Minerva passage - ever heard of one?

[Maxants33]

Hello
Found an old steel framed "Minerva passage" (probs late 80s to early 90s) in a friends garage - has anyone ever heard of this bike or brand? Are the later Minerva bikes any good either?

There is little info on the frame (steel type or otherwise). I was thinking the geometry might suit a conversion to a touring bike - its got a nice triangular down tube too. But if its a cheap frame then obviously I would be better to keep looking...

The internet has failed to yield any useful info so far, so if anyone knows of this bike or the later Minerva bikes in general quality, I would love to hear about it! Next summers touring bike could be a freebie!!

Many thanks!
Max

 

[Cycleops]

To give you any sort of worthwhile answer we need to see some pics. Never heard of Minerva.

 

[ufkacbln]

IIRC MInerva was a Belgian company

 

[Drago]

http://www.minerva-bikes.be/

 

[Maxants33]

Sorry, it will be a while before I can post photos - left my camera in Manchester and my phone is old school... Its good to see that the Minerva bikes are going for £300+ though. The components look really not great on the bike - so does this indicate that the frame is similarly pants? Hope not...
Many thanks.

 

[Maxants33]

Hello, just found this - slightly older Minerva bikes for sale - the one I may have looks like a slightly older version of this one -
http://www.bbtrade.eu/bicycles/bicy...rva-city-m410/818?product_id=1160&goback=list

The components look crap - but the bike is going for 250 euro - so does that indicate a half decent frame?
I've also posted this on a another part of the forum - sorry to spam, just really keen know if this is a frame worth investing in.
Many thanks,
max

 

[Cycleops]

If you want the short answer No! It is steel so will be heavy, fine for pootling around town or a not too demanding commute. As it says it's a City bike. And around £200 is fairly low budget in bike terms.