Europa / Abeni / Elan appreciation society

[drubie]

ITM Eclypse stem, 3ttt ergo power due bars and record headset. Slowly taking shape between other stuff.

[vaeske]

Looks the goods drubie, once i saw the combo, my ears turn to attention...what have you got brewing? full record getup?

[drubie]

Looks the goods drubie, once i saw the combo, my ears turn to attention...what have you got brewing? full record getup?

I wish - my parts collecting failed on the rear derailleur and the shifters. I have a record BB and crankset and front derailleur, the shifters are Centaur and the rear derailleur is Veloce but it'll work until I happen across the other matching bits.

[drubie]

[drubie]

[singlespeedscott]

Looking good.

[drubie]

I'm going slowly singlespeedscott, trying not to scratch anything!

[drubie]

Colour scheme white over red. The campagnolo cables are a bit too orange but I can live with it. The bit that worried me the most was threading that back brake cable through the frame but it turns out there is a cable guide inside the frame so it was a doddle. Now its time to tape down the cables and get the derailleurs hooked up. I'll ride it to check the hood placement before putting the bar tape on.

[find_bruce]

I think the tutu goes well with such a pretty bike

[singlespeedscott]

Looking even better. Personally I think white cables would have been a better choice. Bloody hard to score at Ribble. No sooner do they become available they sell out. White Campy hoods would look shmick to.

[drubie]

Doh! White cables why didn't I think of that. The tutu is being saved for the maiden voyage

[drubie]

Finished. I don't like the fizik bar tape at all, its hard to wrap and it feels too hard in my hands. Temporary pedals while I look for something nicer. The white saddle is dirty already and I only just wheeled it out of the shed!

[rkelsen]

Nice one Drubie!

One thing I'd add = White hoods:



I like the way the cables match with the spokes.

[drubie]

Those wheels aren't really supposed to be on there, those are my good race wheels. Unfortunately looks so damn tasty (and they don't suit my orange orbea) so they are staying there. White hoods...will order some and see. I bought new hoods for this bike but the ones on my race bike are worn so I could just move them.

This is the before picture:


Right before I pulled it apart to sort out the surface rust.

It rides much like I remember, a bit like meeting an old friend after 3 years who has been to the gym, tightened up and bought a new wardrobe. Its sweet, light, springy and fresh feeling with new cabling and whatnot.

[rkelsen]

Did you ever find out what steel it is?

531 has the characteristics you've mentioned. Like re-meeting an old friend with every ride...

[drubie]

I never did find out rkelson, there's nothing on it, not even a serial number. It doesn't have the Columbus style markings inside the head tube and the rust indicates it isn't tange so I'm guessing Reynolds tubing.

[MsD]

I have just picked up an old Europa road bike for my first salvage project. The downtube has a couple of raised love hearts and the lugs do not look like any of those I have seen on here. Is it possible the bike I picked up is something other than a Europa? Do you guys know of any makers marks like the love hearts? Apart from the Europa decal, it has a "supplied by Europa Cycles Kingsford" sticker and a serial stamped in the frame below the seat stem of 76020254. Any thoughts on what I have and how old it might be would be greatly appreciated!

[singlespeedscott]

I suspect the raised "love hearts" on the down tube are there to prevent a band mounted shift lever set from sliding down the tube when under tension.

[munga]

have a look at pentlandexile's avatar for heart shaped guide stops. heart shape and teardrop shape are the most common that i've seen.
serial number sounds like a repainted something-but-not-a-europa sold thru their store. they did that a lot.

[MsD]

Thanks! They do look similar to that in pentlandexile's avatar and the explanation of their purpose does make sence. One is located around the spot where the shifter band sits (though the band is sitting below it).

I am still curious as to what the bike was originally though.... Are there any other marks or things I should look for to help determine?

[drubie]

Look for writing on the dropouts, there might be more clues there.

[MsD]

Thanks Drubie, and many more thanks for your idiot guide! Have not been able to check the rear dropout just yet (issues loosening the bolts) but the front drop outs do not appear to have any markings. I have also flipped the bike over and found "WTE" stamped on the underside of the crank shaft.

[munga]

i think it's a roadmaster.

[drubie]

i think it's a roadmaster.

Your mum is a roadmaster

[munga]

master the road with ROADMASTER!