Huret Svelto

[FINNEY1973]

I've been 'commissioned' to build a bike from the ground up; a stylish but basic machine for commuting and the occassional recreational ride. I have a reasonable budget to work with but it isn't overly extravagant. The frame / fork is purchased & is early 50's and I'm aiming for a vintage appearance but with some concessions to modernity in respect of the brakes / levers. I've sourced a NOS 3 speed freewheel and a 3 arm Sugino Maxy Crankset and am currently looking for a basic rear derailleur - possibly a Huret Svelto. Looks wise, I think it will complement what my minds eye has for the bike, but given how plentiful & cheap these mechs are I'm also questioning how reliable / competent they are? I'm considering a single 52T on the front with the freewheel being 16 / 19 / 23.

Your thoughts on the above in respect of reliability / competency would be appreciated. Once I've handed the bike over it will be a few hundred miles away so it will need to work - I don't fancy the indignity of phone calls saying it's not working properly!

cheers

 

[pigman]

Re:

I assume your 'client' lives in a flat, fairly windless area with those gear ratios. Or maybe he's just 'ard

 

[FINNEY1973]

Re:

Yes, pretty much all flat. This bike will be a replacement for a modern track bike that was sold due to under use. I'm basing this build on the spec sheet from the track bike, but with the beauty of 3 gears! Or I could keep the 40T ring on the front, just adds a front mech which I wanted to avoid based on what the chap wants. Simple & reliable is the name of the game.

 

[Midlife]

Nothing wrong with a Svelto, just have to make sure the pivots on the parallelogram are not loose. Earlier ones with smooth jockey wheels were a bit sturdier.

There's also the black / red Simplex as used by Carlton but might look a bit modern?

Finally the Campag Valentino, solidly made but looks crude and with a triangular jockey cage that wouldn't look out of place on a dairy lea lookalike competition.

Is the 3 speed 1/8 pitch?

Cheers


Shaun

 

[FINNEY1973]

There are a couple of little used Svelto's available; many from France. Even a NOS one on ebay UK; one of the 70's variants; hoping to get a 60's one with the smooth jockey wheels. Valentino was considered but don't think it would suit the aesthetic. Same with the other simplex offerings.

So the Svelto is a reliable mech and would work well on a 3 speed bike?

This is the freewheel...

 

[Midlife]

Svelto worked pretty well, as did the Jubilee

Those cogs look quite thick, does a 3/32 chain fit?

Shaun

 

[FINNEY1973]

Re:

That's good to hear, I think I'll plumb for a Svelto then. I have a Jubilee on the coffee table; not a chance that's going on this bike build!!

This is the chain, it's a 4/5 speed - i'm hoping it fits!

 

[Robbied196]

It would be worth checking your crankset, freewheel and chain are all 3/32". I think the crankset will be 3/32 but the freewheel could be 1/8". Only a guess, its not easy to tell from photos.

Have you thought about a Cyclo/Benelux RD? They are not to expensive and appropriate for the 50s.

 

[FINNEY1973]

Once the postman has done his bit I'll check the compatibility - the Maxi chainset isn't period but perhaps eludes to an older vintage in it's style - well that was my initial thoughts on it.

The freewheel was only £12 so no great loss if it isn't compatible.

The dilemma I have is putting something together that looks and rides well; but also requires minimum intervention. I looked at the Benelux when trawling through DisraeliGears - would it provide a reliable option - the remit is that the bike will be an everyday commuter and thus I want it as simple as possible but not single speed.

 

[Nob]

48T front ring maybe a good option