Arius Special Saddle Quilted

Similar saddle as the Special Gran Carrera, but extra padding. The connection of the rails to the nose of the saddle is slightly different. Also this one, I've dyed black and put it on my Superia Track bike.

Arius Special Gran Carrera saddle

The cheaper, Spanish brother or sister of the Cinelli Unicanitor saddle. Almost no difference, but more affordable and less image and glory. Absolutely nothing wrong with this saddle. It was and is available at lower cost than the Italian counterpart, thus specced on a lot of road bikes with a price tag that was much friendlier. I've dyed it black and put it on my Superia Gemini Cross CX bike.

Selle San Marco Concor Profil saddle

The Selle San Marco Concor Profil is the "aerodynamic" version of the Concor Supercorsa saddle.
The front part is covered with a plastic streamline, leather finished and decorated with some brass coloured accents.
It feels like every other Concor and if there is any aerodynamic advantage is the question. Maybe for a world class athlete, but certainly not for me.
But is was simple a saddle that absolutely had to top a time trial bike in the early 1980s.
These Profil saddles are a lot more rare than Supercorsa and Confort, certainly if you want one in good condition. It's because for most people an Aero saddle didn't make a lot of sense, so the quantity produced and sold is a lot lower than the regular models. And, besides the common problems of all saddles (ripped and torn covers, scratched or damaged edges), many Profile saddles have lost or damaged the brass "Profil" letters and the center rail.
The ones that are okay, especially the new ones, are terribly expensive.
I was so lucky to put my hands on this saddle, that I found on the Italian Ebay page. It was affordable and in excellent condition.
Absolutely a very nice extension to my collection.

Amstel bier team jersey and pull

When I started my first vintage bike project, it turned out to be an ALAN track bike. I was inspired by Jos Lammertink, who became Dutch national pursuit champion (amateurs) in 1979.
Jos, a tall and strong guy, won the nationals and did pretty well on the worlds, too. This all despite his Alan bike. Also on the road (and probably offroad in CX) he rode Alan bikes, because the Alan importer (Piet Rentmeester) was bike supplier of the legendary Amstel bier (beer) amateur cycling team.

I ride my Alan track bike already several years now, but I was never abl to put my hands on an Amstel team jersey. This was my dream since I finished the build of the bike.
2 weeks ago I suddenly got the opportunity to buy a short sleeved race jersey (it is said that is was owned by team rider Marcel Arntz) and a long sleeved, knitted pull as well.

Team Gazelle - Vredestein 1984

Gezelle - Vredestein team with Frank Moons, riding Gazelle AA-Special.

Gazelle AA-Special

Finally I've picked up this project again and I hope that I can ride this bike this week. This 1984 - 1985 Gazelle AA-Special teambike will be built up as much as possible with original components or something that comes very close.
The frame set once belonged to Frank Moons, in 1984 and 1985 team member of the Dutch Gazelle Vredestein amateur team and one of the best racers back then.
It's a classic Reynolds 531c frame in a (for Gazelle Standards) luxurious version with internal brake cable, braze-ons for front derailleur and double bottle cages, number plate holder and chrome plated dropouts, right hand chain stay and (special!) front mech boss.
The frame still has its old colour scheme with team colours Gazelle Blue 15 with Ivory 81 seat tube panel. Someone tried to remove Frank's name, that was written on the top tube and protected with clear coat, but the text can still be recognised and read. The bike will be assembled with Campagnolo Record and some Super Record parts, San Marco Rolls saddle, Cinelli bars and stem, nearly matching the 1980s team spec. Tubular wheels with SSC rims and Clément Criterium (with or without Vredestein label) would have been nice, but so impractical to ride. I have to settle for Record hubs, Mavic MA2 silver rims and Michelin Dynamic Classic or Veloflex Master 23 mm clinchers.