Viktor T.’s 1950s Crescent “Pepita” Racer

Posted

After much discussion, we have determined that this Crescent is not a 1973 as previously stated, but instead a 1950s era.

Today’s OTS comes to us from Viktor T. in Sweden.  This is a 1973 Crescent Pepita (“little seed of squash”?). This  old timer has some interesting features. 1) Note the front derailer’s shift lever is connected directly to the derailer itself—on the seat tube. 2) Note the front chainrings are reversed with the smaller ring to the outside.  Viktor indicates these are Simplex (hardly surprising).  Anyone with any expertise or knowledge of this system?

1973 Crescent Pepita

1973 Crescent PepitaReversed Chainrings an OTSG first!Single DTS for actuating the rear derailer.Drops

Pictures from wintry Sweden!
This beautiful Crescent Pepita was passed on to me by my father, who bought it when he was thirteen. It’s in mint condition. It has an original Peugeot Simplex gear system and is somewhat oddly built, note the gear levers on the frame! My apartment is too small for me to take decent photos of it, but enjoy those I managed to take.

Thanks Viktor

Related posts:

  1. Hugh’s BCA Parkwood Mixte
  2. James’ Old Huffy Scout
  3. Cody P’s Raleigh Record
  4. Jared M’s 1980s SR Gran Course
  5. Dave M.’s 1965 Schwinn Varsity SN: KA7453
  • Pfaff

    Is that a seat tube shifter attached 2 inches away from the front derailleur?

    Also, is the small chainring supposed to be on the outside of the crank?

    I don’t think I’ve ever seen a set up like that.

  • Pfaff

    Maybe I should read the description first, before just looking at the pictures and commenting.

    Derp.

  • J. Valentin

    This one is pretty old! Mid 50´s ? What happened to all the decals?

  • J. Valentin

    …eh, I dont want to be a grumpy sod, but the Pepita-name were “invented” by the US-market for the high end Crescents in the 60´s and 70´s. What you mean with Pepita is a Crescent 320, 319 or 318 with certain kind of high end gruppos, lightweight tubing and lugs. This is the “common” interpretation.

  • firenbones

    I’ve read that having FD shift lever on the downtube, just above the FD, was not unheard of on Euro bikes in the 1950s. To see it on a bike from the 1960s or 1970s is really interesting.

  • http://oldtenspeedgallery.com The Ten-Speed Dreamer

    Most elements of this bike point to a production much earlier than 1973.

  • J. Valentin

    I´m pretty sure this is a model 201 or 202. In that case it has derailleurs and crankset by Simplex and breaks perhaps by Altenburger. Decals would indicate year of making but my guess we´re talking about early or mid 50´s. Would be fun to hear from Viktor or his father!

  • Viktor

    Hey, Viktor here!
    Yeah, the bike may be much older. My father got it second hand as far as I know, but that’s the date he’s told me. Then again, it might be much older. He peeled off the decals, unfortuneatly.
    I googled “Crescent Racer” in search of the model name, and what I saw was the Pepita bikes that were very similar to this.

    Also, Valentin knows his stuff. The breaks are indeed Altenburger breaks.

  • Viktor

    It used to have a front chain guard also, but it got dented and started tearing up jeans, so I removed it.
    The rear watershield isn’t standard, fits poorly but does its job.

  • J. Valentin

    Hej Viktor! (Då vet vet vi att det är en 50-talare!) Then we know its a 50´s! Both components and geometry and fork-crown and style of tubing determines pretty sure the year of making. Hubs should be FB Brevete? The single front derailleur and rear derailleur on the seat post disappeared sometimes during the 50´s.

  • J. Valentin

    The system is called Simplex Competition. Why the smaller ring is on the outside may very well be connected to the fact that front derailleur shifter is situated on the seat post.

  • Viktor

    I can’t deny that. Though – the lever lacks an adjustable stopping screw, so if you crank too hard when shifting down, the chain will derail.