Tag Archives: MAFAC

More Lovely Zunow 650B Randonneur Bikes

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The best deals are always “local pick-up only.” I saw this Zunow “Nuovo Touring” randonneur bike for sale on Japan’s Mercari marketplace last month.  It sold for around $1000 USD and a trip to Atsugi City.  Quite a steal, if you live locally.  Collectors around the world know that you have to travel to get the best deals. I downloaded the photos from the listing and am sharing them here to show off a “vintage correct” build for one of these iconic bikes.

Over a decade ago, I decided that I prefer “brifter” (brake + shifter) controls over down-tube or bar-end shifters.  With a few exceptions, my restorations have moved towards “neo-retro” builds that use modern parts, tastefully chosen to maintain a vintage look.  Here’s what my Zunow Randonneur looked like before I switched the components to Campagnolo.  This particular Zunow looks much like it did when brand new in the late 1970s, with the exception of modern SPD pedals.  Read on for more photos and details!

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3Rensho Rarities from the Cyclone Days

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Have you ever seen a 3Rensho cyclocross bike? I had not, until I came across the bike pictured above, on auction at Yahoo JP auctions. I thought about throwing in a bid on it, but rather narrow-mindedly decided that a 3Rensho that doesn’t have the logo engraved into a seat stay cap or fork crown wasn’t a 3Rensho worth buying. Man, was I wrong! I regret it now, as I’ve come to learn that engraved logos do not a 3Rensho make.

I’ve been diving into the history of Cyclone LTD (the Yoshi Konno’s brand that later became 3Rensho) as I’ve been researching the provenance of the custom 3Rensho Super Record I recently restored. In the course of that research, I’ve dug up a few interesting rarities to share. Read on to learn more!

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Jo Routens 650B Restoration

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In the fall of 2014, I acquired one of my “grail bikes,” a Jo Routens randonneur.   I wrote it about it here, after it arrived from France and I had ridden it around the city for a few months.  Then in the summer, I took the plunge on a full restoration, with the goal of bringing it to the 2015 Eroica California event in Paso Robles, California.

JR_05It was quite an undertaking, and definitely the most expensive and technically complex restoration I have ever embarked on.  The results were spectacular!

I began by having the frame, fork, stem, and front derailleur re-chromed.  These were all hand made by Jo Routens, just for this bike.   I had the chroming work done at Epner Technology, in Greenpoint Brooklyn.

The guys at Epner did a perfect job, and at a very reasonable price.  For $500, they chemically stripped and prepped the bike, gave it a bright chrome finish, and polished it.  The chrome is exquisite, with no flaws anywhere.  I highly recommend their services!  They did try to up-sell me on a 24 karat gold finish for $5000, but it just didn’t seem right for this bike.

Read on for more details on the restoration and the hi-res picture gallery.

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C.N.C. Special Randonneur

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Cycles C.N.C. is a fairly obscure French brand that hand made exquisite custom bicycles for over fifty years, starting in the 1930’s.  This particular example is one of their finest,  with an all-Reynolds 531 frame and crisp lug work.  I restored it over the holiday season, taking my time to get all of the little details correct.  Read on for more information and history on this gorgeous bike! Continue reading →

J.P. Routens Cyclosportif Bicycle

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This lovely bicycle is a 58cm Routens “cyclosportif” with a Simplex Super LJ group set.  It’s one of the finest machines I’ve had the privilege of restoring, although it needed very little actual work to restore.  A “cyclosportif” is sort of like the French equivalent to “sport touring” where a bike may have fenders and a handlebar bag, but is not meant to carry panniers.   Read on for more info on this classic steed and its famous namesake.

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1981 Mercier Salève Velo Course Restored

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It’s been several months since I’ve done a write up on one of my restoration projects, but now I’m back and I have a whole stable full to show off.  First in line is this 1980 Mercier Salève “velo de course”.  A mid-range road racer as seen in this catalog from the early 1980’s, it features Vitus tubing and drop-outs.  I like the paint and logo schemes of the early 80’s Mercier bikes more than any of the other eras.  It’s restrained but the blue paint glows with a subtle sparkle.  Read on for more…

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