[CR]Ben Lawee, was Re: Ultimate Francophile bike

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot)

Date: Sat, 07 May 2005 05:22:26 -0400
From: "HM & SS Sachs" <sachs@erols.com>
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, earle.young@tds.net
Subject: [CR]Ben Lawee, was Re: Ultimate Francophile bike

Earle Young wrote:

I'm gonna weigh in with some Ben Lawee-designed Motobecanes: 1973 Grand Jubile - Nervex lugs and the full Jubile derailleur set, and it was a cushy ride Orange "Luis Ocana" Team Champion -- perfect race bike, topped only by 1981 Team Champion, in baby blue Columbus tubing and full Super Record/ Cinelli equipment.

I've ridden those, and a bunch of other sought-after CR bikes -- Italvega, Raleigh Pro Mk. III and IV, rapid-taper stay Raleigh International, a lot of Motobecanes like Grand Record, Le Champion and Grand Jubile, and some of the high-end Univegas at the end of the CR timeline.

BUT, what I haven't seen here is any recognition that Ben Lawee was a freekin genius of frame design and bike spec' ing. Even the cheap bikes he designed rode well. My current commuter/"fixie" (yes, that dreaded term) is a Motobecane Super Mirage within CR timeline. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I have assumed that Lawee was also the "father" of the UniVega line. Is this true? A couple of years ago, I bought most of a high-zoot UniVega with DuraAce Ax gruppo from Mark Poore. I've not yet finished the project, but the bike is strikingly handsome. Sort of a metallic grey-brown, with very subtle graphics and no flash. It's in the attic now, but my memory is of absolutely impeccable lugwork (for factory machines, anyhow).

harvey sachs
mcLean va