Crescent is a great old bike maker, and this one looks early but it seems way over priced for what it is. I knew Crescent made a full range of bikes, but haven't ever seen one this low end. A Schwinn Continental is a better constructed version of the same thing. Or are non-functional Continentals going for $100 in Boise now? I doubt it.
Gas pipe low end tubing it looks like--see the big seam on the front of the head tube, awful weld of the chain stay cable guide, those skinny seat stays and bad joints (see the down tube to BB junction) indicate heavy weak low end construction. That chrome fork crown is only a decorative shiny foil cap, I'd bet. The rear fork end looks like a better one than I'd have expected on this frame, but really poorly welded to the chainstay.
The wheels look like replacements, at least the rear. Looks like a low end Shimano cassette hub in back, from the diameter of the hub barrel anyway--can't see much. The front hub looks interesting--is the front rim alloy.
The brakes are curious too, looking more like Mafac knock-offs than actual Racers. Perhaps made of flat stock steel instead of aluminum? They look different from the various aged Mafacs I have. The rear one uses only the one caliper-, with an odd extention. Not sure if that'd be repairable. Doubt whether the levers are salvagable, either.
Those particular Huret derailleurs are no fun.
I like the pedals but wouldn't spend $100 on them.
--Mitch, who has nothing against cheap welded beaters or quirky project but not fond of sellers who think any hunk of twisted steel is just the thing for a fixie conversion
On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 10:13 AM, John Wirt <frankensaab@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> Hey all!
> Anyt thoughts on this bike?
>
> http://boise.craigslist.org/
>
> I'm really interested, especially since it would go so well w/ my vintage SAABs! : )
>
> john wirt
> boise, idaho
> USofA