Not sure what it is!

S

Shep67

Retro Newbie
Bought this re-build off an enthusiast in the late 80’s. Think he said it was a 1960’s French manufacturer but could be wrong.
He added various bits - Mavic wheels, Milano forks, Jim Blackburn racks. It served me well in the 90’s but not really used it much since and it’s gathering dust in the shed. Would be interested to know what it is and if it’s worth anything?
The frame has Reynolds 531 stickers in and a “refurbished by Bob Jackson, Leeds’ sticker on the saddle frame. IMG_4523.jpeg
 

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Orbit were a British firm, based in Sheffield for most of their history. I couldn’t say what that model name is , (might be a Gold Medal) but they specialised in touring (and later also MTB) bikes and had a decent reputation.

Price-wise, in that condition you’re probably looking at about £150 at the very most - it might have been a bit more a few years ago, but the market is pretty flat for bikes like this at the moment, and this one needs some work.
 
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The other fast tourer model they had was the Harrier. Looks a nice frame - nobody ever regretted buying an Orbit.
 
sjcprojects said:
Orbit were a British firm, based in Sheffield for most of their history. I couldn’t say what that model name is , (might be a Gold Medal) but they specialised in touring (and later also MTB) bikes and had a decent reputation.

Price-wise, in that condition you’re probably looking at about £150 at the very most - it might have been a bit more a few years ago, but the market is pretty flat for bikes like this at the moment, and this one needs some work.
Click to expand...
Looks like a gold medal.
Frequently this dark blue. I've had a few.
There was also a silver medal, latterly it was the same frame but with cheaper components iirc. The harrier was a faster style, caliper brakes until it moved away from lugs i think, when it got cantis and tigged.
 
Orbit had a factory in Dudley, West Midlands, run by Frank Clements.
Later Orbit became Sirius.
 
They were in Sheffield when we traded with them, 90s, run by Simon Gershon, who used to visit Bristol on a motorcycle with some sample bikes strapped on the back😁
Mostly tig welded and fillet brazed touring frames iirc at this point.

He sold it on to to an Enthusiast who was keen on equipping touring bikes with campag(🤔), they ceased trading a couple of years later, but the name lived on just with tandems. I think nothing of the factory went beyond this point, just the branding.
 

My "new" Orbit road bike

OK, photos to follow shortly, but for now....just finished building up an early 90s Orbit America (from the Brierley Hill era) which I bought for a bargain price off the LFGSS forum. Admittedly, in terms of the headset, fork, stem, brakes and Ergo levers it has a few more recent touches but...
www.retrobike.co.uk www.retrobike.co.uk
 
I built an Orbit from Sheffield for a former partner in the early 90's. It was a real sweet ride, very confidence inspiring, light and comfortable. Highly recommended.
 
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