Latest project bike

M

mwerner

Joined
Apr 23, 2002
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I've got my homemade recumbent about as refined as it's gonna get, so while I'm collecting bits for version 2.0, I started another project.
I'm restoring this 1983 Cilo (pronounced See-Low) roadster that I "rescued" from slowly mouldering away.

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I thought this was just another generic 10-speed that some student had abandoned till I started looking at it. Shimano 600 components (equivalent to today's Ultegra) Columbus frame tubing, etc.

Apparently, Cilo is a Belgian make that went out of buisness about 10-12 years ago. Put out a pretty nice line of bikes for the Euro market, including some very high-end jobs. Even sponsored a Tour team for a while.
This one is obviously a lower end roadster meant as a sport/commuter.

To date, I've rebuilt the hubs and bottom bracket, installed a new 6-speed freewheel, pedals, chain, cables, and other bits. Lots of searching around for the right bits for the French Maillard hubs. Friction shifters, of course...
New tires and tubes, and lots of cleaning and using the Dremel to remove surface rust and crud.
Took it out for a ride yesterday, very nice! The Shimano components are still smooth as silk after a bit of cleanup, and the steel brazed/lugged frame is quite comfy. Comes in at a hair over 24 pounds; not bad for the era.

Still to do...A nicer saddle, a better crank (hopefully a vintage 600 job) and maybe a set of matching brakes to replace the Weinemann jobs.

A bit of "Retro" riding is in order.
 
Sweet ride! Why do you want to change the cranks and brakes? If it were mine I would change the Maillard hubs before I changed the other stuff as long as the other stuff was functional. I don't have any personal experience with the Maillard hubs, but I have never heard a single positive remark about them either. I guess as long as they are working, that's all that matters but they have a reputation on par with the Yugo.

I love those lugged frames though. The fork looks nice too. I just can't get into those straight blade road forks, though it is a matter of looks more than anything.
 
Hehe- that swoopy chrome-plated fork was the first thing that caught my eye!

The Maillard hubs are oddballs, with sub-sized axles and no quick-release. Still, they are quite smooth, and I kind of like the high-flange front.

The steel crank is none too attractive, and worse, has the old 52/42 tooth setup. My creaky old bod cries out for a 39-tooth small ring...

The Weinemann brakes are...Adequate. I may spring for some new pads. I think a set of vintage Shimano brakes and a 600 crank would look very nice, and go with the other components.
 
Hi All-

The blackwall tires, high-flange hubs, and chromed fork are 80's-sweet!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
I couldn't believe the tires I took off this thing. Those rims are 25mm wide, unlike the typical 20mm rim today. The previous owner had put on a set of 20mm tires.
So, they sat down inside the rims and looked really bad, in addition to exposing the edges of the rims to all sorts of scrapes and dings. Mucho hand filing to smooth 'em down again.
These 28mm tires are a much nicer fit.
 
Yeah, that tire situation sounded pretty wacky. I wonder why the previous owner did that. Probably heard that narrower tires make you "go faster." :D
 
Mwerner: It sorta reminds me of my Parkpre. Parkpre made lots of mountain bikes but only one model of road bike, which I purchased used from a bike mechanic who had upgraded several components. Most people have never heard of it but I wouldn't sell it for twice what I paid for it. Sorry, but I only have a copy of the catalog page but not a real photo from work.

925r.jpg


Good luck with the rebuild and have fun on the St. Louis roads!
 
From the specs on the page, it looks like a nice mix of decent (Shimano 105) and low-end-but-adequate parts. Such bikes can be a huge bargain, and with a bit of careful shopping easily upgraded as well.

Over at Bike Forums:

http://www.bikeforums.net/

We have a very active vintage/classic section.
 
I checked out bikeforums.net a year or two ago and even did a couple of local races at the Cat 5 level (Hillsboro and Mills Apple Farm...). I've been lazy/busy and not riding as much recently but need to get back out. My 4yr & 1.5yr old keep me pretty busy!! :D

Where do you ride locally?

The specs on my old 925R:
pedals - Time Titan Magnesium
wheels - Mavic Open 4 CD w. Wheelsmith spokes & double stainless steel eyelets
tires - 700x23c (23x622)
crank - Shimano 600 double chainring 53/37
rear 23/13 8sd
front hub - Shimano 600
rear hub - Shimano Hyperglide
Shimano Ultegra 600 grouppo w. STI Shifters
bars - Scott Liteflite
seat - Vetta Trishock
frame - Parkpre 925R sn f3104685
 
The Swiss team- Cilo/ Aufina. The bike that KOM jersey rider Beat Breu used in the TDF. And consequently spurred some shortlived popularity.

N.
 
There's very little information on this firm or its various bikes on the net. I've found a few references; mostly about the higher-end bikes that they produced.

I gather they were a bit out of synch with a lot of Euro firms in spec'ing Shimano components at a time when Campy ruled for road bikes.
 
Plenty of such is available, EBay has dealers who specialize in vintage parts. I won't even get into the ancient Campy vs. Shimano thing. Both companies make excellent components. I have never owned any Campy stuff whatever; and have never had the slightest problem with Shimano bits. even the cheap stuff seems to work remarkably well.

We have a "road" shop here in St. Louis where we buy all our police bikes and accessories. Since I'm the "bike guy" I'm on good terms with the manager.

He confided to me that he used to keep a lot of Campy boxes on the shelf, as it was sort of "required" for a roadie shop. But he told me that he seldom sold any of the stuff...
 
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