Here's a very retro 'MTB' (?!) that I picked up a few days ago, if you love singlespeeds and stuff built like tanks then this is perfection - the Swiss Army Bike (or 'Militärvelo').
This is the MO 05 model (1905), this 100 year old design served the Swiss Army until the middle 1990's - virtually unchanged before the 'modern' replacement MO 93 came along adding seven gears, MTB components and a more modern design.
This is one of the most seriously overbuilt bikes I have ever seen, the thickness of the lugs and seat tube is incredible. It weighs way more than twice my SS Chameleon at 50 lbs - I weighed just the seat and post today - came in at nearly 4 lbs.
Despite all that it's remarkably easy to ride and pedal (on the flat that is - bo**ocks to going up the Swiss Alps), took it for a spin on and off-road (gravel tracks) yesterday - once moving it wafts along in silence (coaster brake so no ratcheting freewheel) and disguises it's weight well. Very stable and comfortable too. There are three brakes, the coaster, a rear drum and the 19th century style front pad acting directly on the tyre - it works though.
This is a 1949 issue but the condition is as if it just came out of storage, nickel plating on the 1947 dated hub is like new, dynamo works like a dream, all bearings are super smooth. Those Swiss Army types sure know a thing about maintenance and keeping their machines 'battle-ready', everything is adjusted and greased perfectly.
Really pleased to find it has everything totally original - grips, bell, huge pedals, leather tool case and all tools ('Condor' marked) and the nattiest little pump with inbuilt footstand. Note the 'Greaseguard' BB and hubs...
Last pic is the MO 93 (with DX or XT thumbshifter as standard).
More info on these links if anyone is interested:
http://www.benvanhelden.nl/Condorclub/Fiets/Switserland/Army Bikes Switserland.html
http://objectbook.com/militaervelo.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkjpDZ1O4C0
This is the MO 05 model (1905), this 100 year old design served the Swiss Army until the middle 1990's - virtually unchanged before the 'modern' replacement MO 93 came along adding seven gears, MTB components and a more modern design.
This is one of the most seriously overbuilt bikes I have ever seen, the thickness of the lugs and seat tube is incredible. It weighs way more than twice my SS Chameleon at 50 lbs - I weighed just the seat and post today - came in at nearly 4 lbs.
Despite all that it's remarkably easy to ride and pedal (on the flat that is - bo**ocks to going up the Swiss Alps), took it for a spin on and off-road (gravel tracks) yesterday - once moving it wafts along in silence (coaster brake so no ratcheting freewheel) and disguises it's weight well. Very stable and comfortable too. There are three brakes, the coaster, a rear drum and the 19th century style front pad acting directly on the tyre - it works though.
This is a 1949 issue but the condition is as if it just came out of storage, nickel plating on the 1947 dated hub is like new, dynamo works like a dream, all bearings are super smooth. Those Swiss Army types sure know a thing about maintenance and keeping their machines 'battle-ready', everything is adjusted and greased perfectly.
Really pleased to find it has everything totally original - grips, bell, huge pedals, leather tool case and all tools ('Condor' marked) and the nattiest little pump with inbuilt footstand. Note the 'Greaseguard' BB and hubs...
Last pic is the MO 93 (with DX or XT thumbshifter as standard).
More info on these links if anyone is interested:
http://www.benvanhelden.nl/Condorclub/Fiets/Switserland/Army Bikes Switserland.html
http://objectbook.com/militaervelo.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkjpDZ1O4C0
