Looking for information about this Splendor roadbike

[Guse]

Hello!


When my grandfather passed away two years ago, I inherited this road bike of his, and it has been sitting in my garden shed ever since.


I’m now planning to restore the bike and give it the second life it deserves, but first, I’d like to find out more information about it.


The frame has a sticker with X-30, but I haven’t been able to find any information about a Splendor X-30 online, which surprises me.


There’s also a sticker on the frame that says “Designed by Dickie Ripley.”


Here’s a list of components currently mounted on it:

• Brooks Champion Standard B15 saddle
• Exage Motion brakes
• 3ttt Italy stem
• Sealed Mech Exage HB-RM50 rear wheel/hub
• Exage 300EX front and rear derailleurs (7x2 speed drivetrain)

I’m not sure if the bike is stock or has been modified over time. Any information about this bike would be greatly appreciated!

 

[pigman]

The Hitachi Splendor pro team of the 80s hailed from belgium, so that could be the start for a search

 

[Guse]

The Hitachi Splendor pro team of the 80s hailed from belgium, so that could be the start for a search

Thanks!

 

[chickendrumsticks]

Love that chain disc. Bike lives up to it's name - a splendid old thing!

 

[Woz]

Was a very well known lightweight brand / builder? in Belgium with pedigree. I'm not capable to tell you the full the history though.

 

[Woz]

Cool photo and pro bike.



Someone will be along to help more.

 

[non-fixie]

Splendor is indeed a Belgian brand from Namur. Owner was Armand Marlair. Between the late fifties and mid-eighties they were involved with several cycling teams, including their own, which existed from 1979 through 1984.

 

[sjcprojects]

I would think it’s pretty much all original stock parts, aside from the saddle. The lower-end groupset ties in with some features of the frame which suggests that’s also lower-end (relatively speaking - not to say it’s not a reasonable enough bike).

It’s from around 1990 based on the groupset.

 

[non-fixie]

(...) not to say it’s not a reasonable enough bike.

Supposedly mr Ripley was quite talented.