Liberia 531 Classic Road Bike 1970s

Cycles Libéria has been founded in 1918 in Grenoble, France.
The name refers to the new-found freedom after the first world war and is a small tribute to the first independent African Republic at the same time.

Like many companies which were founded as bicycle manufactures, Libéria tried to get a foothold in motorcycle production, too. But still they might be most famous for their bicycles.
In the 1950s they started to sponsor their own small team and subsequently managed to win the Critérium du Dauphiné twice.
Still, the whole company employed not more than 50 people in between 1950 and 1970 which is a surprisingly small number for a more famous French bicycle producer.

Maybe quality was more important than quantity here and so it is no surprise that our Libéria road bike was sold in what was probably the most famous bicycle shop of Southern France, Cycles Payan of Marseille. The label of which can be found on the head tube.

The frame itself is made of - what else than - Reynolds 531 tubing. One of the most famous ingredients of competitive racing bikes for many decades.
The tubes are connected by elegant lugs, and the headlugs are chromed as is the head tube and the fork ends of both front and back.
As componentry, some of the finest French parts have been installed, from Stronglight to Mafac, Simplex and Maillard.

We thoroughly checked all components and assured that this bike is good for all types of riding, including the rough roads of L'Eroica.