Leo Estermann, 1950s/1976, Switzerland
History & Specifications
Leo Estermann was a Zurich based framebuilder had best reputations amongst Swiss framebuilders. He built racing and track bicycles for professionals and private customs. The first frameset with number 1 he has built in 1938, the last during the late 1980s. Many Swiss professionals and also international professionals won on Estermann frames. Probably the most innovative framesets he has built for the Swiss pursuit team for the 1980 Moscow Olymic Games. Swiss professional Dill Bundi, won the 1980 Olympic gold medal in the single pursuit. The framesets had aerodynamic shaped tubing, seatposts with a 20 mm diameter and the wheel aero spokes.
This Estermann racing bicycle with frame number 600 was built in early 1950s. A connaisseur would adknowlegde the high artistic skills of the brazing and forms of the lugs. The legend says that this frameset was ordered by a international professional but was never picked up. The frame went to a Swiss professional and then one of the sons of Estermann arranged that the frame was given to his workmate. He brougt the frame to Esterman for a complete overhaul. The framebuilder changed the old drop outs with Campagnolo dropouts, the frame was repainted and lug lined in the Estermann color scheme and was built up with a Campagnolo NR groupset from 1976. Estermann preferred to mount Weinmann brakes, a 3ttt saddle. A larger freewheel was added and a NOS Sedis chain was mounted.
The bicycle was again completely overhauled, all ball bearings cleaned, regreased and adjusted. The rear wheel was laced up with 4 crossings. I replaced the spokes lacing up with 3 crossing as the front wheel. Otherwise the Estermann was left in its original condition from 1976.
Frame size seat tube 59 cm center–top, top tube 59 cm center–center, weight 10.2 kg