Condor Vintage Frames and Bicycle Guide

Look for a frame number. The frame number is found on the bottom bracket on the underside of the frame. Condor frames from 1948 to 1980s are stamped with a four or five digit frame number. Frames from mid to late 1990s onwards are stamped with a five or six digit frame number.

The first two numbers denote the year the frame was made, while the second two or three digits refer to the production number. In some cases, the format is reversed, such that the production number is first and the year second.

Unfortunately we do not have an archive of frame numbers that are pre 2009.

Is it a Condor?

Can't find a frame number or it doesn't match our examples? There are several way to identify a Condor. Condor did not make bicycles with baskets or with swoop back bars similar to Dutch bikes — these were made by a now defunct Swiss maker. Dropouts Condor used dropouts by Campagnolo during the 1960s and early 70s. Dropouts are often stamped Condor or Campagnolo.

The Dropouts

Solid Top Eyes

Condor frames have a solid top eye design that semi wrap over or would meet at the Allen key seat bolt. The top of the seat stays do not fully wrap over the top tube. This style was used on cheaper, mass-produced bikes such as Raleigh, Carlton and Falcon. The top eyes meet at the seat Allen key bolt, rather than below or at the back of the seat tube.

From the late 1970s onwards, customers could choose to have Condor etched into the top eye.

Brake Bridge Detail

A "C" for Condor is etched into the rear brake bridge. This can be found on frames from the late 70s until the late 90s.

Where was my frame made?

Condor frames are all handmade and are never mass-produced. Each Condor bicycle is custom made and fitted and we still do this today.

Condor frames from 1948–2005 were built in Britain. Condor frames from 2006 are built at our facility in northern Italy. 

1948–1973
In the early years, Condor — like many custom performance frame builders — did not have a range of models. Instead, customers could choose from a variety of unique lug patterns and choose their own geometry, paint, fixtures and fittings to suit their needs.

Condor lug patterns available were No. 1, No.2, No. 3, Superbe. Fleur de Lis, and Italia. The most popular patterns were the No. 1, Superbe, and Italia.

1970s frames

Curly and fanciful lug patterns fell out of fashion in the mid-1970s as riders looked to find way to make their bicycles lighter. Frames with Superbe and No. 1 lug sets were still made but not in high numbers. The Baracchi, Sienna and Italia became increasingly popular.

Baracchi

Condor introduced a model know as the Baracchi from 1970, which was 350g lighter than a normal lugged frame. These frames did not have welds or lugs at the head tube.

Sienna

The Sienna was built from Columbus SL tubing and an "S" engraved into the fork crown. It features simpler lug design the lugs and bottom bracket are cut out.

1980s frames

A number of models were introduced in the 1980s that focused on off-road riding, audax and touring. 
Models of this era include Cadet, Special Cadet, Super Cadet, County, Italia, GS Racing, GS Touring, and TTT Turbo. Frames made in the 1980s didn't always carry a metal head badge and instead a Condor logo was applied vertically to the head tube.

1990s frames

Frames made in the 1990s didn't always carry a metal head badge and instead a Condor logo was applied to the head tube.

Condor produced several off-road bikes for mountain biking and touring models, as well as the Condor Professional, a top of the line race frame, along with the ever popular Italia.