( new in box ) , that's for sure !
:^)
I'd call it Near N.O.S. ( near new old stock ) , or Seems To Be N.O.S. , or Seems To Be N.B.R . And I'd be very happy about it !
Who can tell about these things ?
Here's another scenario for you - If a bicycle has never had a saddle or handlebar fitted to it , but the chain is dirty from being an oily object in a dusty environment , and the bicycle has been put into a workstand and played with ( "adjusted" ) many times , and the chainrings show signs of use , and the stickers and decals show obvious wrinkles from the workstand . . . Is THAT one N.O.S. ? It has obviously never been ridden . But it is "used" . Who knows what label to slap on these things ? Maybe we should go with stories , not simple labels ??
Here's my MUCH more important question - will your fine Frejus fit me ??
:^)
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas
I have an early 70's Frejus I am thinking about putting on e-bay. 531 DB, full Campagnolo group including brakes, original everything including sew-ups, cables and HB tape. To the best of my knowledge it has never touched pavement. I bought it from a charming Frenchman who had bought it for his American wife who refused to even try to ride it. He told me he hung it in his garage and there it set for 20 years until I bought it from him. I believe he was telling me the truth, he didn't really have any reason to lie, but I have no real proof (provenance?). I have had the bike about 10 years now and I have not ridden it (one sew-up won't hold air). So my question is, is this New Old Stock or Never Been Ridden or both or neither?
Jerry Corcoran
Canby, OR