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Hi,
Long time lurker, not been on for ages. After a year back from living in Amsterdam and realising I'm never going to build it up I've decided it's time to let my Gazelle Champion Mondial frame go to a new home.
Bought this from a small bike shop in the middle of the Netherlands (Scholma Racefietsen), it was deadstock and never built up. I've had a Tange Levin Headset fitted but never went any further, ideally looking for region of what I paid so £235 ono.
Details are:
NOS Gazelle Champion Mondial A-Frame (Team Frisol Colours)
Seat tube - 56cm c-t
Top tube - 54cm
Reynolds 531 Tubing
Serial stamped - 3208657
Have it dated to 1977 based on the serial number
Campagnolo front dropouts
Tange Levin Headset
Deadstock condition with only a couple of very small chips on front fork's paint job from it being stored (see pic below), I've had it wrapped up securely since purchase.PM if interested or for more pics, I'm located in London and pickup is preferred though I can get a postage quote if it's going further.
Cheers, Jason
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Good thread and good info.
Was on my fixed last week and did a bit too much, knees got very sore in days after and I haven't been on since as a result. Have had a increasing problem with left knee anyway when running and I guess cycling after years not doing it has had a bad effect! Going to lower my gear as it's a bit too high and take things easy till my legs build up again.
Will try the seat fix as mentioned above as maybe it's too low and far forward?
Cheers all!
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Hi Pepelo,
Sheldon was a great source of info for me as well as invaluable help on LFGSS/Bike Forums.
I enjoyed building my U09 up and learnt a great deal about fixed bikes. The French system can be very unique - mine does have a French threaded BB but the guy at the local bike shop managed to get a Sugino 103 BB into it, don't ask me how but it's secure! As for parts I am using original seatpost, stem & handlebars (flipped & chopped) but modernised with new hubs/wheels (Formula on Mavic rims from Wheel & Sprocket) and Sugino Messenger Crank/BB (Hubjub) as I planned to move them to an upgraded frame when I got one. The front brake is new Tektro as when the 700c wheels went on the old brakes didn't fit as original wheels were bigger. Chainline seems ok, back forks are 120mm and Sugino parts are meant to give 42mm but it's off very slightly - nothing noticeable though when riding.
Like I say it's been fun but to be honest if I'd fully known about French measurements before picking my frame up I would've stuck with a frame that has English BB/regular sizing as it gives you some wider options, I've just picked up two with Reynolds 531 tubing for my next builds - an 80's Raleigh Competition and 70's Gazelle Champion Mondial (found a frame in a store that hasn't even been asembled/ridden).
You can build with other parts, I think I read a UN72 Shimano BB can be used by removing the cups and using Phil Wood French Cups (look on Bike Forums as there's a big post on it). Plus vintage BB, cranks, etc do turn up on eaby.
Good luck with the build, if you have further specific question post them up. Also use Photobucket to host pics for display here.
Cheers, Jason
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Nice build, funnily enough I've just finished my first one earlier this week and I think we have the same taste in frames!
Went for modern crank on mine as eventually I'll re-use the parts when I upgrade the frame in the future. Not quite as clean as I've got the brake on there and a bell to get tourists out of bike lanes (I live in Amsterdam). Out for the first fixed ride yesterday and feels great, if a bit weird when you forget and try to coast though!
Also like to add thanks to this forum which has been a great source of info during building.
It's sold now to John and the Dutch frame is going home, very glad to hear it's going to get some love in the build up and please post those pics!