Gazelle Champion Mondial A-Frame, 1981

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Old and battered but still a sweet ride.

I acquired this frame to be ridden. Which is good, because it is NOT in any shape to become a garage queen, a showpiece or a display bike. Lots of miles on this one. Some neglect too, but mostly it just looks like it was ridden thousands and thousands of kilometers over the last 30 some years. Rust, superficial thankfully, chipped and scratches in the paint, grime, nicks. But straight and without dents.

Being an A-Frame it is already less fancy. No chrome, plain fork crown and BB shell. All function. And the function is a do-it-all frame. Gazelle had the average rider in mind with the A-Frame, the one that might race or just as likely put fenders on and cruise the landscape on scenic rides. But the rider likely would have a penchant for speed, no matter the activity, because that's what the Champion Mondials are all about.
My intent was to make it a comfortable but lightweight and easily driven bike, suitable for long distance rides in the spirit of the French randonneur bicycles. The components pictured above is mostly what went on the frame with minor adjustments. The French streak is maintained with the ultra cool and industrial looking Mavic derailers, the ubiquitous Mafac Racer calipers and a Maillard 7 speed freewheel. Randonneur bars, Nitto Technomic stem and a well broken in leather saddle makes the cockpit suited for hours, maybe days in the saddle. A few new parts also adorn this old Gazelle: A Campagnolo Veloce compact crank and Tektro brake levers (replacing the Campy ones on the picture)

I've had a modern Gazelle for some time, but this A-Frame is my first real vintage bike from those guys.

Wow.

Its ride exceeds all my hopes for this project.

Smooth, yet responsive.

Fast and with amazing acceleration.

Comfortable and untiring.

This one is NOT for sale...

Now I want an AA-Frame from the same era. Hang a complete Campagnolo Record group on it. Go real fast.