I was the owner of the Paris Roubaix "prototype" that was sold before
the Cirque and ended up winning best Italian bike. I am sure Guy Apple
would not mind it being known that he is the present owner. The bike
was bought by me from Chris Gonzalez. So it is headed back to
California. As you all know, it originally was restored by Nigel Scott
in Great Britain. Re the issue of shifting. As has been noted rather
than having to back pedal to shift, this variation is shifted by
peddling forward. Honestly, in part because the bike was too large for
me, I only rode it once. I was somewhat afraid of throwing the chain
and damaging the chain stay paint. In that one attempt I was able to
shift successfully without the wheel falling out. I do believe it was,
in fact, an improvement on having to backpedal but one that came way
too late as the Gran Sport was already on the market. I have been
repeatedly told that the bike date from 1951 but may be a year and
change later. I hope this is of some help regarding this bike
Edward Albert
Chappaqua, NY