Gazelle? Does anyone know anything about them?

That bike screams for gears!!

i knowww but money/time

Don't worry, as long as you ride it.
Sounds cheesy, but I never really get the hate towards conversions.

You might want to tilt the saddle a bit and I'm not really a fan of the lever, though.

For sure there is no hate towards conversions, that would be ridiculous. Conversions can be just as clean as track bikes..

Conversions can be just as clean as track bikes..

Especially when they're shaved.

Don't worry, as long as you ride it.
Sounds cheesy, but I never really get the hate towards conversions.

You might want to tilt the saddle a bit and I'm not really a fan of the lever, though.

To be honest the desire for gears has only come in the last few months when I've been doing longer rides. Love riding it in town and shorter distances though.

Saddle seems fine to ride, I think the photo angle is odd because a few people have said that now. The lever is just just practical, not very pretty though I agree. Got some really nice Campag Record levers in the box of bits but having only one looks silly.

Ok, I understand. Just put them both on and only connect one.
I recently did this and although stem length needs fiddling, sofar the extra handposition it gives is great.

^+1.. I mostly ride on the hoods on my Graham Weigh.. Geo of the frame is more road then track though.. Sawed off the bottom part of the lever and then drilled out the security bolt.. Looks weird, but saves weight (like I give a shit.. ;)) and most importantly, let me have a "pair" which actually is a DA left and 105 right.. Didn't have the heart to that^ to a DA lever..

Btw, love how this thread is actually mostly Dutchies banter against each other in English..

P.S: I owe you a reply Björn.. ;)

Now all the tags have been removed from threads on the forum I'd like to confess to all the really bad Dutch cheese / Gazelle tags. Sorry, it seemed like a Gouda idea at the time.

Gazelle bar end plugs from NL


I bought this frame a few months ago from Zielman (sale topic). So far, the tubing, the dropouts and the stays' spacing definitely set its conception in the 90s. Whether it's in the early or mid-90s, I still haven't figured out.
As to which brand it was built with, I was almost sure it must have been Campagnolo, but I learnt in this thread that, at some point, Gazelle used Shimano components on their bikes, so Dura-Ace is also a possibility.
Also, it'd be great, although very unlikely, if someone has seen this frame assembled.
I was hoping someone could shed some clarity on the subject, so I could buy a period correct groupset.
Thanks.

Campa/Shima, it wasn't black and white for these bicycle companies back then (or now). You'd often have the choice yourself as to what gruppo would be mounted, especially on special frames like yours.

Which is a beatiful frame btw, congrats!

My Gazelle Lo-Pro (circa 1987) is 531 but had Shimano 105. The team version in 1987 had Campagnolo Record.

Have you trawled through the catalogues?

Oh, and mine is 12-speed, 126mm spacing; the rear lugs only just allowed me to add an extra ring for 7 speeds.

I did. The one that looks the most similar is this one, from the 1994 catalog:

http://fivenineclimber.com/images/cinelli/gazelle_pages/catalogs/gaz1994_5b.jpg

The 653 frame first appears on the 1989 price list:

http://i.imgur.com/KGCAi.png

Ringworm,

Back in the early 80s it was quite easy to determine whether your frame was intended for Shimano or Campagnolo. Shimano shifters needed another fitting. Shimano 7400, introduced in 1984, could also be fitted on Campag braze ons, so I do not know till when builders continued with specific fittings.

When I acquired your frame, years ago, it had an Ultegra headset fitted, but I think it was somewhat more recent than the frame. Campagnolo could also have been a likely option, as 'frame only' was how these frames were delivered ussually. However, this frame originally belonged the one of Holland's best triatletes. What would someone with a not so traditionalist nature choose in the early 90s? I think 7400 was the best performing stuff.

Shimano would do really well on your frame, but Campagnolo would be class too. Dito for Superbe, Zap or New Success if you ask me. Good luck with composing your very fine bike.

I have 4 Gazelles all of which I purchased new.1986 AA special 531c, 1988 trim trophy 531(winter bike) 1990 653, 1992 Lo Pro 531c.it is ivory white. My lo Pro is different from the one above. It has a mono seat stay and a indented seat tube. I bought the frame and built it myself with Campag record.I have a 26" shamal and a zipp 950. It is quite heavy by todays standards but it handles beautifully and I was able to do PB,s!

I would go 7400 as it's decent and fairly well available. If you want fit it with a dope groupset that will make it stand out, I would do as Zieleman said and go with Suntour Superbe..

Good luck if you go with the latter!

Although I have a Superbe 650 front wheel that would help you on your way..

been looking for a clean and hi res scan of Gazelle Champion Mondial. If anyone have one, please share... thank you so much.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kahimleung/6776982701/in/photostream

mine

hippy, you'll probably never hear me say this again - but would you be so kind as to merge old bean? Plenty more people on 'that' thread that could help with this ^^ request.

on flickr?

No Jacky, the thread here that is about all things Gazelle. Plus I believe hendrawahyu is looking for a hi res scan of the decals perhaps for a renovation (just guessing) and there are so many experts on the main Gazelle thread that hippy might want to merge it with this one.

maybe try the gazelle thread

Where's Mergatron when you need him?