Oscar Egg lugs – Mystery Mixte
This vintage bicycle has challenged my research abilities. I purchased it recently on eBay and had this basic info from the seller: a post WWII Oscar Egg lugged mixte, no marquis, but probably French built, with top of the line components, including tubular Clement rims laced to F. B. hubs – plus a number of other interesting components that were new to me.
Immediately, I began to wonder about when this bike was made and why there is no marquis or headbadge to indicate the builder. But, I’ll put aside that weighty question, and present these photos taken before disassembly:
Favorit PWB cottered crankset – Prague Warsaw Berlin
Simplex shifter with cable stop
Gevov wingnuts
Fratelli Brivio (F.B.) hubs
Bluemels Lightweight Mudguards
Oscar Egg Mixte lugs – note the very small diameter tubes
Weinmann sidepulls – an 810 on the front and a 730 on the back
Phillipe stem
The bike shop in Kern Frankfurt, Germany where the bike was ordered.
An extraordinary Titan seatpost
Seatpost lug with gold paint to match the lug lining
Frame paint detail
An ornate pump peg, plus evidence of a front impact. The tubes appear straight and undamaged, however.
Frayed cable housing, french headset.
Clement 700c tubular rims.
A 4 speed Simplex Tour de France rear derailleur mounted on the model-specific and quite robust Simplex dropout. A real contrast to the delicate downtubes and chainstays.
Rare Scheeren alloy handlebars.
Oscar Egg head tube lugs.
Curved seat stay, presumably to allow the rear brake cable to lay flush against the frame
Lugged chrome fork, way more clearance than needed by these narrow 20mm tubulars
Melas fork mount dynamo. The front light is not original.
I am looking forward to having the time to undertake this fascinating restoration project! I have been involved with restoring a number of late ’40s bicycles. This one, I think, will add some depth to my knowledge base.