[CR] Flying dutchman

(Example: Framebuilding:Brazing Technique)

To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 21:11:57 -0400
From: <crumpy6204@aol.com>
Subject: [CR] Flying dutchman


In the late 60s to 70s I did a lot of business with the Big Wheel bike shop at the store on Holly St.Denver,I purchased two Legnanos One I still have and my wife's Libertas, she still has.Both the Legnanos Chris built up with Full Campag 12 speed.Fiamme sew ups Brooks etc. the Libertas was built with Ofmega 12sp. The Flying Dutchman I don't think? was a very big hit at first, Big Wheel had two many name brands to offer. Funny that all this come up now, Last week I was on a ride and stopped at the rest stop at Stroh Ranch Parker, There standing against the wall was a FLYING DUTCHMAN bike, Full late 80s early90 Campag equip, The rear mech looked like a older model with thenlong cage, Light Blue frame still in good nick, 531 transfer with the TysleyBrum add.(I worked there in the 50s) The owner came out and I?talked to him about his bike, He says he only rides it once in awhile but he got it from Big Wheel on Leetsdale in Denver. this was after the Holly add. said that the owner a foreigner said he getting out of the biz because of the Mtn bike boom he did not like selling or stocking mth bikes! Now this frame was well finished nice lugs, good paint etc,one thing I did notice it had what I thought was old type metal gear cable guides brazed on top of the bottom bracket?so maybe this was an old model that Big Wheel had from earlier times? and not sold. I do know that?at the?Holly store?in the basement there where 100s of frames stored, Did they sell all of them? Also I thought that at one time one of the bros VanGhent said that the Flying Dutchman was built for them?by Libertas?? The plot thickens! Cheers John Crump OldflyingbritBrit, Parker,.Co USA