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Gazelle of the Netherlands has been in business since
1892. They have produced staggering numbers of bikes of
all kinds, but the one we will mostly deal with here on
the Gazelle Pages is the Champion Mondial, the pro road
frame of the 70's and 80's. This was a hand built lugged
steel racing frame constructed of Reynolds tubing and
with a series of unique characteristics. The Champion
Mondial experienced subtle changes in design over its
30 year production span, from the early stage race geometry
sporting less than flawless lug work, to the streamlined
and modern criterium style frames of later years. |
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Why
a classic Gazelle Champion Mondial?
They are not expensive.
Which translates into a willingness to ride them.
They are not rare.
This effectively weeds out collectors, especially the
Asian.
They are not Italian.
Or French. Therefore a
sizeable chunk of the vintage bike community is uninterested.
They are Dutch. Meaning
utility before style. Pragmatism before passion. Those
are plusses, in case you wonder.
They are Dutch. In
other words larger sizes are common. A bonus only for
some.
They are tough. Cobblestones,
remember? |
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What
year is my classic Champion Mondial?
*Do a cross reference on our Serial
Number Database
*Use the Reynolds tubing
decal
*Here's various bits of other info from the internet:
"..before 77 or so only "Gazelle" on right
chainstay. Later you see frame model instead"
"..as far as I know, the script font on the toptube came
in 1980"
"..until the late 70s there only was a choice of A-frame
and AA-frame."
"..around 1987 they moved to 'fade' paint jobs"
"..lug lining ended after 1980"
"..before 1980 Gazelle used the butterfly brake bridge"
"..Gazelle.. imported to
the USA in the mid-1980s. Top of the line was the Gazelle
AA with Reynolds 531C and Campagnolo Super Record. The Gazelle
AB used the same frame but with Campagnolo Victory"
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Postal
Code
What's up with the
numbers crudely stamped onto seattube or toptube on
some Gazelle? Obviously the work of a non-skilled personage,
these codes are barbarically punched on top of paint
and clear coat, marring the frame with chipped finish
and rust:
Because theft of bicycles is
relatively common in the Netherlands many owners engrave
a detailed postal code on their bikes to deter theft
or facilitate recovery. In my eyes it is part of the
frame's history and ought not be shunned upon. |
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Champion
Mondial A-Frame:
Fender eyelets
Relatively longer wheelbase
Simple BB shell
Two levels, 70's: Plain & part chrome
Typical
plain A-Frame w/o chrome
Fancy A-frame with
chrome forks
Champion Mondial AB-Frame:
Mostly found post 1980
Tighter geometry than A-Frames
No fender eyelets
Simple BB shell
Descended from the Tour l' Avenir
Typical
AB-Frame
Champion Mondial AA-Frame:
Upgraded BB shell and fork
X-shaped chainstay reinforcement
Shorter wheelbase
Chrome, i.e. chainstays & fork
Typical
AA-Frame
Champion Mondial AA-Special:
Introduced in early eighties
Internal cable routing
Reynolds 531P/SL tube set
Typical
AA-Special frame
Champion Mondial AA-Super:
As above with shorter wheelbase,
and..
Wishbone seatstays
Seattube indented for rear wheel
Nice AA-Super
with Campy 50th
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Left: Apparently the Germans had a copyright/trademark issue
with the name Champion Mondial resulting in the frame being
sold as a plain 'Champion' in Deutschland. Here on a late
seventies
AA-Frame with Roto BB shell |
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