If this frame is 54 CM c-top, it's too tall for me. Sigh...
Jon Spangler Alameda, CA USA
On Mar 9, 2010, at 3:40 PM, G L Romeu wrote:
> I would concur with Freek's assessment of this bike (in my size, 63cm) and find it MUCH preferable to my PX-10 and my 2 (70, 72) Raleigh pros. In fact, i actually prefer the ride to the 753 Gazelle that i also have, they are both large sizes and the 531 feels stiffer. I believe mine is a bit earlier, but not too much.
> I tend to like crit geometry in multispeeds, probably because i ride track bikes the most. the Gazelle is a very lively bike. gabriel
>
> On 2:59 PM, Freek Faro wrote:
>> This ia an early 80s, probably c. 1984, maybe '83, maybe '85 Gazelle. Their
>> first attempts at concealed brake cable routing. Also, Bocama lugs with what
>> I would like to call 'short points'. These lugs are the same as the
>> traditional ones, but shorter of course.
>> The brake bridge is panto'd with a Gazelle, so its probably an AA-special.
>>
>> Regarding the geometry, Gazelle's are always measured center-top, and the
>> frame size is stamped on the undersized of said brakebridge. So size is
>> probably 53 or 54, and I seriously doubt that the toptube would be 55 c-c. I
>> have a similar AB-frame in my hands right now (same lugs), size is 58, and
>> toptube measures close to 56 c-c.
>> This frame could have been customer specified of course. I consider Gazelle
>> Champion Mondials as a mix between criterium oriented and stage oriented.
>> They certainly feel fast, almost everyone that I have introduced to a
>> Champion Mondial raved about the feeling the bike gives you, it invites to
>> accelerate, to keep going. Which is what Gazelle advertised with, back in
>> the day ...
>>
>> IMO though, that has very much to do with the kind of bike you're accustomed
>> to.
>>
>> Freek Faro
>> Rotterdam Netherlands
>>
>> 2010/3/9 Jon Spangler<jonswriter@att.net>
>>
>>> Listers,
>>>
>>> A Gazelle "Champion Mondial road frame (531, 52 seat x 55 TT, c-c) has
>>> appeared on ebay and caught my eye:
>>>
>>> ebay #230447059108
>>>
>>> Seller has not yet provided a serial number, but presuming that this frame
>>> qualifies within the timeline or as a KOF,
>>> I have a question that has not been answered in the archives:
>>>
>>> How do these bikes feel/ride?
>>>
>>> I have ridden PX-10s, Raleigh Pro Mark IVs, TREK 660 and (OT) 2000s as
>>> well as my Eisentraut.
>>> Comparisons to the above would be much appreciated. I like the long, limber
>>> feel of continental "stage race" frames and all-day comfort is my goal,
>>> but downhill tracking stability at speed is highly desirable and
>>> quick-drop-into-the corners handling is fun, too. :-)
>>>
>>> Would the similar-length TT indicate handling like my yet-unbuilt Allegro?
>>>
>>> I certainly appreciate the Gazelle's racing heritage and successes, and am
>>> aware that they came into the Raleigh/TI family but apparently kept high
>>> quality standards.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>
>>> Jon Spangler
>>> Alameda, CA USA
>>> (and too far from Cirque... :-(
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>
>
> --
> G L Romeu
> ø http://studiofurniture.com
> ø http://lessplusmore.com
> ø http://journalphoto.org
Jon Spangler
Writer/editor
Linda Hudson Writing
TEL 510-864-2144
CEL 510-846-5356
JonSwriter@att.net
http://www.linkedin.com/
http://www.twitter.com/