Monark Crescent Track - The Big Swede

I'm quite a tall chap so when the opportunity to get a 63cm track frame popped up I put a punt bid in and won it for the lowest bid ($200). Its currently winging it's way to me from California, but in the mean time here are some photos from the listing.

The 26.2 seatpost size says to me plain-gauge bog standard tubing, but the spear point lugs, dropouts, clearences and cast inset 'crowns' in the fork crown suggest something of slightly finer quality than most cheap tat.

I have no doubt that it won't be a light weight, but something about appealed to me, I also found another one that has been built up and it looks quite sharp.

I wonder if an actual Swedish person could clear up some confusion about the branding. *'Monark Crescent' *seemed to have been a brand, but it was two seperate brands *'Monark' *and 'Crescent'. The other one I found was stickered up as 'Crescent' but the crowns on the forks suggest to me some 'Monark' involvement.

Anyway, I suppose I should talk about how I'll be building it. I Kind of miss my townie, so i fancy something like that again:

3

but think more like this:

Most of the parts will be coming from my lo-pro which is going to TM

i.e. the Mavic starfish cranks and the Halo wheels and that stem. i've ordered a 26.2 - 25.4 shim as someone was selling a cheap silver 25.4 seatpost. I've got some Cinelli Priest 'type' bars that have been knocking about whilst i found a use for them. I'd quite fancy a brooks swift style saddle (possibly a V/O knock off) and i need to look into a rack of some kind, possibly with a nice wooden wine crate to attach to the front too. Plus a hundred other little bits and bobs that come with a new build.

I'm not 100% on the current blue colour, it might get a powdercoat of gloss white, either way I'll pick out the crowns in gold/yellow paint.

anyway that'll do for now, more to come when it actually arrives

I love those Zeus track ends! Curious about how your build is going to turn out!!

Hey spotter, what bars are you going to use? I just can't wait to discover which bars you'll use. Hey, bar man spotter, will you be ripping off Superjoe again? Hey, spotter, what bars are those on that frame without any bars yet? Hey, spotter, what pedals will you use? I will use them also. How do you ride? I will ride like that too. Hey, spotter, what's the scene all about these days? Hey, spotter, are you a mystic? Spotter, hey, what time is it? You can't be wrong. All 'jokes' now dispensed with.

Interesting acquisition, and interesting plans afoot.

Thanks for getting those questions out of the way, to give a concise answer, Yes.

How tall are you Spotter?

6'4"

Fair do's, seems strange that I'm only 2" (in body height) smaller than you yet use a 59cm!

was interested by that frame also, looks nice, was there/will there be any customs charges/monstrous shipping fees?

well into the posh-beater feel on the blue/purple bike, will you be keeping it as classy?

I'm the same height as you Eamesy and ride the same size frame.
That Spotter guy has legs like an athenian godess.

they're long as well.

Ooo er!

Jose is 62cm

and fits really well, i dont think 1cm more will make a big difference.

was interested by that frame also, looks nice, was there/will there be any customs charges/monstrous shipping fees?

well into the posh-beater feel on the blue/purple bike, will you be keeping it as classy?

I'm hoping that all the fees will be covered by me selling the lo-pro. I'm all for this being a posh beater.

Loins - I had no idea you were an admirer.

If that were mine I'd get the lug lining (re?)done... not feeling the all-blue look.

Pearl white, with yellow/red highlights looks boss hogg

Yup. Planning to get some transfers made up, or keeping it plain?

not sure yet, i'll see once i get it

just had an idea...I could work with the blue

Monark never made any track bikes. My guess is that it's a Zeus track through and through. Oh and I'm a Swede.

thanks for the info, Other than the track ends what makes you think that?

£1

you're starting the bidding already?

I think it's a DBS or "den beste cykel" (the best bike) A norwegian brand.
Apparently Zeus made the track bikes for them..

Here's a pic i found on my local forum, fixedgear.se

Same Zeus track ends and it looks like it has the crown on the fork to..

Its certainly a contender, a quick google doesnt show any good photos of DBS crowns

Jack. You're 5'10". Now fuck off.

just had an idea...I could work with the blue

If you like this ^ I can give you the details of a guy who does excellent airbrush work. He's a classic car sprayer but he's keen to do more bikes after doing my frame recently